Stenosis

What Causes Stenosis?

Stenosis refers to a narrowing of the spinal canal, which in turn pinches the nearby nerves. You can develop stenosis in your lower back or neck following an injury. However, it’s most often caused by conditions such as:

• Bone spurs
• Herniated discs
• Facet joint arthritis
• Thickened ligaments
• Degenerative disc disease
• Slipped disc (degenerative spondylolisthesis)

Stenosis occurs as these conditions protrude into the spinal canal, compress nerves, and cause inflammation.

What Symptoms Develop Due to Stenosis?

Stenosis may cause symptoms in your back and radiate down your legs, or in your neck, where the symptoms can also affect your arms and hands. You may experience:

• Neck or lower back pain
• Pain that radiates down your arms or legs
• Tingling or numbness in your arms or legs
• Weakness or tiredness in your arms or legs
• Leg cramping when you walk or stand

If stenosis compresses the sciatic nerve, you develop sciatica, which is known for causing a shooting, electric-shock pain through one leg. 

How do Orthopaedic Specialists Treat Stenosis?

Treatment for spinal stenosis begins with nonsurgical therapies. Your customized treatment plan may include options such as medications, exercise, or physical therapy.

Carefully designed exercises relieve the pain and improve your mobility. However, if your pain prevents you from engaging in therapeutic activities, your provider may recommend pain-relieving treatments such as epidural steroid injections and spinal cord stimulation.

If your pain persists despite more conservative therapies, your provider at Beaufort Orthopaedic Sports & Spine may recommend one of the following surgical procedures to repair the problem causing your stenosis: 

• Discectomy: During a discectomy, your provider removes the damaged disc. Then they either insert an artificial disc or perform a spinal fusion.
• Spinal Fusion: After removing a damaged disc, your provider inserts a bone graft in place of the disc, which fuses the adjoining vertebrae together to restore spinal stability. A fusion stops movement between the two bones.
• Artificial Disc Replacement: Your provider can replace cervical and lumbar discs with an artificial disc. A prosthetic disc restores spinal stability while also maintaining normal movement between the vertebrae.
• Spinal Decompression: The team performs several possible procedures to decompress pinched nerves. Following spinal decompression, you may need a spinal fusion or your provider may implant the coflex® Interlaminar Stabilization® device. The device restores spinal stability and preserves motion.

To get help for ongoing back or neck pain, call Beaufort Orthopaedic Sports & Spine or schedule an appointment online.