A diagnosis of spinal stenosis may be surprising to you, but if you’ve dealt with chronic spinal pain, this may be the first step in getting some much-needed relief. Spinal stenosis can happen to anyone at any age but is most common in older adults.
Dr. Brandon Claflin of Oklahoma shares some advice on how to manage spinal stenosis pain and how pain management can make a difference.
What Is Spinal Stenosis?
Simply put, spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the space inside the backbone. When the space inside the backbone becomes smaller, it creates pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves that surround it. Sometimes, people who have spinal stenosis don’t experience symptoms. If symptoms are present, they can range from moderate to severe.
What Causes Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis can be caused by wear and tear from arthritis, which can occur due to the normal aging process or underlying bone disease. It can also result from an accident, a genetic defect, tumors on the spine, or spinal injuries.
What Are the Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
Some people who have spinal stenosis won’t have any symptoms or may not have symptoms until they are older. Symptoms of spinal stenosis can include:
- Numbness, tingling, and/or pain in the back, legs, buttocks, hips, thighs, or calves, or in the upper body (arms, neck, and shoulders)
- Cramping or muscle weakness in the areas listed above
- Dizziness or trouble walking
- Issues with bowel movements or urinary incontinence
Symptoms of spinal stenosis usually get worse over time, which is why it is essential to seek care as soon as possible.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Care
If you’ve received a diagnosis of spinal stenosis, you should know there are options for care. Getting the relief you need may involve implementing several different therapies until you and your healthcare provider find the combination that works best to help manage your symptoms. Some available treatment options include anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, and surgery.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Most healthcare professionals agree that the use of anti-inflammatory medications can be beneficial for alleviating acute spinal stenosis pain. Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen may be used temporarily for acute pain relief.
Check with your healthcare provider to learn how frequently to use these medications and which ones are best for you. Some patients have preexisting conditions (like kidney or liver disease), which may preclude them from using anti-inflammatories.
Physical Therapy
The use of physical therapy for spinal stenosis pain management can be very successful if a person is committed to working with a physical therapist for a few months to see improvement. Physical therapy can also ensure a person does not lose range of motion or flexibility and does not suffer further limitations to ambulation.
Physical therapy may involve gentle stretches and practicing everyday movements like walking, bending, sitting, and standing. A physical therapist guides their patients through movements that safely support the spine to help prevent further aggravation. Physical therapy may also employ the use of range-of-motion and strength training exercises to support the spine and alleviate pressure.
Epidural Steroid Injections
Lumbar spinal stenosis pain that is moderate to severe can be relieved with an epidural steroid injection or “ESI.” ESIs involve the injection of anti-inflammatory steroid medication into the space around the spine to reduce the inflammation and pain in the nerves around the affected area of spinal stenosis.
These injections are mildly invasive but can give a patient relief for several months at a time. They may be used in connection with other therapies to provide additional relief.
Surgery
In some cases, a person may need to have surgery to correct spinal stenosis. Surgery can enlarge the area inside the spine and help alleviate pain. There are different surgical options available for spinal stenosis.
Your healthcare provider can discuss which ones may work best for your particular injury. New surgical techniques are available that may make spinal surgery less invasive and offer a faster recovery.
The Relief You Need
If you’ve been diagnosed with spinal stenosis, you may feel like there is no end in sight to your pain. Working with a pain management specialist can give you hope and relief. Pain management specialists employ the use of many different therapies to help target your pain through movement, medication, and therapy.
There are many new and exciting technologies that your pain management provider can use to help find the exact cause of your pain and help you get relief. Finding relief with pain management can help you retain your quality of life and may help you avoid more invasive procedures.
Sources:
Spinal stenosis – Symptoms and causes | Mayo Clinic
Spinal Stenosis: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment | Cleveland Clinic
Epidural Corticosteroid Injections | Johns Hopkins Medicine