Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a chronic and painful condition that occurs when the spinal canal becomes narrowed and presses on nerves. Alexis Tracy, DO, and the team at Somerset Spine & Nerve provide a range of spinal stenosis treatments for patients in Medford, Oregon. To learn more about receiving treatment for spinal stenosis, call Somerset Spine & Nerve or request a consultation online today.

What is spinal stenosis?

Stenosis is a medical term that means “narrowing.” In spinal stenosis, the open spaces in the spine that provide a conduit for nerves become narrower, which means there’s less room for these nerves as they travel from the brain to other areas of the body. As the condition progresses, the nerves eventually become crowded and compressed, resulting in pain and other symptoms.

Spinal stenosis is more common among older men and women, occurring as a result of age-related or degenerative diseases of the spine. Arthritis and hard projections called bone spurs are common causes of spinal stenosis. Less often, spinal stenosis can occur in people whose spinal columns are naturally narrow.

Spinal stenosis is most common in the neck or cervical spine or in the lower back or lumbar spine.

What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?

Mild stenosis may cause very few symptoms or no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they may be mild or intermittent.

As the disease progresses, it can cause symptoms like pain in the back or neck or pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs. Temporary relief may be achieved by sitting down and leaning forward to help open the spinal space.

In very severe cases, stenosis can affect the nerve pathways that travel to the bladder or bowels, causing symptoms of incontinence. Without proper treatment, stenosis symptoms tend to worsen over time as degeneration and narrowing continue.

How is spinal stenosis treated?

Prior to treatment, patients will undergo a series of evaluations, including a physical examination of the back, a medical history review, and imaging tests, which can include X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

Very mild stenosis may respond to physical therapy and medication to relieve inflammation and pain and improve overall mobility. More advanced cases of stenosis may require injections of anti-inflammatory medications or regenerative therapies delivered into the epidural space around the spine.

Patients with severe stenosis may require surgery to remove bone or bone spurs so compression is relieved.

To schedule a spinal stenosis evaluation, call Somerset Spine & Nerve or request an appointment online today.