THE BEST TREATMENT FOR SPINAL STENOSIS
Spinal stenosis means narrowing of the spinal canal and therefore the is not enough signal down the nerve that running to your arms or legs. The most common lumbar stenosis symptom is difficult to walk and limited walking distance(a medical term called neurogenic claudication) as the legs and feet do not get enough nerve signals. Other symptoms are tingling, numbness, and weakness. Back pain is usually not the most common complaint.
Classic history from the patients is that they walk better when they leaning forward or more obvious when they describe that they walk better when they push on the cart in the grocery store. We called that positive shopping cart sign. Another classic history is that they have no symptoms when they sit but when they get up and walk for a certain distance, the legs become heavy and/or having legs pain, tingling, numbness.
Pathologies that cause stenosis are from herniated disc, thickening of the ligament lining the spinal canal, arthritis, and hypertrophy of the facet joints.
The main treatment for stenosis is low impact exercise such as stationary bike, biking, swimming. Walking is also recommended but the patient may need to use walker or cane so it reproduces the “shopping cart” situation. Physical therapy and medications include anti-inflammatory and nerve medications can benefit.
Epidural steroid injections may be recommended by your physician. The theory is that the steroid can decrease the inflammation. If the injection does not help, it means the main problem is the mechanical component which implies that the surgery is needed.
There are various ranges of surgery from minimally invasive decompression, laminectomy, and laminectomy and fusion. The main goals are to open up the spinal canal, free the nerves in the spinal canal, and relieve the pressure inside the canal. You should have a detailed discussion with your surgeons on what type of surgery is best for your condition.
Please contact us to find out the best treatment for stenosis and more importantly if you are a candidate for Microspine endoscopic decompression if you need surgery.
