Spinal Stenosis
The spinal canal, the passage for the spinal nerves, narrows and compresses the nerves, causing back pain and a range of nerve symptoms in the legs.
The canal runs from the brain through the neck, upper and lower back to the legs. When ligaments, bone or joints narrow it, the pressure on the nerves causes pain.
Common causes
01
Genetic factors
02
Trauma or degeneration
03
Extra bone growth irritating the canal
Signs to watch for
- Back and leg pain and aching, worse when bending backward
- Leg numbness, pulling pain and dulled sensation
- Weakness or a numb feeling in the whole leg; bearable at rest but painful when walking
How we diagnose
X-ray
The basic first test. Further tests may be added for a definite diagnosis.
MRI
Shows soft tissue that X-ray cannot, such as muscles, ligaments, discs, cartilage, nerves and blood vessels.
How we treat it
We remove inflammation at the narrowed site and treat the pain, then strengthen the vertebrae, tendons, ligaments and muscles to slow the degeneration that narrows the canal.
Nerve block (non-surgical)
A mix of medications, such as a steroid, local anesthetic, and anti-adhesion agents, is delivered through a long needle deep to the painful nerve. This removes adhesions and calms inflammation, relieving pain and helping prevent recurrence. It is done while watching a live monitor, so the medicine reaches the exact source of pain.
Balloon decompression
A balloon widens the narrowed area. An enzyme that dissolves adhesions between the narrowed area and the nerve, and an anti-inflammatory that reduces swelling, are then delivered for a stronger effect.
Microscopic spine surgery
The most widely used spine surgery, keeping incisions minimal and preserving healthy tissue. A microscope magnifies the area up to 15 times to remove the herniated disc or thickened ligament.
When surgery is consideredSurgery is recommended when symptoms are severe and pain cannot be controlled with conservative treatment.