Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis, a disorder in which the spinal canal narrows resulting in nerve and spinal cord impingement, mainly affects people over the age of 65 and is often the cause of low back pain.

Risk factors of spinal stenosis include scoliosis and hypertension.

Symptoms are often the result of disc bulging and herniation and include pain and reduced mobility.

A physician makes a diagnosis after a physical exam looking for tenderness and testing range of motion.

Radiographic imaging, like a CT scan or a MRI, is used to understand the level of stenosis.

Treatments

• NSAIDs (non-steroidal inflammatory drugs)
• Membrane stabilizing drugs
• Epidural steroid injections
• Percutaneous adhesiolysis: removal of scar tissue in epidural space
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Acupuncture
• Surgery (for severe symptoms)