Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis develops when arthritis or other conditions narrow your spinal canal. If you experience spinal stenosis symptoms, talk to James Ellner, MD, at Georgia Pain Management in Woodstock, Georgia. Dr. Ellner’s expertise in interventional pain management ensures that you receive the most advanced, effective solutions to neck or back pain and other symptoms. Call Georgia Pain Management today to arrange a spinal stenosis evaluation, or use the online booking feature to schedule a consultation.

What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a term for conditions that cause your spinal canal to narrow. There’s limited space in your spine at the best of times, so further narrowing can easily cause problems that lead to back or neck pain.

Nerve compression (radiculopathy) is one of the main spinal stenosis effects. The nerves that spread throughout your body have roots in your spinal cord, from where they exit through gaps in the vertebrae. Stenosis can put pressure on the nerves, irritating or injuring them.

What symptoms indicate that I have spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis symptoms include:

• Aching, dull pain in the back or neck
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness in your arms or legs
• Reduced stamina when physically active
• Difficulties walking or balancing

Leaning forward often reduces spinal stenosis pain because it opens up the spine and reduces pressure.

Many people with spinal stenosis feel no ill effects or attribute their mild symptoms to aging. However, severe spinal stenosis can be disabling.

Why would I have spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis typically develops as you age due to changes in the spine. Osteoarthritis, a wear-and-tear disorder due to the erosion of cartilage that protects your joints, is a leading cause. Bone spurs — small outgrowths that develop in response to arthritis — are another.

Degenerative disc disease, where the discs between the vertebrae dry out and flatten, can cause your spine’s alignment to change. It’s also a primary cause of herniated discs, where the soft core of the disc protrudes through a weakened shell. Tumors, spinal injuries, and thickened ligaments could also cause spinal stenosis.

Dr. Ellner completes a thorough physical exam to determine what’s causing your spinal stenosis. He examines your medical history, asks about your symptoms, and might order diagnostic imaging to assess the area in detail. He may also perform a nerve block procedure to isolate the pain’s point of origin.

What treatments are available for spinal stenosis?

Initially, Dr. Ellner is likely to recommend physical therapy, activity modification, and anti-inflammatory medicines for spinal stenosis. If these don’t relieve your symptoms, you might benefit from an epidural or facet joint steroid injection.

Should steroid injections prove ineffective, Dr. Ellner might suggest radiofrequency neurotomy. If nothing works for your stenosis, spinal cord stimulation might.

Call Georgia Pain Management today for expert help with spinal stenosis. You can also use the online booking form to schedule a consultation.