The words “spinal stenosis” may not come up frequently in casual conversation. But this condition is quite common, especially in people over age 50.
When you have spinal stenosis, the spaces inside your spinal canal begin to narrow. Without sufficient space, the spinal cord or nerves in the area can become irritated, pinched, or even compressed.
Spinal stenosis can develop for a variety of reasons, including issues present from birth. However, it’s far more likely to appear in response to injury or due to natural age-related changes in the spine. There’s no cure for this condition, and you can’t reverse it, but there are ways to manage your symptoms.
Our skilled team can get to the source of your spinal stenosis symptoms at Glaser Pain Relief Center in Encino, California. Better yet, we can provide personalized treatment recommendations to help you manage the condition and find relief.
Do you have spinal stenosis? Here’s what you should know.
While some people have a small spinal canal from birth, these cases account for only about 9% of stenosis cases. Instead, this narrowing within the spinal canal typically develops because of:
These issues can develop anywhere in the spine and vary in severity, which is why spinal stenosis symptoms can be different from person to person. You can also have spinal stenosis without any symptoms at all.
When spinal stenosis symptoms occur, they typically start mild and eventually worsen with time as the condition progresses.
Common signs of spinal stenosis include:
Many people also experience pain or cramping in the legs, especially when standing for long periods or walking. In these cases, it’s common to feel an improvement in symptoms when bending forward or sitting.
Because spinal stenosis only worsens with time, it’s crucial to seek treatment as soon as these symptoms arise to best manage your condition.
Our team has a fully equipped office with advanced diagnostic technologies, so we can diagnose all forms of chronic pain, including those triggering spinal stenosis symptoms. We also use the latest techniques and technologies to manage spinal stenosis based on its cause, even if we can’t cure it.
If you have spinal stenosis, our treatment recommendations might range from physical therapy or lifestyle modifications to minimally invasive therapies such as:
We also offer cutting-edge approaches for spinal stenosis, such as Vertiflex™. This innovative treatment uses a small implanted device to create space in compressed vertebrae.
In severe stenosis cases that don’t respond to conservative or minimally invasive therapies, we could suggest surgery.
While spinal stenosis isn’t reversible, you can find relief from your symptoms and keep your condition from worsening with our help. Contact Glaser Pain Relief Center in the San Fernando Valley today to schedule a consultation.
