Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a common cause of back pain in adults over age 60. If you experience back pain that lessens when you lean forward, it could be spinal stenosis — and the Pain Medicine of the South team is ready to help in their Knoxville, Tennessee, office. They offer a variety of innovative pain relief treatments with little or no downtime, so call the office or click on the online scheduling link to learn more today.

What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the space containing the spinal nerves and spinal cord, which causes pressure on these delicate tissues and may cause discomfort or pain. 

Spinal stenosis most often affects the lower (lumbar) spine but can also happen in the upper spine (cervical spinal stenosis).

What causes spinal stenosis? 

Most cases of spinal stenosis occur because of arthritis-related degenerative changes in the spine over the years, so it’s most common after age 60. 

However, some people have spine problems at birth, like having an unusually small spinal canal, which later causes spinal stenosis (congenital spinal stenosis). 

What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis may not cause symptoms. However, if it does, they may be very intrusive. Some common symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis are: 

• Leg pain
• Leg cramping
• Lower back pain
• More pain when you stand for a long time or walk a lot
• Less pain when you sit or lean forward

Some common issues with cervical spinal stenosis include:

• Neck pain
• Tingling, numbness, or weakness in an arm, leg, foot, or hand
• Balance issues
• Difficulty gripping a pen, opening a jar, or other functional problems

In the most severe cases, lumbar or cervical spinal stenosis can cause loss of bowel or bladder control. This is a medical emergency. 

How is spinal stenosis treated?

Spinal stenosis treatment normally includes physical therapy, oral medication, and lifestyle changes. If you have nagging back or neck pain due to spinal stenosis, the Pain Medicine of the South team may recommend pain management solutions like epidural steroid injections. 

Injections of a corticosteroid can quickly relieve the swelling in your spinal canal, easing pain and other symptoms like tingling or numbness. Most people experience good results with injections and other nonsurgical pain management treatments. 

However, if you have stubborn neck or back pain, the Pain Medicine of the South team may recommend minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD®), which widens your spinal canal and relieves pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.

Do you need help with aggravating back or neck pain? Pain Medicine of the South has comprehensive, minimally invasive solutions to give you long-lasting relief. Click on the online scheduling tool or call the office to speak with a friendly expert now.