Spine Stenosis

Spine Stenosis Q & A

What is spinal stenosis?

In the simplest of terms, spinal stenosis is defined as a narrowing of your spinal canal. Your spine is made up of 33 vertebrae that run from the base of your head down to your sacrum. These vertebrae play several crucial roles in the overall function of your body, starting with the fact that they make up the very foundation of your musculoskeletal system. As if that weren’t enough, your vertebrae come together to form a channel that provides passage for your nervous system from your brain to the rest of your body.

When something causes this channel to narrow, it compresses the nerves, often causing radiating pain, weakness, or other symptoms.

What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis most often occurs in your neck or low back, which makes sense given these two areas are the most active sections of your spine.

If you have stenosis in your lower back, your nerve roots are crowded and you may experience:

• Low back pain
• Numbness and tingling in your legs and feet
• Weakness in your legs or feet

If the stenosis is located in your cervical spine (neck), you may feel localized pain or pain that radiates through your arm. You may also experience numbness and a tingling sensation in your arms and hands.

As spinal stenosis progresses, it can lead to loss of balance and problems with your urinary and bowel functions.

What causes spinal stenosis?

There are many conditions that can lead to a narrowing of your spinal canal, including:

• Herniated disc
• Degenerative disc disease and loss of disc height
• Osteoarthritis
• Injuries
• Tumors, though these are rare

In some cases, the ligaments surrounding your spine can become thick and rigid and contribute to the narrowing of your spinal canal.

How is spinal stenosis treated?

If Dr. Mobin suspects that stenosis may be behind your back or neck issues, he performs a complete clinical evaluation. A key to this is advanced diagnostic imaging, which allows him to take a look at what’s going on inside, usually through X-rays and MRIs.

Once Dr. Mobin has a clear picture of your condition, he recommends a treatment plan that may include:

• Anti-inflammatories
• Physical therapy
• Postural training
• Spinal manipulation
• Steroid injections

Should these measures prove ineffective, Dr. Mobin may recommend surgery to relieve the compression of your nerves. Rest assured, he uses the most advanced, minimally invasive surgical techniques in order to reduce your risks.

To research your options for treating spinal stenosis, call Mobin Neurosurgery for an appointment or schedule a consultation using the online booking tool.