Living with constant back pain or numbness in your legs can make it hard to enjoy daily activities and do the things you love. If you are having these symptoms, you may have spinal stenosis. This is a common problem that happens to many adults as they get older.
At Summit Orthopedics, our spine specialists in Minneapolis/St. Paul provide comprehensive care for patients with spinal stenosis. We offer nonsurgical and surgical solutions to relieve pain and restore function. Understanding this condition is the first step toward finding effective relief.
What Is Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis happens when the spaces in your spine get smaller, causing pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Spinal stenosis in the lower back is called lumbar spinal stenosis. When the stenosis is in the neck, it’s known as cervical stenosis. Either type of spinal canal narrowing can make daily activities harder. When movement is painful, you can experience a lower quality of life.
As you get older, your spine experiences wear and tear that causes the spinal canal to narrow over time. The tissues in your spine grow thicker and harder, putting more pressure on the nerves and spinal cord. This pressure can lead to pain and other symptoms that can get worse over time.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Knowing the signs of spinal stenosis can help you prevent nerve damage and long-term pain. Some people with early spinal stenosis don’t feel any symptoms, so the condition silently worsens. Symptoms may start when pressure builds on the nerves. These symptoms tend to get worse with certain activities but may improve when you move into positions that create more space in your spine. Symptoms vary based on where the narrowing occurs in the spine. You might notice:
- Back or neck pain that gets worse with movement
- Numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
- Pain or cramps when walking or standing
- Pain that travels down one or both legs
- Trouble balancing, which can lead to falls
- Weak muscles or coordination problems
Many people feel better when leaning forward slightly, as this opens up more space in the spinal canal.
Spinal Stenosis Causes
It’s important to understand what causes spinal stenosis so doctors can create a treatment plan that works for your specific needs. Although arthritis is the most common cause, other factors, like injuries or medical conditions, can speed up the problem. These causes often work together to reduce the space in your spine for your nerves and spinal cord. Things that may contribute to spinal stenosis include:
- Arthritis, which may cause bone spurs that press against nerves
- Bone diseases (like scoliosis) that affect spinal growth
- Calcium deposits forming on spinal ligaments
- Herniated discs pushing on the spinal cord or nerves
- Spinal injuries from trauma or accidents
- Thickened ligaments pressing into the spinal canal
Knowing what makes spinal stenosis worse can help you avoid painful episodes and stay more active. Certain activities or body positions can make symptoms more severe by further narrowing the spinal canal. These common triggers include:
- High-impact activities or sudden movements
- Prolonged walking
- Standing for too long without moving
Diagnosing Spinal Stenosis
Getting the right diagnosis helps create the best treatment plan and makes sure spinal stenosis is not mistaken for other conditions. At Summit Orthopedics, we use several tests and tools to get a clear idea of the problem. This allows us to find the exact spots where your spine is narrowing and see how severe the issue is. We look at everything that might affect your symptoms and use these methods:
- Advanced imaging tests, including X-rays, MRI and CT scans to find bone spurs, narrowing of the spinal cord and areas of nerve compression
- Diagnostic injections to find where the pain is coming from
- Electromyography to check how nerves are working
- Physical exams to test flexibility and strength
- Reviewing your medical history to spot risk factors
Nonsurgical Treatment
It’s important to try all nonsurgical treatment options before considering surgery for spinal stenosis. The best approach usually combines different therapies to treat both the narrowing of the spine and the resulting inflammation and pain that affect your daily life. Many people feel much better with these noninvasive treatments and often don’t need surgery.
- Injections to reduce inflammation and swelling around compressed nerves
- Lifestyle changes like managing your weight and adjusting activity
- Medication management with anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers
- Physical therapy to strengthen supporting muscles, improve flexibility and teach good movement habits
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is an option when nonsurgical treatments don’t work or when pain or nerve issues continue to worsen. Spine surgeons use advanced techniques to remove pressure from the spine and bring stability if needed. Doctors will carefully review your health and lifestyle before recommending surgery, making sure it’s the best choice for your specific needs.
Decompression Procedures
Laminectomy creates more space for the spinal cord and nerves by removing the lamina (the “roof” of the vertebra). This relieves pressure from compressed nerves and eliminates bone spurs.
Fusion Procedures
If spinal stenosis makes your spine unstable, your doctor might suggest spinal fusion. This operation joins two or more vertebrae together to stop painful movement, add stability and take pressure off nearby nerves. You may need fusion if other treatments haven’t provided enough relief or if the spine has major damage.
Spinal Stenosis Care at Summit Orthopedics
Summit Orthopedics surgeons are available at nearly 30 convenient locations across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Our state-of-the-art, comprehensive orthopedic centers offer same-day appointments from a team of experts who offer the full scope of orthopedic care, including spinal stenosis diagnosis and treatment.
Find your Summit Orthopedics spine expert, request an appointment or call us at (651) 968-5201 to schedule a consultation.
