- Conditions
- Procedures
- Patient care
- Why choose us
- Our Doctors
- Contact
Spinal stenosis — causes and treatment options for severe spinal stenosis
Severe spinal stenosis occurs when the narrowing in the spinal column, called spinal stenosis, becomes so narrow that it compresses the nerve roots in the spinal cord and creates debilitating pain.
Patients who suffer from severe spinal stenosis often endure chronic neck or back pain that prevents them from doing simple activities like walking and standing for long periods of time. If you have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis and have not sought treatment, you may be experiencing these same symptoms. Over time, as the spinal stenosis worsens, you might find yourself unable to participate in your hobbies or perform daily activities. Left untreated, severe spinal stenosis can cause a decrease in your quality of life.
Diagnosing spinal stenosis
Diagnosing spinal stenosis can be difficult because it can be caused by a range of different spine conditions. Additionally, severe spinal stenosis may have more than one cause, or one contributing spine condition that is also severe. In order to accurately diagnose your spinal stenosis and determine the root cause, you will need to schedule an evaluation with your physician which may include the need for diagnostic imagery such as an MRI.
There are several contributing factors to severe spinal stenosis. Some of the most common contributing factors are as follows:
- Bulging or herniated disc. A bulging or herniated disc occurs when the disc between two vertebrae in the spine becomes damaged or degenerative and begins to expand beyond its normal perimeter. The expansion of a disc can decrease the space between the walls of the spinal canal and the expanded disc in the spine, contributing to spinal stenosis.
- Bone spurs. Bones spurs are unexpected growths on the vertebrae or ligaments in the spine. These growths occur when the joints between the vertebrae begin to deteriorate due to injury or age and the vertebrae begin to compress against each other. Much like a herniated disc, a bone spur can contribute to spinal stenosis by narrowing the already tight nerve pathways in the spinal column.
- Spondylolisthesis. Spondylolisthesis is a spine condition that describes the slippage of one vertebra over another. If a vertebrae is misaligned and out of the natural placement of the spine it can constrict the spinal nerve pathways.
Once your physician decides the cause of your severe spinal stenosis, you can create a treatment plan to help address your chronic pain.
Treatment options for severe spinal stenosis
By the time a person is diagnosed with severe spinal stenosis, he or she typically has already been to the physician numerous times for neck pain, back pain and other symptoms. Treatments may begin with rest and physical therapy for mild spinal stenosis, and then slowly graduate to prescription pain or anti-inflammatory medications and epidural steroid injections if the pain continues to be debilitating.
If your spinal stenosis progresses to a severe state without any lasting pain relief from conservative treatments, you may want to consider a surgical treatment option for your pain. Traditional open back surgery requires overnight hospitalization as well as a relatively long recovery. During the procedure, the muscles and soft tissues surrounding the spine are cut, causing your risk of complication to be higher. At USA Spine Care, we offer a safer and effective alternative to traditional open spine procedures.^ Our minimally invasive spine surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure at one of our world-class regional surgery centers. For more information about the minimally invasive surgery we offer to treat spinal stenosis, please contact us today.
Our team will give you a no-cost MRI review* so we can find out if you may be a candidate for one of our procedures.
Learn more today
If you're living with spinal stenosis in the upper spine and searching for relief, reach out to USA Spine Care for help. Our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to helping people develop the right care plan to reach treatment goals and achieve lasting relief.
Contact us today to learn more. Call toll free 1-866-249-1627.
Spinal Stenosis "Quick Answers"
Depending on the region and severity Spinal stenosis feels like tingling, burning and/or weakness in the hands, arms, neck, lower back or legs. It may also feel like a radiating pain or shooting shock-like pain. Read more in the links below: Spinal Stenosis Spinal Stenosis Overview Defining Spinal Stenosis Researching Spinal Stenosis Learning About Back Stenosis Spinal Stenosis Pathophysiology
The types of spinal stenosis are region based and consist of cervical (neck), thoracic (mid back) and lumbar or lower back. In addition, foraminal stenosis is the narrowing of the foramen. Read more in the links below: Spinal Stenosis of the Neck Cervical Stenosis - Basic Facts Neck Stenosis Causes Neck Stenosis Treatment Central Canal Stenosis Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Spinal Stenosis in the Back
Spinal Stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal. This condition, most often located in the Lumbar spine, may be caused by degeneration of the spine, wear and tear, sports injury, & collapsing discs. Read more in the links below. What Causes Spinal Stenosis? Obesity May Lead to a Stenosis Diagnosis Age and its Role in the Development of Spinal Stenosis Spinal Stenosis Causes Identifying Common Causes From Birth Defects to Getting Older Degenerative Conditions Car Accident Injuries
The symptoms of spinal stenosis include tingling or numbness in the extremities, pain and weakness in the neck, back and/or legs. In severe cases bladder, bowel dysfunction/continence. Learn more in the links below: What Are the Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis? Spinal Stenosis Symptoms Spinal Stenosis Diagnosis What Should I Do If I Think I Have Spinal Stenosis? Spinal Stenosis and Hand Pain Recognizing Spinal Stenosis Have You Been Diagnosed? About Your Diagnosis Diagnostic Process Helping Your Physician How a Diagnosis Is Made Arriving at a Diagnosis
Physician specialties that treat spinal stenosis include: Pain management & rehabilitation physicians, spine surgeons, orthopedic specialists & neurosurgeons. Read more about these specialties in the links below: Doctors Who Treat Spinal Stenosis Spinal Decompression Doctors
Spinal Stenosis Exercises for Pain Relief Spinal Stenosis Treatment Types Treatment for Spinal Stenosis What a Doctor May Initially Recommend to Treat Your Spinal Stenosis At-Home Treatments for Spine Pain Associated with Stenosis Conservative and Alternative Treatments Spinal Stenosis Keyhole Surgery Procedures Spinal Stenosis Treatments Treatment Methods Range of Treatment Options Initial Approaches to Treatment Treating Spinal Canal Stenosis While You Sleep Spinal Stenosis Relief 5 Common Treatments Epidural Injections Alternative Treatments Spinal Decompression Spinal Decompression Therapy Spinal Decompression Exercises Hollistic Approach Acupuncture for Spinal Stenosis Conservative and Surgical Modalities Types of Surgery Minimally Invasive Options to Treat Spinal Stenosis and Leg Weakness Minimally Invasive Treatments Minimally Invasive Surgery Minimally Invasive Procedure Minimally Invasive versus Open Neck and Open Back Operations Spinal Stenosis Surgery Spinal Stenosis Procedures Neck Stenosis Surgery
Patients can expect recovery to last 4-6 weeks in most cases (depending on the complexity of your condition). People who choose minimally invasive spine surgery recover faster and get back to work sooner than those who choose open back surgery. Read more in the links below: Recovery After a Procedure What to Expect Recovery Times
- Problems from anesthesia.
- A deep infection in the surgical wound.
- A skin infection.
- Blood clots.
- Nerve injury, including weakness, numbness, or paralysis.
- Tears in the fibrous tissue that covers the spinal cord and the nerve near the spinal cord. These tears may require more surgery.
- Trouble passing urine, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
- Long-term (chronic) pain, which happens after surgery in some cases.
- The chance that the surgery won't relieve your symptoms. And even if you get better with surgery, there is a chance that you may get new symptoms in the future.
- Death from problems caused by surgery, but this is rare.
Read more in the links below: Overview of Risk Factors Most Common Risk Factors Obesity & Spinal Stenosis Spinal Stenosis & Arthritis Treating Elderly Patients
Spinal Stenosis Resources Additional Information Spinal Stenosis and Neuropathy: The Connection and Treatment Options A Herniated Disc, Stenosis of the Spine, and Other Common Causes of Back Pain in the Elderly Riding a Bicycle Jarvis Jones Sidelined by Stenosis Preparing for a Procedure Stenosis Causes & Risk Factors Stenosis Symptoms & Treatments Alleviating Symptoms Staying Fit with Cervical Stenosis Living with Lumbar Stenosis Participating in Outdoor Activities Easy Ways to Avoid Symptoms
Download your minimally invasive spine surgery info packet and receive our e‑newsletter.
^Results are typical, but not guaranteed, each patients experience with spine surgery will differ.
For more information, visit usaspinecare.com/results. The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to serve as a replacement for a medical diagnosis.
*Our MRI review is an informational review of the MRI report that you provide to us and is not a form of diagnosis. A diagnosis and a final determination of whether you may benefit from treatment at USA Spine Care can only be made after you have been physically examined by our medical professionals at USA Spine Care. The MRI review has no value and will not be billed.
+For more information, visit usaspinecare.com/surgeons.
Laser Spine Number Institute
866-DOCS-LSI
866-362-7574
866-249-1627
Copyright © 2019 USA Spine Care, LLC.