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If you’ve been experiencing back pain, leg weakness, and numbness in the neck or back, you may be dealing with spinal stenosis. When you seek the assistance of a trusted spine specialist in New Jersey, you could determine the source of the spinal stenosis and the appropriate treatment. In this brief guide, we’ll explain what the condition is, potential causes, symptoms, types, possible ways to prevent it, and seeking medical care.
While spinal stenosis treatment options will not cure you of the condition, they could improve your daily routine and quality of life. Keep reading to learn more about the spinal problem that affects many Americans.
Spinal stenosis occurs when spaces between a patient’s spine narrows and strains the nerve roots and spinal cord. While it can occur in any of the five parts of the spine, the most common type of spinal stenosis is in the lumbar spine, or in the lower back region.
The spinal nerves and cord need an adequate amount of space, but spinal stenosis negatively affects that. It leads to pitching, irritation, and pain throughout the neck or back, potentially limiting mobility and leg function. 95% of people over 50 have spine degeneration, says the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Spinal stenosis has numerous causes, including spinal injuries, aging, arthritis, tumors, and more. As people reach their 50s, their likelihood for developing spinal stenosis could increase because osteoarthritis may have already affected the body. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, women are more likely to experience spinal stenosis than men.
Seeking guidance from a medical professional could help determine the appropriate spinal stenosis treatment, based on what type you have, the cause, and your lifestyle.
Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can also cause spinal stenosis. Extra bone growth, or spurs, from Paget’s disease or arthritis can harm nerves and press into the spinal canal. In rare instances, tumors can grow inside the spine, narrowing and putting pressure on the nerves.
Some people are born with scoliosis, or an abnormally curved spine, and notice the symptoms as a child or teenager. This can cause spinal stenosis, as can achondroplasia, previous spinal surgeries or injuries, and having a naturally narrow spine.
The symptoms of spinal stenosis depend on what type you have and in which part of the spine it affects. You might have frequent lower back and neck pain, sciatica, or a numbness and tingling sensation in your feet, legs, arms, or hands. You may feel weak in your limbs or legs too.
A patient’s ability to walk may decrease over time as the condition worsens. You could notice an increased struggle with walking or running short distances and experience severe pain as you attempt to do so. Irregular bowel and bladder functions may also make your daily routine harder.
According to the National Library of Medicine, over the next ten years, spinal stenosis cases will increase by 18 million.
There are two types of conditions where you may want to seek spinal stenosis treatment: lumbar spinal stenosis and cervical spinal stenosis.
Lumbar spinal stenosis affects the lumbar spine area and increases difficulty with walking, running, or standing. According to the National Library of Medicine, it affects 200,000+ US adults.
Cervical spinal stenosis occurs when painful bone spurs lead to neck pain. It can potentially lead to nerve damage, paralysis, and other severe symptoms if you don’t seek treatment.
Aging is a natural process that affects your body in many ways, and one of the main causes of spinal stenosis. While there are some ways to try to prevent spinal stenosis, taking these measures offers no guarantee you will not develop the condition. It merely lowers your risk of experiencing it.
Living a healthy lifestyle and making good decisions decreases your chances of spinal stenosis. Some of these choices include being active on a regular basis, performing a recommended amount of exercise for your age, weight, and gender, and keeping a healthy body weight. Avoiding smoking or putting harmful substances in your body also helps.
Working with a caring and dedicated medical professional can help you find a good spinal stenosis treatment option. Award-winning specialists that put their patient’s care and comfort at the forefront of their practice is a good sign you’ll receive excellent care and a personalized treatment plan.
Dr. Grigory Goldberg is an expert spine specialist who understands numerous spinal problems, including spinal stenosis. He also has learned what treatments can help decrease pain and increase comfort levels.
Getting professional medical support for spinal stenosis can help you alleviate some of the pain and strain. Not seeking spinal stenosis treatment could aggravate your condition and lead to worsening symptoms and severe problems. Working with a spine specialist is the best step to take.
You don’t have to deal with the pain and symptoms of spinal stenosis alone, as our expert team is here to help you. We provide the highest level of care and make you a top priority at our NJ offices.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Also, same-day appointments may be available, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.
There are options for spinal stenosis treatment to help you experience a more comfortable, healthier life, such as spine disc replacement with Dr. Grigory Goldberg. Contact us at one of our six New Jersey locations today to discuss your situation.
The main treatment for spinal stenosis is laminectomy, or a surgery that removes bone spurs and walls from a narrowed spinal column.
Spinal stenosis isn’t curable, but has many treatment options that help manage it. Treatments can help you function and feel better.
With spinal stenosis, you should not go running, rest in bed too much, or play contact sports like football, basketball, and soccer.
