Blogs
EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR SPINAL STENOSIS
March 11, 2016 by: Luis Manuel Tumialan MD
Spine Surgery
Spinal stenosis is a problem commonly seen in Dr. Luis Manuel Tumialán’s patients. This condition is essentially a narrowing of the bone channel along the spinal cord. This narrowing places pressure on the nerves of the spinal cord, which, in turn, results in a number of uncomfortable side effects, including general pain and a weakness or numbness of the legs. Dr. Tumialán offers minimally invasive spine procedures to alleviate back pain and other symptoms of spinal stenosis while minimizing the risks that are typically associated with spinal treatment. We offer minimally invasive treatment for spinal stenosis to our Scottsdale, AZ patients as a way to restore comfort and spinal functions without subjecting them to invasive surgical techniques that require an extensive recovery period.
What Is Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the bone channel along the spinal cord. While this can be a congenital condition, it is more often a degenerative condition that develops slowly over time. Initially, patients may not experience any side effects of spinal stenosis, but as the condition develops, they are likely to experience radiating pain as well as tingling, weakness, or numbness due to the compression of the nerves. These symptoms may come and go and may be aggravated by certain activities or movements. Spinal stenosis is commonly broken down into two categories: lumbar stenosis and cervical stenosis. Lumbar spinal stenosis describes a narrowing of the bone channel along the lower back, while cervical spinal stenosis describes a narrowing of the bone channel by the neck and head.
Treating Spinal Stenosis
Ideally, spinal stenosis should be treated in the least invasive way possible. When patients first show signs of spinal stenosis, it is likely that non-invasive treatments will be considered. Some treatments for spinal stenosis that may be offered initially, include the following:
If these treatments are not effective, or if spinal stenosis is severe, patients will likely require spinal surgery. Dr. Tumialán uses minimally invasive techniques to minimize the risk of this treatment. Using a small port, Dr. Tumialán can perform surgery to remove a portion of bone or overgrown ligaments in order to relieve pressure from the spinal cord. This can effectively relieve patients of the symptoms of spinal stenosis and restore comfort and physical functions.
Contact Us
If you are living with back pain and are looking for a solution, Dr. Luis Manuel Tumialán can help. Dr. Tumialán offers a number of spinal treatments that can reduce pain, improve functions, and restore a patient’s quality of life. To learn more about these treatments techniques, contact us at your earliest convenience.
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the bone channel along the spinal cord. While this can be a congenital condition, it is more often a degenerative condition that develops slowly over time. Initially, patients may not experience any side effects of spinal stenosis, but as the condition develops, they are likely to experience radiating pain as well as tingling, weakness, or numbness due to the compression of the nerves. These symptoms may come and go and may be aggravated by certain activities or movements. Spinal stenosis is commonly broken down into two categories: lumbar stenosis and cervical stenosis. Lumbar spinal stenosis describes a narrowing of the bone channel along the lower back, while cervical spinal stenosis describes a narrowing of the bone channel by the neck and head.
Treating Spinal Stenosis
Ideally, spinal stenosis should be treated in the least invasive way possible. When patients first show signs of spinal stenosis, it is likely that non-invasive treatments will be considered. Some treatments for spinal stenosis that may be offered initially, include the following:
- Exercise: Exercise and physical therapy are a part of almost any stenosis treatment plan. Exercise is not a cure for stenosis, but it can help patients manage their symptoms and help to ensure that the condition does not lead to debilitation due to inactivity.
- Medication: There are several medications that can be useful in controlling the pain that results from stenosis. This includes anti-inflammatories, narcotics, muscle relaxers, and even anti-depressants. No matter what type of medication is used, it is important that a professional supervise its use, and that medication is seen as a short-term course of treatment, rather than a long-term solution.
- Cortisone injections: Cortisone injections are another technique that does not treat spinal stenosis, but one that can offer patients temporary relief from its symptoms.
If these treatments are not effective, or if spinal stenosis is severe, patients will likely require spinal surgery. Dr. Tumialán uses minimally invasive techniques to minimize the risk of this treatment. Using a small port, Dr. Tumialán can perform surgery to remove a portion of bone or overgrown ligaments in order to relieve pressure from the spinal cord. This can effectively relieve patients of the symptoms of spinal stenosis and restore comfort and physical functions.
Contact Us
If you are living with back pain and are looking for a solution, Dr. Luis Manuel Tumialán can help. Dr. Tumialán offers a number of spinal treatments that can reduce pain, improve functions, and restore a patient’s quality of life. To learn more about these treatments techniques, contact us at your earliest convenience.
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If you are struggling with pain, weakness, loss of function, or other symptoms of spinal complications, contact Dr. Tumialán's office today.
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