After a Diagnosis of Spinal Stenosis
A diagnosis of spinal stenosis comes with a lot of questions, and for some, uncertainty about the future. But this painful condition doesn’t have to stop you from doing all the things that you love. Since it opened in December 2017, Carthage Area Hospital’s Neurosurgical Clinic has been helping spinal stenosis patients across Northern New York navigate their treatment options. Here’s a look at what you can expect if you or a loved one have been diagnosed.
Receiving the Diagnosis
By this point, you’ve undergone a complete physical exam, x-rays and more advanced medical imaging tests of your spine. Your doctor might have even ordered a bone scan, myelogram, electromyography and nerve conduction studies. Whether you received the news in your doctor’s office or over the phone, treatment for spinal stenosis – the narrowing of the enclosed spaces in the cervical or lumbar spine – may sound daunting and quite complicated. However, there is a full range of treatment options available that may prevent you from requiring surgery.
Treatment Options for Spinal Stenosis
Upon learning your diagnosis, your doctor will walk you through the right treatment plan for your condition. For patients with few or no symptoms, this may simply require monitoring. You may also receive tips on pain management to incorporate into your daily routine, including:
- Long, hot showers or baths
- Heating pad
- Ice bag
- Nutritional supplements
- Regular exercise
- Good posture
Patients with more severe symptoms can expect a more aggressive treatment plan, such as anti-inflammatory drugs or steroid injections that relieve pain and swelling. Other types of medications may include:
- Anti-seizure drugs to reduce pain from damaged nerves
- Antidepressants that help ease chronic pain
- Opioids for short-term pain relief and long-term treatment
Your treatment plan can also involve physical therapy. Individuals with spinal stenosis may become less active due to the pain, which causes muscles to weaken and discomfort to increase. A physical therapist will work with you to build up your strength and endurance through back, abdominal and leg exercises. You’ll also work on maintaining flexibility and stability within your spine and improving your balance so you can stay active.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms and location of the stenosis, surgery may be needed. A majority of the patients who require stenosis surgery notice a drastic reduction of their symptoms, although the effectiveness of the procedure can vary based on your specific condition. Some of these operations include:
- Minimally invasive surgery: Removes bone or lamina to reduce damage to surrounding healthy tissue
- Laminectomy: Removes the lamina of the affected vertebrae or links it to an adjoining vertebrae with metal hardware and a spinal fusion
- Laminotomy: Removes only enough lamina to relieve the pressure at a particular point
- Laminoplasty: Creates space in the cervical spine with metal hardware
- Percutaneous Image-Guided Lumbar Decompression (PILD): A decompression procedure involving the partial removal of a thickened ligament in the back of the spinal column
Living with Spinal Stenosis
After a diagnosis of spinal stenosis, the best way to manage the condition is by working closely with your medical team to create an active treatment plan. At Carthage Area Hospital’s Neurosurgical Clinic, you’ll receive the highest level of care from experienced doctors who can guide you through every stage of stenosis, from diagnosis to surgery if necessary. To learn more, contact us online or call 315-519-5990.