SPINAL STENOSIS usually affects the lower (Lumbar) Spine and is a common condition commonly associated with aging, but may begin in 50's or earlier.  It is

a painful condition, that occurs with walking or at times with standing.  The pain usually is across the lower back and commonly radiates into the legs.  It builds up with walking, and at some distance the affected person must stop and sit or rest, and the pain quickly resolves.  Pain will recur again on walking an equal distance.  The distance a person can walk without severe pain may shorten as the disease progresses over time.  Usually, leaning forward on a cane, walker, or shopping cart eases the pain. The condition occurs due to factors that decrease the diameter of the central canal of the spine where the spinal cord lies, or the holes (Foramen) where nerve roots exit the spine.  This can be from a combination of disc bulges, arthritic enlargement of the joints of the spine, or enlargements of spinal ligaments.

 

TREATMENTS early on may include pain medications, physical therapy, and resting during longer walks.  When one finds they can only walk short 

distances without pain, other effective minimally invasive procedures which

are helpful are:

 

1. Epidural Steroid Injection

2. Interspinous Spacer Implant

3. Endoscopic Decompression (Discectomy, Central Canal Decompression,Foraminoplasty)