Pain Management for Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve-root canals. This can put pressure on the spinal nerves and neck and low back pain, numbness and weakness in the arms and legs, and problems with normal bladder or bowel function. Though it can develop in any place within the spinal column, it most often occurs in the lumbar spine or cervical spine area.

This disorder usually affects men and women older than 50. However, it can also occur in younger people with a spine injury and those who have a narrow spinal canal. Regular wear-and-tear changes in the spine such as disc herniation, bone spurs, thickened ligaments and overgrowth of the facet joints are the main causes of spinal stenosis. Medical conditions such as arthritis, tumors, spinal injuries and congenital bone curvature (scoliosis) can also cause the condition. Pain management for spinal stenosis would depend on the location and severity of symptoms.

Spinal Stenosis Pain Management

Generally, it is very difficult to diagnose spinal stenosis as its signs and symptoms are similar to many age-related conditions. Different types of imaging tests such as X-rays, open MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) and CT myelogram are used to diagnose this spinal condition. Leading healthcare centers offer pain management for spinal stenosis with various safe and effective non-surgical modalities:

• Physical Therapy – This technique involves therapeutic programs that help patients to improve strength, mobility and flexibility of the spine. Therapeutic exercise includes gentle strengthening; stretching, aerobic and isometric exercises that helps to improve normal function, movement and increase flexibility.
• Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory medications – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat inflammation and prevent further damage.
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – This treatment modality uses low voltage electrical currents to relieve aches.
• Epidural Steroid Injections – This involves injecting steroid medication into the space that surrounds the nerve roots (epidural space). This helps lower inflammation and the acute pain that radiates into the arms and the legs.
• Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) – RFA uses electrical current produced by a radio wave to heat up a small area of nerve tissue, thereby decreasing aches signals from that particular area.
• Prolotherapy – Prolotherapy is used to treat connective tissue injuries of the musculoskeletal system that have not healed by either rest or other nonsurgical therapies. Also known as regenerative injection therapy, it helps in healing, alleviate pain and improve total function.

For those patients suffering from spinal stenosis, prevention must be the prime focus. Doing regular exercise and staying physically fit can strengthen your back muscles and contribute to a healthier spine. Maintaining a healthy body weight also helps prevent the condition as it reduces the amount of stress placed on the spine.