Spinal Stenosis Explained: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Your spine is the superhighway of your body, and the messages race from the brain to the rest of the body along the nerves it protects. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spine that applies pressure to the nerves and causes pain and other symptoms. If you have spinal stenosis in Reno, NV, Dr. Ali Nairizi, Dr. Nicholas Carlevato, or Dr. Andrew Wesely of Reno Tahoe Pain Associates can provide the care you need.

Spinal Stenosis Causes

Anyone can get spinal stenosis, but it is most common as a condition as you age. About five people in a thousand over the age of 50 will suffer from this condition. It can also be a congenital condition or the result of an injury. Arthritis in the spine is the most common cause. Spinal stenosis in Reno, NV, is a wear-and-tear condition that most often occurs in the lumbar region of the spine.

Spinal Stenosis Symptoms

The primary symptom of spinal stenosis is pain. The symptoms are slightly different depending on where in the spine the stenosis is located. When it is located in the neck, the pain will be in the neck, and there may be numbness and weakness that extends down the arms to the hands and fingers. When the stenosis is located in the lumbar region, the pain may go over the buttocks and down the legs, and the tingling and numbness will also be located in this area of the body. The pain is usually worse when standing or walking. In severe cases, it can cause bowel and bladder issues. 

Spinal Stenosis Treatment Options

Spinal stenosis treatment usually begins with physical therapy to help maintain the mobility of the spine. Using a brace can help with maintaining stability. Medication can help with pain and inflammation. This can be applied orally or topically. Injections are also an option to relieve pain. If none of these conservative treatments work, then surgery is an option. This might include the removal of bone spurs, a spinal fusion, or the removal of the spinal disc. 

Find Treatment Near You for Spinal Stenosis

When you suffer from spinal stenosis in Reno, NV, Dr. Nairizi, Dr. Carlevato, or Dr. Wesely at Reno Tahoe Pain Associates offer the care you require. For an appointment, call the office today at 775-384-1127.