Nearly 10% of people have spinal stenosis, a condition that develops when your spinal canal gets narrower and pinches your spinal cord. A healthy spine has plenty of space for the spinal cord inside the vertebrae, but years of wear and tear can make that canal narrower.
When the spinal cord is compressed, it can cause pain or numbness in different areas of your body. Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of spinal stenosis, and it’s possible to have spinal stenosis without suffering any symptoms.
Over time, untreated spinal stenosis often gets worse. Amol Soin, MD and our team at Ohio Pain Clinic can help you find relief from your pain. Find out more about the signs of spinal stenosis right here, then book an appointment with us for top-quality treatment.
The signs of spinal stenosis can be different, depending on the part of your spinal cord that’s affected. Cervical stenosis develops when your spinal canal gets narrower in and around your neck.
You might have cervical spinal stenosis if you experience tingling, numbness, or weakness in your hand or arm. In some cases, you may notice tingling or weakness in your foot or leg.
Other signs of cervical stenosis include:
If you notice any of these symptoms, Dr. Soin and our team offer comprehensive exams to diagnose your condition. Medical imaging can help us determine the cause of your symptoms and evaluate the health of your spine.
Lumbar stenosis is the most common type of spinal stenosis. With lumbar stenosis, wear and tear narrows your spinal canal in your lower back.
Signs of lumbar stenosis often include:
Another symptom of lumbar stenosis is pain or cramping in your legs after standing or walking for long periods of time. This type of pain is often relieved temporarily if you sit or bend your legs.
Some people don’t know they have spinal stenosis, and it’s only diagnosed following medical testing like an MRI or CT scan. In addition to having osteoarthritis, certain other conditions may make it more likely that you’ll develop spinal stenosis.
Being over the age of 50 makes spinal stenosis more likely. Other risk factors include having a history of:
Dr. Soin and our team take your medical history and your symptoms into consideration when developing your treatment plan. Many people find physical therapy and pain medication to be effective in managing spinal stenosis discomfort. In serious cases, surgery or a decompression procedure may significantly improve pain.
Find relief from your back and neck pain with spinal stenosis care at Ohio Pain Clinic. Call one of our offices in Centerville or Beavercreek, Ohio, to learn more or book an appointment with Dr. Soin online.
