Spinal stenosis is a common cause of back pain in adults over 50 and occurs when the space between the vertebrae starts to narrow. As the body ages, space for nerves is gradually reduced, which can cause pain and other symptoms commonly associated with spinal stenosis. At Specialty Pain Management, our team of spinal stenosis experts brings decades of experience to this condition and can provide you with several different treatment options, including minimally invasive lumbar decompression. We’ll take a closer look at minimally invasive lumbar decompression to help you determine if this treatment option is right for your pain management needs.
What is Spinal Stenosis and Why Does it Cause Pain?
Spinal stenosis is a painful condition that causes narrowing of the spine, which reduces the space nerves have to run through. When this happens, patients can experience a variety of different symptoms including:
- Pain
- Numbness
- Burning sensations
- Decreased mobility
Lumbar spinal stenosis specifically impacts the five vertebrae in the lower back. While anyone can develop spinal stenosis, it is much more common in adults over the age of 50 and can present alongside another condition like osteoarthritis.
How is Spinal Stenosis Diagnosed?
Spinal stenosis is diagnosed using a combination of your symptoms, medical history, and medical imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, or CAT scans. One of the most common symptoms associated with spinal stenosis is neurogenic claudication, which causes pain or weakness in the lower legs when walking or standing and improves by sitting or leaning forward. Once a diagnosis of spinal stenosis has been confirmed, your doctor will review some of the treatment options available to you.
Treatment Options for Spinal Stenosis
There are a variety of different treatment options for spinal stenosis, ranging from medication-based treatments, surgical solutions, and minimally invasive treatments like minimally invasive lumbar decompression. Some of the more common treatments for spinal stenosis pain can include:
- Physical therapy
- Medications
- Steroid injections
- Surgical decompressions
- Minimally invasive lumbar decompression
Since many spinal stenosis patients have concerns over surgical solutions to their pain, minimally invasive lumbar decompressions are often a preferred treatment option if they are a good fit for your pain management goals.
Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression for Spinal Stenosis
Minimally invasive lumbar decompression, or MILD, is a safe and effective treatment option for spinal stenosis in many cases. This treatment is designed primarily for lumbar spinal stenosis associated with thickened spinal ligaments. During a minimally invasive lumbar decompression, a doctor will make a small incision and remove excess ligaments and bone that are associated with your pain. This process increases space around the spine to alleviate compression on nerves, which can improve patients’ symptoms in many cases.
Unlike traditional open spine surgery, which comes with longer recovery times, minimally invasive lumbar decompression is generally performed as an outpatient procedure, with many patients able to return home the same day. Recovery time and results can vary from patient to patient. Most patients will be able to gradually return to their regular schedules in the days and weeks following the operation. If you’re interested in exploring minimally invasive lumbar decompression for your spinal stenosis, Specialty Pain Management is here to help you look into all of your treatment options.
Find the Right Treatment for Your Spinal Stenosis Pain at Specialty Pain Management
If you’re dealing with spinal stenosis pain and are interested in exploring all of your treatment options, including minimally invasive ones like minimally invasive lumbar decompression, Specialty Pain Management is here to help. To schedule a consult with our spinal stenosis specialists, contact our offices today!