Spinal canal stenosis is a degenerative spine condition that describes the narrowing of the spinal canal. The spinal canal is a pathway within the spine that surrounds the spinal cord, protecting it as it carries messages between the body and brain. While the narrowing of the spinal canal alone is not symptomatic, a nerve traveling in the canal can become trapped or compressed due to the constriction, resulting in debilitating symptoms.

Often, symptoms of spinal canal stenosis include pain at the site of the compressed nerve, as well as pain, numbness, tingling and weakness in the local extremity. For example, if a nerve is pinched in the cervical (upper) spinal canal, the pain may radiate from the neck to the head, shoulder, arm or hand. If you’ve been diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis, you understand the pain and discomfort that can be caused by this condition.

These symptoms could begin to prevent you from performing your daily activities, such as household chores and golfing, if left untreated. You should talk to your doctor about the spinal canal stenosis treatment options available to you if you notice your symptoms interfering with your everyday life. He or she may be able to recommend a treatment regimen that can help ease your condition. To learn about the variety of treatment options available for spinal canal stenosis, read the following article.

Conservative treatment for spinal canal stenosis

Spinal canal stenosis is often caused by the natural aging process of the spine. Conservative treatments that focus on stretching the spine and strengthening the surrounding muscles are often effective in relieving the symptoms of this condition. The first step prior to beginning spinal canal stenosis treatment is to diagnose the location and cause of the stenosis.

In most cases, spinal canal stenosis is caused by another spine condition that has resulted in a vertebra or disc shifting out of alignment and into the spinal canal. For example, a bulging disc is a disc in the spine that expands into the spinal canal due to pressure from surrounding vertebrae. This could cause a portion of the spinal canal to be narrowed and could ultimately lead to nerve compression.

Once the cause of the spinal canal stenosis has been identified, your doctor can help you determine the best course of treatment to relieve your pain. Conservative therapies, such as physical therapy and stretching, can help to lengthen the spine and take pressure off the affected nerve. Exercises like Pilates and yoga can help to strengthen the core muscles around the spine to better support the weight of the upper body.

Surgical spinal canal stenosis treatment at USA Spine Care

For patients who do not respond to conservative treatments, surgical treatment may be suggested to create additional space in the central canal and decompress the trapped nerve root. At USA Spine Care, we offer several types of minimally invasive procedures to treat spinal canal stenosis. Our surgery is a safer and effective alternative to traditional open neck or back surgery^ because our procedures use a small incision that is muscle sparing.

The type of minimally invasive procedure performed will depend on the cause and location of your spinal canal stenosis. We have minimally invasive decompression surgery for mild to moderate spine conditions and minimally invasive stabilization surgery for more severe spine conditions. Our board-certified surgeons+ and physicians will perform a thorough physical examination and review of diagnostic imagery before determining the best route of treatment for your specific needs.

Since 2005, our minimally invasive surgery has helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from chronic neck or back pain, establishing USA Spine Care as the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery. Because of our commitment to patient-centered care, we have earned a patient satisfaction score of 98 and a patient recommendation score of 98 out of 100.^ To learn more about our spinal canal stenosis treatment, contact USA Spine Care today.

Through a free MRI review,* our dedicated team is able to determine whether you are a potential candidate for our spinal canal stenosis procedures.

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