Spinal stenosis usually develops slowly as age-related degenerative changes occur in your spine, leading to pain that gets progressively worse. The team at Restore Health has extensive experience treating spinal stenosis using a combination of medical care, physical therapy, and interventional pain medicine, creating individualized treatments that alleviate your pain and improve your ability to stay active. To learn more about your treatment options for spinal stenosis, call the office in Spokane or Richland, Washington, or book an appointment online today.
Spinal Stenosis FAQ’s
Spinal stenosis occurs when the area inside the spinal canal narrows, a problem that results in compressed nerves. Though you can develop spinal stenosis after an injury, the cause is often a degenerative condition such as:
- Herniated discs
- Osteoarthritis
- Bone spurs
- Thickened ligaments
- Degenerative disc disease
- Slipped vertebra (degenerative spondylolisthesis)
These conditions either protrude into the spinal canal or, in the case of a slipped disc, pull the spinal column out of alignment. In all cases, the condition pushes against the nerves, causing inflammation and pain.
The Restore Health team reviews your medical history, performs a physical exam, and then orders diagnostic tests if needed, such as X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI.
Your initial treatment may include activity modification and physical therapy. Physical therapy focuses on strengthening your muscles, stretching, posture correction, and improving your flexibility and range of motion.
Some patients may try anti-inflammatory medications, but if your pain persists, your provider may recommend interventional pain medicine.
Interventional pain medicine offers advanced therapies that significantly diminish your pain by targeting the nerves transmitting pain signals. When you receive one of these treatments, the Restore Health team uses fluoroscopy, which is an X-ray in real-time that allows them to see your spine and precisely administer your treatment to a specific nerve.
These are a few examples of interventional options used for spinal stenosis:
- Epidural steroid injection
- Facet joint injection
- Selective nerve root block
- Spinal cord stimulation
If a damaged disc causes spinal stenosis, the Restore Health team may perform minimally invasive procedures to repair the disc.
You can get relief from the pain of spinal stenosis. Call Restore Health, or book an appointment online today.