Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis, a degenerative condition that causes the spine to narrow, affects up to 95% of people ages 50 and older. At Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas, with offices in Rockwall, Wylie, Forney, and Terrell, Texas, the team offers high-quality care for spinal stenosis, including physical therapy, corticosteroids, and minimally invasive surgery. Call Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas today to schedule treatment for spinal stenosis, or book your visit online. 

My back hurts. Could it be spinal stenosis?

Probably not. Spinal stenosis causes the space around your spinal cord to narrow. This process often occurs slowly and doesn’t present obvious symptoms. 

You might develop tingling, numbness, or weakness as the condition worsens. However, these signs are typically mild at first. 

What causes spinal stenosis?

Some people are born with a smaller-than-average spinal canal, but spinal stenosis is often the result of a medical condition, like:

• Bone spurs
• Herniated discs
• Thick ligaments
• Tumors 

Sometimes, spinal stenosis occurs because of an injury, like a car accident. Sudden trauma causes the tissues in your back to swell, placing excess pressure on your spine. 

Who is at risk of spinal stenosis?

Anyone can develop spinal stenosis, but it’s most common in people ages 50 and older. Chronic back pain that affects children, teens, and younger adults is often the result of scoliosis or other musculoskeletal problems.

How does an orthopaedic specialist diagnose spinal stenosis?

Your Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when you first noticed them, what they feel like, and if they’re worse during certain activities, like exercising or lying down. 

Your provider examines your neck and back and gently presses on your vertebrae to identify sensitive places. Then, they order diagnostic imaging, like X-rays, an MRI, or a CT scan, to check for underlying conditions, like bone spurs, herniated discs, and pinched nerves.

Your provider makes personalized treatment recommendations if diagnostic imaging confirms the narrowing of the space around your spinal cord.

How does an orthopaedic specialist treat spinal stenosis?

The Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas team treats spinal stenosis with a conservative, minimally invasive approach. They might suggest:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Antidepressants
• Anti-seizure drugs
• Physical therapy
• Corticosteroid injections

If your symptoms continue or fail to improve with conservative care, you might benefit from minimally invasive surgery. There are several procedures designed to increase the space around the spinal canal, including laminectomy, laminotomy, and laminoplasty. 

The type of surgery that will most benefit you depends on where the narrowing in your spine occurs and the severity of your symptoms. Minimally invasive surgery uses smaller incisions, reducing the risk of infection and speeding up your recovery. 

Call Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas today to schedule spinal stenosis treatment, or book your appointment online.