Spinal Stenosis

Lower back or neck pain, numbness, and tingling can be signs of spinal stenosis (a narrowed spinal canal). At SOAR Spine and Orthopedics in Santa Clara and Redwood City, California, the experienced general orthopedics and sports medicine specialists diagnose and offer highly effective treatments for this condition. Treatments focus on easing your discomfort and reducing your risk of complications. Call the office today to schedule an appointment or book one online.

What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is defined as a narrowed spinal canal. Often causing nerve compression, the condition can put pressure on your spinal cord and the nerves traveling through your spine. It most often affects the neck and lower back. When left untreated, the symptoms of spinal stenosis will typically worsen over time.

See the SOAR Spine and Orthopedics team at the first sign of pain.

What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?

The symptoms of spinal stenosis include:

• Lower back pain
• Neck discomfort
• Tingling
• Muscle weakness
• Numbness
• Leg pain or cramping
• Walking or balance problems
• Bladder or bowel problems

Spinal stenosis can also affect your hands, arms, and feet. You might not have any symptoms associated with spinal stenosis, at least not initially.

What are the risk factors for spinal stenosis?

While spinal stenosis can happen to anyone, the most common causes and risk factors for developing the condition include:

• Age-related wear-and-tear
• Arthritis
• Certain inherited genetic conditions
• Bone spurs
• Thickened ligaments in your spine
• Disc herniation
• Spinal injuries
• Car accident
• Trauma
• Swelling after surgery

Regardless of your age, you could be at increased risk of developing spinal stenosis because you have scoliosis (abnormal spine curvature) or other spinal irregularities.

How is spinal stenosis diagnosed?

Your SOAR Spine and Orthopedics provider can diagnose spinal stenosis after evaluating your medical history, results of physical examination, and lifestyle. An imaging procedure such an MRI is required to make a final diagnosis and help guide the development of an effective treatment.

How is spinal stenosis treated?

To treat spinal stenosis and ease its unpleasant symptoms, your SOAR Spine and Orthopedics provider could suggest:

• Medically supervised weight loss
• Individualized exercise instruction
• Physical therapy
• Massage therapy
• Acupuncture
• Corticosteroid injections
• Other medicines
• Surgery

Your individualized exercise instruction plan includes traditional strength-building exercises, balance training, and yoga. It can also include Pilates, tai chi, the Feldenkrais Method, and other conservative treatments that reduce the bothersome symptoms of spinal stenosis.

If conservative treatments haven’t worked or your spinal stenosis is severe, you may need surgery to widen the spinal canal and relieve pressure on your spinal cord and nerves.

Schedule an appointment today at SOAR Spine and Orthopedics by phone or online to find relief from spinal stenosis pain.