Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition where the bony canals that hold your major nerves are smaller than normal. These small and narrow canals can put pressure on the nerves in the spinal canal or where the nerves exit the spinal canal. This can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the back and legs and can lead to permanent damage if left untreated.
There are two main types of spinal stenosis:
Cervical stenosis: Narrowing in the part of your spine near your neck.
Lumbar stenosis: Narrowing in the part of your spine in your lower back. It's the more prevalent form of spinal stenosis.
For stenosis in your neck, symptoms include:
Neck pain
Numbness or tingling in your hands, arms, feet, or legs
Weakness in your hands, arms, feet, or legs
Difficulty walking and balancing
Bladder issues or urinary incontinence
For stenosis in your lower back, symptoms include:
Back pain
Numbness or tingling in your feet or legs
Weakness in your feet or legs
Cramping in your legs while standing or walking
Your spinal bones create a canal to protect the nerves in your spinal cord. You can be born with a smaller than average spinal canal, but most cases of spinal stenosis occur when a condition arises that narrows the space of your spinal canal. Some common causes include:
Bone spurs (overgrown bones)
Tumors
Spinal injuries (from car accidents, sports injuries, etc.)
Spinal Stenosis & Back Pain Treatment in Asheville & Western North Carolina
Spinal stenosis treatment can be as simple as medication and physical therapy that can be very effective. Dr. Lewis also uses other advanced, minimally invasive surgical procedures to cover the problem, always trying to avoid aggressive open surgery unless necessary.
If you are concerned about lower back or neck pain, it’s better not to take a chance. Contact the team of specialists at Comprehensive Pain Consultants of the Carolinas and let us help you tackle the pain associated with spinal stenosis once and for all!