Spinal Stenosis? Here Are Your Options

Sudden injury can lead to significant damage to the spine and change its shape, but our spines can also change with time as we age. One of these changes may be the narrowing of the space between your spinal discs. This may result in pressure on your spinal cord and the nerves traveling down your spine. 

In some cases, surgery may be recommended to create additional space for your spinal cord or nerves. Spinal stenosis occurs most often in the neck, or cervical spine, and lower back, which is the lumbar spine. 

Lumbar and cervical spinal stenosis are often treated nonsurgically using:

• Physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Steroid injections

If these nonsurgical treatment methods are unsuccessful in treating your condition, your surgeon may recommend surgery. Typical surgical options to eliminate pressure on the spinal cord and affected nerves include:

• A decompression procedure, where a portion of spinal bone is removed 
• A stabilization procedure, where spinal bones are fused together 
• An artificial disc replacement, where a damaged or slipped disc is replaced to realign the spine 

If you’re experiencing neck or lower back pain, call (860) 482-8539 to schedule an appointment with our spine surgeon at Litchfield Hills Orthopedic Associates or request an appointment online.