What Causes Spinal Stenosis?
Many Americans suffer from the condition known as spinal stenosis. While arthritis is a common cause of spinal stenosis, other causes include:
- Aging
- Degenerative joint disease of the spine
- Disc herniation
- Spondylolithesis
- Trauma
Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
Symptoms of spinal stenosis vary and are dependent on the location of the stenosis. Common symptoms include:
- Leg pain when standing or walking
- Back pain radiating though the buttock and hip down to the leg
- Neck pain radiating through the shoulder and down the arm
- Numbness or tingling in your leg, foot, arm or hand
- Loss of balance
- Loss of bowel or bladder function
Treatment Options for Spinal Stenosis
In many cases, conservative non-surgical treatments can effectively treat spinal stenosis. For more severe cases, surgery may be recommended. Acute loss of bowel or bladder function is usually considered a medical emergency and requires immediate surgical intervention. Dr. Haq has the experience and expertise to properly diagnose the condition and recommend conservative non-surgical treatments. Conservative treatments include:
- Physical therapy and stretching programs
- Ice or heat
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Prescription pain medications
- Epidural steroid injections
- TENS
- Minimally invasive procedures
