Spinal Stenosis Care

Stenosis is a narrowing of a passage. Spinal stenosis is a natural part of aging. A combination of bone, disc and ligament changes cause a narrowing of the spinal canal or foramina. Other diseases and spinal trauma also may cause stenosis.

There are two types of stenosis in the spine:

• Spinal stenosis. This occurs when bony outgrowths or damaged discs between the vertebrae cause narrowing of the spinal canal. The spinal cord and spinal nerves travel through this space from the base of the skull to the tailbone.
• Foraminal stenosis. The foramina are the passes along the sides of the spine where the nerves exit and travel to other parts of the body. Changes to the vertebrae and discs can cause these spaces to shrink.

Spinal stenosis forms in the neck (cervical spine) or lower back (lumbar spine). The condition causes back and neck pain.

Cervical stenosis can cause numbness, pain or tingling in the arms.

Lumbar stenosis may cause symptoms in the legs, such as discomfort, fatigue or pain, especially when standing and walking. Symptoms usually decrease quickly when you sit. Lumbar stenosis also can cause decreased bowel or bladder control.

When you come to New England Baptist Hospital (NEBH) Spine Center, you meet members of the spine care team to discuss your symptoms.

We use different exams and tests to diagnose spinal stenosis:

• Advanced imaging tests. An MRI may be needed to get a better view of the bones, nerves and tissues of the spine. 
• Medical history. Your doctor talks with you about your health and any ongoing conditions. Tell your doctor about any recent changes, especially with bowel or bladder control. 
• Physical exam. Your doctor examines your body and how you move your back, neck and spine. 
• X-ray imaging. X-rays allow your doctor to view the bones of your spine. 

We offer non-surgical and surgical treatments for spinal stenosis. Our doctors recommend the right care for your diagnosis.

Your care team works with you to create a treatment plan that reduces your pain and gets your back to your activities.

Non-Surgical Treatments

We use a range of therapies that can decrease your pain and improve your mobility and function — without surgery. There are many non-surgical care options:

• Medicine
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication
• Corticosteroids to reduce swelling
• Pain management injections. Doctors use interventional radiology procedures to ensure precise placement of numbing or steroidal medicines in the spine.
• Physical therapy

Surgical Treatments

When non-surgical care does not manage your pain and symptoms, surgery may be an option.

Your doctor will talk with you about the best surgical approach for your condition. The goal of surgery is to reduce and remove pressure on the nerves. This is called a decompression procedure, and there are different types:

• Discectomy removes a damaged disc between vertebrae.
• Foraminotomy removes bone from the vertebrae to create more space for the nerve root.
• Fusion connects vertebrae to prevent movement.
• Laminectomy removes part of a vertebrae to reduce pressure on nerves and increase space in the spinal openings.

The experts at the New England Baptist Hospital Spine Center created a series of videos to give you in-depth educational information about spinal stenosis and treatment options. We hope these videos help you make the best decisions for your care.

Watch the video series:

• What is spinal stenosis: Anatomy, causes and epidemiology. Understand the anatomy, causes and epidemiology of lumbar spinal stenosis.
• Spinal stenosis: Symptoms, diagnosis and natural history. Learn about the symptoms, diagnosis and natural history of lumbar spinal stenosis.
• Spinal stenosis: Treatment Options. Explore treatment options for spinal stenosis.
• Cervical spinal stenosis. Understand the anatomy, symptoms, treatment options and when to consider surgery for cervical spinal stenosis.
• Lumbar spinal stenosis: Summary. Review the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment options for lumbar and cervical spinal stenosis.