Although there is no cure for spinal stenosis, regular exercise, medication and in some cases surgery can provide relief.
Exercise. Regular exercise can help you build and maintain strength in the muscles of your arms and upper legs (the hip adductors and abductors, quadriceps and hamstrings). This will improve your balance, ability to walk, bend and move about, as well as control pain. A physical therapist can show you which exercises are right for you.
Medications. Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (commonly called NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox), may also relieve pain. In addition, a rheumatologist may prescribe other medications to help with pain and/or muscle spasm.
Cortisone injections. Injections directly into the area around the spinal cord (known as epidural injections) may provide a great deal of temporary, sometimes permanent, relief. These injections are usually given on an outpatient basis in a hospital or clinic setting.
Surgery. Some patients with severe or worsening symptoms (but who are otherwise healthy) may be candidates for a "decompression laminectomy." This surgery removes the bony spurs and buildup of bone in the spinal canal, freeing space for the nerves and spinal cord. Afterwards, doctors often perform a spinal fusion to connect two or more vertebrae and better support for the spine.
Several recent studies have found that surgery produces better results than non-surgical treatment in the short term. However, results vary and, like all surgeries, this one also carries risks. These risks include blood clots in the brain and/or the legs; tears in the tissue around the spinal cord; infection; and injury to the nerve root. While surgery may bring some relief, it will not cure spinal stenosis or osteoarthritis and symptoms may recur.
Exercise. Regular exercise can help you build and maintain strength in the muscles of your arms and upper legs (the hip adductors and abductors, quadriceps and hamstrings). This will improve your balance, ability to walk, bend and move about, as well as control pain. A physical therapist can show you which exercises are right for you.
Medications. Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (commonly called NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox), may also relieve pain. In addition, a rheumatologist may prescribe other medications to help with pain and/or muscle spasm.
Cortisone injections. Injections directly into the area around the spinal cord (known as epidural injections) may provide a great deal of temporary, sometimes permanent, relief. These injections are usually given on an outpatient basis in a hospital or clinic setting.
Surgery. Some patients with severe or worsening symptoms (but who are otherwise healthy) may be candidates for a "decompression laminectomy." This surgery removes the bony spurs and buildup of bone in the spinal canal, freeing space for the nerves and spinal cord. Afterwards, doctors often perform a spinal fusion to connect two or more vertebrae and better support for the spine.
Several recent studies have found that surgery produces better results than non-surgical treatment in the short term. However, results vary and, like all surgeries, this one also carries risks. These risks include blood clots in the brain and/or the legs; tears in the tissue around the spinal cord; infection; and injury to the nerve root. While surgery may bring some relief, it will not cure spinal stenosis or osteoarthritis and symptoms may recur.
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