Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis has various causes, including arthritis and herniated discs, that result in narrowing of your spinal canal. If you have symptoms of spinal stenosis, Wadid Zaky, MD, at Dr. Zaky Spine, Pain & Joint Center in Berlin, Maryland, can help. Dr. Zaky determines why you have spinal stenosis and uses a range of treatments to resolve your pain without the need for surgery. To benefit from his expertise, call Dr. Zaky Spine, Pain & Joint Center today and schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.

 What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a disorder that usually develops when increasing age and spinal deterioration causes the spinal canal to narrow. This process may put pressure on the nerve roots in your spine, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness.

Spinal stenosis could affect any part of your spine but is most likely to occur in your lower back (lumbar spinal stenosis) or neck (cervical spinal stenosis). Spinal stenosis pain tends to worsen when you stand or walk and ease off if you sit down or bend forward.

How might I develop spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis can develop if anything affects the delicate alignment of structures in your spine. Degenerative changes from osteoarthritis are the most common cause of spinal stenosis, with most people suffering some degree of wear-and-tear in their spine by age 50. 

In addition to arthritis, a variety of other conditions can lead to spinal stenosis. These include:

• Herniated discs
• Bone spurs
• Spondylolisthesis
• Thickened ligaments
• Spinal trauma
• Spinal tumors

These conditions or a combination of them limit the space available for your nerves. However, they don't always cause symptoms. Problems typically arise when nerve compression or damage occurs.

What treatments are available for spinal stenosis?

Dr. Zaky creates a personalized treatment plan for you to address the cause of your spinal stenosis and relieve your pain and other symptoms. For most patients, spinal stenosis improves with nonsurgical treatments, including physical therapy and medication.

You could benefit from a range of drug treatments, including low-dose antidepressants, anti-inflammatories, and anti-seizure medicines.

If your pain persists, Dr. Zaky can perform image-guided epidural steroid injections or nerve blocks. 

Steroid injections have long-lasting anti-inflammatory effects and often contain a local anesthetic for immediate but short-lived relief. Nerve blocks consist of a local anesthetic and can be useful in pinpointing the source of pain as well as offering temporary relief.

What can I do if my spinal stenosis symptoms are severe?

If you're suffering severe pain and other problems like loss of function because of your spinal stenosis, you might benefit from percutaneous image-guided lumbar decompression (PILD) or minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD).

With the PILD procedure, Dr. Zaky inserts needle-like instruments into your spine and removes some of the thickened ligament. This procedure increases space in your spinal canal and relieves nerve compression.

The mild® procedure is a minimally invasive surgical option for lumbar spinal stenosis. During the mild procedure, Dr. Zaky removes excess bone and ligament tissue on the spinal nerves and restores mobility. Dr. Zaky has performed over 1000 mild procedures throughout his career. 

For a few patients, surgery such as laminectomy or discectomy might be necessary.

If you're experiencing spinal stenosis symptoms, get expert treatment and relief from pain by calling Dr. Zaky Spine, Pain & Joint Center, or booking an appointment online today.