How Did I Develop Spinal Stenosis?

Your spine is more fragile and complex than you may realize. Subjected to time and stress, your spinal area can deteriorate, producing symptoms of neck pain or back pain. A common type of spinal degeneration, spinal stenosis, refers to a narrowing of the spinal canal through which your spine and nerves pass.

If you receive a diagnosis of spinal stenosis, what caused this condition to develop in the first place? You deserve answers. Board-certified neurosurgeon Dr. Beejal Y. Amin explains your diagnosis and ensures that you understand your treatment options and future prevention. Dr. Amin treats spinal stenosis and other spine conditions at locations in Hinsdale and Woodridge, Illinois.

You don’t have to learn to live with your painful symptoms even if you’ve developed spinal stenosis. When you’re informed, you can find the right path forward for you.

Causes of spinal stenosis

The spinal canal surrounds your spinal column. It contains both the bony column of your spine and many major nerves, which pass through openings in the bones, known as foramina. You need enough space in your spinal column for all of these elements to exist without compression.

When the spinal canal starts to narrow, several potential root causes could be at work. Many of the causes of spinal stenosis become more of a risk for you as you get older, although you can also be born with spinal abnormalities that make this condition higher-risk for you. Chronic conditions like osteoarthritis are another factor that can cause spinal canal narrowing.

Other structural problems with your spinal structure can contribute to your stenosis. A herniated spinal disc or a slipped vertebral bone can contribute to the development of this problem, as can bone spurs or thickened ligaments.

Treating and preventing spinal stenosis

You’re likely to realize that you have a problem when you start to notice troublesome symptoms like persistent back pain. You may also experience numbness, weakness, or tingling sensations, or even muscle spasms as a result of a trapped nerve.

To treat spinal stenosis, you may need rest, physical therapy, or pain management support. Anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, and pain injections are all possible ways to relieve your symptoms and allow recovery. When your spinal stenosis is more severe, you may need decompression surgery to restore the deteriorated spinal structure. Dr. Amin uses minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) whenever possible.

You can reduce your risk of developing spinal stenosis by maintaining a healthy body weight, strengthening your core muscles, and being aware of your posture while sitting, standing, and walking. Adjusting your habits for better spine health now could save you pain and even surgery in the future.

When your spine needs care, you rely on the expertise and experience of your provider. Dr. Amin performs a variety of spinal treatment procedures, using state-of-the-art techniques to improve your outcomes.

If you have concerns about spinal stenosis, don’t wait to seek evaluation and care. It’s easier to treat spinal issues if they’re found in the early stages. To book an appointment, call Beejal Y. Amin, MD, or schedule using our online tool today.