What is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a condition in which areas of the spine and neck narrow, placing pressure on the spine and/or spinal nerve roots. Depending upon the severity of the case and the nerves that are affected, spinal stenosis can cause pain and loss of feeling in the neck, back, shoulders, arms and legs.

What Are Spinal Stenosis Treatment Options?

Non-surgical treatment options for spinal stenosis include: exercise, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication and spinal injections. Patients who do not experience relief from these spinal stenosis treatment options are generally candidates for stenosis surgery.

At the Orlando Orthopaedic Center the specialists in our Spine Center provide spinal stenosis treatment for patients who suffer from varying degrees of stenosis. If you or a loved one are in need of spinal stenosis treatment, our specialists are here to help you through every step of the treatment and recovery process.

What Are Common Spinal Stenosis Symptoms?

  • Numbness or weakness in a leg, foot, arm or hand which may cause a tendency to drop things or fall
  • Pain in the neck or shoulders
  • Loss of control of the bowel or bladder.  This only occurs in severe cases of spinal stenosis

What Happens During Stenosis Surgery?

There are several surgical procedures that can be performed to treat spinal stenosis, those surgeries include:

Foraminotomy

A foraminotomy is performed if a patient is experiencing discomfort as a result of pressure on a nerve as it exits the vertebra, through a foramen. The foramen is made larger to relieve pressure on the affected nerve.

Laminotomy

A laminotomy is performed to make a larger opening in the lamina, a plate which protects the spinal canal as well as the spinal cord. The larger opening relives spinal and/or nerve pressure.

Laminectomy

A laminectomy is performed when a laminotomy is insufficient. In a laminectomy all or part of the lamina is removed.