Spinal Stenosis

FAQs on Spinal Stenosis Treatment in Chicago

Spinal Stenosis is a condition of narrowing of the passages of the spinal column and neural foramen (nerve passages) of the spine which in turn create conditions where pressure is placed on a nerve root (impingement). In actuality, the condition may cause impingement on several nerve roots at one time, and make the patient experience moderate to severe pain. The condition is most often due merely to arthritis as a person ages, but can also occur with injury.

Stenosis in the neck (cervical spine) can cause the patient to experience weakness, pain, numbness, or tingling in the extremities.  Stenosis in the lumbar region (lower back) can cause pain or cramping in the buttocks, legs and feet. This may be exacerbated with long periods of standing, excessive bending or squatting, and excessive walking. (Excessive is defined differently among patients as some can tolerate more activity than others.)

The pain and discomfort will often subside when the patient lays flat, bends forward or sit down. For some patients sitting for prolong periods also can exacerbate the condition. If you look at a textbook, the typical picture shows a person feeling better while leaning forward on a shopping cart or walking upstairs because it tends to "open" the spinal canal.

Spinal stenosis symptoms are different than that from vascular stenosis. With vascular insufficiency, patients tend to experience calf cramping after walking a particular distance due to the issue. With neurogenic claudication due to spinal stenosis, the symptoms are more positional and tend to start from the buttock and go into the thighs.

The bottom line is that spinal stenosis is often a condition that is able to be treated nonoperatively with great relief. At Premier Pain & Spine, the Chicago pain management doctors are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal stenosis.

Most insurance is accepted at Premier Pain's seven pain management clinics in Chicago, call (847) 519 4701 today!

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