Spinal Stenosis

Before we can help you manage your pain, we need to know where it's coming from. To diagnose spinal stenosis, we start by asking you about your medical history — hereditary conditions, past injuries, and other health issues you’ve dealt with. Then, we conduct a physical exam to test your range of motion, reflexes, muscle strength, and identify pain indicators.

Commonly associated with aging, spinal stenosis is most often caused by osteoarthritis-related bone damage that causes spinal compression. You want to be sure of your diagnosis, so the spine specialists at AdventHealth use imaging scans of the spine, including:

• Bone Scans
• CT Scans
• MRIs
• Myelogram
• X-Rays

Understanding your particular pain is the first step to managing it. There are three main types of spinal stenosis, all of which affect your body differently. By identifying the correct type, we can create a personalized spinal stenosis treatment plan that helps manage your pain and restore your active lifestyle. The three types of spinal stenosis are:

• Foraminal stenosis (or lateral spinal stenosis). This most common type of stenosis involves bone spurs that pinch your nerves. Over years, these can develop from poor posture, especially if you have a genetic predisposition.
• Far lateral stenosis, which is usually experienced along with foraminal stenosis, can also contribute to your chronic pain.
• Central stenosis, which is caused by an age-related deterioration of the spine, may lead to lower-back pain or numbness, as well as difficulty walking, standing, or bending.

Once we have the full picture, you’re closer to getting back on your feet — and to moving through life with more comfort and freedom.

Freedom from pain. It's your ultimate goal. And it's our goal for you, too. At AdventHealth, we'll do everything we can to help you reclaim your life. Depending on your specific condition, your treatment plan to manage the pain of spinal stenosis may include prescription medications, physical therapy, and surgery — or a combination of the three. We use a variety of solutions to help you manage the pain of spinal stenosis, including:

• Analgesics, like aspirin, can sometimes relieve your pain.
• Anesthetics or nerve blockers reduce discomfort.
• Corticosteroid injections reduce inflammation.
• Lumbar braces support your spine and assist with mobility.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help relieve pain.
• Physical therapy exercises improve your range of motion, strengthen your abdominal and back muscles, and stabilize your spine.
• Restricting or restructuring your activity at work and daily routines can help you heal.
• Surgery can relieve pressure on your spinal cord or spinal nerve by widening the spinal canal.

Throughout your spinal stenosis treatment plan, as we work to heal your body, we'll also do all we can to ease your mind and lift your spirit — all of which are part of our commitment to whole-person care.