1. Get a Diagnosis
When you experience leg pain or have trouble walking, spinal stenosis is a possible cause. More than a million people in the U.S. suffer from spinal stenosis, a condition that results from a narrowing vertebral canal that compresses nerves. The two most common locations for spinal stenosis are in the cervical and lumbar areas of the spine. People over 50 are more susceptible to spinal stenosis due to years of daily wear and tear. Soon after diagnosis, a doctor can provide treatment options, which fall under conservative or non-conservative (surgical) treatment. Patients can choose from a variety of therapies for spinal stenosis treatment.
2. Adjust Activity Level
Rest is often the first recommendation. After that, avoid exercises that increase back or leg pain. Instead, work with a physical therapist to design an exercise program that stabilizes the spine and increases flexibility without increasing your pain. Non-weight bearing exercises, such as swimming or aquatic classes, may be ideal, but ask a doctor or physical therapist first. People with spinal stenosis often experience difficulty standing upright, so leaning forward when walking or bicycling is often easier on the spine. Invest in a recliner to take the place of that straight back chair in your living room.
3. Find Short-Term Relief
The first step in pain relief is anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen or Aleve. Some patients experience short-term relief with an injection of a local anesthetic block. A series of epidural steroids injected into the spine reduce the pain for about 50% of patients who try this method. Cortisone is often the steroid used.
4. Use Extra Spinal Support
A lumbar support brace, also known as a corset, can provide a patient's spine with extra support to increase mobility. The brace reinforces weak areas in the spine and abdomen, which can reduce pain. This is particularly helpful if a person with spinal stenosis can't exercise. Over the years, back braces have gradually grown lighter and less bulky, but still provide enough support to the spine that patients feel immediate relief. Most people need assistance when they put on or take off the lumbar support brace.
5. Weigh Your Options
Lumbar spinal stenosis symptoms are classified as mild, moderate or severe. When spinal stenosis becomes severe, it affects your mobility and can upset bladder control. Numbness and weakness in the legs also may be present. If spinal stenosis affects your quality of life, surgery can be the best option. A doctor will consider your health history and assess your symptoms before recommending surgery. Decompression of the spine often is performed to treat spinal stenosis.
