5 Important Facts About Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

As you age, your body and health change in several ways. For 95% of people, being over 50 comes with degenerative spinal changes. One of the most common conditions associated with age-related spine health is spinal stenosis, specifically lumbar spinal stenosis. 

Spinal stenosis is a condition that happens when the space inside your spinal column narrows, putting undue pressure on your spinal cord and corresponding nerves. The term “lumbar” simply means it affects your lower back.  

Lumbar spinal stenosis can trigger a wide variety of symptoms, and numerous things can cause the condition to develop. There’s also an extensive list of ways to manage it.

Because there is so much to know about this spine-related condition, our team, led by Don Enty, MD, at Genesis Pain and Regenerative Medicine in Colleyville, Texas, wants to highlight five must-know facts about lumbar spinal stenosis. 

1. Arthritis is the top cause of lumbar spinal stenosis

Osteoarthritis, known as “wear-and-tear” arthritis, happens when your joints lose their protective and cushioning cartilage. When you develop spinal arthritis, the cartilage in your spine wears away, and your bones begin to rub against each other. 

This friction triggers your body to make new bone, and this new bone growth can start to overflow into your spinal column and pinch your spinal nerves, causing spinal stenosis. 

Other causes of lumbar spinal stenosis include degenerative disc disease, spinal injuries, and spinal tumors. 

2. Lumbar spinal stenosis can often be asymptomatic

Because lumbar spinal stenosis is associated with degenerative diseases such as arthritis, symptoms often develop very slowly. So it’s not uncommon to have the condition and not even realize you have it, especially since you can alleviate symptoms by sitting down or bending forward. 

As the condition develops, you may start to notice worsening symptoms such as:

• Lower back pain
• Burning pain that radiates down your buttocks and legs
• Numbness, tingling, and cramping in your legs
• Total loss of sensation in your feet

If you don’t seek treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis, you can develop very severe symptoms such as loss of bladder and bowel control or pain and numbness that makes it almost impossible to walk. 

3. There is no cure for lumbar spinal stenosis

While it can be disheartening to hear that there’s no cure for lumbar spinal stenosis, the truth is that there’s simply no way to make your spine younger. Nearly everyone experiences spinal health changes as they age; there’s no way around it. 

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to slow the degeneration and keep your spine strong and healthy even as it ages and develops lumbar spinal stenosis. 

4. Effective conservative treatment is available 

When it comes to lumbar spinal stenosis management, plenty of options are available. While these treatments can’t reverse the narrowing of your spinal column, they can keep it from worsening and provide symptom relief. 

At Genesis Pain and Regenerative Medicine, we always start with conservative treatment options, including:

• Steroid injections
• Nerve blocks
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Neuroablation
• Spinal cord stimulation

These treatments, combined with physical therapy and healthy lifestyle changes, can be incredibly effective. 

5. Surgery is an option for lumbar spinal stenosis

If your lumbar spinal stenosis becomes severe and impacts your daily life significantly, surgery is a viable option. The type of surgical technique used depends on the severity of your spinal stenosis and the underlying cause. 

Our team can walk you through surgical options.

For expert-level treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis, look no further than our Genesis Pain and Regenerative Medicine team. Call our office or use our online booking feature to schedule an appointment today.