In the neck (cervical spine)
- Numbness or tingling in a hand or arm
- Weakness in a hand or arm
- Pain in shooting down an arm
- Problems with walking and balance
- Difficulty with hand coordination such as buttoning a shirt
In the lower back (lumbar spine)
- Numbness or tingling in a foot or leg
- Weakness in a foot or leg
- Pain shooting down a leg
- Pain or cramping in one or both legs when you stand for long periods of time or when you walk, which usually eases when you bend forward or sit
- In severe cases, bowel or bladder dysfunction (urinary urgency and incontinence)
Pain relievers - Pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen (Aleve, others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) may be used temporarily to ease the discomfort of spinal stenosis. They are typically recommended for a short time only, as there's little evidence of benefit from long-term use.
Antidepressants - to help ease chronic pain.
Anti-seizure drugs - are used to reduce pain caused by damaged nerves.
Physical Therapy - A physical therapist can teach you exercises that may help build up your strength and endurance, maintain the flexibility and stability of your spine, and improve your balance.
Steroid Injections
Surgery - Surgery may be considered if other treatments haven't helped or if you're disabled by your symptoms. The goals of surgery include relieving the pressure on your spinal cord or nerve roots by creating more space within the spinal canal. Surgery to decompress the area of stenosis is the most definitive way to try to resolve symptoms of spinal stenosis.
Lumbar laminectomy, laminotomy, or decompression and fusion
Cervical laminotomy, laminoplasty, or anterior cervical decompression and fusion
Integrative medicine and alternative therapies may be used with conventional treatments to help you cope with spinal stenosis pain. Examples include:
- Massage therapy
- Chiropractic treatment
- Acupuncture
