Southern Illinois Brain and Spine Center

Treatment Options

Once a diagnosis of spinal stenosis is confirmed, the process of treating the condition usually begins with a regimen of non-invasive, “conservative” therapy.

Non-surgical Treatment of Stenosis

There are a number of ways a doctor can treat stenosis without surgery, including:

  • Medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce swelling and pain, and analgesics to relieve pain.
  • Corticosteroid injections (epidural steroids) to reduce swelling and treat acute pain that radiates to the hips or down the leg. Pain relief from an epidural injection may be temporary and patients are usually advised to get no more than 3 injections per 6-month period.
  • Rest or restricted activity.
  • Physical therapy and/or exercises to help stabilize the spine, build endurance and increase flexibility.

While some patients obtain relief from symptoms with these treatments, others do not.

Surgical Treatment of Stenosis

Decompression

Non-surgical treatments may temporarily relieve pain. More severe cases of stenosis may require surgery.

The most common surgical procedure for stenosis is a decompressive laminectomy sometimes accompanied by fusion. Often referred to as “unroofing” the spine, this procedure involves the removal of various parts of the vertebrae, including:

  • the lamina, as well as the attached ligaments, that cause compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots, and/or
  • enlarged facets, osteophytes and bulging disc material

The goal of the surgery is to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves by increasing the area of the spinal canal and neural foramen.

laminectomy

Other types of surgery to treat stenosis include:

  • Laminotomy - only a small portion of the lamina is removed to relieve local pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.
  • Foraminotomy - the foramen (the opening through which the nerve roots exit the spinal canal) is enlarged to increase space for the nerves. This surgery can be done alone or with a laminotomy.
  • Facetectomy - part of the facet joint is removed to increase space for the nerves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These resources are provided as a courtesy to you; we do not endorse any specific organization.