Neurontin Used in the Treatment of Stenosis

Stenosis is a narrowing of one or more areas of the spine. Typically, spinal stenosis occurs in the upper or lower back, but it can also occur between the vertebrae or in the canals that branch off the spine. The narrowing applies painful pressure on the spinal cord and/or on nerves in the areas being compressed. Stenosis causes pain, cramping, numbness and loss of sensation in the neck, back, shoulders and extremities, and it can even affect bladder and/or bowel function. Stenosis can be treated, and many physicians are experimenting with Neurontin as one medication option.

Treating Stenosis

• Supportive braces, physical therapy, medication and even supplements are prescribed to alleviate mild symptoms of spinal stenosis. Physical therapy helps individuals build up strength and endurance, and maintain spine flexibility and stability. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are prescribed to reduce inflammation and ease pain, and analgesics such as prescription-strength acetaminophen are prescribed to aggressively treat pain. Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine are non-prescription supplements that have shown success with osteoarthritis, so many physicians are suggesting them to spinal stenosis patients.

  More severe cases of spinal stenosis may be treated by surgery.

Treating Stenosis with Neurontin

• Neurtontin, also known in the generic form as gabapentin, is an anti-convulsant medication. It is primarily used to treat individuals with epilepsy, and it can also be used in conjunction with other medications to manage partial seizures in patients younger than age 12. Because of its ability to treat nerve pain, physicians have also been using Neurontin for patients with spinal stenosis.

  EOrthopod (See Resources) reports that a study conducted by Dr. Ali Yaksi in 2007 found that a group of patients provided Neurontin, in addition to exercise, supportive braces and anti-inflammatory drugs, were able to walk much farther than the group of patients who did not receive the medication. Twice the number of people in the group that received Neurontin also reported a decrease in leg and feet numbness.

  As of October 2009 Neurontin is still primarily used to treat seizures and partial seizures in epileptic patients. Speak to your physician about this medication if you would like to approach pain management with a new method. He will go over your medical history and the type of treatment you are currently undergoing for your spinal stenosis, and together the two of you will be able to come up with an effective treatment.