Treatment Options for Advanced Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is the inflammation and narrowing of the spinal canal. The spinal canal is the space in which the spinal cord is located and where sensory and motor nerves relay messages from the brain to all parts of the body, according to SpinalStenosis.net. Spinal stenosis may result in chronic pain, a loss of mobility and numbness in the legs in advanced cases. There are a number of options that can help treat this condition.

Physical Therapy

• Maintain flexibility in your spine and build muscle strength in the affected area by taking part in a regular physical therapy program. Working with a physical therapist on stretching and range of motion exercises can improve the symptoms of spinal stenosis without the use of drugs or surgery.

NSAIDs

• Take over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil or Motrin to reduce the pain associated with spinal canal inflammation. According to the Mayo Clinic, these drugs have a "ceiling," meaning there is only a limited amount of pain that these NSAIDs will be effective against. Taking more than the maximum recommended dosage would not improve your symptoms when the pain is severe. More potent versions of NSAIDs may be available through your doctor.

Analgesics

• Take an analgesic for mild to moderate pain associated with spinal stenosis. Analgesics are a group of drugs that can reduce the pain associated with the condition, but they do not have anti-inflammatory effects. The most commonly used version of this kind of drug is acetaminophen (such as Tylenol). Analgesics can cause problems with the kidney and liver if they are overused.

Brace and Rest

• Use a back brace or corset if you have muscle degeneration in more than one area of the spine or you have weak abdominal muscles, the Mayo Clinic advises. In addition, getting rest between regular sessions of light activity may also improve pain symptoms and increase mobility. Walking is considered the most beneficial exercise for people with this condition.

Steroids

• Ask about epidural steroid injections if your pain is severe. Corticosteroids are effective in pain relief associated with spinal stenosis. You doctor may recommend an injection of these steroids into the spinal fluid around your spine and nerve roots, according to the Mayo Clinic. These types of injections have serious side effects and are usually limited to no more than three injections per year.

Surgery

• Surgery for spinal stenosis is complex. It is designed to give more space to the nerves and to relieve pain caused by nerve decompression or pressure on the spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic. Types of surgery for this condition include laminectomy (the removal of bone covering the spinal cord) or a fusion surgery that connects two vertebrae together. Pain is usually considerable following surgery and the use of above-mentioned therapies and drugs may be necessary for weeks or months after the procedure.