Does a neurologist treat spinal stenosis?

If you suffer from a spinal condition such as disc herniation or degeneration, spinal fractures, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or other types of spinal injuries or pain, both a neurologist and an orthopedic doctor are equipped to treat these spinal conditions.

What is the best doctor to see for spinal stenosis?

Neurology. Neurologists specialize in disorders and issues related to the nervous system, including the spine. A neurologist's expertise will be able to pinpoint what is causing pain and discomfort from spinal stenosis, which is often due to compression of or damage to the spine's nerve roots or cord.

Is spinal stenosis a neurological disorder?

Degenerative lumbar stenosis is a clinically heterogeneous neurological disorder of the lower limbs in the elderly with variable longer-term outcome.

What does a neurosurgeon do for spinal stenosis?

The most common surgery for lumbar stenosis is a decompressive laminectomy. In this procedure, an incision is made in the back and the lamina (back part of the bone over the spinal canal) is removed to create more space for the nerves.

Who operates on spinal stenosis?

Both neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons specializing in spine surgery are skilled in taking care of disc herniations, disc degenerations, spinal stenosis, fractures of the spine, slippage of the spine (spondylolisthesis), scoliosis, bone tumors of the spine, etc.

Spinal Stenosis - Everything You Need To Know - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim

Does neurologist treat spine?

Neurologists provide medical, but not surgical, treatment of diseases affecting the brain, spine and nervous system.

Is it better to see a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon?

While an orthopedic surgeon is a better choice if you need a new hip, knee, shoulder, or have a severely broken bone, anything related to the spine is best treated by a skilled neurosurgeon. If you have a back issue or severe back pain, seek out a neurosurgeon for their evaluation and diagnosis for proper treatment.

What is the newest treatment for spinal stenosis?

Interspinous spacers are a new approach to treating spinal stenosis that work gently and in a targeted way by opening the spinal canal to create room and reduce pressure on crowded nerves. A spinous process is the part of your vertebra that projects backward from your vertebral arch.

What is the most common treatment for spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is commonly treated with medication, both over-the-counter and prescription. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce pain and inflammation. Examples of over-the-counter NSAIDs include aspirin, naproxen (Aleve), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

What is the latest treatment for severe spinal stenosis?

A wide-reaching innovation, endoscopic spine surgery has the promise to transform the lives of patients with spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and disc herniations. Endoscopic spine surgery has unleashed the new potential for faster, safer, and more effective surgical recoveries.

Can an MRI show spinal stenosis?

Since spinal stenosis is a gradual onset condition, the symptoms tend to start slowly and worsen over time. In fact, spinal stenosis may appear on an MRI or a CT scan without the patient having any symptoms at all.

What is considered severe spinal stenosis?

Symptoms of Severe Spinal Stenosis

When spinal stenosis progresses to the severe stage, that means there has been substantial narrowing of the spinal canal. This can occur due to several different factors, but is most commonly caused by degeneration of the discs, vertebrae and spinal ligaments.

What activities should be avoided with spinal stenosis?

What does a neurologist do for back pain?

The doctor will often recommend physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and rest. Neurologists also encourage techniques like chiropractic care or biofeedback therapy. If the pain persists, medication, and steroid injections come next. With consistent work, acute back pain can clear up.

Does spinal stenosis hurt all the time?

Spinal stenosis is generally not progressive. The pain tends to come and go, but it usually does not progress with time. The natural history with spinal stenosis, in the majority of patients, is that of episodic periods of pain and dysfunction.

How do you fix spinal stenosis without surgery?

What are three treatments for spinal stenosis?

What happens if you let spinal stenosis go untreated?

Rarely, untreated severe spinal stenosis may progress and cause permanent: Numbness. Weakness. Balance problems.

Is gabapentin good for spinal stenosis?

Gabapentin is an antiepileptic drug originally intended for seizures. It's most effective for treating neuropathic back pain caused by disk herniation and consequent sciatica, as well as spinal stenosis, diabetic neuropathy, and postherpetic neuralgia.

Can chiropractors help spinal stenosis?

Chiropractic is especially appropriate for spinal stenosis because it corrects and re-aligns dislocated and herniated discs, thus reducing pressure on the spinal cord and its joints and nerve networks. Apart from spinal manipulation, chiropractors use a variety of techniques to address stenosis symptoms.

What causes spinal stenosis to flare up?

A tightened space can cause the spinal cord or nerves to become irritated, compressed or pinched, which can lead to back pain and sciatica. Spinal stenosis usually develops slowly over time. It is most commonly caused by osteoarthritis or “wear-and-tear” changes that naturally occur in your spine as you age.

Is walking good for spinal stenosis?

Walking is a good exercise for spinal stenosis. It's low impact, and you control the pace and distance.

What is the best hospital for spinal stenosis surgery?

Mayo Clinic surgeons were among the first to perfect minimally invasive spine procedures. And they were early adopters of intraoperative imaging, which uses a computer to guide the surgeon during the operation. Mayo Clinic doctors are conducting innovative research to advance the care of people with spinal stenosis.

What is the difference between a neurologist and a neurosurgeon?

While both neurologists and neurosurgeons diagnose and treat conditions that involve the nervous system, neurologists don't perform surgery. Neurologists are focused on discovering diagnosis-specific neurological conditions that can be corrected — via medications or other therapies — or require close management.

What is a spinal cord doctor called?

Neurosurgeon. (spine surgeon) MD. Neurosurgery is a medical specialty that focuses on diagnosis and both surgical and nonsurgical treatment of disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. Neurosurgeons provide surgical or nonsurgical care for neurological disease or injury.