What is the best doctor to treat spinal stenosis?

If your primary care doctor thinks you have spinal stenosis, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in disorders of the nervous system (neurologist). Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may also need to see a spinal surgeon (neurosurgeon, orthopedic surgeon).

What type of surgeon is best for spinal stenosis?

Orthopedic surgeons may be Medical Doctors (MD) or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) who have completed a five-year surgical residency focused on the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Orthopedists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of almost all bone and joint disorders, such as: Spinal disorders.

What is the latest treatment for severe spinal stenosis?

One of the most effective treatments for treating lumbar spinal stenosis is a procedure called laminectomy. This treatment removes part of the vertebra that's putting pressure on your nerve.

How do you fix spinal stenosis without surgery?

What is the best hospital for spinal stenosis?

Mayo Clinic doctors trained in spine conditions (neurologists) and spine surgery (neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons) have experience in evaluating and treating people with all types of spinal stenosis.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis : Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Can a neurosurgeon treat 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.

Who is the top spinal surgeon?

Can a chiropractor fix spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a painful condition that is caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal. Although chiropractic treatments cannot cure spinal stenosis, they can reduce symptoms in patients with mild cases.

Will a cortisone shot help spinal stenosis?

When epidural steroid injections are used. Epidural steroid injections may help relieve pain stemming from conditions such as spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis, disc herniation, or degenerative disc disease.

What activities should be avoided with spinal stenosis?

What is the best sleeping position for spinal stenosis?

Many people with spinal stenosis find the most comfort sleeping on their side in “fetal position” — that is, with knees curled up toward the abdomen. Another alternative is to sleep in an adjustable bed or recliner that allows the head and knees to remain elevated.

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 can make spinal stenosis worse?

Diet and exercise

Diet and exercise can be considered for patients that have spinal stenosis who are also overweight. Because additional fat in the body presses down on the spine and makes it support more weight, it aggravates spinal stenosis and may even lead to the condition developing.

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 difference between a neurosurgeon and an orthopedic spine surgeon?

The main difference between fellowship-trained and board-certified orthopaedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons is in training. A neurosurgeon is trained to treat conditions of the brain and spine, while an orthopaedic spine surgeon specializes in treating the spine.

When is surgery needed for spinal stenosis?

Why might your doctor recommend surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis? Your doctor might recommend surgery if: Your pain and weakness are bad enough to get in the way of your normal activities and have become more than you can manage.

What happens if you let spinal stenosis go untreated?

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

How successful are epidural injections for spinal stenosis?

In a study group of 60 participants, sciatica pain was relieved in 87% of patients with mild to moderate stenosis and 42% of patients with severe stenosis. The treatment included 1 injection and the effects lasted up to 3 months.

Does laser therapy work for spinal stenosis?

A low-level laser can provide quick relief for patients living with stenosis. As we mentioned earlier, inflammation and swelling can cause pain. A low-level laser helps reduce inflammation, which in turn makes your pain less severe.

Can Hanging Upside Down help spinal stenosis?

Well-designed studies evaluating spinal traction have found the technique ineffective for long-term relief. However, some people find traction temporarily helpful as part of a more comprehensive treatment program for lower back pain caused by spinal disk compression.

Is massage good for spinal stenosis?

Learning how to move the muscles and joints of the body to improve health and reduce pain can go a long way towards relieving the symptoms of lumbar stenosis. Massage therapy can also be an effective treatment for the pain and stiffness caused by stenosis.

Will I end up in a wheelchair with spinal stenosis?

Disability: In severe cases of spinal stenosis, a patient can end up permanently disabled. This may be through paralysis, or weakness so severe that it is impossible to stand and move as normal. It is not unreasonable to expect severe stenosis to lead to a person being bound to a wheelchair.

What is the best hospital in the United States for spine surgery?

Christiana Hospital has won: America's 100 Best Spine Surgery™ (2022, 2021, 2020) America's 50 Best Hospitals Award™ (2022, 2021)

What is the most successful back surgery?

Depending on the condition the surgery is treating, spinal fusion has a 70 to 90% success rate.

How long does a spine fusion last?

This depends upon your individual situation including how many of the vertebrae are fused and the extent of the damage. It can also depend upon what type of disease has affected them. It can take as little as three hours or as long as seven, depending upon your situation.