Who is the best doctor for spinal stenosis?

Experience. 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.

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 hospital for spinal stenosis surgery?

Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center has won: America's 100 Best Spine Surgery™ (2022, 2021, 2020) America's 50 Best Hospitals Award™ (2022, 2021, 2020)

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 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.

Top 5 Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Exercises

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.

How do you fix spinal stenosis without surgery?

Does injection help spinal stenosis?

An epidural steroid injection (ESI) is a minimally invasive procedure that can help relieve neck, arm, back, and leg pain caused by inflamed spinal nerves due to spinal stenosis or disc herniation.

What is the most common treatment for spinal stenosis?

Surgery to decompress the area of stenosis is the most definitive way to try to resolve symptoms of spinal stenosis. Research shows that spine surgeries result in fewer complications when done by highly experienced surgeons. Don't hesitate to ask about your surgeon's experience with spinal stenosis surgery.

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 kind of surgeon does spinal stenosis surgery?

Experience. 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.

Who is the top spinal surgeon?

Dr. Lawrence Lenke '82 is a world-renowned spinal surgeon. He is often the last resort for patients from around the globe in need of his life-changing and, in some cases, life-saving abilities. But his interior decorating skills could use some work.

Who is the best spine surgeon in the US 2020?

Christopher Good has been named a 2020 Top Doctor by Washingtonian Magazine. Dr. Good is a world-renowned spine surgeon and teacher.

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 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.

What should I avoid with 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.

What foods should I avoid with spinal stenosis?

Can a cortisone shot help spinal stenosis?

What are epidural corticosteroid injections used for? Epidural steroid injections are commonly used to treat back pain caused by a herniated disc (slipped disc), lumbar radiculopathy, spinal stenosis or sciatica.

How painful is a lumbar epidural steroid injection?

How painful is a lumbar epidural steroid injection? Everyone responds to the procedure differently. In general, a lumbar epidural steroid injection can be a bit uncomfortable, but it shouldn't be painful. You can ask your doctor for a mild sedative to relax you before the procedure.

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.

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.

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.

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.