Lateral recess stenosis occurs when the side of the spinal canal has been restricted, or narrowed, by an abnormality within the spine’s structure. Nerve roots can be irritated or pinched by this condition, producing potentially debilitating symptoms.
If you experience back or neck pain, you should consult your doctor. You might suffer from spinal stenosis if you feel pain that radiates through the shoulders and arms, or through the hips, legs, and feet. You also might experience numbness, tingling, headaches, cramping, or joint stiffness.
The symptoms of lateral recess stenosis can be rooted in these conditions, among others:
- Herniated discs
- Bulging discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Facet disease
- Spondylolisthesis
- Bone spurs caused by osteoarthritis
Lateral recess stenosis can be treated several ways non-surgically, depending on the recommendation of your doctor. Exercise to strengthen back or neck muscles, pain medication, and spinal injections might be prescribed. If neck or back pain remains persistent, non-surgical treatments may not be enough. Your doctor may recommend that you consider surgery to open up space in the spinal column and release impinged nerves.
When it seems like surgery is the only option for true relief, consider Laser Spine Institute (LSI) as an alternative to traditional open-back surgery. The award-winning surgeons at LSI offer minimally invasive outpatient procedures that are more effective, less risky, and require far less recovery time. Contact LSI to learn more about your options to treat lateral recess stenosis or for a free review of your MRI or CT scan.
