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Diagnosing Spinal Stenosis

Diagnosing spinal stenosis involves a full spinal evaluation conducted by your doctor. While many people may read about the symptoms of spinal stenosis and assume that they have the condition, self-diagnosis can be tricky because spinal stenosis symptoms – including numbness, weakness and tingling – can resemble other conditions like facet arthritis. To learn more about diseases related to spinal vertebrae and joints, visit our degenerative disc disease page.

A narrowing of the lower back or neck regions, spinal stenosis can create compression on your spinal cord or its nerve roots. The most common cause is osteoarthritis, a condition which wears down the cartilage cushioning your spine’s joints.

If you are experiencing pain in your neck or back, contact your doctor. Properly diagnosing spinal stenosis is the first step to gaining back a fully-functioning lifestyle.

One of the most important aspects to diagnosing spinal stenosis is a thorough medical history and physical exam performed by your doctor. Providing him or her with your symptoms can help determine possible causes of your back pain.

Another way of diagnosing spinal stenosis is with imaging tests. These tests can determine the location and extent of your nerve compression. Examples of imaging tests include:

• X-rays
• MRI
• CT scan
• Myelogram

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Treatment options may include over-the-counter medication to reduce pain and inflammation, and strengthening and stretching exercises. Visit our physical therapy for spinal stenosis page to read about this particular treatment.??

On occasion, some patients require more than standard treatment to regain their mobility once again. Fortunately, there are other options available for pain relief, including the state-of-the-art, minimally invasive procedures performed at Laser Spine Institute. Recovery times are quicker and success rates are much higher than other treatments like open-back surgery, leaving you free to get out on the golf course once more! Contact us today for a free MRI or CAT scan review, and to receive more information about our institute.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.