Question 1

cervical spinal stenosis very painful left shoulder blade going down left arm  not going for next surgery going for therapy will that help?

Accepted Answer

Most can : Be treated non operatively with physical therapy  with or without medication such as anti inflammatories, serotonin uptake inhibitors (cymbalta ) as well as with Neurontin or Lyrica (pregabalin)  as long as no contraindications to their use.  Epidural steroid injections may be indicated as well as activity modification and use of a soft cervical collar worn in reverse to keep neck flexed for symptom relief.

Question 2

i have spinal stenosis, balance problems and need a cane to walk? i have fallen twice, once i broke my wrist.  i am now going for physical therapy (3 times) and see no results so far.  could i go for laproscopic surgergy?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Balance problems from cervical stenosis should be adressessed by a spine surgeon before other elective procedures not as impt if lumbar stenosis depends on where the stenosis is , two falls from balance problems from lumbar stenosis dosent sound right maybe your falls are from a foot drop? If your balance issues are from cervical stenosis therapy wont help.

Question 3

review of options to treat spinal stenosis shows  that  laser surgery is best with 90 per cent cure and no down time after.  thoughts.

Accepted Answer

No: Laser surgery has not been shown to be a long term solution to spinal stenosis in randomized controlled clinical trials. I would not recommend this for my patients nor for a family member.

Question 4

what would be some treatment options for cervical spinal stenosis? (besides injections and medications which i have already tried). my doctor also doesnt recommend surgery at this time. what else could i try to relieve my pain? i dont have numbness

Accepted Answer

Spinal stenosis: Physical therapy with neck strengthening would likely be of value. Other modalities which may be of help would  be magnetic therapy or you may want to consider therapy with a biomodulator.

Question 5

what are the treatment options for spinal stenosis and bulging disc? i have had an mri and a pg done. the doctor doesn't want surgery. i am in severe pain.

Accepted Answer

Risks VS benefits: As you are already under going physical therapy , not helping  you , if you have weight problem control that , speak to your doctor again , for available options , if you are not satisfied go for second opinion , actually your doctor will help you get one , then the decision is unto you, .

Question 6

i was told that i have a lumbar collapsed disc and its just bone on bone and the spurs are bad. what is the treatment for that? can i avoid back surgery? also spinal stenosis as well?

Accepted Answer

: Not feasible to assess surgical risk based on provided data.  Generic conservative approach involves physical therapy, acupuncture, stretching,  McKenzie Back Exercise program, possibly swimming, but minimal use of braces and pain medications.  Consult a spine surgeon for an opinion.  Avoid surgery unless pain is unbearable, there is progressive weakness and atrophy, urinary issues, or instability

Question 7

neurologist said i have spinal stenosis.  referred to neurosurgeon.
is there a route to treatment other than surgery?  at 70 surgery not inviting.

Accepted Answer

Non-surgical options: Hi! depending on your degree of stenosis, non-surgical options are available as long as you have no serious spinal compromise. Physical therapy should be tried,  as well as anti-inflammatory meds like Ibuprofen or naproxen, pain med like tramadol (non-narcotic), and consideration of steroid epidural injection.

Question 8

is surgery recommended for severe spinal stenosis?

Accepted Answer

Last Resort: Yes, surgery is recommended after you fail conservative non-surgical treatments -- including nsaids, pt, epidural injections.  If you continue to have persisting symptoms, then surgery could offer some great symptomatic relief of your extremity symptoms. Consult a spine surgeon.

Also surgery if you start experiencing progressive neurological deficit, or changes in your bowel or bladder function.

Question 9

is there a successful treatment for spinal stenosis?

Accepted Answer

Yes : Surgery they can do a decompression removing the Spurs and the bony narrowing or in some cases a larger surgery called a fusion where they use small titanium rods and screws to hold the vertebrae in a fixed position

Question 10

when is it time to have surgery with cervical spinal stenosis?

Accepted Answer

Easy question: It's YOUR call.  The best way to handle this (surgery for low back/sciatica pain works the same) is to keep following conservative measures (meds, aquatherapy/PT, thermal therapy, etc.) until as Popeye says, "I caint takes it no more!" Pain, numbness/tingling will drive you to the point where you'll be PLEADING for the surgeon. Then, it's time. Weakness/atrophy in Upper Extremities? - Do it NOW.

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Doctor answers about:

Spinal stenosis treatment surgery

A member asked:

Cervical spinal stenosis very painful left shoulder blade going down left arm not going for next surgery going for therapy will that help?

A member asked:

I have spinal stenosis, balance problems and need a cane to walk? i have fallen twice, once i broke my wrist. i am now going for physical therapy (3 times) and see no results so far. could i go for laproscopic surgergy?

A member asked:

Review of options to treat spinal stenosis shows that laser surgery is best with 90 per cent cure and no down time after. thoughts.

A member asked:

What would be some treatment options for cervical spinal stenosis? (besides injections and medications which i have already tried). my doctor also doesnt recommend surgery at this time. what else could i try to relieve my pain? i dont have numbness

A member asked:

What are the treatment options for spinal stenosis and bulging disc? i have had an mri and a pg done. the doctor doesn't want surgery. i am in severe pain.

A member asked:

I was told that i have a lumbar collapsed disc and its just bone on bone and the spurs are bad. what is the treatment for that? can i avoid back surgery? also spinal stenosis as well?

A member asked:

Neurologist said i have spinal stenosis. referred to neurosurgeon. is there a route to treatment other than surgery? at 70 surgery not inviting.

A member asked:

Is surgery recommended for severe spinal stenosis?

A member asked:

Is there a successful treatment for spinal stenosis?

A member asked:

When is it time to have surgery with cervical spinal stenosis?

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