Are you struggling with back pain or leg cramps due to spinal stenosis? You are not alone. Spinal stenosis, particularly lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), affects many people worldwide. It is a condition where the spinal canal narrows, putting pressure on the nerves and causing pain and discomfort. But do not worry – there are effective spinal stenosis treatments available!
Let us explore top spinal stenosis treatments near you, helping you find the right solution to relieve your pain and improve your quality of life.
Understanding Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Let us discuss what lumbar spinal stenosis is.
What is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) happens when the space in the lower part of your spine gets smaller. This can squeeze the nerves that go through your lower spine, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in your legs.
A common sign of LSS is feeling pain or cramps in your legs when you stand or walk, which gets better when you lean forward or sit down.
Causes of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
The main reasons for LSS are getting older, arthritis, and genes. As we age, the spine can experience wear and tear, leading to thicker ligaments, bony growths, and the breakdown of discs between the vertebrae.
These changes can make the space in the spinal canal smaller.
Symptoms to Watch For
Common symptoms of LSS include:
- Leg pain or cramps
- Feeling numb or tingly in the lower back or legs
- Weak legs
- Trouble with balance
Advanced Minimally Invasive Procedures
There are two top options for minimally invasive spinal stenosis treatment.
Vertiflex Procedure
The Vertiflex procedure is a less invasive method to help people with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). This procedure involves placing a tiny device into the spine to make more room for the affected nerves.
It is done without making large cuts, so the patient can often go home the same day. The Vertiflex procedure helps relieve pain and allows for a quicker recovery compared to traditional surgery.
MILD® Procedure
The Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression, or MILD® procedure, is another advanced treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). During this procedure, doctors remove small pieces of bone and extra ligament tissue to make the spinal canal wider.
Like the Vertiflex procedure, MILD® is minimally invasive, meaning it does not require large incisions and allows the patients to recover faster.
Other Minimally Invasive Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Treatments
Let us discuss the other minimally invasive lumbar spinal stenosis treatments available.
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
Spinal cord stimulation is a treatment where a small device is placed inside the body to send tiny electrical signals to the spinal cord. These signals help block pain messages, giving relief to patients.
Pain management doctors or interventional pain specialists often use this method to help people with chronic pain feel better.
Guided Joint & Other Injections
These injections involve putting medicine directly into a joint in the lumbar spine to reduce pain and swelling. Most back doctors or interventional pain specialists use special imaging tools like X-rays to ensure they place the injection precisely where needed.
Nerve Blocks
A nerve block involves injecting a numbing medication near certain nerves to stop pain signals from reaching the brain. This can provide short-term relief or sometimes even longer-lasting comfort.
Pain management doctors use nerve blocks to help patients feel better without having to take more medicine.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Radiofrequency ablation is a spinal stenosis treatment where heat generated by radio waves is used to destroy nerve fibers that carry pain messages. This can provide long-lasting relief from spinal stenosis pain.
Pain management doctors or interventional pain specialists often suggest RFA for patients who have not found relief from other treatments.
How to Find the Right Pain Management Doctor
Choosing the right pain management doctor is very important for treating spinal stenosis effectively. Here are some detailed tips to help you find the best pain management doctor near you:
Look for Specialists
It is a good idea to find pain management doctors who specialize in interventional pain management. This means they focus on treating pain through specific techniques and have experience with spinal stenosis.
Specialists are more likely to know about the latest treatment options and methods because they focus on this area of medicine.
Check Credentials
Ensure your pain management doctor is board-certified. This means they have passed special tests and have the right qualifications to do advanced procedures.
You can usually find out if a doctor is board-certified by checking their website or asking their office directly.
Read Reviews
Reading reviews from other patients with spinal stenosis can be very helpful. These reviews can tell you about the bedside manners of an interventional pain specialist, which means how they talk to and treat their patients.
Reviews can also give you an idea of how successful their spinal stenosis treatments are and how satisfied other patients are with their care. Look for these reviews on third-party websites and social media platforms to get an unbiased view.
Spinal Stenosis Treatments Near Me in Melbourne, FL
At Central Florida Spine & Pain, we offer comprehensive spinal stenosis treatments designed to provide lasting relief. Our board-certified physician, Dr. Nicholas Giordano, is experienced in various interventional pain management techniques. His personalized approach ensures you receive the most effective spinal stenosis treatment.
To learn more about us or to schedule an appointment for spinal stenosis treatment, call us today at (321) 802-5021. We look forward to serving you!
