Spinal Stenosis Diagnosis & Treatment by Pain Doctors in Baltimore

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, which adds pressure to the nerves that branch out from the spine. Patients with this condition usually experience pain in the lower back, the neck or the buttocks and legs. Pain from spinal stenosis may sometimes be relieved by sitting and/or bending forward.

There are many causes of spinal stenosis, including:

• Overgrowth of bone
• Herniated disc
• Tumors
• Spinal injuries

(Herniated disc - also spelled - disk herniation. For the purposes of this website Mercy Medical Center will use the spelling disc.)

Spinal stenosis does not always show symptoms. In most cases, when symptoms are evident, they begin gradually and worsen over time. Symptoms may include:

• Pain in the neck
• Pain in the lower back
• Pain in the upper legs or buttocks

Pain management specialists diagnose spinal stenosis by conducting:

• X-rays
• MRI – magnetic resonance imaging
• Physical exam

Treatment for spinal stenosis will vary upon location and severity. Often, treatment is aimed at pain management. Options for treating spinal stenosis may include:

• Epidural Injections
• Transforaminal Injections
• Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD)