Spinal Stenosis Specialist

Spinal stenosis, the narrowing of your spinal canal, can put pressure on nearby nerves and cause back or leg pain, tingling, and numbness. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, John Coccaro, MD, at Precision Pain Management, LLC, in Toms River, New Jersey, can help. The pain management physicians are experienced in treating spinal stenosis, helping restore function and relieve pain using conservative, minimally invasive methods. Call the practice today to arrange a consultation or book an appointment online.

Spinal Stenosis Q & A

What is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a degenerative condition that causes a narrowing of the channel that forms your spinal canal.

Your spinal canal runs through your vertebrae and houses your spinal cord. When your spine is healthy and working properly, there’s enough room in the spinal canal to ensure nothing presses on the nerves of your spinal cord.

With age, the spongy discs that cushion your vertebrae start to dry out and harden. The discs get flatter and might start to protrude into the spinal canal. Arthritis can cause thickening and enlargement of the ligaments and facet joints in your spine and pushing into the spinal canal.

The result is that the space for your spinal cord narrows, and you’re more likely to find the nerves are coming under pressure.

What are the Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis doesn’t always cause symptoms. You could have quite bad spinal stenosis, but you only experience problems if there’s pressure on your spinal cord or the nerves coming off it.

If you do get symptoms, they’re likely to include back or leg pain and numbness. You might also get leg cramps and weakness. These symptoms are usually worse if you stand or walk for a prolonged period.

Your spinal stenosis symptoms can come and go and might vary in severity from one day to the next. Opening more room for your spinal cord by sitting and leaning forward can often reduce or relieve the pain.

How is Spinal Stenosis Treated?

Initial treatments for spinal stenosis are likely to be conservative interventions such as:

● Anti-inflammatory medications
● Physical therapy
● Activity modification

For most patients, a combination of gentle exercise, pain relief, and physical therapy is effective in reducing and relieving the symptoms of spinal stenosis.
If you’re still having problems, the team at Precision Pain Management, LLC, can suggest other options, including epidural steroid injections, minimally invasive lumbar decompression (known as MILD® therapy), and Vertiflex™ Superion® to treat spinal stenosis.

Vertiflex Superion is a minimally invasive procedure that prevents extension of your spine while allowing flexion, thereby reducing the pain. During the procedure, your physician simply makes a tiny incision in your lumbar spine, places the device, and closes the wound. The procedure is quick, taking only about 20 minutes.
If you have symptoms of spinal stenosis, call Precision Pain Management, LLC, today or book an appointment online.