What is Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is when the spinal column is narrowed, placing pressure on nerves inside the spine and therefore causing discomfort. It is a spine related issue which tends to occur in the neck area or the low back area.
If you think you have spinal stenosis, Dr. Marks and his team have the experience and expertise to properly diagnose and treat this spine related condition. We are currently accepting new patients who may have spinal stenosis, or any related spine condition.
Causes of Spinal Stenosis
As we age, we tend to undergo changes in the spine. These changes can cause the space in the spine to narrow. This narrowing of the spine is referred to as spinal stenosis. Besides aging, other causes of spinal stenosis may include:
- Trauma
- Arthritis
- Tumors
- Heredity
Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
There is no specified threshold on the timing of when symptoms of spinal stenosis can appear. Symptoms may not show at all, may show up slowly, or may present suddenly such as due to the force from a motor vehicle accident. While the timeliness may differ, symptoms typically include one or more of the following:
- Spine Pain
- Numbness in Limbs
- Muscle Weakness in Limbs
- Increased Discomfort When Standing
Treating Spinal Stenosis
There are both non-surgical and surgical treatment options for spinal stenosis. If conservative treatments are not working, then Dr. Marks may recommend surgery. If surgery is recommended, the goal is to relieve the pressure placed on the spinal cord. Often times a laminectomy is performed to to remove the back part of the vertebra to create more room around the affected area.
In certain circumstances, in place of a laminectomy, Dr. Marks may recommend the breakthrough procedure called Transcutaneous Lumbar Disc Resection. This minimally invasive procedure is outpatient surgery, with recovery being measured in hours or days, rather than weeks or months. It routinely entails an outpatient stay of less than four hours. Dr. Marks will need to perform a thorough exam to determine if you are a candidate for Transcutaneous Lumbar Disc Resection.
Schedule an Appointment
Dr Marks is currently seeing new patients who are experiencing the results of spinal stenosis. To schedule an appointment, please call our office at 972-231-7100. For your convenience, you may use our online contact form.