Most spinal stenosis is caused by arthritis, which causes wear and tear to the protective cartilage surrounding the spine’s joints.
The condition creates a narrowing of the spinal canal, which then restricts the spinal cord and nearby nerves resulting in painful symptoms.
By the time a person reaches the age of 60, there is nearly a 20% risk of acquiring lumbar spinal stenosis — with the incidence increasing with age. Spinal stenosis is also a leading cause of spinal surgery in patients over the age of 65.
Chronic back pain can indicate a wide variety of spinal conditions, which is why you need an accurate diagnosis. The surgeons at Desert Institute for Spine Care are leaders in minimally invasive spine care and can help relieve the pain caused by spinal stenosis. If you’d like to talk to one of our professionals about spinal stenosis, contact us or make an appointment today!
Spinal stenosis is a spine condition defined by the narrowing, or stenosis, of the spinal canal. This structure is comprised of 33 vertebrae, along with facet joints and gel-filled discs, all of which protect the spinal cord. When the spinal canal narrows, it can press on the spinal cord and spinal nerves, resulting in a number of symptoms depending on the location of the restriction. The spinal cord is the most pivotal part of our central nervous system, allowing the brain to communicate with the rest of the body.
Schedule an AppointmentThe narrowing caused by spinal stenosis can occur at any level of the spine but is most common in the lower back’s lumbar region or the neck’s cervical region due to their mobility.
Turning and bending can lead to eventual degeneration caused by wear and tear over the years. As the spinal canal in these regions narrows, the spinal cord and exiting nerves can be compressed, especially with the constant moving and bending of the spine’s vertebrae.
The thoracic spine, located in the middle back, provides stability and support, making it less prone to spinal stenosis.
Spinal stenosis is most common in older adults due to the natural aging process. However, it can also occur in patients who have experienced a back or neck injury. Other factors can increase your risk of developing this condition, including genetic tendencies and a variety of spinal conditions, such as:
Most spinal stenosis is caused by arthritis, which causes wear and tear to the protective cartilage surrounding the spine’s joints.
When the soft inner material of the intervertebral discs herniates or escapes, it can press on the spinal cord or nerves.
Osteoarthritis and other conditions can lead to the formation of bone spurs, which can grow into the spinal canal.
This condition causes the spine to curve and can compress nerves and nerve roots.
Cancerous growths in the spinal canal can lead to the development of spinal stenosis.
The ligaments that hold the bones of your spine together can thicken with age and bulge into the spinal canal.
Whether spinal stenosis is located in your lower back or neck, it produces similar symptoms — just in different parts of the body. Two types of spinal stenosis can affect the spinal cord, central canal stenosis (middle of back or neck) and foraminal stenosis or lateral stenosis (to one side of your back or neck).
Central stenosis can produce symptoms affecting your back, neck and one or both legs or arms. Foraminal stenosis typically affects the exiting spinal nerve to one side with symptoms in the back and leg or neck and arm. Lumbar spinal stenosis leads to symptoms in the legs and feet, while cervical spinal stenosis causes similar symptoms in the arms and hands.
While spinal stenosis can be asymptomatic, pain is usually the first indicator that there is additional pressure being put on the spine.
Other symptoms could include:
Treatment for spinal stenosis depends on an accurate diagnosis. At DISC, our spine surgeons take the time to communicate with patients, striving to understand their unique symptoms. We then aim to pinpoint the specific pain generator causing your spinal symptoms. Using our proprietary diagnostic techniques called Personalized Pain Diagnostics (PPD), we can determine if spinal stenosis is the cause of your back pain.
Don’t just take our word for it. See what patients of DISC are saying about their experiences with our highly-skilled spine surgeons.
There are a variety of minimally invasive treatment options for spinal stenosis. At DISC, we first emphasize nonoperative procedures to address pain and strengthen and support spinal structures. These may include:
If pain persists or if your condition leads to nerve compression, your doctor may recommend surgical treatment for spinal stenosis. We offer a range of options, and our surgeons specialize in minimally invasive endoscopic surgery.
When you receive treatment from the spine specialists at DISC, you can count on accurate diagnosis and a range of treatment options to help you find pain relief and restore your lifestyle. Find out more when you contact us online to schedule your appointment.
Our spine health blog features up-to-date spine education and expert spine tips from our spine specialists here at DISC.
Kinesics is the expression of your body language. It’s the shrug of your shoulders, the quick wink to a friend, the unconscious puzzlement of your eyebrows when you can’t quite place a face. Your body evolves as you take on characteristics that define who you are. Your work and exercise routine will also have an […]
Each vertebra plays a role in supporting the body’s structure and facilitating movement. In this article, we will look at the cervical vertebrae, which comprise the upper portion of the spine. Specifically, the fifth (C5) and sixth (C6) vertebrae, as they hold special significance. C5, the fifth cervical vertebra, finds its position just below C4 […]
An annular tear is a discogenic condition that impacts the spine, causing lower back pain. Natural wear and tear, sports injuries, improper lifting and repetitive motions are the most common causes of annular tears, as the injury results from the fibers that make up the intervertebral disc breaking or separating. While these tears can occur […]
Foraminal disc protrusion, which is one way that contributes to foraminal stenosis, is a spinal condition that occurs when a disc in the spine extends beyond its normal boundaries and presses on the nerve roots within the foraminal canal. This canal is a passageway through which nerve roots exit the spinal cord and travel to […]
Do you ever have trouble sleeping because your legs and feet feel itchy, tingly or cramped? You may be experiencing restless legs syndrome (RLS), a condition that affects up to 10% of people in the United States. RLS usually happens at night or when a person has to sit still for a long time. Depending on its […]
Dealing with back pain caused by disc degeneration and herniation has long been a challenge. For years, surgeons have been using various techniques to address these issues, with the operating microscope being a crucial tool. However, a game-changing evolution is happening in spinal surgery thanks to a device that’s been around for a while — […]
Having surgery while awake can sound a little odd, but in the field of spine surgery, it’s been happening for a few decades now. This unique method of surgery offers some exceptional benefits, helping people enjoy less recovery time and supporting surgeons in more accurate, safer procedures. Let’s explore awake spine surgery and how to […]
Spinal injuries can wreak havoc on your life, impacting your organs, motor functions or senses. They must be handled with prompt medical attention to prevent lasting damage. Speak with your doctor if you notice any peculiar symptoms, such as those caused by myelopathy. Myelopathy is a common spinal cord condition that can limit a person’s […]
Congratulations to DISC’s surgeons, Christopher Yeung, Justin Field, and Nima Salari, for being chosen as Phoenix Magazine’s TOP DOCTOR in 2023.
Register today for Amplify Surgical’s 2nd Annual Endoscopic Spine Symposium, featuring dualPortal™ and dualX® System on March 4, 2023.
Congratulations to Dr. Yeung for being featured on the front cover of Maricopa County Medical Society’s “Arizona Physician” Winter 2022 magazine!
Dr. Chris Yeung was interviewed by Arizona Physician Magazine – a publication that provides information for physicians across Arizona.
Dr. Salari received the most votes in the Orthopedic Surgery of the Spine category. Dr. Yeung received the award for the 10th consecutive year.
DISC surgeon Dr. Chris Yeung participates as a panelist in UCI Health Comprehensive Spine Center Webinar Series on January 14th, 2022.
DISC surgeons Dr. Salari and Dr. Wang participated as instructors in a recent M.O.R.E. Education Spine Program in Phoenix, Arizona on November 19-20, 2021. The M.O.R.E. Spine Learning Center offers surgeons the opportunity to attend cadaver labs, meet experienced surgeons and discuss the clinical, technical and economic aspects of new spine treatment technologies.
Begin or advance your Endoscopic skills at NASS on September 29th, 2021. Elliquence is dedicated to ensuring the best education for doctors and physicians on the Endoscopic Spine and MIS procedures using didactic and cadaveric hands-on instruction.
We are proud to announce that Dr. Nima Salari has been named to Becker’s Spine Review “50 Spine Surgeons To Know.” Written by Carly Behm | August 26th, 2021 Nima Salari, MD. Desert Institute for Spine Care (Phoenix). Dr. Salari was reportedly the first spine surgeon to implant Amplify Surgical’s 12-degree hyperlordotic DualX interbody cage. His specialties include pathologic conditions of the spine and minimally invasive surgery.
1635 East Myrtle Avenue Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85020, USA
18700 North 64th Drive Suite 105, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
8630 East Vía de Ventura Suite 210, Scottsdale, AZ 85258, USA
3487 South Mercy Road, Gilbert, AZ 85297, USA
1635 East Myrtle Avenue Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85020, USA
