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Treatment Options
There are some non-surgical treatment options that can temporarily
decrease the inflammation caused by spinal stenosis, such as:
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A gentle physical
therapy program, including:
Aerobic conditioning
Pool exercises
Strengthening exercises
Flexibility exercise |
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Anti-inflammatory
medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen |
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Epidural steroid
injections. These injections deliver anti-inflammatory
medication directly into the spinal canal and to the area of the
inflammation.
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Bracing is
generally not recommended for long-term use. If used for too long,
bracing can lead to de-conditioning of the muscles that support
the back.
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Acupuncture or
chiropractic manipulation can also be attempted.
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Since conservative treatment for stenosis such
as bracing, bed rest, physical therapy and pain management cannot
improve the narrowing of the spinal canal, they have few proven
long term benefits. There is, likewise, one absolute indication
that decompressive surgery on the spine is required and that is progressive weakness. If
progressive weakness interferes with your lifestyle, then surgery
would be necessary.
Patients who choose “open” fusion procedures
are usually hospitalized for several days and can only return to
normal activities after two to three months. Elderly patients have
higher rates of complications from “open” fusion surgery, as do
overweight patients, diabetics, smokers and patients with multiple
medical problems.
“Open” fusion surgery eliminates motion and
prevents the slippage or curvature from worsening after surgery.
The surgeon may use screws and rods to hold the spine in place
while the body heals the bone together.
There are many risks with “open” fusion
surgery, including:
Bleeding
Infection
Blood clots
Reaction to anesthesia
Tear of the sac covering the nerves (dural tear)
Failure to relieve symptoms
Return of symptoms after some time
Failure of the bone fusion to heal
Failure of screws or rods
Need for further surgery
Injury to the nerves
There is a development in spinal surgery that
has changed the way patients with spinal stenosis are treated. The
surgeons at The Bonati Institute have developed ways to perform
decompression procedures through an incision as small as ¼ inch.
This
arthroscopic technique
results in less pain after the operation and allows for a quicker
return to normal activities.
Dr. Alfred Bonati
pioneered the application of endoscopic and arthroscopic laser
surgery to problems of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine,
such as spinal stenosis, spondylosis, degenerative disc disease,
herniated discs, and previous failed open back surgery. His
world-famous
Bonati Procedures
have been awarded six U.S. Patents, and have been performed
successfully more than 22,000 times.
Arthroscopy is a minimally-invasive surgery
that allows for direct visualization of the exact site of the
pathology via an endoscope. Unlike old-fashioned "open" back
surgery, these advanced outpatient spine surgeries usually can
avoid dissection of the muscle and removal of the bone. Because
these surgeries are minimally-invasive, patients with cervical,
thoracic, or lumbar disc problems experience far less trauma.
For more information:
www.bonati.com
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Spinal
Stenosis
