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Spinal Stenosis

 spine modelA narrowing of the open spaces of the spine normally occupied by nerves, spinal stenosis is a condition that can occur along any point of the backbone. It can result in some degree of discomfort if the narrowing places pressure on your spine and adjacent nerves, with pain sometimes traveling to the arms and legs. Often occurring in the lower back or neck, spinal stenosis can result in no symptoms at all or debilitating back and/or neck pain. Treatment will depend on what you’re experiencing as a result of the condition.

Causes

The most common cause of spinal stenosis is changes in the spine due to conditions like osteoarthritis, a chronic “wear and tear” form of arthritis that frequently affects spine joints. In most cases, something happens to cause the spinal canal to narrow. Some type of gradual degeneration, for instance, can result in the formation of bone spurs that can press on nerves. Paget’s disease, an adult bone condition, may also result in bone overgrowth somewhere along the spine. Spinal stenosis may also be caused by:

  • Herniated discs
  • Thickened ligaments
  • Spinal injuries
  • Spinal tumors

Symptoms

There may be evidence of spinal stenosis from x-rays or image testing even without any discomfort. When there is pain associated with spinal stenosis, symptoms are often gradual and worsen over time. Ranging from occasional pain that comes and goes to persistent pain, numbness, or weakness, symptoms can vary in severity depending on the part of the spine that’s affected by the condition. If the stenosis is the cervical spine, compression of nerves in the neck may result in radiating pain that’s felt in the shoulders or as far down as the hands and fingers. Symptoms associated with spinal stenosis may include:

  • Leg pain or cramping
  • Increased discomfort when sitting or standing for long periods of time
  • Pain that eases when changing positions or bending forward
  • Tingling in hands, arms, legs, or feet
  • Issues with walking or maintaining balance

Treatments

 spine x-raySpinal stenosis treatment often includes some form of physical therapy. Exercises are meant to prevent deterioration of supporting muscles. Since pain is often associated with certain movements and positions, activity modifications can sometimes help ease the severity of your discomfort. Non-operative remedies for spinal stenosis are often diverse enough to achieve successful pain management for many patients. Anti-inflammatory medications can also alleviate symptoms. There’s a growing trend towards minimizing the use of narcotic pain medications. When such medications are necessary, use should be short-term only. Additional treatment options include:

  • Epidural steroid injections and nerve blocks
  • Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS)
  • Chiropractic adjustments
  • Muscle relaxants

Unless it’s present at birth, spinal stenosis is typically progressive in nature. You may go years without experiencing any issues with the condition. Once you start to experience some level of back or neck pain, however, it’s time to consider your available treatment options. While surgery is sometimes necessary, the good news is that there are many non-surgical treatment options that may successfully manage your pain.

Contact Allied Pain & Spine Institute today to schedule your consultation.

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Our Patient Reviews

Allied Pain & Spine Institute

5.0

Based on 158 reviews

Michelle T.

I fly in to see Dr. Petros from Southern California.  I wouldn't do so if he wasn't the best there is.  He is compassionate and has always treated me kindly. I can tell he is sincere in the way he talks to me and is diligently looking for solutions that work best with me and my chronic pain needs.  Very out of the box approach, which I appreciate these days!  I would truly recommend Dr. Petros to anyone looking for a Dr. that not only cares about you as a patient but has the confidence and skill set to get results! His office staff is friendly and caring too.  Allied Pain and Spine Institute is the Gold Standard in pain care in my humble opinion!! When I find a doctor that understands the issue and always goes above and beyond to help me, I do what I can to continue seeing them. I am so glad I found this office!!

Louise W.

Dr Petros is amazing!  When he uses a needle his aim is "right on".  He is also very personable, an altogether great guy.  I always find my visits to him to be very informative. I have had both sides of my degenerated back injected (epidural shots) with complete success.  He allows me to have no sedative, which is cool because his jokes and stories in the operating room are really good.  He greatly enjoys his work, and enjoys the difficult challenges of getting a needle into the right place in my back.  My arthritic knee is perhaps more straight-forward, but other doctors have failed to give me pain relief.  Dr Petros studies the structure with ultrasound before injecting it.  The result - instant relief! On my recent visit for a broken back (ski accident) the doctor and staff were very accommodating to help me make a dinner engagement shortly after my appointment.  This is definitely a five-star operation!

Ellie O.

Wow, wonderful doctor!!! I avoid all the doctors like the plague...seriously it makes my blood pressure go up when I have to go but I chose Dr. Vaidya. My friend referred him to me, he's simply the best... TOP NOTCH!!! He turned out to be a breath of fresh air. Dr. Vaidya really stands out head and shoulders above everyone else. I usually don't write reviews but he's so outstanding that I really wanted to do it for him. He's the most honest and caring doctor I have met.  He listens and gives you full attention and committed to find the best individual solution for you. He always goes out of his way to get you the most appropriate treatment and he will make it happen. He's very knowledgeable in his field. He's very professional, friendly, personable and definitely easy to talk to. His integrity is very valuable. He's one of the sharpest and most driven individuals you will ever meet.

Keith M.

Simply the best doctors and staff in the area. I've fought back and neck pain for over 30 years, and Dr. Petros and his team have kept me from the operating table and able to enjoy my life. I've had injections, acupuncture, as well as back braces. He listens to my concerns, cares very deeply for my pain and discomfort, and has successfully treated everything from stenosis, pinched nerves, herniated disks, and even helped me with the symptoms from shingles and lung disease. I couldn't be happier with the care he has given me over the years.

Kaitlin Z.

Dr. Vaidya has changed my life. I am in my late 20s with chronic pain and nothing had worked until I came here. All services here are wonderful and the staff is absolutely amazing. I can't recommend enough!!

Tracy B.

I have been a patient of Dr. Vaidya for a few years after not getting what I needed from other spine and pain doctors. I was looking for a doctor who would think outside the box and come up with some other ways to treat my growing amount of pain. Between Dr. Petros and Dr. Vaidya, they have brought me to a place where my pain is better managed. And let's just talk about bedside manners! I have never met doctors in the past 23 years of this back journey of mine that has as amazing bedside manners as these guys. I have cried and laughed with the team at Allied Spine. The way that I am always greeted and promptly cared for is bar none! The front office staff, and especially Nas, has been a God sent. I would never go anywhere else.

Justin P.

I am a new patient of DR Petros and my experience was great for my first two visits so far. He really takes time to listen to your issues and provides thorough answers and treatment options. The front desk staff are all very nice and respond in a timely manner to requests. Highly recommended all around!

Lisa A.

I have seen Dr. Vaidya for about 2 years. He is an amazing doctor.the attention and care you receive is well over 5 stars. He knows who I am by my face, he knows my health history with out looking in my chart, he remembers conversations we have had at previous appointments. He truly cares for his patients. I will be moving our of state, and will travel back here each month to see doctor Vaidya. I lost my insurance over a year ago and pay out of pocket to see the doctor, it is worth every penny to be treated with respect, as a person and with care. I love all the staff and feel like I am visiting family when I come in for my appointments.

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