Spinal Stenosis Specialist

Neuro Texas

Neurosurgeons & Spine Surgeons located in Frisco, TX

Spinal stenosis can develop anywhere in your spine, but it’s most likely to affect your lower back because it bears the weight of your body. Board-certified spine surgeon Rob Dickerman, DO, PhD, FACOS, provides a wide range of treatment options for spinal stenosis, from medication and exercise to advanced options like spinal cord stimulation and minimally invasive surgery, when necessary. If you need to find relief from back or neck pain, call the office in Frisco, Texas, or schedule an appointment online.

785-428-0924

Spinal Stenosis Q & A

What causes spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal, is caused by degenerative changes that slowly develop over the years. The spinal canal is formed by an opening in the center of each vertebra that protects the spinal cord. The opening doesn’t change; instead, the area inside the opening narrows due to spine conditions, such as:

Herniated disc
Bone spurs
Facet joint arthritis
Thickened ligaments
Degenerative disc disease
Degenerative scoliosis
Degenerative spondylolisthesis

These conditions protrude into the spinal canal or cause misaligned vertebrae. As a result, you end up with pinched nerves, inflammation, and pain.

What symptoms develop due to spinal stenosis?

You’ll experience pain in the area of your spine where the spinal stenosis occurs. Pinched nerves also cause symptoms like tingling, numbness, and pain that may radiate down your leg or arm, depending on if the problem is in your lower back or neck.

In severe cases, you may develop weakness in your legs or buttocks. Some people experience cramping in their calves when they walk.

What type of treatment might I receive for spinal stenosis?

Dr. Dickerman offers operative and nonoperative management of your spinal stenosis. He also teaches you how to minimize or prevent flares.

Nonsurgical treatment for spinal stenosis may include analgesics to relieve your pain and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling and pain. Physical therapy or a prescribed exercise regimen is also important to build strength, restore movement, and relieve pain.

Dr. Dickerman may recommend an epidural injection or spinal cord stimulation. After implanting a spinal cord stimulator, the device uses mild electrical impulses to block nerves from sending pain signals to your brain.

Should your pain continue after exhausting conservative options, Dr. Dickerman may recommend surgery. The type of procedure you need depends on the cause of your spinal stenosis.

These are a few types of surgery used to repair spinal stenosis, including: