Spinal Stenosis
There's nothing more frustrating than experiencing back pain and not knowing what's causing it. You may have a slight twinge in your lower back every time you move a certain way, or maybe the pain is all-consuming and debilitating.
Being in the hands of Midtown Manhattan pain management specialists who also treat a wide array of athletes is the only way to truly feel at ease when dealing with back pain. The Sports and Pain Institute of NY can help you with spinal stenosis pain relief and the most effective spinal stenosis treatment and diagnostics.
Spinal Stenosis NYC — SPIN Sports Pain Specialists
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What is Spinal Stenosis?
As with any expert play, you have to know what you're dealing with before attacking it full force. Spinal stenosis is a medical term for the narrowing of your spinal canal. This closing in creates pressure that can affect the nerves in your spine.
It mostly appears in adults 50 years and older, and it typically manifests in either the lower back or the neck. Lumbar spinal stenosis is the most common form of this affliction, and it happens when the spaces within your spine in the lower back narrow. Cervical spinal stenosis, on the other hand, causes the neck vertebrae to tighten, restricting neck movement and causing various levels of pain and discomfort.
What are the Main Causes of Spinal Stenosis?
Osteoarthritis is the main cause of spinal stenosis. The wear and tear that the breakdown of cartilage and the growth of bone tissue causes is a common sign of aging. It's also one of the most common afflictions faced by the 50-and-older crowd.
While arthritis and its derivative forms of pain remain the main culprits of spinal stenosis, there are more severe causes that can lead to it. The other causes of spinal stenosis can strike anyone at any age and include:
- Herniated discs
- Tumors
- Direct spinal trauma
- Thickened ligaments
- Paget's disease
How to Diagnose Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a hard one to self-diagnose because although you might have it, you might not physically feel any of the symptoms. The way to get an official diagnosis is to go to your Midtown doctor and get take the recommended medical tests to find out for sure, even if you're not experiencing any pain. Always remember: spinal stenosis and its different forms are going to worsen over time, so the sooner you can detect it, the better.
An x-ray is an apt test to see if arthritis and its visible signs like bone spurs are causing you pain. If a more in-depth test is needed to detect your spinal stenosis, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or computed tomography (CT) scan can be done at your doctor's discretion.
What Are the Symptoms?
Because spinal stenosis pain will frequently worsen over time, it's essential for you to identify what exactly it is when you feel it so you can alert your doctor. There are different types of pain associated with multiple kinds of spinal stenosis. Common symptoms include:
The pain that comes with lumbar spinal stenosis is centralized in your lower back. Along with general pain in this area, you may feel numbness, tingling or weakness in one of your feet or in your legs. There also may be cramping in your legs when you walk or stand for prolonged periods of time.
Cervical spinal stenosis pain is in the neck and shoulders. With this condition, you may feel that same numbness, tingling or weakness, but in your hands, arms, feet or legs. You may have trouble walking or with your balance. In the most severe cases, you may have trouble controlling your bowels and bladder.
How to Treat Spinal Stenosis?
While there is no cure for this affliction, there are various spinal stenosis treatments. Using medication, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, is a great option for mild spinal stenosis pain relief. Antidepressants, opioids, and anti-seizure medication can also be surprisingly good options for spinal stenosis pain relief if recommended by your physician.
Treating spinal stenosis gets more difficult when dealing with its more severe forms. While physical therapy might be a good option for preventing the condition from worsening if you catch it early, more intense pain calls for different kinds of spinal stenosis treatment.
The procedures targeting severe pain can vary from a simple steroid injection to a laminectomy, which removes certain parts of the spinal bone. Surgery is often only in the discussion if all other kinds of treatment haven't worked. Ultimately, the best form of treating spinal stenosis comes from early detection, preventative exercise and regular doctor visits.
Ready to find relief from spinal stenosis?
Dr. Melepura's Midtown Manhattan clinic offers same-day appointments for evaluation and treatment.
Real Stories from our Patients
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD
Double Board-Certified Pain Specialist
Meet Dr. Febin Melepura — Your Spinal Stenosis Specialist in NYC
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD is a double board-certified interventional pain management specialist and the founder of the Sports Pain Institute of New York. He completed his residency and fellowship training at New York Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers.
He holds dual board certifications from the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine, and has treated more than 7,500 patients and performed over 5,250 procedures throughout his career. He has been named a Top Pain Management Doctor in New York and one of America's Top Doctors™ by Castle Connolly.
Dr. Melepura's approach to spinal stenosis is rooted in precision: identify the exact source, treat it with a targeted injection, and get you back to your daily life as quickly as possible.
Ready to Book an Appointment?
Same-day appointments available. Call (212) 621-7746 or book online.
What Our Spinal Stenosis Patients Say
"Able to make an appointment to see Dr. Melepura on short notice… attentive to my concerns… Jazmin was also very kind and helpful."
"Excellent hospitality, listener and explainer… highly recommend the doctor and the place."
"Dr. Melepura is the best! He worked with me to find the optimal solution to my shoulder pain while I was preparing for a fight!"
"Lovely, bright and modern… doctor and staff were kind… felt my concerns were heard."
"Helpful and friendly staff who gladly follows up with you if and when needed. Dr Melepura was very helpful and professional as well as provided me with excellent information and feedback."
"Dr Febin is fantastic! Highly recommend him and his practice the Spin clinic. The doctor is a good listener, kind, attentive and gave me great advice. "
"Dr.Melepura was very efficient and interpersonal, felt like he was understanding the problems I was having and explained the processes to take to rehabilitate. I would recommend."
"I felt listened to and truly understood by Dr. Melepura. Started PT the very next day. They were very friendly and I didn't feel rushed at all. Already recommended them to my friends who have or continue to play through pain."