Dr. Ollinger with patient

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis treatment can relieve back pain and sciatica. Our experts offer options like physical therapy, injections, and spine surgery for pain relief.
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Lumbar spinal stenosis can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness that can be debilitating, but University of Iowa Health Care experts can provide relief.

Our neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons have special expertise in diagnosing and treating spinal stenosis. 

The cause of spinal stenosis and the best way to treat it can be difficult to pinpoint. The amount of experience your specialist has with spine conditions is critical for your effective treatment and recovery.  

If you need surgery, you also need an experienced spine surgeon in order to have the best outcome. The UI Health Care team has deep experience in diagnosing and treating spinal stenosis and other conditions.

Spinal stenosis symptoms and diagnosis

Your spine is made up of a line of bones called vertebrae that surround and protect your spinal cord. Spinal stenosis is narrowing of the space around your spinal cord and nerves. 

The spinal cord contains nerves that branch out to all parts of your body. It runs down the center of your spine.  

A healthy spine has enough space to accommodate the nerves it protects.  

This can happen in your back or neck, in three locations: 

  • The column in the spine that contains the spinal cord 
  • Openings in the vertebrae where nerves branch out from the spinal cord 
  • Gaps between the vertebrae 
Causes of spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis usually affects people over age 50. Causes include: 

  • Arthritis that leads to bone spurs created by wear and tear on the spine 
  • Herniated discs 
  • Scoliosis 
  • Spinal tumors 
  • Spinal cord injury 
  • Thickened ligaments that bulge into the spinal canal 

Younger people who were born with a small spinal canal or have had a spine injury may also be at risk for spinal stenosis. 

Symptoms of spinal stenosis

Symptoms of spinal stenosis often start slowly and grow worse over time. Common symptoms include: 

  • Neck or back pain 
  • Sciatica, or pain that radiates from your low back through your buttock and the back of your leg  
  • Numbness, tingling, or pain in your arms or legs 
  • Pain or cramping in your legs when walking or standing 
  • Foot pain 
  • Weakness in your arms, legs or feet 

In some severe cases, spinal stenosis can affect control of bowel, bladder, and sexual functions. 

Diagnosing spinal stenosis

Your physician will examine you and talk with you about the symptoms and pain you're experiencing.  

You may have imaging to show where your nerves are being compressed, such as: 

  • X-rays 
  • MRI 
  • CT scan 

The images will also show any bone spurs or damaged discs. Our state-of-the-art imaging equipment shows your providers exactly where the problems are. 

You may also have an electromyelogram (EMG) or nerve conduction study, to see how your nerves are affected by stenosis.  

Spinal stenosis treatment from UI Health Care

The treatment your doctor recommends for spinal stenosis will depend on what's causing your symptoms and how severe they are. 

A team of spine experts 

UI Health Care's spine surgery team of neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons performs decompression surgery. They will work together on your care if your surgery is complex. 

Your care team might also include specialists in radiology, spine rehabilitation, physical medicine and rehabilitation, pain medicine, and other areas. They work together to create a personalized plan of care for relieving your pain and restoring your quality of life. 

Nonsurgical treatment 

Most people can get relief from spinal stenosis pain without having surgery. Options include: 

  • Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, including ibuprofen and naproxen), muscle relaxants, and some antidepressants to help control pain 
  • Steroid injections to temporarily reduce inflammation and relieve pressure when pinched nerve roots become irritated and swollen 
  • Physical therapy will teach you special exercises. Your therapy plan will be designed to maintain the flexibility and stability of your spine and improve your strength and endurance. 

Spine surgery for spinal stenosis 

Surgery might be the best option for spinal stenosis treatment if other treatments don't work, or if large bone spurs are blocking your spinal canal.  

This kind of procedure is called decompression surgery. It relieves the pressure on the spinal cord or nerves by creating more space for them.  

In some cases, decompression surgery can be performed in a minimally invasive way, using special tools inserted through small incisions. Minimally invasive surgery means less pain, fewer complications, and faster recovery. Ask your surgeon if this minimally invasive option is right for you.  

  • Laminectomy is the most common surgery for spinal stenosis. This procedure removes all or part of the vertebral bone (lamina), creating more space for the spinal cord. 
  • Spinal fusion might be performed along with your laminectomy. This means placing a bone graft or metal implants alongside the vertebrae to stabilize your spine. 
  • Foraminotomy removes a bone spur or herniated disc that's blocking the opening between your vertebrae.  
  • Laminoplasty might be performed if stenosis is in your neck, or cervical spine. Your surgeon cuts the vertebra to create a hinge on one side. The other side is then propped open with a spacer. 

Need a second opinion about your spinal stenosis diagnosis?

We’ll help you find a provider with special expertise in spinal stenosis.
Call 1-800-777-8442 Request an appointment Refer a patient

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Patient Stories

Living pain-free with the help of UI orthopedic specialists
April 17, 2023
After struggling with low back pain for years, Independence woman connects with UI orthopedic surgeon to treat spinal stenosis

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Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Distinction® Center+ designation
Expertise in knee and hip replacement and spine surgery has earned UI Health Care the Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Distinction® Center+ designation. This means we're a center of excellence that delivers high-quality specialized care and better results.