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Spinal Stenosis in Minnesota
Learn More About Spinal Stenosis
If you’re experiencing symptoms of spinal stenosis in Minnesota, understanding how the spine works is an important first step.
Your spine is made up of bones called vertebrae. Each vertebra has two main parts: the vertebral body, which is the rounded front portion, and the vertebral arch, which forms the back of the bone.
When viewed from above, there is an opening between these two parts. As the vertebrae stack together, these openings create a protective tunnel around the spinal cord known as the spinal canal.
At every level of the spine, smaller openings called foramina allow nerves, blood vessels, and supporting ligaments to pass from the spinal canal to the rest of the body. (The singular form of foramina is foramen.)
What Is Spinal Stenosis?
The spinal canal protects the spinal cord, which serves as the body’s communication pathway between the brain and the rest of the body. Motor signals travel from the brain to control movement, while sensory signals travel back to the brain, allowing you to feel pain, temperature, and touch.
Normally, these signals move freely through the spinal canal. However, when the canal becomes narrowed, pressure can develop on the spinal cord or nearby nerves. This condition is known as spinal stenosis.
For patients with spinal stenosis in Minnesota, the condition can cause pain and limit daily activities. In many cases, spinal stenosis develops because of age-related degenerative changes associated with osteoarthritis, including thickened tissues and bone overgrowth that reduce the available space within the spinal canal.
A related condition called foraminal spinal stenosis occurs when the foramina narrow and compress the nerves that travel through these openings.
Acquired Spinal Stenosis
Acquired spinal stenosis develops over time rather than being present at birth. It may result from age-related degeneration, injury, certain endocrine or metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases, or, in some cases, infectious diseases. When acquired spinal stenosis affects spinal cord function, it is referred to as myelopathy.
Congenital Spinal Stenosis
Some people are born with a naturally narrow spinal canal. This condition is called congenital spinal stenosis. While present from birth, symptoms may not develop until later in life, and the condition often progresses with age.
Spinal Stenosis Symptoms
One of the most recognizable symptoms of spinal stenosis in Minnesota patients is pain that worsens with standing or walking and improves with sitting, bending forward, or lying down. Physicians refer to this pattern as intermittent neurologic claudication.
Leaning forward, such as over a shopping cart, can temporarily reduce pressure on the spinal cord and relieve discomfort. Walking difficulties are also common.
When spinal stenosis affects the lumbar spine, symptoms may include:
- Pain in the buttocks, thighs, or knees
- A feeling of warmth in the legs
- Sciatic pain
- Low back pain
- Difficulty standing for extended periods
When spinal stenosis affects the cervical spine, symptoms may include:
- Neck pain
- Weakness in the arms or hands
- Numbness or tingling in the upper extremities
Many patients experience symptoms on both sides of the body.
Spinal Stenosis Causes
A variety of conditions can narrow the spinal canal:
Degenerative Disc Disease
As we age, the discs between the vertebrae naturally lose hydration and break down. This process, known as degenerative disc disease, can eventually lead to disc bulging or herniation into the spinal canal.
Calcification of Spinal Ligaments
Aging can calcify the ligaments that pass through the spinal foramina. They become hardened and thickened; a condition called hypertrophy (hy-PER-troe-fee). The thickened ligament can compress the spinal cord.
Bone Spurs
Bone spurs, which doctors call osteophytes (OSS-tee-oh-fytes) can form within the spinal canal, impinging on the spinal cord.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis (spahn-dih-low-LISS-thuh-siss) occurs when a vertebra shifts forward or backward, out of alignment with the vertebra above it. A misaligned vertebra can crowd the spinal cord.
Facet Joint Syndrome
Arthritic changes in the facet joints can narrow the neural foramina, placing pressure on nearby spinal nerves.
How Common Is Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is most commonly diagnosed in adults over the age of 60.
- Cervical spinal stenosis affects approximately one out of every 100,000 people.
- Lumbar spinal stenosis affects approximately five out of every 100,000 people.
Imaging studies also show that nearly 20% of adults over age 60 have evidence of spinal stenosis on MRI, although many never develop symptoms. Among adults over age 65, spinal stenosis is one of the most common reasons for lumbar spine surgery.
How Is Spinal Stenosis Diagnosed?
Diagnosing spinal stenosis in Minnesota begins with a review of your symptoms, a physical examination, and advanced imaging studies such as MRI or CT scans.
During your evaluation, your physician may:
- Review your medical history
- Assess your range of motion
- Evaluate strength and sensation
- Ask about pain severity and activity limitations
The pattern of symptoms is often an important part of diagnosis. Pain that increases while standing or walking and improves with sitting or bending forward is considered a classic presentation of spinal stenosis.
Conservative Spinal Stenosis Treatments
Unless symptoms are severe or disabling, physicians generally recommend conservative treatment before considering surgery.
Lifestyle modifications may include improving posture, increasing physical activity, or participating in physical therapy. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, may also be recommended.
If symptoms continue, additional conservative treatment options may include:
Medications
Prescription NSAIDs may help reduce inflammation. Certain anticonvulsant or antidepressant medications, including gabapentin and pregabalin, may also be used to help manage nerve-related pain.
Spinal Injections
Epidural steroid injections combine a local anesthetic with a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation around compressed nerves and provide temporary symptom relief.
Physical Therapy
A structured physical therapy program can help improve spinal mobility, strengthen the muscles that support the spine, and increase endurance. Physical therapists may also use treatments such as electrical stimulation, massage, ultrasound therapy, and heat or cold therapy to help reduce discomfort.
When Is Spinal Stenosis Surgery Needed?
For some patients with spinal stenosis in Minnesota, surgery may be recommended when conservative treatments no longer provide adequate relief or when symptoms continue to worsen.
The primary goal of surgery is to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves while helping prevent further progression of the condition. The surgical approach depends on the location and severity of the compression.
One commonly performed procedure is a laminectomy, an open surgery that removes part of the vertebra to create additional space around the spinal cord. While effective for many patients, some individuals continue to experience back pain or stiffness afterward.
Inspired Spine also offers Oblique Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (OLLIF), a minimally invasive surgical technique designed to treat select spinal conditions. Compared to traditional open procedures, minimally invasive approaches may allow for smaller incisions and a faster recovery for appropriately selected patients. Your spine surgeon can determine whether this procedure is suitable based on your individual diagnosis and overall health.
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