How Did I Get Spinal Stenosis?

If you’re suddenly dealing with back pain, numbness, or weakness that seems to have come out of nowhere, a diagnosis of spinal stenosis might leave you wondering: How did this happen?

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the nerves. While aging is the most common cause, previous injuries, arthritis, and poor posture are contributing factors to this back condition.

At Alliance Spine & Pain Centers, our team helps patients understand what led to their spinal stenosis so we can develop a plan that provides long-term relief from symptoms. Here’s a closer look at how spinal stenosis develops and what you can do about it. 

What is spinal stenosis?

This condition develops when there isn’t enough space in the spinal canal, the part of the spine where the spinal cord travels. This lack of space can create pressure or irritation on the spinal cord or spinal nerves, causing pain and nerve-related issues like sciatica.

The narrowing may occur in any part of the spine, but it most commonly develops in the lumbar (lower back) and cervical (neck) spine. Your symptoms help us determine the location of the narrowing. Cervical spinal stenosis may cause numbness or tingling in your arms or hands, while lumbar spinal stenosis typically affects the legs and feet.  

Most common causes of spinal stenosis

Age-related changes are the leading cause of spinal stenosis. As you get older, the discs that separate and cushion the vertebrae (spinal bones) naturally dry out and shrink, reducing the space between the bones. 

This can cause the vertebrae to rub together, creating bone spurs that further narrow the spinal canal. Additionally, ligaments attached to your spinal bones may thicken and bulge into the canal.

While you may have spinal stenosis because you were born with a more narrow canal, this is much less common than age-related causes.

Other conditions and risk factors

Other factors may contribute to the development of spinal stenosis. These include:

• Previous back injury
• History of spine surgery
• Arthritis
• Poor posture
• Heavy lifting

Carrying extra weight, whether body weight or heavy loads, places additional pressure on the back, potentially accelerating the degenerative process.

Managing spinal stenosis

Treatment for your spinal stenosis depends on the underlying cause, contributing factors, and severity of your symptoms. Conservative care may include physical therapy, weight management, and posture correction.

When symptoms persist or worsen, we may recommend interventional pain management procedures such as epidural steroid injections or spinal cord stimulation. We also perform the Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD) Procedure for spinal stenosis, which involves implanting a small titanium device that increases the spacing in the spine. 

Our doctors are leaders in the field and provide innovative treatments using cutting-edge technology. Understanding how you developed spinal stenosis helps us create the most effective treatment plan for your needs.

If you have spinal stenosis and need answers, we’re here to help. Call Alliance Spine & Pain Centers today or request an appointment online. 

We have offices in Austell, Augusta, Woodstock, Atlanta, Marietta, Conyers, Lawrenceville, Jasper, Cartersville, Dallas, Suwanee, Covington, Carrollton, Canton, Sandy Springs, Douglasville, Peachtree City, and Roswell, Georgia.