Spinal stenosis medical therapy
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Spinal stenosis Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Spinal stenosis medical therapy On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Spinal stenosis medical therapy |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Spinal stenosis medical therapy |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Medical Therapy
If the problems with CSS are mild, treatment may be as simple as physical therapy and the use of a cervical collar. If severe, treatments include laminectomy, hemilaminectomy, or decompression.
Treatment for LSS includes weight loss, and activity modification, such as using a walker to promote a certain posture. Epidural steroid injections may also help relieve the leg pain. If the symptoms are more severe, a laminectomy or foraminotomy may be indicated to take pressure off the spinal nerve.
When your back pain does not go away completely, or it gets more painful at times, learning to take care of your back at home and prevent repeat episodes of your back pain can help you avoid surgery. Your doctor and other health professionals will help you manage your pain and keep you as active as possible.
Generally, conservative management is encouraged. This involves the use of medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. Steroid injections may relieve pain for a period of time.
Various other medications may help with chronic pain, including phenytoin, carbamazepine, or tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline.
Epidural corticosteroid injections
Epidural corticosteroid injections may offer benefit for one to two weeks. However, the benefit may be entirely due to the accompanying local anesthetic and the benefit is minimal to none by four to six weeks (see Forest plot to right).
