Spinal Stenosis?

[cgarr]

Anyone has this condition? mine is severe, gotta go in to discuss options, injections or surgery:

Its so bad walking is becoming a real problem and so weak in my legs, forget the stairs.

[matthewb0051]

Mine is not that severe.

I get relief from many sources: chiropractic, tens unit (but not that much), yoga ball, inversion table, meds. I used to get great relief from acupuncture until my doctor left the practice. I have yet to replace that but am looking.

I was not a candidate for injection due to a previous allergic reaction to that stuff. The doctor told me that if I liked breathing we should not attempt this with the spine. I concurred.

I have a friend that has gotten injections. They said it was hit or miss. Its a lot of effort with partial sedation and the minor procedure for what can be sometimes only a few weeks relief.

Sorry but no solid cure all answer I'm afraid.

[Aragorn]

Know someone that has spinal stenosis and went through the injections in the back. Didn't work for them. Doctor, after two rounds of injections, wanted to try surgery. They just decided to live with the pain.

[pavulon]

Injections may address some of the symptoms for some period of time. They might buy you some time to think clearly but it won't do a thing for the root of the problem.

[gatotom]

stenosis, a narrowing of a opening, either spinal cord or nerve off of spinal cord, either way, not a good prognosis.

Adjunct therapies, aka Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Massage, PT, just bandaid care.

IMHO, get mister pacman to go in there and clean it out, pain gone function back. The ortho's have got micro-surgery down to a fine art, a few pin holes in the back, one for mister pacman and the other for light, camera. Day surgery, done deal.

[gamin]

Good friend had this. Lost leg function. Tried injections first. Didn't work. Did the cleanout surgery with great results. Back to his old self thankfully. Still does aqua therapy twice a week. Gatotom has the solution.

[timchar]

I have severe lumbar stenosis L4-L5, L5-S1.
Suffering with it for about 5 yrs. My symptoms are low back pain, bilateral hip/buttock pain, bilateral leg pain, numbness and tingling. I'm a retired Chiropractor 57 years old. Conservative treatment was of minimal help. Epidurals have been beneficial and helped me delay surgery. I've also had ablation/radio-frequency once which helped the lower back pain. My good friend is a spine surgeon who has seen my MRI and examined me, his opinion is I will need surgery at some point, pretty much up to me when. My mom had 2 lumbar spine surgeries, Dad-3, older brother-2, younger sister-1, my younger brother has same affliction, not as advanced as me.
I'm getting fed up, I quit bowling and tennis last September. I will likely have surgery this winter.
Epidurals have helped but obviously won't cure stenosis.
Good luck, Tim

[Craig T]

I had moderate to severe spinal stenosis and ended up with a spinal fusion surgery with a titanium plate fixation. You can PM me and I'll give you my number if you want to talk about my experience with and after the surgery.

I tried everything before committing to the surgery, PT, Epidural steroids, even heavy traction. Nothing worked. My career was in oncology and I stopped trusting physicians and surgeons who are paid via procedural reimbursement decades ago, so I was leery of surgery. Luckily, My surgery was a success and I'm completely pain free...as long as I do my exercises.

My SIL just had an artificial disc put in two weeks ago due to stenosis in C5-C6. His radiating arm and back back is gone. Of course, it's too early to know the final outcome.

[Craig T]

There is some significant study data that shows...the earlier the compression is removed from the nerve involved, the faster the nerve recovers. Nerves are slow healers. People who have the surgery shortly after radiating pain or muscle atrophy develop have better outcomes than those who suffer through it for years.

[Don Ro]

I emailed this thread to my g/f...her .02 worth:
.
"I would recommend these individuals look for an Orthopaedic surgeon who has gone through a "spine fellowship".
And in addition, find someone who knows an OR nurse and/or technician who scrubs or circulates these cases routinely. They will know the hacks from the more skilled surgeons. A hack in a hurry isn't worth the damage they can inflict through carelessness.
Although "**** happens", even with a highly skilled surgeon, a healthy respect for soft tissue and a methodical, careful dissection will usually keep the surgeon out of trouble and the rest of the team happy! 😷"

[Skillet83]

Have this issue in the cervical area. Received the epidural injection, relief was almost immediate. Was told give it a few days, happened within 5 hours. I know it is not a long term solution. I go in for a consultation for stem cell therapy in about a week, regeneration. Will update. I have a couple friends that swear by the treatment.

[jgreen]

Read the book"Crooked". Out this month......if you have back issues read this before choosing a cure.

[Don Ro]

^^^
Read that first review: Wow!!!
.
https://www.amazon.com/Crooked-Outwitting-Industry-Getting-Recovery/dp/0062641786

[NY65912]

Mine is servere. Head to butt, every cervical and lumbar level. Too much for surgery, plus I had a double lamine'tctomy years ago, ain't doing surgery again. I go for epidurals and facet block injections every few months, which really help. Injections first, surgery last. Now exploring implated spinal cord stimulator to block the signals to what is left of my brain.

[Arizona_928]

I have minor canal stenosis, and moderate foraminal narrowing w/bulging disc. All post microdiscectomy/laminectomy.
Some days feels like a death sentence, other days are okay. Epidurals have not had any lasting effect. All the docs I have talked to have said not to get the surgery. Live with the pain.

[Don Ro]

It's troubling to read about back issues with you gents.
I feel for you all. Truly.
When our back gives us so much pain we can't live in peace.
What back pain I've had is mostly about muscle strain, etc. ...not the kind of trauma that is posted here.
.
My g/f has some curvature and can only work one day/week.

[cgarr]

Thanks for all the replies, I am heading out on holiday next week and its a long drive so I am going in for a caudal epidural injection to see if that helps so I can ride for the trip. Just had an MRI waiting for the results of that.

[John Rogers]

I see you had an MRI which is the best and probably only way to see what has happened? I am surprised you have to wait though as every time I have had an MRI the doctor, for whatever the reason was I go it would show me the video right away. All the MRI's I have gotten were in a hospital where the doctor was a fellow or whatever you call it and had an office so I would go from the MRI room right to his/her office. I hope the doctor/surgeon does not rely on a "specialist" or whoever the person is called like those that read x-rays?