Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on nerves. It often shows up as leg pain, weakness, or heaviness that gets worse with walking and better with sitting or leaning forward.
As the spinal canal narrows, usually from arthritis or thickened ligaments, the nerves inside have less room. Standing and walking stretch those nerves and trigger pain, while sitting or leaning forward opens the space and brings relief.
Most patients improve with a stepped plan of targeted injections and functional rehab. Surgery becomes a consideration only for patients whose symptoms do not respond to less invasive treatments.
Stenosis has a signature pattern. Knowing it helps us zero in on the right treatment.
Treatment focuses on calming nerve inflammation and improving how far you can walk before pain kicks in.
A targeted injection into the epidural space that calms inflammation around the crowded nerves. Often extends walking distance and restores normal activity.
A more focused epidural for stenosis causing one-sided leg pain. Precise placement can improve results.
When arthritic spine joints are contributing to the narrowing, a targeted block can reduce back pain and calm the irritated structures.
For chronic stenosis pain that has not responded to other options. Gentle electrical pulses interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain.
Call us urgently for new bladder or bowel changes, saddle numbness, or progressive leg weakness. These symptoms need same-day evaluation.
Sitting opens up the spinal canal and takes pressure off crowded nerves. That relief pattern is a classic clue that stenosis is the source.
The narrowing itself does not reverse without surgery, but the pain it causes can usually be controlled. Most patients stay active for years with the right injection plan and rehab.
We typically space injections three to four months apart when needed. Many patients get durable relief from one or two per year combined with ongoing physical activity.