Houston Pain Management For Spinal Stenosis
At TIPI Management in Houston, Dr. Warfield determines the underlying cause of spinal stenosis and develops a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals. With proper management, many people with spinal stenosis are able to manage their symptoms and maintain their quality of life effectively. Contact us to schedule your evaluation or continue reading to learn more about our nonsurgical approach to pain management for our patients in Houston, Sugar Land, Cypress, and the surrounding area.
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What Is Spinal Stenosis
With age, the joints of the vertebrae wear down, triggering a contraction of the spinal canal. This condition is known as stenosis, wherein the narrowed spinal canal puts pressure on the surrounding nerves and causes limb weakness. This most often occurs in the neck and lower back. The two main types of spinal stenosis, classified according to location, are cervical stenosis and lumbar stenosis. According to a recent study, the prevalence of lumbar spinal stenosis among adults aged 60 years and older was 47.2%. Since stenosis is a progressive condition, it may be asymptomatic as the condition progresses and experiences pain, tingling, muscle weakness, and numbness. At Texas Intergrative Pain Institute, we provide spinal stenosis pain management at our Houston location. The most appropriate treatments for you will depend on your spinal stenosis pain's cause, nature, and severity. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Warfield to receive a custom-tailored spinal stenosis treatment plan.
We accept most major insurances and have a program for self paying patients
Patient individual care because everyone has different levels of pain that need different types of pain care management.
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Dr. Warfield is a board certified doctor providing passionate, caring, and adequate pain management to his patients.
We see patients within days at our pain management clinic near The Woodlands.
Causes of Spinal Stenosis
The spine can narrow in different areas and for different reasons. Dr. Brett Warfield is a qualified interventional pain management specialist in Houston who can diagnose and treat spinal stenosis caused by the following:
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Age-related changes: During the natural aging process, your spinal discs can begin to degenerate, lose their elasticity, and you can become more prone to herniation or bulging discs. Additionally, arthritis can cause the formation of bone spurs and thickened ligaments that can also narrow the spinal canal.
Herniated discs: When the soft, jelly-like material inside the spinal disc ruptures, it can press on the spinal cord or nerves and cause stenosis.
Trauma: Injuries from sports and auto accidents can lead to spinal stenosis, fractures, dislocations, or sprains.
Tumors: Abnormal growths within the spinal canal or surrounding tissues can compress the spinal cord and nerves and cause stenosis.
Congenital disorders Some individuals may be more at risk of having a narrow spinal canal or abnormal spinal structures predisposing them to stenosis.
Other factors: Other factors that may contribute to spinal stenosis include obesity, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes.
Effective pain management treatments for spinal stenosis can involve non-surgical options such as physical therapy, medications, or spinal injections. There are many ways for the body to heal before surgery is necessary in order to relieve pressure on your spinal cord or nerves.
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Pain that radiates down the leg (same as in sciatica)
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Cramping in the arms and legs, along with general pain
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Neck pain or back pain
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Foot drop: The weak leg causes the foot to slap against the ground.
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Numbness, tingling, and weakness in the limbs
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Pain reduces while sitting and increases when upright.
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Bowel and bladder dysfunction
Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
The symptoms of spinal stenosis can vary depending on the location and severity of the narrowing in the spine. However, some common symptoms may include:
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Pain: This can range from a dull ache to sharp, shooting pain that can radiate into the arms or legs. Pain may be worsened by standing or walking and can improve with sitting or leaning forward.
Numbness or tingling: This can occur in the arms, legs, or other body areas innervated by the compressed nerves.
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Muscle weakness: This can occur in the arms, legs, or other affected areas and can result in difficulty with coordination, balance, or fine motor skills.
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Bladder or bowel dysfunction: In severe cases, spinal stenosis can affect the nerves that control bladder and bowel function, leading to incontinence or difficulty with urination or defecation.
Loss of sensation: In some cases, spinal stenosis can cause a loss of sensation or feeling in the affected areas of the body.
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Changes in posture or gait: Spinal stenosis can cause a person to walk with a stooped or bent posture or with a shuffling gait.
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It’s important to note that not all cases of spinal stenosis cause symptoms, and some people may have the condition without realizing it. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or have concerns about your spine, it’s essential to contact one of our skilled musculoskeletal interventional specialists at TIPI Pain Management in Houston to obtain a proper diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment regimen.
Is Spinal Stenosis a Permanent Condition?
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Spinal stenosis can be permanent; the degree of permanence depends on the cause of the stenosis and the severity of the compression on the spinal cord or nerves. In cases where spinal stenosis is caused by age-related degenerative changes in the spine or herniated discs, the condition may gradually become more severe with time. This may lead to the development of chronic pain and a progressive loss of function. In these cases, while the symptoms may be managed with treatment, the narrowing of the spinal canal itself is unlikely to resolve fully. However, in cases where spinal stenosis is caused by a treatable condition such as a herniated disc or spinal tumor, our Houston area doctor is prepared to offer prompt treatment to alleviate the compression and reverse or improve the symptoms of cervical or lumbar stenosis.
Spinal Stenosis Pain Management In Houston
Spinal stenosis is diagnosed through X-ray and MRI scanning, which can reveal the location and extent of the narrowing in the spine. Dr. Warfield is a Houston pain management expert who can treat spinal stenosis once an accurate diagnosis is made. Texas Intergrative Pain Institute uses various intervention and regenerative medicine therapies as non-invasive methods of treating orthopedic conditions like spinal stenosis.
Treatment will focus on relieving the condition that caused the narrowing of the spine corridor to reduce or eliminate pressure on affected nerves. It will also seek to facilitate healing, when possible, by boosting the body’s natural healing processes. This will help to reduce pain and discomfort while restoring function and mobility.
Possible treatment avenues include physical therapy, targeted joint injections, massage, acupuncture, intradiscal PRP (Biologics), sympathetic blocks, and interventional pain management. Dr. Warfield will recommend the best possible treatment modalities to form a customized treatment plan for your unique condition.
ABOUT US
At Texas Intergrative Pain Institute (TIPI), our board-certified Back Pain doctor in Houston excel in nonsurgical treatments for various spine conditions.
Dr, Warfield is committed to alleviating your pain and restoring your well-being to get you back to doing the things you love faster and without evasive procedures. Contact us today!
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