Spinal Stenosis Specialist
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Advanced Spine and Pain Specialists
Krishna Chunduri, MD
Anesthesiologist & Pain Management Physician located in Garfield Ridge, Chicago, IL
As you reach age 50, your risk increases for degenerative changes in your spine like spinal stenosis that can lead to chronic pain. At Advanced Spine & Pain Specialists, pain management specialist Krishna Chunduri, MD, offers comprehensive care for spinal stenosis pain and other symptoms. Dr. Chunduri uses in-office diagnostic technologies to evaluate the severity of your condition and creates a conservative treatment plan to keep you pain-free. If you need diagnostic testing for pain, numbness in your back, arms, or legs, and other symptoms of spinal stenosis, call the office in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, or book a consultation online today.
Spinal Stenosis Q & A
What is spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is a condition that describes a narrowing of your spine. As you get older, degenerative changes can cause your spine to narrow, which puts pressure on surrounding nerves and causes chronic pain.
Osteoarthritis, a type of wear-and-tear arthritis that breaks down the protective cartilage that lines the ends of your joints, is also a leading cause of spinal stenosis.
Other reasons you might develop spinal stenosis include:
- Tumors
- Bone spurs
- Herniated discs
- Spine injuries
As you get older, the ligaments in your spine can also thicken and cause your spine to narrow.
What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?
The symptoms of spinal stenosis depend on where the narrowing occurs in your spine, which generally occurs in your cervical (neck) spine or your lumbar (lower back) spine.
With cervical spinal stenosis, you might experience symptoms that affect your neck, arms, and hands. Lumbar spinal stenosis can affect your lower back, legs, and feet. Common symptoms include:
- Pain
- Tingling
- Weakness
- Numbness
- Muscle cramping
You might also have difficulties walking or maintaining your balance. As spinal stenosis progresses, it can lead to serious complications that affect your bowel and bladder function.
How is spinal stenosis diagnosed?
To determine if your symptoms are the result of spinal stenosis, Dr. Chunduri performs a physical exam of your spine and might request X-rays and other diagnostic imaging tests.
Once he assesses the severity of your spinal stenosis, Dr. Chunduri customizes a treatment plan to meet your needs.
How is spinal stenosis treated?
Initially, your treatment for spinal stenosis might involve physical therapy to strengthen your muscles and alleviate pressure on your nerves.
If your pain prevents you from participating in physical therapy, you might benefit from over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers and anti-inflammatories.
Dr. Chunduri also provides steroid injections to ease pain that’s not treatable with oral medications. By injecting steroids directly into the narrowed area of your spine, he can reduce chronic inflammation that presses on your nerves and triggers pain.
When your pain is chronic and causes a loss of function, you might be a candidate for spinal cord stimulation. This treatment involves surgically implanting a stimulator device that sends electrical currents into your spinal nerves to block pain signals. You control the stimulator with an external remote to treat pain as it occurs.
Find out more about treatment options for spinal stenosis pain and other symptoms by calling Advanced Spine & Pain Specialists or by booking an appointment online today.
