Spinal stenosis is the most common reason why people 60 years or older need spine surgery. It is typically caused by the wear and tear that can occur in the spine with age, resulting in cramping, numbness, weakness and substantial pain.It is also characterized by a “pins and needles” feeling in the legs that gets worse when you walk. If you have this condition and you are thinking of having a procedure performed to correct it, here are some of the things you should talk about with your Dallas area surgeon.

The Big Question

The most important thing you’ll want to know, of course, is whether you will need surgery to treat your spinal stenosis or if a non-surgical option will work. The majority of people are able to live with their symptoms and manage them through treatments such as epidural steroid injections, anti-inflammatory medication or physiotherapy. But if those don’t work, then it will be time to talk to a doctor about a surgical alternative.

There are several key considerations that you’ll need to keep in mind when deciding whether surgery is the best option for you. Here are some of the most important ones.

• Spinal stenosis is typically not a progressive condition, meaning it won’t get worse over time. You may notice that the pain tends to come and go. As a result, there is usually no urgent reason to have surgery.
• The exception, however, is if a patient experiences progressive weakness in the legs. If that is the case, the more he or she waits to have surgery, the more of a risk there will be for long-term damage to the nerves.
• Surgery typically works very well for people have experience leg pain and have trouble walking comfortably due to spinal stenosis. However, if the condition is related to physical activity such as athletics or a job that requires physical exertion, surgery is less reliable.

At Neuro & Spine Wellness Center, we will carefully spell out all of the pros and cons of surgery and thoroughly explore all available non-surgical options. If surgery is the best course of action, we will make sure you know exactly what to expect before, during and after the procedure. Schedule a consultation today by contacting us online or calling 214-494-0455.