What helps spinal stenosis besides surgery?

I will swear by Physical Therapy...

They sure know how to HURT a guy.
They (at least mine) sure know to HEAL a guy!

@rita9876 Rita, both of those surgeons would understand if you chose the other one, and both of them will have patients waiting in line to see them, so go with your gut feelings on what you think your best choice is. I certainly understand wanting to be a bit more conservative in surgical treatment. You have to get onboard and be part of his team to have a good outcome. Mayo truly is a team approach, and the doctors are employees and get paid the same salary all the time, and don't get extra wages for doing surgery, so they are not loosing out of anything if you don't select them. I saw both orthos and neuros when I was looking for a surgeon. I thought the neuros were more detail oriented and did more testing evaluations, but that may be just the particular doctors who saw me. I saw 5 spine surgeons before I came to Mayo. Dr. Fogelson (at Mayo) had the best of both worlds because in addition to having trained in the 7 year neurosurgery program at Mayo, he also did an ortho spine fellowship program at another medical center.

The surgeon may have a 3 D model printed of the spine for reference in the case. I've seen a photo like that of the surgeon looking at the model in the operating room. It helps them visualize what they are doing on a complex procedure. Some surgeons write out their plan in stages on a white board, so it is mapped out what order to do things. They have to do calculations to make the corrections and get the spine closer to a normal spine. After my surgery, I did ask Dr. Fogelson why he chose to be a spine neurosurgeon. I don't remember his exact words, but he answered that it inspired him because of the difficulty of solving the patient's problems and giving a patient a better life. Spine surgery is his passion and he is excellent and loves his job. Knowing that helped me be more relaxed. His nurse had assured me that he loved his job and she was there holding my hand in the operating room.

How soon do you need to make your decision?

Had Vertiflex put in L3&4 and L4&5 10days ago. Still in a lot of pain and can barely walk. Lots of bruising at incision site. Stopped taking all the opioids and Tylenol bec it just wasn’t helping and messes with your intestines. I’m miserable. Don’t know where to turn…

@aipc29 I am a spine surgery patient, but not for lumbar, but I do know at 10 days postop it is still very early in your recovery. I remember about 3 weeks of significant pain, but not so horrible that I couldn't manage it. I also had constipation from pain drugs and stopped taking them right after I got out of the hospital. I just told myself it is temporary and will get better. I slept a lot during that time. We are all different in what pain we feel. For me, breaking my ankle was a lot more painful than spine surgery, and I did need to take opioids, but I found a half dose was better for me because a full dose nauseated me. It didn't take away all the pain, but it took the edge off.

Your best bet is probably to reach out to your surgery team and ask them. Perhaps ice may help, but ask about it. At 10 days, your incisions are not healed and infection may still be a risk.

Oh boy 🙁 I guess I need to have a conversation with my pain management doctor.

Thank you for letting me know. I had such high hopes that the Vertiflex surgery would give me relief. I guess I’ll still have the surgery if it will lessen future pain intensity.

What worries me? The removal of 3 levels of the spinous processes and thus the low back support that it provides.. How many levels has your 80 year old cousin had removed? Usually when you get one level removed it affects the next lower level etc. which usually requires fusion or some type of low back support such as Co flex....With 3 levels I do not believe anything exists that I am aware of. Probably need to get other opinions.

I am asking the same question...I am 85 and woke on New Years day with burning pain from my neck down my left arm to my outside left leg. I live in the boonies and the doctor factor is bad. I had to wait 4 days to see someone. I used cold and heat compresses with advil for pain. By the time I saw the doctor my pain was very little. I had x-rays and MRI and the DX is Degenerative disc disease with narrowing of C-45 and C5-6 and C6-7 .At this age I do not want surgery ,so the doctor referred me for PT which I did for 3 weeks and was released. I have no pain. I was referred to a Pain Management team but not until March. Currently my doctor wants to give me every 6 months a shot to increase bone density. I am a care giver for my husband and anything I decide with impact him as well. My concern...paralaysis! Will consider all thoughts at this time.

I find that Excedrin Extra Strength helps with pain from stenosis and pinched nerve. Much more effective than Advil and Tylenol.
It must say Extra Strength on the box.
It acts immediately to relieve pain. Some people cannot take it if they have reflux issues.
Don’t take it before you go to bed as it has caffeine in it.

@ellie1937 It sounds like your doctor is looking out for you in recommending injections to increase bone density. That would be very important if you were to become a spine surgery patient. What sometimes happens in the elderly (and it happened to my mom) is a spontaneous compression fracture of the spine due to severe osteoporosis. That can change your life in an instant and require either a bone cement procedure or a brace with rehab and it could heal with an abnormal curvature creating a spine deformity. Spine problems don't usually head straight to paralysis as there is usually a lot of time and degeneration before that develops, but an injury from a fall or traffic accident can be another story. There again, bone quality maters. My mom broke her foot just by standing on it causing a fall that broke her pelvis in 3 places. She spent 3 months in nursing home rehab, and needed round the clock care giving after that and I had to jump in and help. These are great conversations to have with your doctors. Good for you for advocating for yourself.

Jennifer