What helps spinal stenosis besides surgery?

Hello Jennifer, thank you For Getting back to me. I was looking back @ my medical notes in 2018 versus 2021 and my condition now is Stenosis in Central Canal when starting out in 2013, I had just herniated disc, and well now it Progressed as I explained, and My Surgeon in 2021 wil be the same when I go next week, which he did State he wanted me doing injections back then " I apparently declined them, and my husband, said I did lengthy PT, and dry needle, plus my husband reminded me that, Surgeon did discuss trying all aspects and that the injections will be my last to determine, surgery, which I really would like to steer clear of. I just fear turning wrong at my Job, when i return, which is very physical lifting 1lb to 125lbs consecutively with throwing cases on average of 10,000 per hr and unloading semi- trailers. I was told by my family doc that eventually if Stenosis is severe enough, risk for paralysis. Plus my time on Short-term disability I have been looking for and easier profession. I too have many List's of questions to be addressed, and long term and short term outcomes of either surgery or just injections. I just know what injections can do for pro long periods and pray that maybe one and done. In closing I am glad you responded, and yes I would share my 3rd visit after the 25th of this month. Possibly may even have my intake nurse see if I can also get 2nd opinion from your previous Surgeon. Thank you for your time!
Susan 😀🙂

@wil24 Susan, thanks for your reply. My gut feeling is that your job is too physical and demanding for a person with a spine condition. Heavy lifting, bending and twisting is hard on the spine and is risky when there is already a spine injury. I can't give you that advice, but please do ask your surgeon about what job restrictions you should have and would have after surgery. That is an official recommendation in writing that tells your employer what you can and can't do. Most employers require this on returning to work. The spinal discs are cushions and if you have collapsing or herniated discs, they could get worse with added pressure on them and make stenosis worse or even cause the growth of bone spurs in the spinal canal. Your family doctor is right about a paralysis risk. If you are out of space around the spinal cord because of stenosis, an injury like a whiplash that moves the spine abruptly will put pressure on the spinal cord and may do damage. The spinal cord has to be able to move within the central canal, and it may get tethered by stenosis. As for spinal injections, surgeons tend to use that as a diagnostic because if they relieve some pain because it decreases inflammation and buys a little space, it tells the surgeon what you might expect that the surgery will fix. That advice has to come from the surgeon as all cases are different. You'll have to discuss the injection with the doctor. I had one and had an adverse reaction to it and I declined to do any more. Sometimes injections are used to postpone surgery or because the surgeon doesn't want to assume the risk of doing the surgery. They should be able to understand your case from the imaging and your symptoms as well as their exam.

Good luck with your appointment!

Jennifer

I was offered s spinal stimulator through a study, but could not accept because I have to have at least on mri a year and a CT every other year and you can't have an mri with a stimulator. Maybe a study would be right for you? Hope things get better for you.

Hello, Jennifer I too am currently going through the loss of my arms/Hands. End of January I am heading back to Mayo in Rochester for my 3rd visit for my C-Spine that has Progressed Worse. I have Tried every PT, Accupuncture, And Massage, Chiropractic, Dry Needling, faithfully do my at home stretches learned from therapy. Recently in Oct 2023 I was @ Work lost feeling in arms/ legs and my Head was pounding, I can't sleep w/ a pillow or even stay asleep due to the Excruciating Pain, of razors, pins, needles in my neck, down my arms and hands. I really wanted to reach out to find a Good Surgeon, even though I'm seeing My Neurosurgeon at Mayo end of this month, I feel he just keeps wanting to put a Minimal Band-Aide on my Neck, such as Injections, which never work. Or medication which I deny, cuz I'm one that doesn't take Pills. I feel he wants me to wait till it's later when it's worse, My MRi, shows that it has greatly Progressed Worse C-4,5 and 6, 7 and I can't deal with this pain and been off work since October and at home, I can't even do my daily house cleaning or lift, bend, sit, or sleep. Any recommendations on your behalf of a Surgeon At Mayo, that Actually listens, and get this pain/Neck issue resolved.. This has been ongoing since 2014, and as I aged its severe now. Thank you.
Susan

Physical therapy helps.

Hello, Absolutely PT, along w/ dry Needling I have done 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, I continue to do all my Strength, and Stretching. Only way I can try to function, until Oct 18th 2023, I lost all grasping, holding, standing, bending , and even sleeping, razors, pins and needles in neck all the way thru arms and hands no feeling and into my legs and to feet.
Trying to stay awake is a big challenge too. This Spinal Stenosis/ Compression Bulging/ herniated disc's is also putting pressure on my head and constantly a Major ram horn headaches which affects my vision as well.. I try daily since off of work since October to keep up w/ Strengthening/PT techniques, and then in return find myself down for the count either that night and or Next day, unable to move. Next week can't come soon enough 😩 for Mayo and to get positive answers. I am at my last Wit's, of this agonizing pain and one can take only so many Naproxen as needed, plus I refuse any other medication " due to Addictive Personality in The Past", plus in past tried many others, gabapentin, lyrica, on that started w/ the letter C? and always bad outcomes w/ each one. So hopefully next week we come to a conclusion on what's best.

Hello, Absolutely PT, along w/ dry Needling I have done 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, I continue to do all my Strength, and Stretching. Only way I can try to function, until Oct 18th 2023, I lost all grasping, holding, standing, bending , and even sleeping, razors, pins and needles in neck all the way thru arms and hands no feeling and into my legs and to feet.
Trying to stay awake is a big challenge too. This Spinal Stenosis/ Compression Bulging/ herniated disc's is also putting pressure on my head and constantly a Major ram horn headaches which affects my vision as well.. I try daily since off of work since October to keep up w/ Strengthening/PT techniques, and then in return find myself down for the count either that night and or Next day, unable to move. Next week can't come soon enough 😩 for Mayo and to get positive answers. I am at my last Wit's, of this agonizing pain and one can take only so many Naproxen as needed, plus I refuse any other medication " due to Addictive Personality in The Past", plus in past tried many others, gabapentin, lyrica, on that started w/ the letter C? and always bad outcomes w/ each one. So hopefully next week we come to a conclusion on what's best.

I feel so badly for you. To withhold medication from you with your current condition is nothing short of torture. They have to do more for you! I hope someone helps you! They can’t let you continue to suffer.