When relieving pressure in the nerve root caused by the symptoms of foraminal stenosis patients will usually chose either activity modification or back surgery.



Seeing as delaying or avoiding back surgery is not dangerous, patients that are not in a great deal of pain or discomfort and whose lifestyle is not affected greatly by foregoing a few activities will often chose to live with their condition. If symptoms worsen or become unbearable a surgical option may be revisited at a later day.

Conservative treatment for Lumbar spinal stenosis in most cases will be the first avenue explored. Medications used to reduce inflammation and short courses of oral cortisone medication, along with pain medication will be often included in the initial treatments. Several medications such as Gabapentin and pregabalin are medications that are helpful in targeting the nerve pain caused by lumbar spinal stenosis. In some cases physical therapy will be decided on to try to help relieve the spinal stenosis pain. A cortisone steroid injection in the lumbar spine can decrease inflammation and swelling helping to reduce the back pain symptoms around the nerve tissue. Cortisone steroid injections can be repeated up to three times per year.

Symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis may be reduced in the early stages through the use of anti-inflammatory medications such ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Reducing the inflammation of the spinal nerves and the nerve roots with cortisone injections in the area of the low back pain may help to control the back pain.

Injections of the cortisone offer only a temporary relief and spinal stenosis symptoms will often resurface once the medication wears off. Although only a temporary relief, no more than three injections of cortisone per year are recommended.

Physical therapy in addition to medication helps to restore a patient's flexibility while strengthening back and abdominal muscle. Strengthening the back and abdominal muscles will help to add stability to your structure providing substantial relief from your spinal stenosis symptoms. As stated previously conventional treatments are almost always explored before any surgery is considered, but surgery may become an option if these treatments fail and back pain and discomfort is not bearable.

As a recap let's take a look at non-surgical conservative treatment methods that may be helpful with combating spinal stenosis symptoms:

?Anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen).

?Cortisone injections to the affected area used to deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly to the affected area.

?A physical therapy program that may contain the following gentle exercises:

oSwimming (pool exercises).

oFlexibility exercises.

oStrengthening exercises for the back and abdominal region.

oAerobic conditioning.

?A brace can provide short term relief but is no recommended for long term use as it can lead to degeneration of the muscles that support the back.

?Acupuncture or chiropractic manipulation is controversial but may be attempted.

The narrowing of the spinal canal caused by spinal stenosis cannot be treated by conservative methods such as bracing, bed rest, physical therapy and pain management. Progressive weakness is an indication that decompressive surgery on the spine would help to alleviate the back pain being caused by spinal stenosis. Surgery is only usually required if progressive weakness interferes with your lifestyle.