Diagnosing Spinal Stenosis Symptoms in Arizona

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, an open space in your spine that provides room for your spinal cord and spinal nerves. Degenerative arthritis, the normal wear and tear of the spine with age, causes most cases. Spinal stenosis puts pressure on one or more spinal nerves, which results in numbness, pain, and other symptoms.

Physiatrists and neurosurgeons at Dignity Health treat spinal stenosis symptoms in Arizona using conservative treatment before trying surgical repairs. If you do need surgery as a part of your spinal stenosis treatment, we offer minimally invasive neurosurgery techniques to reduce your recovery time and risk. Find a Doctor or call (650) 724-3660 to learn more about how we may be able to help you return to a more active and healthy lifestyle. 

Dignity Health provides neurological care for spine disorders at:

 

Signs of Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis develops gradually. You may not notice any symptoms until it is fairly advanced. When symptoms appear, they include:

  • Pain in the back, neck, arms, or legs
  • Difficulty walking fully upright
  • Muscle weakness, tingling, or numbness in the legs or arms

 

Diagnosing Spinal Stenosis at Dignity Health

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above and are older than 50, your doctor may suspect spinal stenosis. He or she may order a variety of tests, including: 

  • EMG (electromyography) to evaluate muscle weakness
  • Imaging studies, including MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and spinal X-ray
  • Physical exam to test your ability to perform physical tasks, such as touching your toes

Other spinal conditions can cause symptoms similar to spinal stenosis. A herniated spinal disc, for example, can cause muscle weakness and pain in the legs or arms. Your doctor will try to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.

Dignity Health offers diagnosis and treatment for spinal stenosis symptoms in Arizona.