Spinal Stenosis

Yancey Pain & Spine

William L Yancey, MD

Interventional Pain Specialist & Anesthesiologist located in The Woodlands, TX & Houston Medical Center, Houston, TX

Your backbone is designed to protect your spinal cord. However, the space in between your bones can narrow from aging or due to an injury, resulting in a condition called spinal stenosis. It may place pressure on the nerves that travel out from your spine, leading to various symptoms that worsen over time. At Yancey Pain & Spine in Houston and The Woodlands, Texas, interventional pain specialist William Yancey, MD, takes an integrative approach to managing spinal stenosis that is focused on providing treatments that alleviate your symptoms and help you avoid surgery. For a consultation, call the office nearest you, or request an appointment online today.

Spinal Stenosis Q & A

What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a condition that refers to a narrowing of the space within your spine. Though you may be born with a narrow spine, spinal stenosis often develops due to the degenerative changes that occur in your spine as you get older.

The condition is generally classified based on the area of the spine affected. The most common types include:

Cervical stenosis

Cervical stenosis refers to narrowing in your cervical spine, or your neck.

Lumbar stenosis

With lumbar stenosis, the narrowing occurs in the lower part of your back. This is the most common type of spinal stenosis.

What are spinal stenosis symptoms?

It’s possible to have spinal stenosis and not experience any symptoms. However, if and when symptoms develop, they tend to worsen over time. The types of symptoms you experience may also depend on the area of your spine affected.

The most common symptoms include:

Neck pain or lower back pain
Weakness in your legs
Numbness or tingling in your hands, arms, feet, or legs
Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
Pain or cramping in one or both of your legs when walking or standing
Urinary urgency or incontinence

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, contact Yancey Pain & Spine and schedule a consultation.

How is spinal stenosis diagnosed?

At Yancey Pain & Spine, Dr. Yancey focuses on finding and treating the root cause of your symptoms so he can develop the most effective treatment plan that provides long-lasting relief. To diagnose spinal stenosis, Dr. Yancey conducts a comprehensive evaluation that includes details about your symptoms, your medical history, and a physical exam.

Dr. Yancey may request diagnostic testing, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans, so that he can pinpoint the exact cause of your symptoms for the most accurate diagnosis.

How is spinal stenosis treated?

Dr. Yancey takes an integrative approach to treating your spinal stenosis, offering everything from nonsurgical to minimally invasive options to help you avoid surgery, which is especially beneficial to older patients who may not be good candidates for surgery. He offers a number of treatment options, including medications, injections, and physical therapy.

To schedule a consultation to discuss your nonsurgical treatment options for spinal stenosis, request an appointment at Yancey Pain & Spine by phone or online today.

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