bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Measures to relieve pain Sometimes surgery for severe pain One to two days of bed rest may provide pain relief. Longer bed rest weakens the core muscles (abdominal muscles, which run from the bottom of the rib cage to the pelvis, muscles in the back of the spine, and muscles in the buttocks) and increases stiffness, thus worsening back pain and prolonging recovery. Sleeping in a comfortable position on a medium mattress is recommended. People who sleep on their back can place a pillow under their knees. People who sleep on their side should use a pillow to support their head in a neutral position (not tilted down toward the bed or up toward the ceiling). They should place another pillow between their knees with their hips and knees bent slightly if that relieves their back pain. People can continue to sleep on their stomach if they are comfortable doing so. Applying Cold therapy (cryotherapy) (such as ice packs) or Physical Therapy (PT) and stretching the hamstring muscles gently after warming up may help relieve muscle spasms. (See also When measures to relieve pain are not effective in people with lumbar stenosis, surgery may be needed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves. One surgical procedure is called lumbar laminectomy. In this procedure, a small incision is created in the skin along the lower bones in the back (the lumbar vertebrae). The muscles are separated, and the bone is exposed. A portion of the vertebrae called the lamina is removed, taking pressure off the spinal cord and spinal nerves. Sometimes, when removing the lamina in several vertebrae is necessary, the vertebrae can be fused together with another piece of bone. In some cases, pressure can be relieved by just making a hole in the lamina rather than removing it entirely. This procedure is called lumbar laminotomy. Both lumbar laminectomy and lumbar laminotomy can be done through very small incisions, which shortens recovery time. 