Spinal Stenosis in Succasunna NJ

Spinal stenosis in Succasunna NJ is a degenerative condition of the spine that causes either a narrowing of the central canal, called central canal stenosis, or a narrowing of the foramen, called foraminal stenosis. As the central canal continues to narrow, eventually it results in a squeezing or compression of the spinal cord causing pain, tingling, numbness and/or weakness to the area supplied by perhaps multiple nerves of the spinal cord and can affect both extremities. Alternatively, if the foramen continues to narrow, eventually it results in a squeezing or compression of an individual exiting nerve root, causing pain, tingling, numbness and/or weakness to the area supplied by that single nerve and usually affects only one extremity. Additionally, the pain from foraminal stenosis is usually significantly more intense.

What is Spinal Stenosis in Succasunna NJ?

Since spinal stenosis is a degenerative condition by definition, it will initially come on as we get older, usually 60’s and beyond, and will continue to slowly worsen. Fortunately, it is a slowly progressive disorder.

Essentially spinal stenosis is an arthritic type of disorder. Picture someone with arthritis of their fingers. The joints of the arthritic fingers will appear significantly larger than normal. The same thing happens to the joints of the spine. However, since the joints of the spine make up part of the central canal and most of the foraminal canal, when they do enlarge the canals will become narrower and narrower, eventually causing a squeezing or compression of the spinal cord and/or exiting nerve root and become symptomatic. Luckily, the majority of spinal stenosis cases respond well to conservative care and do not require surgery.