Are you struggling with leg pain, numbness, or weakness that worsens when you walk? Dr. Seth Grossman, our board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon, helps identify spinal stenosis and create personalized treatment plans, prioritizing non-surgical care whenever possible before considering minimally invasive surgical solutions when truly needed for lasting relief.
Reduce Nerve Pressure for Lasting Relief
Stenosis is the narrowing of spaces within the spine that can place pressure on the spinal cord or nearby nerve roots. It often develops gradually as part of the natural aging process, though injuries, arthritis, or congenital conditions may also contribute. Depending on where it occurs, stenosis can cause pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or difficulty walking.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis occurs when the central spinal canal narrows, reducing the space available for the spinal cord. This may cause back or neck pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or cramping in the arms or legs. Symptoms often worsen with standing or walking and improve when sitting or bending forward.
Foraminal Stenosis
Foraminal stenosis develops when the small openings through which spinal nerves exit the spine narrow. Bone spurs, bulging discs, or degenerative changes may compress nerve roots, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that radiates into the shoulder, arm, buttock, or leg, depending on the spinal level.
Signs & Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis:
- Persistent neck or lower back pain
- Pain that radiates into the arms or legs
- Numbness or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
- Muscle weakness in the upper or lower extremities
- Cramping or heaviness in the legs while walking
- Difficulty standing or walking for extended periods
- Symptoms that improve when sitting or leaning forward
- Reduced balance or coordination
- Burning or electric shock-like nerve pain
- Loss of grip strength or hand dexterity when the neck is affected
- A sensation of leg fatigue after short distances
- Changes in bladder or bowel function (requires immediate medical attention)
Procedures for Spinal Stenosis
Dr. Grossman carefully evaluates your symptoms, physical examination findings, imaging studies, lifestyle, and goals before recommending a personalized care plan. He always prioritizes conservative treatments whenever appropriate and recommends surgery only when necessary to relieve nerve compression. Depending on the location, he may recommend one of the following surgical procedures.
Laminectomy
A laminectomy removes part or all of the lamina, the bony arch covering the spinal canal. Creating additional space relieves pressure on the spinal cord and compressed nerves, reducing pain, numbness, and weakness. The procedure is commonly recommended for moderate to severe spinal stenosis that has not responded to conservative treatment.
Laminoplasty
Laminoplasty expands the spinal canal without completely removing the lamina. The bone is carefully hinged open and secured in its new position to create additional room for the spinal cord while preserving spinal stability. This procedure is most commonly performed in the cervical spine to relieve nerve compression while maintaining motion.
Foraminotomy
A foraminotomy enlarges the neural foramen, the small opening where the spinal nerves exit the spine. Dr. Grossman removes bone spurs, thickened tissue, or other structures compressing the nerve root. By restoring adequate space in the foramen, the procedure helps relieve radiating pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness affecting the arms or legs.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS)
Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) uses specialized instruments and advanced imaging to treat spinal stenosis through small incisions with minimal disruption to surrounding muscles and soft tissues. When appropriate, this approach may reduce blood loss, postoperative discomfort, hospital stays, and recovery time while effectively relieving nerve compression.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Dr. Seth Grossman is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon known for his patient-first approach and commitment to exhausting non-surgical treatment options before recommending surgery. Serving patients throughout New Jersey, he develops personalized treatment plans to relieve nerve compression, restore mobility, and improve quality of life. If spinal stenosis is limiting your daily activities, schedule a consultation with Dr. Grossman to explore your treatment options.
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