Spinal Stenosis

At UT Southwestern Medical Center, the expert team of doctors in the Spine Center specializes in all available evidence-based treatments for spinal stenosis – both medical and surgical.

Our multidisciplinary approach gives patients access to neurosurgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, pain management specialists, and physiatrists with one call. We strive to coordinate, facilitate, and expedite patient care and save our patients time.

Our Spine Center is one of only a few U.S. programs offering endoscopic surgery for the treatment of herniated discs – a potential cause of spinal stenosis.

About Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing in the spine that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. The condition can occur in the neck (cervical spinal stenosis), the middle of the spine (thoracic stenosis), or the lower spine (lumbar stenosis).

Spinal stenosis can be caused by injuries and diseases such as osteoarthritis and scoliosis.

Many people have no symptoms, but some people experience pain, numbness, or weakness in the neck or back.

The Spine Center offers our patients the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies and techniques for spinal stenosis, such as specialized spine imaging.

Diagnosing Spinal Stenosis

If we suspect spinal stenosis, we’ll conduct a physical examination and order additional testing. Tests, procedures, and spine imaging studies used to diagnose spinal stenosis can include:

• Bone scans
  
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
  
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Myelography
• Nerve conduction studies to measure electrical activity generated by muscles and nerves
• X-rays

Spinal Stenosis Treatments

After diagnosis, we’ll make sure patients see the right experts to treat their specific symptoms. Our Spine Center specialists treat spinal stenosis with therapies that include:

• Anti-inflammation drugs
  
• Biofeedback
  
• Cortisone injections
  
• Physical therapy
  
• Surgery
  

We’ll create a care plan that minimizes the number of visits a patient needs to make, while also providing all the support needed.

Research and Clinical Trials

UT Southwestern conducts clinical trials aimed at improving the treatment of spinal stenosis. Talk with our doctors to see if a clinical trial is available.