Spinal Stenosis Specialist

Pain Relief of Dayton

Rick Buenaventura, MD

Pain Management located in Centerville, OH

Spinal stenosis is a common condition affecting 8-11% of Americans, especially those over age 50. But if you have spinal stenosis, you don’t have to live with uncomfortable symptoms it causes like nerve pain. As an experienced interventional pain management specialist, Rick Buenaventura, MD, offers the most advanced and innovative, narcotic-free treatments available at Pain Relief of Dayton in Centerville, Ohio. Just because you’re getting older, you don’t have to accept living with aches and pains. Call Pain Relief of Dayton or schedule an appointment online today.

937-396-5041

Spinal Stenosis Q&A

What is spinal stenosis?

Your spinal column is a complex structure that has open passageways that surround your spinal nerves and spinal cord. When you have spinal stenosis, these areas grow narrow and compress your nerves.

Some people have small spinal canals from birth, but you usually develop spinal stenosis because of:

Spinal fractures or dislocations
An overgrowth of bone, often due to arthritis
Soft tissue conditions, like herniated discs or tumors

In most cases, spinal stenosis affects your neck or lower back. When you have spinal stenosis in your neck, it’s called cervical stenosis. If it’s in your lower back, it’s known as lumbar stenosis.

What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?

A compressed nerve causes a wide range of symptoms that vary depending on the part of your spine affected. Cervical stenosis, for example, usually causes pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling in your arms or legs.

If you have lumbar stenosis, you usually develop sciatica symptoms. This type of pain usually radiates from your lower back into your buttocks and down your legs. In severe cases of spinal stenosis, you can also suffer from bladder and bowel control problems known as incontinence.

Without treatment, spinal stenosis can lead to permanent nerve damage.

How is spinal stenosis diagnosed?

At Pain Relief of Dayton, Dr. Buenaventura works closely with you to diagnose the specific cause and location of your spinal stenosis. This approach usually includes conducting a comprehensive physical exam, discussing your symptoms and pain, and reviewing your personal and medical history.

Based on your exam, Dr. Buenaventura may also recommend additional digital imaging. In most cases, X-rays can help him look for changes in your spinal canal while an MRI can help identify disc or ligament damage. These images can also help him locate the exact location of your compressed nerve so he can develop an effective treatment strategy.