Spinal Stenosis, Nerves | Nuffield Health

The spinal canal contains the nerves that leave the spinal cord. A combination of arthritis in the spine or bulging (herniation) of the discs or (in rarer cases) spondylolisthesis (where a vertebra slips forward or backward) or spinal tumours can cause this narrowing. Sometimes spinal decompression is performed to release nerves trapped by this narrowing.

Initially your consultant may recommend anti-inflammatory medication for pain. If you have pain down your leg that is caused by pressure on one of the nerves in your lower back (sciatica), your surgeon may recommend a steroid injection in your spine.

Related tests and scans

CT scan (or CAT scan)

A CT scan is used to produce internal cross-sectional images of the body. The images aid the detection of disease and injury, allowing effective treatment planning.

MRI scan

An MRI is a type of scan that creates detailed images of the inside of your body. Your doctor or healthcare professional has recommended an MRI scan because it is the best way to make an accurate diagnosis of your condition.

MSK Ultrasound

An MSK (musculoskeletal) ultrasound is used to examine your muscles, joints, tendons or ligaments.

X-ray

An X-ray machine produces images of the inside of the body. It is effective in assessing bones and other dense structures within the body.

Related treatments and procedures

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

An anterior cervical discectomy is an operation performed on your upper spine to relieve pain caused by a herniated disc.

Cervical Disc Replacement

Wear and tear or injury in your neck can result in a narrowing of your spinal cord. Pressure on the nerves in this area can cause pain. An alternative to traditional spinal decompression uses surgical implants to replace damaged or diseased cervical discs.

Cervical Spine Surgery

Cervical spine surgery at Nuffield Health can take many forms, including myelopathy, cervical disc replacement, cervical neuropathy, cervical spondylitis and disc prolapse.

Epidural injection for pain relief

An epidural is a type of pain-killing injection given by an anaesthetist.

Interspinous implant

New technology now offers patients with spinal stenosis pain relief using small devices (called spacers).

Laminectomy

During a laminectomy the surgeon removes enough bone and tissue from the back of the spine to free trapped nerves.

Lumbar discectomy

During lumbar discectomy a surgeon will remove the herniated portion of a disc relieving the pressure on nearby nerves. The procedure is often performed with minimal invasion and often referred to as microdiscectomy.

Lumbar sympathetic blocks

A lumbar sympathetic block is an injection of local anesthetic into or around the sympathetic nerves.

Minimally invasive spinal surgery

Advances in medical technology mean many spinal procedures can now be performed as minimally invasive surgery.

Removal of spinal hardware

During spinal fusion your consultant used surgical plates, rods or screws to weld your spine together eliminating motion that caused you back pain.

Spinal (lumbar) Decompression

Spinal decompression is a type of back surgery used to release trapped nerves in the lower (lumbar) spine.

Spinal fusion surgery

Spinal fusion is an operation to weld or fuse together the small bones in your back eliminating motion that is causing back pain.

Spinal stenosis