Spinal Stenosis Orange County & Irvine, CA

Gerald Alexander MD is a proven spine specialist who can help treat spinal stenosis in Orange County, CA.

Spinal stenosis has to do with the narrowing of spaces in your spine, which will cause pressure on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves. Your spine is a complex region of skeletomuscular tissues in addition to other structures not to mention a network of nerves. Most cases of spinal stenosis occur in the lower back (the lumbar spine), around 75% actually.

Often, the narrowing of the spine causes nerve root compression, which will cause pain in the back of the leg. In some cases symptoms of pain in the extremities have been known to happen, pain in the hands and feet, a tingling sensation, muscle weakness, and reduced bladder or bowel functionality.

Causes include normal wear and tear related to osteoarthritis. Age plays a large role in stenosis. Our bodies tend to shrink with age as degeneration happens to us naturally. But that doesn’t mean that you have to accept the consequences. Dr. Alexander is here to help.

There are two kinds of spinal stenosis, one if which is lumbar spinal stenosis, which affects the lower part of your spine, towards the lower back. Nerves near the lower back compress. This condition is not to be confused with sciatica, which yields similar symptoms.

The second kind is cervical stenosis, which affects the neck region. Cervical stenosis tends to be more serious. If cervical stenosis is left untreated, intense weakness or even paralysis can occur.

Dr Alexander will devise a comprehensive treatment plan for you. We’ll always go with a conservative approach. Sometimes lifestyle changes like exercise and changing your diet can have surprisingly beneficial effects on your body, enough to improve a case of spinal stenosis. Anti-inflammatory medications can also be helpful. In more severe cases, surgery may be the most viable option.

Contact Dr. Alexander if you’re in need of an experienced spine specialist in Orange County, CA. We take a proactive approach to making you feel like yourself again.