What Is Spinal Stenosis?

A graduate of Harvard and the Duke University School of Medicine, Kristen Radcliff, MD, has worked in medicine for over 14 years. Since 2010, he has served as a spinal surgeon at the Rothman Institute in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. In his work, Dr. Kristen “Kris” Radcliff provides surgical and non-surgical treatments for a range of conditions, including spinal stenosis. 

Characterized by a narrowing of the spinal canal, spinal stenosis is an often painful condition that typically occurs in older adults over the age of 50. Although many cases of stenosis stem from arthritis, the condition can also occur due to herniated disks, thickened ligaments, tumors, and even spinal injuries involving dislocations and fractures. 

Some patients with spinal stenosis have no symptoms of the condition, but those who do tend to see the symptoms worsen over time. The most common symptoms are back pain, as well as numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain in the extremities. Depending on where the stenosis is along the spinal canal, symptoms can affect various parts of the body, including the neck, hands, arms, legs, feet, and buttocks. 

While treatment varies depending on symptom severity, most cases of stenosis are first addressed using non-surgical interventions such as medication, physical therapy, and steroid injections. If these treatments prove ineffective, surgery to decompress the stenosis may be used. The most common surgery performed is a decompressive laminectomy. An example of a decompressive laminectomy performed by Dr. Radcliff may be viewed here: https://youtu.be/5Arv25rUo-w

To learn more about Dr. Kris Radcliff’s practice, visit www.rothmaninstitute.com/kris-e-radcliff-md. Additional information about spinal conditions and related treatments is available at www.orcahealth.com/dr-radcliff.

Potential Causes and Symptoms of Acute Low Back Pain

Dr. Radcliff is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who exclusively specializes in complex and minimally invasive spinal surgery. He practices with the Rothman Institute in Egg Harbor, New Jersey. Active within the professional community, Kristen Radcliff, MD, has served as representative to the North American Spine Society Low Back Pain Committee and is an expert on diagnosis and treatment of low back pain.

The organization defines acute low back pain as pain that is present for as long as six weeks, that may have varying degrees of intensity, and that potentially radiates into the buttocks and thigh/hip area. While acute low back pain often has origins in jarring trauma or strenuous activity, it may not correlate with any ongoing activity. Such pain can be gradual in onset or appear suddenly and with an intensity that makes a visit to a physician necessary.

Low back pain is a complex condition, and the source may be challenging to identify. It can be due to a combination of various pain producers, including ligaments, muscles, blood vessels, joint capsules, and soft connective tissue. Whatever the initial cause of pain, all such conditions involve a cascading series of events centered on the nerve fibers' response to tissue irritation, which in turn triggers inflammatory processes and swelling. In addition, spasms related to muscular tension.