HOW CAN A SPINE SURGEON IN NEW YORK HELP YOU?
As an athlete, playing through any amount of pain and weakness will be a detriment to your athletic output. Though playing through some injuries and conditions is feasible, doing so with more serious conditions can put your overall health at risk. At New York Orthopaedic Spinal Associates, our spine surgeon in New York can help assess when you’re healthy enough to compete, and when treatment is mandatory. When it comes to spinal stenosis, the answer is not always clear. Fortunately, Dr. Chernoff has enough knowledge and experience to determine the best course of action.
WHAT IS SPINAL STENOSIS?
Spinal stenosis is a condition that results in the narrowing of spaces within your spine. This narrowing can put pressure on the nerves that run through your spine, causing pain and discomfort. The symptoms of narrowing are caused by wear and tear that takes place in your spinal vertebra. Spinal stenosis falls into two classifications based on the location of the narrowing. These classifications include:
- Cervical Stenosis: This condition consists of narrowing in the neck portion of your spine.
- Lumbar Stenosis: As the most common form of spinal stenosis, this condition affects the lower back portion of your spine.
SYMPTOMS THAT SHOULD BE MONITORED
As one could imagine, living with the symptoms associated with a narrowing spine can be highly strenuous. Dr. Chernoff, our spine surgeon in New York, has spent years studying conditions of the spine and is well versed in offering treatment for them. Being able to recognize when spinal stenosis is present will allow you to seek help quickly, limiting the chances of any permanent damage taking place. If the below symptoms begin to develop, contact our team right away:
- Back or neck pain.
- Issues with walking and balance.
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hands, arms, feet, or legs.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control.
- Cramping in your legs when standing for long periods.
SPINAL STENOSIS AND SPORTS
When it comes to spinal stenosis and sports, the best course of action is not always clear. Some patients who have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis are not affected by any of the devastating symptoms. Those lucky enough to fall into this category may not have to take time away from the game they love. However, if any pain or weakness begins to arise, treatment must be sought after immediately.
TREATING SPINAL STENOSIS
When you’re dealing with spinal stenosis, there are situations where the only option for treatment is surgery. While the prospect of having your spine operated on may be anxiety-inducing, you can trust that you’re in great hands with Dr. Chernoff. As a top spine surgeon in New York, he’ll perform a full evaluation of your condition before determining which type of surgery will be most beneficial towards your healing. These operations can include:
- Laminectomy: This is also commonly referred to as decompression surgery. During this procedure, Dr. Chernoff will remove the lamia (back portion) of the vertebrae affected by spinal stenosis.
- Laminotomy: Similar to a laminectomy, a laminotomy involves operating on the lamia of the affected vertebra. However, the latter differs slightly from the former. A laminotomy only removes a portion of the lamia. Typically, carving out a small hole is enough to relieve pressure.
- Laminoplasty: This surgery is used to treat cervical spinal stenosis. It is done by opening up a small space within the spinal canal. Metal hardware will then be inserted to bridge this newfound gap in the spine.
NEW YORK ORTHOPEDIC SPINAL ASSOCIATES – AN EXPERT SPINE SURGEON IN NEW YORK
Spinal stenosis is not a condition that should be left untreated or unmanaged. At New York Orthopaedic Spinal Associates, our spine surgeon in New York can offer assistance with this and other back-related conditions. By using surgery as a form of treatment, Dr. Chernoff can eliminate your spinal stenosis, and can get you back to playing the sports you love. To learn more about the options you have regarding treatment for this condition, contact us today!
