Dr. Bradford Currier Archives - Mayo Clinic News Network https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/ News Resources Mon, 23 Jan 2023 21:30:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 Mayo Clinic Q and A: Treating cervical spinal stenosis https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-treating-cervical-spinal-stenosis/ Tue, 09 Jul 2019 20:00:32 +0000 https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/?p=240713 DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I was diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis after several months of neck pain, along with weakness, numbness and tingling in one arm and hand that kept getting worse. My health care provider recommends surgery, including spinal decompression and fusion. Is there a less-invasive treatment I could try before surgery? ANSWER: Although it […]

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a medical illustration of cervical spinal stenosis

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I was diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis after several months of neck pain, along with weakness, numbness and tingling in one arm and hand that kept getting worse. My health care provider recommends surgery, including spinal decompression and fusion. Is there a less-invasive treatment I could try before surgery?

ANSWER: Although it is possible that nonsurgical treatment may be reasonable for you, it sounds likely that surgery is in your best interest. That decision should be based on several factors, though, including the severity of your symptoms and whether the condition is affecting your spinal cord function.

Spinal stenosis happens when the main channel for the spinal cord — called the central spinal canal — or the openings for individual nerve roots in your spine become narrowed, causing pressure on nerve tissue. Spinal stenosis often is a result of aging and the formation of bone spurs from arthritis. Many people also are born with a narrow spinal canal, making them more prone to stenosis as they age.

When spinal stenosis affects the spine in your neck, called the cervical spine, it can affect a single arm (as in your case) if an isolated nerve root is compressed, or it may affect the entire body if the spinal cord is involved. The spinal cord is a vital structure because all the movement-related messages your brain sends to your body, as well as all the sensory messages your body generates below your neck, travel through the cervical spinal cord.

Cervical spinal stenosis often triggers pain; weakness; numbness; or clumsiness in a hand, foot, arm or leg. It also can cause problems with walking and balance. If left untreated, these symptoms may worsen, and additional symptoms, such as bowel or bladder problems, may develop.

When spinal stenosis is suspected, a detailed medical history and physical exam are necessary to find the cause of the symptoms. Imaging with MRI typically is performed to confirm the diagnosis and localize the stenosis. X-rays and CT scans usually are part of the evaluation, too, especially when there is significant neck pain, a spinal deformity or history of trauma. An electromyogram and blood tests also may be needed to confirm that symptoms are a result of spinal stenosis.

Spinal stenosis treatments that don’t involve surgery include self-care measures, medication, physical therapy and steroid injections. These treatments often can relieve symptoms of mild spinal stenosis. But for individuals like you who have complaints that grow steadily worse, surgery may be necessary to prevent permanent spinal cord or nerve root damage, and relieve — or at least stabilize — symptoms.

When surgery is necessary, the goal is to create more space for the nerve tissue. During spinal decompression, a surgeon removes the bone, ligament or disc that’s putting pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. Spinal fusion is performed if the spine is deformed or unstable, or if the spine’s alignment and stability are compromised by decompression.

Spinal fusion involves reinforcing the spine by linking two or more of the vertebrae together with a bone graft. Metal implants are used to maintain proper alignment and aid bone fusion. Spinal fusion is needed more often when stenosis surgery is performed in the cervical spine because that area tends to become unstable as a result of spinal decompression.

In some cases, an artificial disc can be inserted instead of performing a fusion to allow the vertebrae to continue to move normally. But that approach is only appropriate for people who have a well-aligned spine without instability or significant arthritis. Occasionally, the cervical spine can be decompressed without fusion, especially when opening it from the back instead of the front.

Surgery for spinal stenosis usually is not a matter of urgency, so take time to discuss your concerns with your health care provider. Together, you can review the goals, risks and benefits of surgery, and decide what’s best for you. Results of surgery for spinal stenosis generally are excellent when the operation is performed for the right indications and the correct procedure is chosen. — Dr. Bradford Currier, Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

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Spinal stenosis / mental health benefits of tidying up / helping cancer patients quit tobacco: Mayo Clinic Radio https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/spinal-stenosis-mental-health-benefits-of-tidying-up-helping-cancer-patients-quit-tobacco-mayo-clinic-radio/ Mon, 01 Apr 2019 01:39:31 +0000 https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/?p=233124 If you’ve ever groaned, “Oh, my aching back,” you’re not alone. As people age, it’s estimated that 8 of 10 adults experience back pain from life's normal wear and tear on the spine. One common cause of back pain is the narrowing of the spinal canal, called "spinal stenosis." Spinal stenosis is categorized by where […]

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If you’ve ever groaned, “Oh, my aching back,” you’re not alone. As people age, it’s estimated that 8 of 10 adults experience back pain from life's normal wear and tear on the spine. One common cause of back pain is the narrowing of the spinal canal, called "spinal stenosis." Spinal stenosis is categorized by where it occurs in the spine. Cervical stenosis is the narrowing of the spine in your neck. Lumbar stenosis is when narrowing of the spine occurs in the lower back, which is the most common type of spinal stenosis. Symptoms usually begin as a tingling in your hand, arm, foot or leg, and progress to loss of sensation and function. Fortunately, there are multiple options for treating spinal stenosis, including surgery.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Bradford Currier, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, will discuss treatment options for spinal stenosis. Also on the program, Dr. Craig Sawchuk, co-chair of Mayo Clinic’s Division of Integrated Behavioral Health, will explain the mental health benefits of the cleaning fad that's swept the country.  And Dr. J Taylor Hays, medical director for the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center, and Dr. Carrie Thompson, a Mayo Clinic hematologist, will explain a Mayo Clinic program that’s helping cancer patients quit tobacco.

Here's your Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

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Mayo Clinic Radio: Spinal stenosis https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-radio-spinal-stenosis/ Thu, 28 Mar 2019 14:00:56 +0000 https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/?p=232810 If you’ve ever groaned, “Oh, my aching back,” you’re not alone. As people age, it’s estimated that 8 of 10 adults experience back pain from life's normal wear and tear on the spine. One common cause of back pain is the narrowing of the spinal canal, called "spinal stenosis." Spinal stenosis is categorized by where […]

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Medical illustration of spinal stenosisIf you’ve ever groaned, “Oh, my aching back,” you’re not alone. As people age, it’s estimated that 8 of 10 adults experience back pain from life's normal wear and tear on the spine. One common cause of back pain is the narrowing of the spinal canal, called "spinal stenosis." Spinal stenosis is categorized by where it occurs in the spine. Cervical stenosis is the narrowing of the spine in your neck. Lumbar stenosis is when narrowing of the spine occurs in the lower back, which is the most common type of spinal stenosis. Symptoms usually begin as a tingling in your hand, arm, foot or leg, and progress to loss of sensation and function. Fortunately, there are multiple options for treating spinal stenosis, including surgery.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Bradford Currier, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, will discuss treatment options for spinal stenosis. Also on the program, Dr. Craig Sawchuk, co-chair of Mayo Clinic’s Division of Integrated Behavioral Health, will explain the mental health benefits of the cleaning fad that's swept the country.  And Dr. J Taylor Hays, medical director for the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center, and Dr. Carrie Thompson, a Mayo Clinic hematologist, will explain a Mayo Clinic program that’s helping cancer patients quit tobacco.

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows or subscribe to the podcast.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

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Mayo Clinic Radio: Spinal stenosis / mental health benefits of tidying up / helping cancer patients quit tobacco https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-radio-spinal-stenosis-mental-health-benefits-of-tidying-up-helping-cancer-patients-quit-tobacco/ Mon, 25 Mar 2019 20:40:47 +0000 https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/?p=232460 If you’ve ever groaned, “Oh, my aching back,” you’re not alone. As people age, it’s estimated that 8 of 10 adults experience back pain from life's normal wear and tear on the spine. One common cause of back pain is the narrowing of the spinal canal, called "spinal stenosis." Spinal stenosis is categorized by where […]

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If you’ve ever groaned, “Oh, my aching back,” you’re not alone. As people age, it’s estimated that 8 of 10 adults experience back pain from life's normal wear and tear on the spine. One common cause of back pain is the narrowing of the spinal canal, called "spinal stenosis." Spinal stenosis is categorized by where it occurs in the spine. Cervical stenosis is the narrowing of the spine in your neck. Lumbar stenosis is when narrowing of the spine occurs in the lower back, which is the most common type of spinal stenosis. Symptoms usually begin as a tingling in your hand, arm, foot or leg, and progress to loss of sensation and function. Fortunately, there are multiple options for treating spinal stenosis, including surgery.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Bradford Currier, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, will discuss treatment options for spinal stenosis. Also on the program, Dr. Craig Sawchuk, co-chair of Mayo Clinic’s Division of Integrated Behavioral Health, will explain the mental health benefits of the cleaning fad that's swept the country.  And Dr. J Taylor Hays, medical director for the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center, and Dr. Carrie Thompson, a Mayo Clinic hematologist, will explain a Mayo Clinic program that’s helping cancer patients quit tobacco.

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Miss the show?  Here's your Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows or subscribe to the podcast.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Spinal stenosis / mental health benefits of tidying up / helping cancer patients quit tobacco appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

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