When you come to the U-M Health Comprehensive Spine Program for spinal stenosis, you’ll be evaluated by our multidisciplinary team of specialists who will work with you to determine a personalized treatment plan. Our goal is to offer the most advanced and least invasive treatment to help improve your quality of life.

For musculoskeletal-based back and spine conditions, call:

• Anesthesia Pain Management at 734-615-7246
• Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at 734-936-7175 
• Orthopaedic Surgery at 734-936-5780
• Neurosurgery at 734-936-7010

Symptoms associated with lumbar or cervical stenosis often start gradually and worsen over time. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the stenosis and the affected nerves.

Symptoms of cervical spinal stenosis include:

• Numbness, tingling or weakness in the neck, shoulders, arm, hand, or leg
• Problems with walking, balance/coordination, and fine motor tasks
• Neck pain
• In severe cases, bowel and bladder control problems may occur

Symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis include:

• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg and foot
• Pain or cramping in one or both legs when standing for long periods of time or when walking
• Back pain
• In severe cases, loss of bowel or bladder control

Our collaborative team begins by conducting a complete medical history and physical exam, followed by advanced testing that may include:

• Imaging such as X-rays, CT scancs, or MRI of the affected area
• An EMG to asses the electrical activity of the nerves and muscles

After your diagnostic tests are completed, our specialists will talk with you about your treatment options.

There are both surgical and non-surgical treatment options for spinal stenosis.

Non-surgical treatment

• Physical therapy for strengthening the muscles
• Stationery bike exercises – many patients with spinal stenosis can ride a stationary bike without pain
• Pain management, including anti-inflammatory and pain medications, muscle relaxers, and steroid injections
• Traditional medicine combined with holistic therapies such as yoga, healing touch, and acupuncture

Surgical treatment

• Laminectomy: Removal of fragments of bone and soft tissue, which are pushing on the nerves. This involves a 1-3 day hospital stay and may involve bracing. Typical recovery is 6-8 weeks.
• Laminectomy and fusion: For more severe cases, these two procedures may be combined. A fusion is a procedure that reduces the movement in the damaged spine segment by permanently connecting two or more vertebrae using screws and rods to stabilize the spine. A bone graft is also typically performed using additional bone to fill in gaps between the vertebrae and stimulate the healing process. 
• Laminoplasty: For cervical spinal stenosis, this procedure involves placement of spinal spacers to open the spinal canal. 
• Disc replacement: For cervical spinal stenosis, this procedure involves removing a damaged or degenerated cervical disc and replacing it with an artificial disc.

• General Spine Surgery – Pre-operative education video for all spinal procedures
• Lumbar Laminectomy – Pre-operative educational video for a lumbar laminectomy
• Cervical Fusion – Pre-operative educational video for anterior and posterior cervical fusion
• Patient Education Booklet: Spine Surgery Pre-operative Patient Education