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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf your family doctor suspects that you have spinal stenosis, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in disorders of the nervous system (neurologist). Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you might also be referred to a spinal surgeon.
What you can do
Before the appointment, you might want to prepare a list that answers the following questions:
- When did you first notice this problem?
- Has it worsened with time?
- Do you have pain? Where is it? What makes it better and worse?
- Do you have any weakness, numbness or tingling?
- Do you have any difficulty controlling your bowel or bladder?
What to expect from your doctor
During the physical exam, your doctor will check:
- The blood flow in your feet vs. limbs
- The range of motion in your neck and lower back
- Your ability to feel pain or temperature
- The strength of your muscles
- The reflexes in your arms and legs
- Your ability to walk
- Questions and answers about spinal stenosis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Spinal_Stenosis/default.asp. Accessed Dec. 21, 2009.
- Curlee PM. Spinal stenosis. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/176085454-4/931784364/1584/313.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03329-9..50044-1--cesec14_2092. Accessed Dec. 21, 2009.
- Meleger AL. Cervical stenosis. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/177277239-7/935792099/1678/9.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50008-0--cesec8_89. Accessed Jan. 5, 2010.
- Bartleson JD (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 31, 2010.
- Isaac Z, et al. Lumbar spinal stenosis. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/177277239-4/935690969/1678/49.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50048-1_751. Accessed Jan. 5, 2010.
- Spinal stenosis. American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/diseases_and_conditions/stenosis.asp. Accessed Dec. 22, 2009.
- Cauda equina syndrome. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00362. Accessed Jan. 5, 2010.
- Levin K. Lumbar spinal stenosis: Treatment and prognosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 3, 2010.
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