Spinal Stenosis Treatment in Hyderabad: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Options
Comprehensive treatment approach for lumbar spinal stenosis with conservative-first care and minimally invasive options
Overview
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that can pinch the nerves, leading to leg pain, heaviness, numbness, or walking intolerance. Many patients improve with medicines and physiotherapy. When daily life remains limited, minimally invasive or endoscopic decompression may be considered—if your MRI and symptoms match. Our approach at Yashoda Hospitals – Malakpet is conservative‑first, with a clear focus on safety.
Common Symptoms
- Leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Neurogenic claudication: pain/heaviness with walking, relief with sitting or leaning forward
- Lower back aching or stiffness
- Reduced walking distance; frequent need to rest
Seek urgent medical attention if you notice:
- Fever with back pain
- Rapidly worsening weakness
- Loss of bowel/bladder control
Why Stenosis Occurs
- Age‑related changes: thickened ligaments (ligamentum flavum), facet joint overgrowth
- Disc bulges or herniations
- Spondylolisthesis (slippage) in some patients
- Less commonly: cysts, prior surgery, or congenital narrowing
How We Diagnose
- Clinical exam: strength, sensation, reflexes, walking tolerance
- Imaging: MRI to confirm the level and severity; X‑rays for alignment/instability
- When needed: diagnostic injections to localize the pain generator
Conservative Treatment (First Line for Many)
- Medicines: short courses as appropriate; targeted pain control
- Physiotherapy: core strengthening, hip‑glute training, posture and gait retraining
- Activity modification and ergonomic coaching
- Image‑guided injections in selected cases
We reassess after a defined trial. If function is still limited or progressive weakness appears, we review minimally invasive options.
Endoscopic ULBD (Unilateral Approach to Bilateral Decompression)
What it is:
Through a small incision on one side, an endoscope helps remove the tissue compressing the nerves on both sides of the canal. The aim is to free the nerves while preserving stabilizing structures when feasible.
Who may benefit:
Patients with central or lateral recess stenosis on MRI, without significant instability or deformity, who did not improve with conservative care.
Benefits:
- Smaller incision
- Less muscle disruption
- Earlier mobilization in selected patients
- Potential day‑care eligibility
Risks:
Infection, bleeding, nerve injury, CSF leak, incomplete relief, recurrence, or conversion to another approach for safety. We discuss risks and alternatives in detail.
When MISS or Other Techniques Are Preferred
- If endoscopic access is limited by anatomy, a microscopic approach may be safer
- If instability or deformity exists, a different plan may be needed
Your MRI and exam guide the approach—there is no "one size fits all."
Recovery Roadmap (Typical Ranges; Individualized)
Day 0
Walk with supervision once fully alert
Week 1
Gentle walking; protect the back from heavy lifting, bending, twisting
Weeks 2–4
Increase walking distance; start guided core and hip‑glute rehab after wound check
Weeks 4–8
Return to light field/manual work with a graded plan
Red flags:
Fever, new/worsening weakness, wound drainage—contact the clinic promptly
Costs and Insurance (Hyderabad)
- Many policies cover indicated in‑patient decompression after pre‑authorization
- Day‑care may reduce costs in eligible cases
- We provide a written estimate after evaluation and MRI review
Local Care and Access
Patients commonly visit from Malakpet, Koti, Charminar, Himayat Nagar, and Secunderabad. We streamline imaging review and insurance assistance to minimize extra visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is stenosis the same as sciatica?
Not exactly. Stenosis often affects both legs with walking intolerance. Sciatica usually follows a single nerve due to disc herniation. MRI clarifies the cause.
Will physiotherapy alone cure stenosis?
Many improve with structured therapy. If walking remains limited, we reassess for decompression options.
Is endoscopic always better?
Not always. We choose the safest and most effective approach—endoscopic or microscopic—based on your MRI and goals.
Can stenosis recur?
Degeneration continues with age. Rehab and posture help maintain results, but future changes can occur.
Related Services
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Comprehensive MISS techniques and options
Endoscopic ULBD
Unilateral approach to bilateral decompression
Endoscopic Foraminotomy
Foraminal stenosis relief
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Call to Action
Book a consultation at Yashoda Hospitals – Malakpet. Bring your MRI and prior reports to get a clear plan and recovery timeline.
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Disclaimer
Educational content only; not a substitute for clinical evaluation. Treatment is individualized after exam and imaging. No outcome is guaranteed.
Last medically reviewed: October 1, 2025 by Dr Sayuj Krishnan