Active lifestyles result in the development of arthritis over the years in our spine.  This arthritis causes bone spurs or thickening of the ligaments to develop, which then can compress nerves resulting in pain.  Often, these symptoms can be treated conservatively or non-operatively with physical therapy, massage therapy, stretching, injections etc. 

As these symptoms progress, patients may experience heaviness, numbness and tingling in the buttocks, hips and legs. Pain radiating down the legs or radicular pain is also a common complaint.  Walking short distances may become difficult with the need to sit down or flex forward to obtain relief.  Patients often describe leaning over a shopping cart as the best way to gain short term relief.

When non-operative measures are not enough we may suggest spinal decompression surgery to alleviate this pain.  These procedures, often done minimally invasively, involve the careful removal of bone and ligaments to provide more room for the nerves thus alleviating pain.  Pain improves quickly while numbness and tingling can take days to weeks to resolve.  Spinal decompression patients are walking and resuming active lifestyles quickly.