Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that squeezes the nerves or spinal cord. Lumbar stenosis typically causes leg pain, heaviness, or numbness when standing or walking, which eases when sitting or bending forward. Cervical stenosis can affect hand coordination, balance, and walking.

Dr. Robert Ames, a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon, treats lumbar and cervical spinal stenosis for patients in Sewell, Cherry Hill, and across South Jersey.

Non-surgical care

Physical therapy, activity modification, medication, and epidural injections help many patients manage stenosis for years.

Minimally invasive decompression

When symptoms limit walking or daily life, Dr. Ames performs minimally invasive laminotomy, laminectomy, and endoscopic decompression to relieve pressure on the nerves. Patients with instability or spondylolisthesis may need a fusion, often done with robotic guidance.

Cervical myelopathy

Stenosis that compresses the spinal cord in the neck, called degenerative cervical myelopathy, tends to progress. It deserves prompt evaluation even when pain is mild.

Common questions

Will I need a fusion? Many stenosis patients need only a decompression. Fusion is added when the spine is unstable.

Schedule a consultation

Call (609) 267-9400 to see Dr. Ames at Virtua Reconstructive Orthopaedics in Sewell or Cherry Hill, NJ.