Medications for Spinal Stenosis
Summary
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Pain types | Inflammatory, neuropathic, and chronic — each type needs a different medication |
| Stenosis type matters | Cauda equina type responds best to limaprost; nerve root type responds to NSAIDs (short-term) |
| Strongest evidence | Limaprost (Evidence A) for cauda equina/mixed type |
| Gabapentinoids | Effective for nerve pain; increase dose gradually for best results |
| Duloxetine | Strengthens the body's natural pain brakes; prescribed for pain, not depression |
| Not forever | Medications can often be tapered and stopped once pain is well controlled |
| Ask your doctor | What type of stenosis do you have? Are your medications matched to it? |
Next Steps
→ Exercise Therapy — Exercises that work alongside medication to improve your symptoms
→ Nerve Block Injections — Injection therapy when medications are not enough
→ Treatment Overview — See all your options from conservative therapy to surgery