Spinal Arthritis & Degeneration
Spinal Stenosis Treatment Specialists
Expert Spinal Stenosis Treatment in Phoenix, AZ — From a Dual Board-Certified Spine Surgeon & Neurosurgeon
Spinal stenosis narrows the space around your nerves, causing leg pain, heaviness, and numbness that make walking hard. At Desert Spine and Pain, Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS, a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon, reopens that space — with the least invasive approach that works.
Over 100 5-Star Reviews!
Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that crowds and compresses the nerves — causing pain, numbness, and weakness that are often worse with standing and walking, and relieved by sitting or leaning forward. At Desert Spine and Pain in Phoenix, a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon treats stenosis at every level, starting with the least invasive option.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500Normal Spine vs. Spinal Stenosis
What Is Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal — the bony tunnel that protects your spinal cord and nerves. It usually develops gradually from arthritis, bone spurs, thickened ligaments, or bulging discs that crowd the space. As the nerves are compressed, you may feel pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness, classically in the legs when standing or walking (and relieved by sitting or leaning on a cart).
Stenosis most often affects the lower back (lumbar) and neck (cervical). The key to treatment is matching the approach to how narrowed the canal is and how much the nerves are affected.
When to See a Specialist for Spinal Stenosis
See a specialist when leg pain, heaviness, or numbness limits how far you can walk, when symptoms are progressing, or when your balance or hand function changes (a sign of cervical stenosis). Early treatment protects the nerves.
Go to an emergency room or call us immediately if you develop rapidly progressing leg weakness, loss of balance or coordination, numbness around the groin, or loss of bladder or bowel control — these can signal serious spinal cord or nerve compression.
How We Treat Spinal Stenosis
Stenosis is treated least-invasive-first — and when surgery is needed, the goal is simply to reopen space for the nerves, as minimally as possible.
Conservative care & therapy
Physical therapy through our on-site partner BackFit Health + Spine, focused on positions and strength that take pressure off the nerves.
Epidural steroid injections
Epidural steroid injections reduce nerve inflammation in the narrowed canal and can relieve symptoms for months.
Minimally invasive decompression
When surgery is needed, a laminectomy or foraminotomy reopens the space around the nerves — minimally invasively whenever possible.
Motion-preserving decompression
For select lumbar patients, a decompression with a Coflex implant relieves stenosis without a fusion.
Why Choose Our Spinal Stenosis Specialists in Phoenix
Choosing the right spinal stenosis specialist in Phoenix matters. At Desert Spine and Pain, your care is led by Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS — a physician who is both a board-certified spine surgeon and a neurosurgeon. That dual expertise is rare, and it means one expert can guide you across the full spectrum of care — from a simple injection to complex surgery — and recommend what is genuinely best for you, whether you need a spinal stenosis doctor for conservative care or a surgeon when surgery is truly the answer.
A rare dual credential — so the specialist who treats you can also perform surgery if it's ever needed.
Most patients get better without surgery. We only advance when your condition truly requires it.
No referral needed. We make it straightforward to see a top spine specialist, even out-of-network.
24/7 concierge response and close coordination with personal-injury attorneys.
Life Beyond the Pain
What to Expect: Your Care Journey at Desert Spine and Pain
From your first visit, the goal is a clear diagnosis and a plan built around you — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Consultation
We listen to your history, examine you, and review any prior imaging — no referral required.
Diagnosis
If needed, we order or review MRI/X-ray imaging and may use diagnostic nerve testing or a diagnostic injection to confirm the exact source.
Personalized plan
Dr. Greenwald explains your options in plain language and starts with the least invasive treatment likely to work.
Treatment & follow-up
We deliver your care — therapy, a procedure, or surgery at an affiliated accredited facility — and follow you closely until you're back to living.
Insurance, Out-of-Network & Cost
Cost and coverage shouldn't stand between you and relief. Desert Spine and Pain welcomes out-of-network patients and will walk you through what your evaluation and treatment are likely to involve before anything is scheduled — so there are no surprises. We'll help you understand your benefits and options, whether you're using insurance, paying out-of-pocket, or being treated under a personal-injury claim.
Injured in an Accident?
If your pain started with a car accident, slip-and-fall, or work injury, we offer a dedicated pathway: prompt evaluation, thorough documentation and records for your case, and direct coordination with your personal-injury attorney. You focus on recovering; we handle the medical side.
Schedule Your ConsultationProudly Serving the Greater Phoenix, Arizona Area
Patients travel to Desert Spine and Pain from across Arizona for specialist spine care — because the right spine surgeon is worth the drive. We welcome patients from Phoenix and communities throughout the Valley and beyond:
…and surrounding Arizona communities. Out-of-network patients are welcome, and no referral is required — schedule a consultation.
Related Conditions We Treat
Degenerative Disc Disease
Age-related drying and thinning of the discs that can cause pain.
Learn MoreNot sure which applies? Start with the spinal arthritis & degeneration conditions we treat.
Reopen the space your nerves need.
See a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon in Phoenix to find out whether your spinal stenosis can be relieved — minimally invasively.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500Spinal Stenosis: Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need surgery for spinal stenosis?
Not necessarily. Many patients improve with therapy and epidural injections. Surgery is considered when symptoms limit walking or are progressing — and even then, it's often a minimally invasive decompression, not a fusion.
Why does sitting relieve my stenosis pain?
Leaning forward or sitting opens up the narrowed canal slightly, taking pressure off the nerves — which is why many patients with lumbar stenosis feel better leaning on a shopping cart. It's a classic sign of the condition.
Can stenosis be treated without a fusion?
Often, yes. A decompression alone relieves many patients, and a motion-preserving Coflex implant can treat select lumbar stenosis without fusion. Fusion is added only when the spine is unstable.
Do you take my insurance, and what if you're out-of-network?
We welcome out-of-network patients and explain your likely costs before anything is scheduled.
Do I need a referral to see a stenosis specialist in Phoenix?
No. You can schedule directly with our Phoenix spine specialists — no referral required.
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD
Neuro-Spine Surgeon
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If you’re experiencing symptoms of spinal stenosis, early evaluation can prevent your condition from worsening and help you find lasting relief. Dr. Greenwald and his caring team are here to guide you every step of the way with compassionate, individualized care. Whether through conservative therapy or advanced surgical treatment, we’ll help you regain comfort, confidence, and control over your life. Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward a stronger, pain-free future.
Voted Best Spine Doctor
Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS
Neurosurgeon | Spine Surgeon | Regenerative Medicine
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS, is a board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon with extensive experience diagnosing and treating spinal stenosis, which can cause pain, numbness, or weakness. He uses advanced imaging to pinpoint the true source of your symptoms and builds a personalized, least-invasive-first plan — from conservative care and targeted injections to minimally invasive surgery only when it is truly needed. His skill and patient-centered approach help patients throughout the greater Phoenix, Arizona area experience meaningful pain relief, reduced recovery time, and restored mobility.
Book your Spine Care Consultation Today!
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