Spinal Stenosis

What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis happens when the space inside your spine becomes too narrow and puts pressure on the nerves in your spinal cord. This pressure can cause pain, tingling, numbness or weakness, often in the lower back and legs, which gets worse when you stand or walk.

Although spinal stenosis Is most common in adults over the age of 60 because of normal wear and tear, some people are born with a smaller spinal canal, putting them at a higher risk for this condition.

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Diagram showing the lumbar spine, sacrum, and pelvis, with illustrations of normal and narrowed spinal canals.

Understanding spinal stenosis

Your spine is made up of a column of bones (vertebrae) that support your body and allow you to move. Between each vertebra are soft discs that cushion movement. A hollow passageway called the spinal canal runs through the center, protecting your spinal cord and the nerves that carry messages between your brain and body.

When this space narrows, nerves can become compressed. Nerve compression can lead to discomfort, tingling or weakness.

Overview

Symptoms

The symptoms of spinal stenosis typically develop over time and worsen with standing or walking and include:

Pain, cramping or tingling in the back, buttocks or legs
Weakness or a feeling of heaviness in the legs
Relief when sitting or leaning forward

Bending forward can temporarily create more space in the spinal canal, reducing pressure on irritated nerves.

Causes

Changes related to aging are the most common cause of spinal stenosis. Over time, normal wear and tear can lead to:

Thickened spinal ligaments
Bulging or herniated discs
Bone spurs related to arthritis
Enlarged joints in the spine

Spinal stenosis may also result from injury, infection or tumors, but this is less common. A congenital (present at birth) narrow spinal canal can also increase the likelihood of symptoms later in life.

Diagnosis

Our specialists will review your symptoms, collect your medical history and perform a physical exam. We will also use imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI or CT scans to help identify where narrowing has occurred and how it is affecting your nerves. This advanced imaging and comprehensive evaluation will help us identify the source of your symptoms and help guide your care.

Why treatment matters

The treatment for spinal stenosis focuses on relieving pressure on the nerves, improving mobility and reducing pain. In many cases, nonsurgical options including physical therapy, medications or targeted injections may help patients find relief. If symptoms don’t respond to more conservative options, minimally invasive procedures may be recommended.

Nonsurgical treatment

Physical therapy may be recommended to help improve your strength and flexibility. Your doctor may also try anti-inflammatory medications or activity modifications to help relieve symptoms. In some cases, you may have spinal injections to try to reduce the inflammation around nerves in your spine. Nonsurgical treatment options may be tried for several weeks or months to see if there is improvement.

Surgical treatment

If symptoms are severe, not improving or worsening, your specialist may recommend surgery to help relieve the pressure on the spinal nerves. Typically this is done by removing the structures, such as bone or thickened tissue, that may be causing the narrowing in your spine. In some cases, your surgeon may need to use small implants, including screws and rods, to help stabilize your spine.