General Information About Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the structural narrowing of the spinal canal housing the spinal cord and nerves, generally due to aging, which crushes the nerves passing through it.
The most common cause is age-related joint calcification (osteoarthritis). Thickened connective tissues, expanding bone structures, disc herniations, and slipped vertebrae narrow the spinal canal over time.
Lower back pain, and numbness and tingling radiating to the legs are observed. The most typical finding is leg cramps called 'Neurogenic Claudication' that start with walking and pass when the patient sits and leans forward.
Hernia pain generally increases when sitting, coughing, or leaning forward. On the contrary, spinal stenosis pain increases when standing and decreases when leaning forward (like riding a bicycle) because the canal opens up.
After a physical examination, the diameter of the spinal canal and how much the nerve roots are compressed are clearly measured with a Lumbar MRI (Magnetic Resonance) imaging, which confirms the diagnosis.
In mild cases, physical therapy, use of a brace, and cortisone injections into the spine are applied. In advanced narrowings, the canal is surgically widened by removing the compressed bone and connective tissue (Laminectomy).
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
