Learn About Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is narrowing of the spinal column that causes pressure on the spinal cord, or narrowing of the openings (called neural foramina) where spinal nerves leave the spinal column.
Pseudo-claudication; Central spinal stenosis; Foraminal spinal stenosis; Degenerative spine disease; Back pain - spinal stenosis; Low back pain - stenosis; LBP - stenosis
Spinal stenosis usually occurs as a person ages, however, some people are born with less space for their spinal cord.
- The spinal disks become drier and start to bulge and can rupture.
- The bones and ligaments of the spine thicken or grow larger. This is caused by arthritis or long-term swelling.
Spinal stenosis may also be caused by:
- Arthritis of the spine, usually in middle-aged or older people
- Bone diseases, such as Paget disease
- Defect or growth in the spine that was present from birth
- Narrow spinal canal that the person was born with
- Herniated or slipped disk, which often may have happened in the past
- Injury that causes pressure on the nerve roots or the spinal cord
- Tumors in the spine
- Fracture or injury of a spinal bone
Symptoms often get worse slowly over time. Most often, symptoms will be on one side of the body, but may involve both legs.
Symptoms include:
- Numbness, cramping, or pain in the back, buttocks, thighs, or calves, or in the neck, shoulders, or arms
- Weakness of part of a leg or arm
Symptoms are more likely to be present or get worse when you stand or walk. They often lessen or disappear when you sit down or lean forward. Most people with spinal stenosis cannot walk for a long period without having significant pain.
More serious symptoms include:
- Difficulty or poor balance when walking
- Problems controlling urine or bowel movements
Your provider and other health professionals will help you manage your pain and keep you as active as possible.
- Your provider may refer you for physical therapy. The physical therapist will teach you stretches and exercises that make your back muscles stronger.
- You may also see a chiropractor, a massage therapist, and someone who performs acupuncture. Sometimes, a few visits will help your back or neck pain.
- Cold packs and heat therapy may help your pain during flare-ups.
Treatments for back pain caused by spinal stenosis include:
- Medicines to help relieve back pain.
- A type of talk therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy to help you better understand your pain and teach you how to manage back pain.
- An epidural spinal injection which involves injecting medicine directly into the space around your spinal nerves or spinal cord.
Spinal stenosis symptoms often become worse over time, but this may happen slowly. If the pain does not respond to these treatments, or you lose movement or feeling, you may need surgery.
- Surgery is done to relieve pressure on the nerves or spinal cord.
- You and your provider can decide when you need to have surgery for these symptoms.
Surgery may include removing a bulging disk, removing part of the vertebra bone, or widening the canal and openings where your spinal nerves are located.
During some spinal surgeries, the surgeon will remove some bone to create more room for your spinal nerves or spinal column. The surgeon will then fuse some of the spine bones to make your spine more stable. But this will make your back more stiff and may cause arthritis in areas above or below your fused spine.
Proliance Puget Sound Orthopaedics
Michael J. Martin, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon with advanced training in spinal medicine and surgical techniques for the treatment of degenerative conditions and fractures of the spine. He is professionally interested in spine treatment innovations with a focus on minimally invasive procedures.He has been a surgeon since 1992 and sees himself as a teacher and facilitator in helping people heal themselves. That’s why his high quality, compassionate care includes spending time educating patients about their condition and providing a personalized treatment plan that works for them.Dr. Martin was previously an investigator in a nationwide FDA clinical trial involving a less invasive lumbar spinal stenosis treatment that he helped develops. He is actively involved in developing other innovative treatments and devices for the treatment of diseases and conditions of the spine. He is a Peer Reviewer for the official journal of the NASS, The Spine Journal, and continues to publish articles in orthopedic journals and present community lectures on various lumbar and cervical spine topics.In addition to his community volunteer efforts at Bellarmine Preparatory School, he is an acting Board Member for Commencement Bay Rowing Club. He previously coached youth sports for local community baseball teams and basketball at Saint Patrick’s Catholic School in Tacoma. He also enjoys spending time with his wife and children, biking, skiing, and cooking. Dr. Martin is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Spinal Stenosis. His top areas of expertise are Spinal Stenosis, Klippel-Feil Syndrome, Spondylolisthesis, Laminectomy, and Microdiscectomy.
Tidewater Orthopaedic Associates Inc.
Jonathan Mason is an Orthopedics provider in Hampton, Virginia. Dr. Mason is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Spinal Stenosis. His top areas of expertise are Klippel-Feil Syndrome, Spinal Stenosis, Cervical Spondylosis, Laminectomy, and Bone Graft. Dr. Mason is currently accepting new patients.
Summit Orthopedics - Plymouth
David Strothman, M.D., is a spine surgeon at Summit Orthopedics, serving Minneapolis/St. Paul metro patients. He specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery; cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine conditions; and adult scoliosis. Dr. Strothman is a frequent recipient of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s Top Doctor and Rising Star awards. He completed a fellowship in orthopedic spine at Twin Cities Spine Center. “Spinal disorders are complex and disabling,” explains Dr. Strothman. “As your surgeon, I will explain your diagnosis and treatment options, both operative and nonoperative, in a way that you can understand thereby allowing you to make informed decisions. I am rewarded daily by improving the quality of life of patients receiving my care.”. Dr. Strothman is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Spinal Stenosis. His top areas of expertise are Spinal Stenosis, Spondylolisthesis, Herniated Disk, Laminectomy, and Microdiscectomy.
Many people with spinal stenosis are able to be active with the condition, although they may need to make some changes in their activities or work.
Spine surgery will often partly or fully relieve symptoms in your legs or arms. It is hard to predict if you will improve and how much relief surgery will provide.
- People who had long-term back pain before their surgery are likely to have some pain after surgery.
- If you needed more than one type of back surgery, you may be more likely to have future problems.
- The area of the spinal column above and below a spinal fusion is more likely to be stressed and have problems and accelerated arthritis in the future. This may lead to more surgeries later.
In rare cases, injuries caused by pressure on the nerves are permanent, even if the pressure is relieved.
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of spinal stenosis.
More serious symptoms that need prompt attention include:
- Difficulty or poor balance when walking
- Worsening numbness and weakness of your limb
- Problems controlling urine or bowel movements
- Problems urinating or having a bowel movement
Summary: Background Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common condition characterized by spinal canal narrowing, often linked to ligamentum flavum hypertrophy (LFH) and degeneration. Fibrotic processes involving elastin and collagen alterations contribute to LF thickening and spinal instability. Despite progress, the molecular mechanisms underlying LFH remain unclear, necessitating targeted diagnostic and t...
Summary: This prospective longitudinal study will compare incidence rates of Medicare beneficiary surgical and minimally invasive intervention post index procedure, as well as harms associated with the MILD procedure, at 24 months post-treatment with MILD, tested against a control group of similar patients that have had a comparable procedure. This study will start with patients treated with a study proced...
Published Date: August 27, 2024
Published By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Bussières A, Cancelliere C, Ammendolia C, et al. Non-surgical interventions for lumbar spinal stenosis leading to neurogenic claudication: a clinical practice guideline. J Pain. 2021;22(9):1015-1039 PMID: 3385761 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33857615/.
Gardocki RJ, Park AL. Degenerative disorders of the thoracic and lumbar spine. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 39.
Issac Z, Sarno D. Lumbar spinal stenosis. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 50.
Katz JN, Zimmerman ZE, Mass H, Makhni MC. Diagnosis and management of lumbar spinal stenosis: a review. JAMA. 2022;327(17):1688-1699 PMID: 35503342 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35503342/.