Lumbar spinal stenosis is a progressive degenerative process resulting in the gradual narrowing of the spinal canal. Think of the shape of an hourglass, where the narrow center is compressing the spinal cord and producing pain.
Symptoms
Symptoms include leg pain, numbness, and tingling, particularly heavingess and weakness in legs when moving. Some people with spinal stenosis may not display any of these symptoms and others may complain of mild discomfort in the low back. Others can be so gravely affected that they cannot walk. Ambulatory ability is limited and has probably deteriorated over time.
Patients with significant spinal stenosis will begin to notice pain in the buttocks, thigh or leg that develops when standing or walking, and improves with rest. In some cases, patients complain of leg pain and weakness but don’t experience back pain.
Treatment
Many patients do well with anti-inflamatories, physical therapy and injection therapy. Those with continued difficulty will usually benefit from surgery.