What is narrowing of the spinal canal

While spinal stenosis typically occurs in people age 50 or older, it can also develop sooner due to injury or from birth congenital factors. Spinal stenosis may worsen over time, but the rate of progression is variable and may not always produce signs or symptoms. When neurological deficits, such as numbness or weakness, continue to worsen despite rest and nonsurgical treatments, surgery may need to be considered.

Before opting for spinal stenosis surgery, it is important to discuss the potential risks and other treatment options with the surgeon. Living with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. Cervical Stenosis with Myelopathy. Lumbar Decompression Back Surgery.

Frontera WR. Lumbar spinal stenosis. Cervical stenosis, myelopathy and radiculopathy. North American Spine Society. Levin K. Lumbar spinal stenosis: Treatment and prognosis.

Kim K, et al. Nonsurgical Korean integrative treatments for symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis: A three-armed randomized controlled pilot trial protocol. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Dasenbrock HH, et al. The impact of provider volume on the outcomes after surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis. Rochester, Minn. Minimally invasive lumbar decompression MILD. Abt NB, et al. Thirty day postoperative outcomes following anterior lumbar interbody fusion using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery. Spinal stenosis. Watson JC expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 28, Brown AY. Allscripts EPSi. Bydon M expert opinion.

April 17, Onishi K, et al. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Staats PS, et al. Pain Physician. Chou R. The types of spinal stenosis are classified according to where on the spine the condition occurs. It's possible to have more than one type. The two main types of spinal stenosis are:. When they do occur, they often start gradually and worsen over time.

Symptoms vary depending on the location of the stenosis and which nerves are affected. As your spine ages, it's more likely to experience bone spurs or herniated disks. These problems can reduce the amount of space available for your spinal cord and the nerves that branch off it. The backbone spine runs from your neck to your lower back. The bones of your spine form a spinal canal, which protects your spinal cord nerves.

Some people are born with a small spinal canal. But most spinal stenosis occurs when something happens to narrow the open space within the spine. Causes of spinal stenosis may include:. Most people with spinal stenosis are over the age of Though degenerative changes can cause spinal stenosis in younger people, other causes need to be considered. These include trauma, congenital spinal deformity such as scoliosis, and a genetic disease affecting bone and muscle development throughout the body.

Spinal imaging can differentiate these causes. Spinal stenosis care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. What causes lumbar spinal stenosis? Besides osteoarthritis, other conditions or circumstances can cause spinal stenosis: Narrow spinal canal Injury to the spine Spinal tumor Certain bone diseases Past surgery of the spine Rheumatoid arthritis What are the symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis?

Symptoms may include: Pain in the back Burning pain going into the buttocks and down into the legs sciatica Numbness, tingling, cramping, or weakness in the legs Loss of sensation in the feet A weakness in a foot that causes the foot to slap down when walking "foot drop" Loss of sexual ability Pressure on nerves in the lumbar region can also cause more serious symptoms known as cauda equine syndrome.

If you have any of these symptoms, you need to get medical attention right away: Loss of bowel or bladder control Severe or increasing numbness between your legs, inner thighs, and back of the legs Severe pain and weakness that spreads into one or both legs.

This makes it hard to walk or get out of a chair How is lumbar spinal stenosis diagnosed? These tests help make a diagnosis: X-rays of your lumbar spine.

Imaging tests. Other studies. Your healthcare provider might order a bone scan, myelogram a CT taken after injecting dye , and EMG an electrical test of muscle activity. How is lumbar spinal stenosis treated? Physical therapy may include exercises to strengthen your back, stomach, and leg muscles.

Learning how to do activities safely, using braces to support your back, stretching, and massage may also be helpful. Medicines may include nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory medicines that relieve pain and swelling, and steroid injections that reduce swelling. Surgical treatments include removing bone spurs and widening the space between vertebrae.

The lower back may also be stabilized by fusing together some of the vertebrae. Acupuncture and chiropractic care may also be helpful for some people. What can I do to prevent lumbar spinal stenosis?