Lumbar Stenosis

What is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, compressing the nerves traveling through the lower back into the legs. While it may affect younger patients, due to developmental causes, it is more often a degenerative condition that affects people who are typically age 60 and older.

Narrowing of the spinal canal usually occurs slowly, over many years or decades. The disks become less spongy with aging, resulting in loss of disk height, and may cause bulging of the hardened disk into the spinal canal. Bone spurs may also occur and ligaments may thicken. All of these can contribute to narrowing of the central canal and may or may not produce symptoms. Symptoms may be due to inflammation, compression of the nerve(s) or both.

More information: aans.org

Symptoms of Lumbar Stenosis

Many people have evidence of spinal stenosis on an MRI or CT scan but may not have symptoms. 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.

• Numbness or tingling in a hand, arm, foot or leg
• Weakness in a hand, arm, foot or leg
• Problems with walking and balance
• Pain or cramping in one or both legs when you stand for long periods of time or when you walk, which usually eases when you bend forward or sit
• Neck or back pain
• In severe cases, bowel or bladder dysfunction (urinary urgency and incontinence)

More information: mayoclinic.org

Lumbar Stenosis Treatment Options

Treatment options are best handled on a case by case basis – ranging from conservative to surgical depending on symptoms. If there isn’t significant functional impairment from activities of daily life (ADLs), a conservative approach would be recommended. If there is functional impairment, more definitive interventions will be recommended. Common treatments for lumbar stenosis include:

• Assessing fitness level. Can exercises help spine and neck muscles?
• Physical therapy for more formal exercise management and training.
• Oral medications to manage symptoms, as long as there isn’t risk for further deterioration.
• Epidural steroid injections can be very helpful and provide excellent relief that can last multiple weeks/months to many years in some cases.
• If an impairment exists, varying levels and degrees of surgery may be recommended as a treatment option for lumbar stenosis.

To determine your best treatment option for lumbar stenosis, please call us at (860) 872-6229 or request an appointment online today.