Health Encyclopedia

Spinal stenosis

Definition

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the lumbar (back) or cervical (neck) spinal canal, which causes compression of the nerve roots.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Spinal stenosis mainly affects middle-aged or elderly people. It may be caused by osteoarthritis or Paget's disease or by an injury that causes pressure on the nerve roots or the spinal cord itself.

Symptoms

Back pain that spreads to the legs
Difficulty or imbalance when walking
Leg pain
Neck pain
Numbness in the buttocks, thighs or calves, that is worse with standing, walking, or exercise
Pain in the buttocks, thighs, or calves that is worse with walking or exercise
Weakness of the legs

Signs and tests

Neurological examination confirms leg weakness and decreased sensation in the legs.

EMG may show neurological changes.
Spinal MRI or spinal CT scan shows spinal stenosis.
X-ray of the spine shows degenerative changes and narrowed spinal canal.

Treatment

Generally, conservative management is encouraged. This involves the use of anti-inflammatory medications, other pain relievers, and possibly steroid injections. If the pain is persistent and does not respond to these measures, surgery is considered to relieve the pressure on the nerves.

Surgery is performed on the neck or lower back, depending on the site of the nerve compression.

Expectations (prognosis)

If the nerve roots can be successfully relieved of pressure, the symptoms will not worsen and may improve.

Complications

Injury can occur to the legs or feet due to lack of sensation. Infections may get worse because pain related to them may not be felt. Changes caused by nerve compression may be permanent, even if the pressure is relieved.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of spinal stenosis.

Review Date:5/12/2008
Reviewed By:Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.