Spinal stenosis Health Article

Definition

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of areas in the lumbar (back) or cervical (neck) spine, which causes pressure on the spinal cord or one or more of the spinal nerves.

Alternative Names

Pseudo-claudication; Central spinal stenosis; Foraminal spinal stenosis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Spinal stenosis may be caused by:

• Arthritis involving the spine, usually in middle-aged or elderly people
• Herniated or slipped disk
• Injury that causes pressure on the nerve roots or the spinal cord itself
• Defect in the spine that was present from birth (congenital defect)
• Tumors in the spine
• Paget's disease of bone
• Achondroplasia

Symptoms

Often, symptoms will be present and gradually worsen over time. Most often, symptoms will be on one side of the body or the other.

• Numbness, cramping, or pain in the back, buttocks, thighs, or calves, or in the neck, shoulders, or arms
• Weakness of a portion of a leg or arm

Symptoms are more likely to be present or get worse when you stand or walk upright. They will often lessen or disappear when you sit down or lean forward. Most people with spinal stenosis cannot walk for a long period of time.

More serious symptoms include:

• Difficulty or imbalance when walking
• Problems controlling urine or bowel movements
• Problems urinating or having a bowel movement