Lumbar Stenosis Symptoms

Lumbar stenosis occurs when the spinal column begins to narrow, compressing the nerves that pass through the lower back to the legs. The condition often occurs in older people due to hardening of discs between vertebrae in the spine. According to the American Academy of Neurological Surgeons, an estimated 400,000 people in the United States over age 60 may be suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis.

Leg Pain and Sciatica

• Although it is possible to have lumbar stenosis and not notice any pain, most people experience some degree of pain and discomfort. You may feel pain or a burning sensation radiating down the nerve pathway to the buttocks, thighs, calves or feet. When pain shoots down your legs, it is referred to as sciatica. You may notice that your symptoms may become worse the longer you sit or stand and you may find some relief from bending forward. When you bend forward, increased space is created in the spine, relieving some of the nerve compression.

Back Pain

• Pain may also be felt in the lower back. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, arthritis is a common cause of stenosis in the spine. When spinal discs start to degenerate during the aging process, some of the water content is lost. As discs dry out, they become weak and can settle or collapse, causing arthritis and pain in the lower back. When you develop arthritis in your spine, the ligaments and bones in that make up the vertebrae begin to thicken and protrude into the spinal canal, resulting in the narrowing of the spinal canal and compression of the nerves.

Weakness

• Lumbar stenosis can cause weakness in one or both legs. Foot drop can also occur. During foot drop, the foot slaps against the ground while you are walking. These symptoms occur when the nerves are continually compressed, resulting in irritation and inflammation.

Numbness and Tingling

• If pressure on the spinal nerves is not relieved, you may eventually experience tingling and numbness in your buttocks, legs or feet. The numbness may be accompanied by a burning sensation. In some cases, spinal nerve compression is so severe that you may have difficulty walking. Some people even experience loss of bladder or bowel function due to nerve compression.

Relieving Symptoms

• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs can be helpful in relieving the pain of lumbar stenosis. If pain persists, prescription pain relievers may be necessary. Exercises and physical therapy may be recommended to stabilize the spine and increase flexibility. In some cases, steroidal epidural injections may be used to reduce pain and swelling. Epidural injections are placed in the space that surrounds the spinal cord. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, injections should be used no more than 3 times per year. While steroid injections help relieve pain and numbness, they won't improve weakness in the legs.

Surgery

• When other treatment methods fail to relieve your pain and symptoms, surgery may be needed. A depression laminectomy can be useful in relieving the compression of the spinal nerves. During surgery, the bone, ligaments and bone spurs compressing the nerves are removed in either an open or minimally-invasive procedure. If your spine has become unstable due to the effects of the spinal stenosis, you may also require a spinal fusion procedure to stabilize the spine. Bone is taken from another part of your body, usually the hip or pelvis, or from a donor, and placed between two weak vertebrae. Over time, the new bone becomes permanently attached to the vertebrae, eliminating any movement between the two vertebrae. Rods and screws may be used to hold the graft in place until fusion occurs.