|  | Conditions Treatments | Skeletal Disorders

What Is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows. When this narrowing is in the lower back it is lumbar spinal stenosis. It is a normal part of the aging process. About 400,000 Americans have lumbar spinal stenosis.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms include back pain, burning pain in the butt and legs, numbness and tingling in the butt and legs and leg weakness. Patients may have less pain when they sit or lean forward.

    Those Affected

    • Lumbar spinal stenosis mainly affects those over the age of 60. Men and women are equally affected by lumbar spinal stenosis, but women usually require more treatment.

    Congenital Spinal Stenosis

    • Most cases of lumbar spinal stenosis are age related, but a small percentage of patients are born with back problems which lead to stenosis. Congenital spinal stenosis is more common in men.

    Degenerative Spondylolisthesis

    • Degenerative spondylolisthesis is a type of lumbar spinal stenosis where one vertebra slips over another vertebra. It is caused by osteoarthritis.

    Degenerative Scoliosis

    • Degenerative scoliosis is another type of lumbar spinal stenosis in which there is curvature of the spine. It affects the lower back and is common among those over 65.

Skeletal Disorders - Related Articles