Explanation about what spinal stenosis on the back area is about (lumbar or thoracic) with links to the lumbar spinal stenosis page and thoracic spinal stenosis page

 

Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis of the back may include:

• Numbness

• Weakness

• Cramping

• Pain in the legs, feet or buttocks.

 

 Symptoms can also include:

• Stiffness in your legs and thighs

• Low back pain

• Loss of bladder and bowel control.

 

 In some cases, the severity of symptoms may not relate to the degree of the narrowing of the spinal canal as seen on imaging tests. You may have very severe symptoms, but tests show relatively little narrowing of the spinal canal. Or you may have mild symptoms, but tests show a significant narrowing of the spinal canal. So treatment is based not only on imaging test results, but also on how bad your symptoms are and how they impact your normal daily activities and quality of life.

 

If you have tried nonsurgical treatment for a period of time as determined by your doctor but your symptoms have not improved, surgery may be considered.

• Imaging tests such as MRI or CT scan: To determine the amount and location of narrowing of the spinal canal.

• Before making a decision about surgery, discuss the severity of your symptoms and the imaging test results with your doctor.

 

Surgery may be recommended if you:

• Have severe symptoms of pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs that restricts normal daily activities and quality of life.

• Conservative treatments are unsuccessful.

• Are in otherwise good health and do not have other medical conditions that might make it harder for you to have and recover from surgery.

For people with severe symptoms, surgery can relieve pain and improve walking ability. But symptoms may return after several years. About 10% to 20% of people who have had surgery need to have surgery again.

 

Surgery:

The main type of surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis is Decompressive Laminectomy, which relieves the pressure on the spinal cord or the spinal nerve roots.  Laminectomy removes part of the vertebra (bone and/or fibrous tissue) to create space for the nerves.