Main content Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Topic Overview

Pictures of the spinal column

Is this topic for you?

This topic is about spinal stenosis of the lower back, also known as the lumbar area. If you need information on spinal stenosis of the neck, see the topic Reference Cervical Spinal Stenosis.

What is lumbar spinal stenosis?

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a Reference narrowing Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window of the Reference spinal canal Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window in the lower back, known as the lumbar area.

This usually happens when bone or tissue—or both—grow in the openings in the spinal bones. This growth can squeeze and irritate nerves that branch out from the Reference spinal cord Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window.

The result can be pain, numbness, or weakness, most often in the legs, feet, and buttocks.

What causes lumbar spinal stenosis?

It's most often caused by changes that can happen as people age. For example:

Connective tissues called Reference ligaments Opens New Window get thicker.
Reference Arthritis Opens New Window leads to the growth of bony spurs that push on the nerves that branch out from the spinal cord.
Discs between the bones may be pushed backward into the spinal canal.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include:

Numbness, weakness, cramping, or pain in the legs, feet, or buttocks. These symptoms get worse when you walk, stand straight, or lean backward. The pain gets better when you sit down or lean forward.
Stiffness in the legs and thighs.
Low back pain.
In severe cases, loss of bladder and bowel control.

Symptoms may be severe at times and not as bad at other times. Most people aren't severely disabled. In fact, many people don't have symptoms at all.

How is lumbar spinal stenosis diagnosed?

Your doctor can tell if you have it by asking questions about your symptoms and past health and by doing a physical exam.

You will probably need imaging tests such as an Reference MRI Opens New Window, a Reference CT scan Opens New Window, and sometimes Reference X-rays Opens New Window.

How is it treated?

You can most likely control mild to moderate symptoms with pain medicines, exercise, and Reference physical therapy Opens New Window. Your doctor may also give you a spinal shot of Reference corticosteroid Opens New Window, a medicine that reduces inflammation.

You may need surgery if your symptoms get worse or if they limit what you can do. Surgery to remove bone and tissue that are squeezing the nerve roots can help relieve leg pain and allow you to get back to normal activity. But it may not help back pain as much.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning about lumbar spinal stenosis:	Reference What is lumbar spinal stenosis? Reference What causes it? Reference What are the symptoms? Reference Can I prevent it? Reference What happens when I have it? Reference What increases my risk for lumbar spinal stenosis? Reference How common is it?
Being diagnosed:	Reference Who can diagnose lumbar spinal stenosis? Reference How is it diagnosed?
Getting treatment:	Reference How is lumbar spinal stenosis treated? Reference Will I need surgery? Reference What medicines will I need to take? Reference What other treatments might be recommended?
Ongoing concerns:	Reference How will I know if it's getting worse? Opens New Window Should I have surgery? Opens New Window
Living with lumbar spinal stenosis:	Reference What can I do at home to feel better? Reference When should I call my doctor?

By:	Reference Healthwise Staff	Last Revised: Reference February 13, 2012
Medical Review:	Reference William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine Reference Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.