Lumbar spinal stenosis

Overview

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve-root canals, most often from degenerative change. It typically affects older adults and produces leg pain, heaviness or tingling that comes on with standing and walking and eases with sitting or bending forward.

Symptoms

• Leg pain or heaviness brought on by walking (neurogenic claudication)
• Relief when sitting or leaning forward
• Tingling or numbness in both legs
• Reduced walking tolerance over time

Causes

• Age-related degenerative changes
• Thickened ligaments and bony overgrowth
• Disc bulging contributing to canal narrowing

Treatment

• Flexion-based exercise and activity pacing
• Cardiovascular conditioning (e.g. cycling)
• Strength work for the trunk and legs
• Surgical opinion if symptoms are severe or progressive