What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?
Depending on where and how severe your spinal stenosis is, you might feel the following in your neck, back, arms, legs, hands or feet:
Spinal stenosis usually develops slowly over time. For this reason, you may not have any symptoms for a while, even if it shows up on X-rays or other imaging tests. Symptoms may come and go and affect each person differently.
Symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis
Symptoms of lumbar (low back) spinal stenosis include:
- Pain in your low back.
- Pain that begins in your buttocks and extends down your leg. It may continue into your foot.
- A heavy feeling in your legs, which may lead to cramping in one or both legs.
- Numbness or tingling (“pins and needles”) in your buttocks, leg or foot.
- Pain that worsens when you stand for long periods of time, walk or walk downhill.
- Pain that lessens when you lean forward, walk uphill or sit.
Symptoms of cervical spinal stenosis
You can feel symptoms of cervical spinal stenosis anywhere below the point of the nerve compression in your neck. Symptoms include:
- Neck pain.
- Numbness or tingling in your arm, hand, leg or foot.
- Weakness or clumsiness in your arm, hand, leg or foot.
- Balance problems.
- Decreased function in your hands, like having issues writing or buttoning shirts.
What does spinal stenosis pain feel like?
Pain from spinal stenosis can feel different from person to person. Some describe it as a dull ache or tenderness. Others describe it as an electric-like or burning sensation. The pain can come and go.
What causes spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis has several causes. Many different changes or injuries in your spine can cause a narrowing of your spinal canal. The causes are split into two main groups:
- Acquired (developing after birth).
- Congenital (from birth).
Acquired spinal stenosis is more common. It usually happens from “wear and tear” changes that naturally occur in your spine as you age. Only 9% of cases result from congenital causes.
Acquired causes of spinal stenosis
Acquired spinal stenosis means you develop it later in life (after birth) — most commonly after the age of 50. These cases usually happen from an injury or changes in your spine that occur as you age (degenerative changes).
Causes of acquired spinal stenosis include:
- Bone overgrowth: Osteoarthritis is the “wear and tear” condition that breaks down the cartilage in your joints, including your spine. Cartilage is the protective covering of joints. As your cartilage wears away, your bones begin to rub against each other. Your body responds by growing new bone. Bone spurs, or an overgrowth of bone, commonly form. Bone spurs on your vertebrae extend into your spinal canal, narrowing the space and pinching nerves in your spine. Paget’s disease of the bone can also cause an overgrowth of bone in your spine.
- Bulging or herniated disks: Between each vertebra is a flat, round cushioning pad (vertebral disk) that acts as a shock absorber. As you age, the disks can dry out and flatten. Cracking in the outer edge of the disks can cause the gel-like center to break through. The bulging disk then presses on the nerves near the disk.
- Thickened ligaments: Ligaments are the fiber bands that hold your spine together. Arthritis can cause ligaments to thicken over time and bulge into your spinal canal.
- Spinal fractures and injuries: Broken or dislocated bones in your vertebrae or near your spine can narrow your canal space. Inflammation from injuries near your spine can also cause issues.
- Spinal cysts or tumors: Growths within your spinal cord or between your spinal cord and vertebrae can narrow your spinal canal.
Congenital causes of spinal stenosis
Congenital spinal stenosis affects babies and children. It can happen due to:
Some congenital causes of spinal stenosis include:
- Achondroplasia: A bone growth disorder that results in dwarfism due to a genetic mutation.
- Spinal dysraphism: When the spine, spinal cord or nerve roots don’t form properly during fetal development. Spina bifida and other neural tube defects are examples.
- Congenital kyphosis: When your child’s spine curves outward more than it should. As a result, their upper back looks overly rounded. This happens due to an issue with fetal spine development.
- Congenital short pedicles: When your baby is born with vertebrae pedicles (the bony “sides” of the spinal canal) that are shorter in length. This decreases their spinal canal size.
- Osteopetrosis: A rare genetic condition that causes your child’s bones to grow abnormally and become overly dense.
- Morquio syndrome: A rare genetic condition that affects your child’s bones, spine and other body systems.
- Hereditary multiple exostoses (diaphyseal aclasis): A rare genetic condition that causes several small bone growths (protrusions). They can grow on your child’s vertebrae and affect their spinal canal.
FAQs
Overview. Spinal stenosis happens when the space inside the backbone is too small. This can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that travel through the spine. Spinal stenosis happens most often in the lower back and the neck. Some people with spinal stenosis have no symptoms.
How do you fix spinal stenosis? ›
There is no cure for lumbar spinal stenosis, but your healthcare provider can help you manage the condition. Treatment can include physical therapy, medicine, and sometimes surgery.
How serious is spinal stenosis? ›
Most people with spinal stenosis cannot walk for a long period without having significant pain. More serious symptoms include: Difficulty or poor balance when walking. Problems controlling urine or bowel movements.
What should you avoid doing if you have spinal stenosis? ›
Here are some things to avoid with spinal stenosis.
- High-impact Sports. Road running and other high-impact activities can shock your spinal cord leading to inflammation and pain. ...
- Hyperextension Stretches. ...
- Carrying Heavy Loads. ...
- Sudden Movements. ...
- Remaining Still. ...
- Pushing Through The Pain.
Severe spinal stenosis can lead to partial or complete leg paralysis. This may lead to some individuals using mobility devices such as a wheelchair. However, most people with stenosis regain the use of their legs following surgery, and the outlook is positive depending on their overall health.
At what point does spinal stenosis require surgery? ›
Usually, our spine specialists consider surgery only if symptoms such as weakness, numbness, or pain in the arms or legs indicate severe or progressive nerve or spinal cord compression.
What is the most successful treatment for spinal stenosis? ›
Laminectomy is a surgery that doctors perform to treat spinal stenosis by removing the bony spurs and the bone walls of the vertebrae. This helps to open up the spinal column and remove the pressure on the nerves.
What are the 4 stages of spinal stenosis? ›
There are for main stages: the dysfunction stage, the dehydration stage, the stabilization stage, and the collapsing stage. Most people don't even realize that they're in the dysfunction stage because there is not usually any pain involved, although the spine will start to deform at this stage.
Can sitting make spinal stenosis worse? ›
Symptoms are more likely to be present or get worse when you stand or walk. They often lessen or disappear when you sit down or lean forward. Most people with spinal stenosis cannot walk for a long period without having significant pain.
Can a chiropractor fix spinal stenosis? ›
Yes! Chiropractic care can be incredibly beneficial for spinal stenosis sufferers, especially in the early stages of the condition. If the spinal canal is narrowed due to a herniated disc or misaligned vertebrae, chiropractic adjustments can improve your symptoms at the source by alleviating pressure on the nerves.
In many cases, people with spinal stenosis find that walking uphill, up a flight of stairs, or up an incline may worsen their spinal stenosis symptoms. However, walking may be good for spinal stenosis if it does not cause pain.
How should you sleep with spinal stenosis? ›
Spinal Stenosis
With this condition, it may be preferable to sleep on the sides with the knees curled up (in the fetal position). This helps relieve pressure on the nerve root. Sleeping in a reclining chair or an adjustable bed that allows the head and knees to remain elevated can also relieve pressure on the nerve.
What foods make spinal stenosis worse? ›
On the other hand, certain foods, such as those high in refined sugars, trans fats, and highly processed ingredients, can contribute to inflammation and worsen spinal stenosis pain.
What are the three stages of stenosis? ›
Stage 1: Dysfunction stage, in which the spine loses protection from shock, and you may have mild pain. Stage 2: Dehydration stage, in which you continue to lose function and may experience moderate pain. Stage 3: Stabilization stage, during which spinal stenosis occurs, and you may feel severe pain.
How do you stop spinal stenosis from progressing? ›
Spinal stenosis can't be cured but responds to treatment.
"Unfortunately, nothing can stop the progression of spinal stenosis, since it is due to daily wear and tear," said Dr. Hennenhoefer. "The symptoms of spinal stenosis typically respond to conservative treatments, including physical therapy and injections."
Is coffee bad for spinal stenosis? ›
Caffeine: While caffeine is known to boost energy levels, it can have adverse effects on individuals with lumbar stenosis. Caffeine can cause dehydration, making muscles and joints more prone to tightness and pain.
Can you fix spinal stenosis without surgery? ›
Many people with mild spinal stenosis find that nonsurgical treatments such as pain medication and physical therapy relieve symptoms and help them remain active. NYU Langone spine specialists work with experts in pain management, rehabilitation, and orthotics to create a treatment plan.
Can spinal stenosis be reversed? ›
Once you have spinal stenosis, you're stuck with it to a certain extent. Though there's no way to reverse the damage, you can manage your symptoms effectively with specific treatments. For example, you can manage mild-to-moderate spinal stenosis with medications like anti-inflammatories.
What is the single best exercise for spinal stenosis? ›
#1 Walking For Spinal Stenosis
Walking is good, for spinal stenosis. Once your posture is changed enough the distance that you can walk will increase. If you can walk without pain with your new posture you are ready for the next step.
Is it worth having surgery for spinal stenosis? ›
Most people who have surgery are satisfied with the results. If non-surgical treatments don't work well enough, surgery might help to relieve pain and improve movement. Surgery may relieve pain in the buttock and leg more than it relieves pain in the back.
