And, they can walk extended distances with the addition of cane or something to lean on. Many people with spinal stenosis can ride a bike, walk up an incline, or flight of stairs without any pain. Flexing or bending over reduce the symptoms of spinal stenosis. Certain postures increase the space between the vertebrae and release the constrictions placed on the nerves, thus reducing the symptoms of spinal stenosis. Symptoms of the spinal stenosis include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the lower extremities. Sitting is easier than standing for people with spinal stenosis. Pain in the buttocks, thighs, or legs are the other symptoms that may develop with standing or walking and improves with rest. Mild discomfort in the lower back or having trouble walking are two common symptoms. Whether it is physical compression of the nerve root or a reduction in blood supply, symptoms include pain and numbness in either or both legs and back. Pain in the buttocks or leg is a common symptom of lumbar spinal stenosis and may be associated with the reduction of the blood supply to the nerve roots.

Rare conditions such as tumours, abscesses, spinal curvature, and metabolic syndromes can result in spinal stenosis. Age, degenerative causes such as osteoarthritis, and bony processes are the most common, but some people are born with a smaller spinal canal than normal and this is called Congenital Stenosis. Spinal stenosis may be caused by a number of diseases, injuries, or conditions. Size and age of the spinal canal determine the severity of the stenosis. Herniated discs or bony protrusions are the most common reasons in these cases. This narrowing may compress your spinal cord and/or spinal nerves and can develop at various points. Spinal stenosis happens when the bony openings for your spinal nerves (foramen) and/or the spinal cord (central canal) become narrow. When they are compressed outside of the foramen, this is called Lateral stenosis and is the most common form of Lumbar stenosis.ДЄnother form of stenosis is termed foraminal stenosis and is the result of nerve roots getting caught or compressed within the spinal canal. Spinal stenosis causes a constriction of the space in the spinal canal. The lateral foramen or openings are where the individual nerve roots exit out to the body. Stenosis may occur in the central spinal canal (central stenosis) where the spinal cord and the cauda equina are located. As the ligaments of the spinal column become stiff and thicker with age, more narrowing occurs which may cause impingement on the nerve roots and spinal cord.

Stenosis of the spine