Spinal stenosis in the lower back can cause pain or cramping in one or both legs. This happens when you stand for a long time or when you walk. Symptoms get better when you bend forward or sit. Some people also have back pain.
Symptoms of spinal stenosis in the lower back can include: Pain in the lower back. Burning pain or ache that radiates down the buttocks and into the legs, that typically worsens with standing or walking and gets better with leaning forward (flexion).
Spinal stenosis can happen in any part of your spine but is most common in the lower back. This part of your spine is called your lumbar area. Five lumbar vertebrae connect your upper spine to your pelvis.
Medical problems that can sometimes mimic spinal stenosis include neuropathy, peripheral artery disease, diabetes-related neuropathy and inflammatory arthritis, such as ankylosing spondylitis.
Red-flag signs and symptoms of spinal stenosis
Rarely, severe spinal stenosis may cause red-flag symptoms, such as bowel and/or bladder incontinence, numbness in the inner thighs and genital area, and/or severe weakness in both legs.
Flare ups may be caused by muscle spasms, which can be caused by bending or twisting suddenly. They may be caused by an additional problem such as a slipped disc. Some patients may just reach a tipping point where their stenosis becomes symptomatic without any identifiable cause or event.
Acetaminophen (eg, Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (eg, Motrin, Advil), and naproxen (eg, Aleve) are examples of OTC analgesics that your doctor may recommend for spinal stenosis.
This condition is called spinal stenosis. Degenerative changes of the spine are seen in up to 95% of people by the age of 50. Spinal stenosis most often occurs in adults over 60.
The latest lumbar spinal stenosis treatment has been referred to with many different names, including non-fusion implant and dynamic stabilization system, among others. These names all refer to devices that are used in place of spinal fusion to provide stability and symptom relief.
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.
Since spinal stenosis is a gradual onset condition, the symptoms tend to start slowly and worsen over time. In fact, spinal stenosis may appear on an MRI or a CT scan without the patient having any symptoms at all.
Magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice to evaluate stenosis and disc pathology. MRI has many advantages: it is noninvasive, has no ionizing radiation, has high sensitivity in diagnosing stenosis, has high soft tissue contrast, and it best depicts cord, nerve roots, and bone marrow abnormalities.
Spinal stenosis is generally not progressive. The pain tends to come and go, but it usually does not progress with time. The natural history with spinal stenosis, in the majority of patients, is that of episodic periods of pain and dysfunction.
Pain from spinal stenosis may flare up whenever the spinal nerves are compressed or irritated, such as when you stand or walk for long periods. Generally, spinal stenosis isn't progressive, meaning that it doesn't gradually worsen over time.
Contact sports like basketball, football, soccer, and martial arts are exercises to avoid with spinal stenosis. These activities can involve sudden trauma to the spine, which may lead to further injury. Activities that involve jumping, such as jumping rope, should be avoided with spinal stenosis.
Stage 3 – Stabilization
Bone spurs continue to grow and can narrow the spinal canal, which presses onto the spinal cord or nerve roots. This condition, called spinal stenosis, triggers pressure that can cause limb pain, tingling, and numbness. During this stage, patients may find they lose control of the legs.
Pain medications may be helpful with relieving spinal stenosis-related back pain, depending on what type of medication it is. Many over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen work well, but there are prescription medications as well, such as Voltaren (diclofenac) and Naproxin (naproxen).
While a spinal stenosis diagnosis will stay with you for life, many patients with spinal stenosis live life in the absence of pain or with minimal symptoms, thanks to a variety of treatment options.
Yes! Walking is a good exercise for spinal stenosis. It's low impact, and you control the pace and distance. If you're able to walk without symptoms, incorporate this activity into your routine.
Diet and exercise
Because additional fat in the body presses down on the spine and makes it support more weight, it aggravates spinal stenosis and may even lead to the condition developing.
To diagnose spinal stenosis, we start by taking your medical history and conducting a physical exam to assess your pain and symptoms. We also use an imaging test, such as an X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, or computerized tomography (CT) scan.
Additional symptoms of spinal stenosis, generally as a result of spinal nerve root involvement within the lumbar spinal canal, may include general discomfort, weakness in the legs, numbness, or paresthesias.
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.
Lying down or bending backwards also can make their symptoms worse. People can have difficulty sleeping in bed and resort to sleeping in their recliner in a partial sitting position. In severe cases people can develop problems with bladder control. Some people also experience back pain but many do not.