What Is Spinal Stenosis?

Lower back pain. Cramping in one or both legs. Numbness, tingling or weakness in a hand, leg, foot or arm. Problems with walking and balance. Neck pain. Problems with the bowel or bladder.

Do these sound like familiar symptoms? If you’re experiencing symptoms like these, it’s possible that you have spinal stenosis, a condition that occurs when the space inside the backbone is too small, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that travel through the spine.

Spinal stenosis a problem that affect mostly the neck and lower back. While people over the age of 50 are most at risk for developing the condition, younger people may be affected, especially if they have suffered a spinal injury or trauma.

Spinal stenosis is most commonly caused by issues related to arthritis. In addition, spinal stenosis can be caused by things like bone spurs, herniated disks, thick ligaments, spinal injuries or, rarely, a tumor. All of these things can reduce the amount of open space within the spine.

This condition can be diagnosed by your provider using X-ray, MRI or CT technology. Depending on how severe symptoms are, a range of different treatment options are available. In fact, many people have spinal stenosis with no symptoms at all. For non-severe symptoms, your provider may prescribe NSAIDS for pain relief, or other medications. Physical therapy and steroid shots may also be used. Surgery is also an option, though used only when all other methods have been exhausted and when pain is severe.  

Nicole Schelb, A.P.R.N., F.N.P.-C., M.S.N., is a certified nurse practitioner with MyMichigan's Spine and Pain Program.