Spinal Stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal compresses the nerves inside it. Symptoms often develop gradually and can be mistaken for normal aging.
Also Called: Central canal stenosis, foraminal stenosis, narrowing of the spinal canal, neurogenic claudication (the name for the specific leg-symptom pattern stenosis causes).
What It Is
Stenosis means narrowing. In the spine, it means less room for the spinal cord and nerve roots, usually from a bulging disc, thickened ligament, and enlarged joints crowding the canal. In the lower back it causes pain, heaviness, or cramping in the legs. The symptoms get worse with standing or walking and better with sitting or leaning forward. That pattern helps separate it from leg pain caused by poor circulation.
Causes & Risk Factors
Age-related wear is the main driver: disc bulging, ligament thickening, and joint enlargement. Stenosis is uncommon before middle age and common after it. By age 50 most people show some of these changes on imaging, though only a fraction have symptoms. Some people are born with a narrow canal, so it takes less change to cause symptoms. A slipped vertebra at the same level can narrow the space further.
Symptoms
- In the lower back: pain, cramping, or heaviness in the legs that worsens with walking and improves with sitting
- In the neck: arm symptoms, or in more advanced cases, problems with balance, coordination, and hand function
There's no single right treatment for Spinal Stenosis. The best plan depends on your imaging, your history, and your exam. The next step is a conversation about your specific case.
Dr. Hirsch is board-certified and Yale-trained. Read his full background.