Spinal canal stenosis is one of the most common causes of chronic lower back pain, especially in adults over the age of 60.
What is spinal canal stenosis?
Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, which is the space inside the spine where the spinal nerves pass through. When this space gets smaller, the nerves can get squeezed, causing pain and other symptoms.
It can be caused by:
- Natural aging of the spine
- Osteoarthritis of the vertebral joints
- Ddisc herniation
- Thickening of the ligaments
- Spondylolisthesis (slippage of a vertebra)
How can spinal stenosis be recognized?
- Pain in the lower back and/or legs
- Cramps, tingling, or weakness in the legs, often bilateral
- Worsening of symptoms when walking or standing for long periods of time
- Improvement in pain when bending forward or sitting down (e.g., leaning on a shopping cart)
This clinical condition is called neurogenic claudication.
How is it Diagnosed?
The diagnosis is based on:
- Clinical examination by a specialist physician
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or CT scan: these show the narrowing of the canal and compression of the nerves.
What treatments are available?
Conservative treatment
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Targeted physical therapy (posture, mobility, strength)
- Epidural corticosteroid injections, useful for reducing inflammation and improving symptoms
Prognosis
Many patients improve with non-surgical treatments. In other cases, surgery can offer lasting relief, especially if the nerve compression is significant.