Spinal Stenosis โ€“ Symptoms and Causes

ByJanis Updated

Overview

Spinal stenosis occurs when the space within your spine narrows, creating pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This condition most commonly affects the lower back and neck regions.

Many individuals with spinal stenosis experience no symptoms, while others suffer from:

  • Pain
  • Tingling sensations
  • Numbness
  • Muscle weakness

These symptoms typically worsen gradually over time.

The primary cause of spinal stenosis is arthritis-related wear-and-tear damage to the spine. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to create more space in the spinal column and relieve pressure on the nerves and spinal cord.

Signs and Pain Patterns

Lower Back Problems

Spinal narrowing in the lower back often leads to pain or cramping in the legs. These feelings may appear in one or both legs when standing for too long or walking.

You might notice the pain gets better when you sit down or lean forward. Some people also feel pain in their lower back area.

Neck Issues

When the spine narrows in the neck area, several problems can happen:

  • Numbness in different body parts.
  • Tingling or weakness that affects the hands, legs, feet, or arms.
  • Balance problems that make walking difficult.
  • Pain in the neck area.
  • Bowel or bladder control issues.

These symptoms typically start slowly and grow worse over time. Some people with spinal narrowing may not notice any symptoms at all.

Causes

Spinal stenosis happens when the open space in your spine gets smaller. This space, called the spinal canal, holds your spinal cord. While some people are born with a narrow canal, most cases develop over time due to other issues.

Bone Overgrowth

  • Extra bone growth (bone spurs) can push into the spinal canal
  • Arthritis often causes this bone overgrowth
  • Pagetโ€™s disease can also trigger unwanted bone growth

Disk Problems

Spinal disks act as cushions between your vertebrae. If a disk herniates (bulges out), its soft inner material can press against nerves or the spinal cord.

Ligament Changes

As we age, the cords that link our spinal vertebrae can become rigid and thickened. These thickened ligaments may extend into the spinal canal, reducing available space.

Other Causes

  1. Tumors (rare) โ€“ Abnormal growths inside the spinal canal.
  2. Injuries โ€“ Broken or displaced vertebrae from accidents.
  3. Surgical swelling โ€“ Tissue inflammation after back operations.

When any of these causes reduce the available space, pressure builds on these sensitive structures, leading to stenosis symptoms.

Risk Factors

People over 50 years old face a higher chance of developing spinal stenosis. This condition mainly affects older adults.

Meanwhile, younger individuals with spine issues like scoliosis may also be at risk. Age-related changes to the spine make older adults more vulnerable to this condition.

Health Writer

Janis's areas of expertise include nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental health. She is passionate about educating and empowering people to take control of their health and make positive changes that can last a lifetime. Janis believes that small, sustainable changes are the key to long-term success, and she works with her clients to develop personalized plans that fit their individual needs and lifestyles.