What are the common complications of spinal stenosis?

Weakness: Spinal stenosis complications depend on the region of the stenosis. Weakness, numbness. Tingling, paralysis, incontinence of bowel and bladder are all known complications. Talk with your doctor about specific complications based on the location of your stenosis.

Rare in low back but: There are more symptoms rather than physical findings of spinal stenosis especially in the low back below the end of spinal cord around l1. There is a lot more forgiving in terms of a narrow canal there as compared to the neck where there can be cord compression leading to myleopathy which can have serious issues of weakness, numbess, balance/dexterity issues, spasticity and bowel/bladder issues.

Function: Gradual loss of function and difficulty staying active. Patients with untreated spinal stenosis will often become more and more sedentary.