A 41-year-old member asked:
I need a straight answer. what is back spinal stenosis?
7 doctor answers • 17 doctors weighed in
Dr. Lori Wagneranswered
Internal Medicine 29 years experience
Ligament hypertrophy: The ligamentum flavum runs along the back of the spinal canal; with time and degenerative damage (felt to be relatively the same mechanism of disease as osteoarthritis), this ligament gets thicker and presses in on the spinal cord. Due to the nature of the disease, however, it is relatively slowly progressive, and often responds to physical therapy and pain medications as needed.
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6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Arthur Hoffmananswered
Psychiatry 59 years experience
OK: A narrowing of the spinal or vertebral column. Your backbone. The space of bone containing and protecting your spinal nervous system. Serious; please speak with your doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Kevin Vaughtanswered
30 years experience
Common problem: Lumbar spinal stenosis is a common problem especially for those older than 50. It can be managed conservatively in many patients for years. If surgery becomes necessary, it can be planned on an elective basis. Check out spine-health.Com.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Paul Grin commented
Pain Management 38 years experience
Great explanation. Thank you Dr. Kevin Vaught for sharing.
May 18, 2014
Dr. Jeffrey Kassanswered
Podiatry 30 years experience
The vertebrae: Or bones in the back have narrowed in the center where the nerves from the spinal cord run through.
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4.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. J. Alex Thomasanswered
19 years experience
Narrowing: Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, usually by chronic, degenerative conditions such as degenerative disc disease and arthritis. Stenosis in the lumbar spine causes compression of the nerve roots in the spinal canal which leads to pain in the legs with walking that gets better with rest. Stenosis in the neck causes compression of the spinal cord and can be much more serious.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Patrick Rothanswered
Neurosurgery 36 years experience
A narrow canal: Spinal stenosis is simply a narrow canal. You can be born with it or acquire it through arthritis of the spine. Often, if the canal is narrow enough, symptoms develop. The most common symptom is back pain or leg pain that occurs when standing or walking and is relieved by sitting. Spinal stenosis can occur without symptoms, however. Spinal stenosis can also occur in the neck.
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4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Shon Cookanswered
Neurosurgery 19 years experience
Narrowing: Stenosis is just another word for narrowing. Lumbar stenosis means the canal that the nerves to your legs goes through is narrow. That only matters if it is narrowed enough to compress the nerves. If the nerves are not compressed, then the stenosis is irrelevant. If the nerves are compressed, and your legs go to sleep and hurt when you stand or walk, then surgery will decompress the nerves.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Andrew Seibert commented
Gastroenterology 37 years experience
This picture is of an esophageal stenosis, not a spinal stenosis, but the idea is the same.
May 30, 2014
Similar questions
CA
A 25-year-old member asked:
What are the symptoms of back spinal stenosis?
4 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Djamchid Lotfianswered
Neurology 60 years experience
Many: Bachache, root pain baladder and bowl symptoms and sensory symptoms. Typically symptom are worsened after physical activity.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
How should I treat back spinal stenosis?
5 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Lori Wagneranswered
Internal Medicine 29 years experience
Physical therapy: Physical therapy and pain medications (as needed) are appropriate first line. Spinal stenosis due to degenerative changes is relatively slowly progressive. If necessary, decompression laminectomy can be performed; but it is better to wait till it is truly necessary.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated May 11, 2016
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