Spinal stenosis is often a chronic condition, so it may require lifelong treatment if your symptoms impact your quality of life. The severity of symptoms will range widely for each person.

Researchers estimate that approximately 1 in 10 people over 60 years old living in the United States have spinal stenosis. The majority of these individuals don’t experience symptoms, so they don’t require treatment.

In some cases, however, spinal stenosis may become disabling.

Severe spinal stenosis can affect your ability to perform daily tasks, such as walking and bending over. It’s often linked with depression, which can further impact quality of life.

Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal narrows due to degenerative changes in the spinal area, often involving bone spurs, ligament thickening, and degeneration of the vertebral discs.

As the spinal canal narrows, it can compress several nerves, potentially leading to symptoms like pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the lower back and lower extremities. In severe cases, these symptoms can make it difficult to perform daily tasks, such as standing, bending, and walking, and impact your gait.

In rare cases, compression of the spinal nerves may lead to cauda equina syndrome (CES), a severe medical condition that can lead to physical disability.

While experts suggest that spinal stenosis can’t be completely prevented, some treatments can help manage symptoms and slow down the progression to reduce the risk of disability. These may include:

If you experience lower back pain, weakness in the lower body, or other symptoms of spinal stenosis, speak with a primary care doctor. They can help develop a treatment plan for you and refer you to other specialists, such as physical therapists, neurologists, and mental health professionals, among others.

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing disability and enhancing your quality of life.

Find a medical specialist in your area today

Your healthcare team may comprise several people who can provide support.

Sometimes, a medical specialist will be required to help diagnose, manage, or treat a healthcare condition.

You can find the following medical specialists in your area today: