The Spine

Spinal Stenosis

Patients with symptoms of pain in legs, inability to walk distances, inability to stand erect or progressive weakness in the legs may be suffering from spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis most commonly occurs as a result of degenerative changes in the spine. As a result of bone spurs, the area available for the spinal nerves to the lower extremities is decreased. This causes ischemic changes in those nerves when a person is in the upright or walking position.

Although spinal stenosis may occur as early as 40 years old it has increasing incidence with age and is most common in the elderly population.

Decompression of the spinal canal through surgical means has very good results alleviating the pain in up to 90% of the patients and usually greatly improving the patients walking ability and lifestyle.