Lumbar spinal stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis is narrowing around the nerves in the low back. Many people notice leg heaviness, pain, or numbness that worsens with standing or walking and eases with sitting or leaning forward.

What it feels like

A grocery-cart pattern is classic: walking brings on leg symptoms, and flexing forward or sitting brings relief.

Symptoms may include aching, tingling, or a heavy feeling in one or both legs. Back pain can be present but is not always the main complaint.

Night symptoms and variable day-to-day intensity are common as activity demands change.

What is going on

Disc height loss, facet overgrowth, and ligament thickening can crowd the canal or the lateral recesses over time.

Neurogenic claudication comes from nerve compression and reduced space with upright posture.

Vascular claudication can look similar; we sort circulation questions when the story overlaps.

How we evaluate

Walking tolerance, relief with flexion, and neurologic exam guide the first pass.

MRI helps define the level and severity of narrowing when intervention or surgery is on the table.

We also evaluate hip arthritis and peripheral vascular clues that can mimic stenosis.

What we may offer

Flexion-biased exercise, pacing strategies, and therapy often help people stay active.

Epidural steroid injections may reduce nerve inflammation for selected symptomatic stenosis.

Persistent limitation despite nonoperative care may lead to a surgical decompression discussion.

Is stenosis the same as arthritis of the spine?

They are related. Degenerative changes can produce stenosis, but arthritis can also cause axial facet pain without significant canal narrowing.

Why does leaning on a shopping cart help?

Forward flexion can slightly open space around the nerves, which is why that posture often eases neurogenic symptoms.

Can injections widen the canal?

No. They may calm irritated nerves so walking and rehab are more tolerable while we manage the condition.

When is surgery considered?

When symptoms meaningfully limit life despite a solid nonoperative plan, or when neurologic findings warrant it.