What is Spinal Stenosis?

One of the most common diagnoses we manage in our neurosurgical practice is spinal stenosis. It affects a wide age range of both men and women. But what does it mean? To understand this diagnosis, first a quick anatomy lesson. Your spine is made up of many separate bones, stacked on top of each other with cushioned discs in between. When stacked, these vertebral bones form a tunnel, called the spinal canal that protects the spinal cord. The spinal cord is a highway of nerves that travels through this tunnel. Typically, this fluid-filled tunnel is spacious, with plenty of room for the spinal cord and exiting nerves to travel through. From there, the nerves connect to our arms, legs, and organs.

Stenosis is a fancy medical term for narrowing. Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows, causing this tunnel to compress on the spinal cord and/or nerves. The narrowing can be the result of “bone spurs” formed from the vertebra or shrinking of the discs, making the space between your vertebra smaller. This narrowing can be very painful and is one of the most common causes of neck, back, arm, and leg pain, depending on the location of the stenosis. It can occur in any part of your spine, but is most common in the lumbar area.

Spinal stenosis ranges from mild to severe and is often caused by age-related degenerative changes, or wear and tear, to the spine. Besides pain, spinal stenosis can also present with numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness. In severe cases it can cause loss of bowel and bladder function.

There are many conservative management options for spinal stenosis, including medications and steroid injections. Sometimes, however, based on severity or compounding problems such as trauma, surgical intervention becomes necessary. 

The goal of surgery is to create more space in the tunnel, allowing the spinal cord and/or nerves more room to travel without irritation. If you are suffering from pain related to a diagnosis of spinal stenosis we highly recommend a consultation with Dr. Mulholland to discuss treatment options that may be available to you. We’re here to help clarify your diagnosis and work together to figure out the best management options for you!