Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spine becomes narrowed. It can occur in the center of the spine, in the areas where nerves branch off the spine, or between the vertebrae. Spinal stenosis typically occurs in people over the age of fifty, although younger people with narrow spines or who have an injury to their spines can also develop it.
Leg Pain or Cramping
Symptoms of spinal stenosis include pain and cramping in the legs, which is also known as false claudication or pseudoclaudication. This symptom usually manifests when the patient has been standing or walking for an extended period of time. It is the result of compressed nerves in the lower part of the spine. Pseudoclaudication (from spinal stenosis) differs from another source of similar symptoms (called vascular claudication) by what aggravates and relieves the pain. Pseudoclaudication gets worse when walking downhill and can be relieved by bending forward or sitting down. Vascular claudication, on the other hand, is aggravated by walking uphill and can be relieved by standing still.
Shoulder and Neck Pain
Another symptom of spinal stenosis is pain in the shoulders and neck. This is the result of compressed cervical nerves (nerves in the upper back) which provide ennervation to these areas. This pain may be constant or intermittent. In some cases it can extend to the hand or arm. Headaches and weakness of the neck and shoulder muscles can also result. If spinal stenosis also affects the spinal cord, it can result in weakness in the lower body, which can cause problems with walking.
Balance Problems
Sometimes spinal stenosis can affect the nerves that help the body balance. This can cause patients to fall frequently, be clumsy, and have difficulty walking.
Back and Hip Pain
Spinal stenosis can also cause pain in the back or hip. This is caused by compressed nerves in the lower spine and causes pain that begins in the buttocks or hip that then radiates down the back of the leg. This pain usually occurs only on one side and gets worse when the patient sits down. It can also cause numbness, tingling or weakness in the leg or foot on the affected side.
Bladder and Bowel Symptoms
One complication of severe spinal stenosis is a condition known as cauda equina syndrome. With cauda equina syndrome, the nerves that control the bladder and bowel become pinched off. As a result, patients may experience loss of control of their bladders and/or bowels, leading to incontinence.
