Lumbar spinal stenosis is a fairly common problem that affects older people. It usually starts to have an impact when people reach their 40s, and it can become common as the years go by. Spinal stenosis is the gradual narrowing of the spinal column. Lumbar stenosis is more common and less severe than cervical stenosis.
Limited Movement
One of the earliest symptoms associated with lumbar stenosis is a loss of agility and movement. If you have been a runner, you'll notice that you have a hard time keeping up the pace you once had or running for the type of distance that you could earlier. A general fatigue may set in much earlier then it had before the onset of stenosis. It can be quite concerning because you may not feel any other discomfort, but you realize you can't do all of the activities you once did for as long as you could. The lack of stamina and endurance may mean that you should be checked out by your physician.
Pain in the Legs
Pain in the legs, known as sciatica, is a very common symptom of spinal stenosis. This pain can range from a dull and persistent ache to a sharp pain that forces you into a sitting or prone position. What is particularly notable about this pain is that as the nerves in the lumbar area get compressed, little pain is felt in the lumbar area. Instead, this pain is referred to the legs. Many people go to the physician's office thinking they have a leg problem, only to find out that the pain is the result of spinal stenosis.
Foot Numbness
In addition to leg pain, the patient may lose feeling in one or more of his toes. This may come and go, but it's more likely to become a long-term condition. When one toe is numb, you can usually find a way to get around and walk or run, but when it becomes two or more toes, all of these movements become much more difficult. In addition to numbness, you may feel a loss of strength in your toes as well.
