What Is Spinal Stenosis? Understanding the Condition Behind Your Leg Pain

Spinal stenosis is a common but painful musculoskeletal condition that affects about 10% of adults 50 and older, and the actual number may be higher. It often causes back and neck pain, and as it worsens, it can lead to leg pain, tingling, and numbness, which disrupts mobility.

At Palm Beach Pain Institute in Delray Beach, Florida, board-certified pain management physician Marcie Merson, MD, regularly diagnoses and treats spinal stenosis. Read on to learn what spinal stenosis is, some of its common risk factors, and treatment options.

What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal column, which is the space around your spinal cord. Some people are born with small spinal canals, but spinal stenosis usually develops when age-related changes, injuries, or other conditions reduce the space in the spinal canal. 

Spinal stenosis can affect the neck, mid-back (thoracic spine), or lower back (lumbar spine). When the lower back is affected, it can place pressure on the nerves in the buttocks and legs, resulting in leg pain and mobility issues. 

Causes and risk factors for spinal stenosis

The natural aging process is the reason for most cases of spinal stenosis. As you age, your spine experiences various changes. For example, the spinal ligaments can thicken, stiffen, and push into the spinal canal. Osteoarthritis, which wears down cartilage, can make your back bones rub against each other. This issue can also lead to bone spurs, hard growths that can push into the spinal canal and place pressure on nerves or other soft tissues.

Everyone experiences some spine degeneration over the years, but these issues typically don’t cause spinal stenosis until after middle age. That’s why people 50 and older are most likely to develop the condition.

Symptoms to watch for

Spinal stenosis can be challenging to identify early. Still, specific symptoms can help you be aware, including:

• Leg pain or cramping while walking (neurogenic claudication)
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs or feet
• Bowel or bladder changes (in severe cases)

Narrowing in the mid or upper back can also cause pain, tingling, or numbness in the arms, shoulders, or neck.

Another telltale sign of spinal stenosis is pain that worsens during activity. Typically, the pain eases when sitting or bending forward, but flares again during walking or exercise.  

Diagnosis and treatment

If we suspect spinal stenosis is causing your leg pain, we complete a physical exam and order diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays or an MRI. This step enables us to assess the space around your spine and discover issues that could be contributing to your symptoms, such as bone spurs or a herniated disc.

After confirming your diagnosis, we make personalized treatment recommendations, emphasizing noninvasive and minimally invasive therapies whenever possible. Depending on the severity of your leg pain, we might suggest:

• Physical therapy, including targeted stretches and strengthening exercises
• Osteopathic manual therapy (OMT)
• Activity changes to ease pressure on your spine
• Epidural steroid injections
• Facet joint injections
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Medication management

Most people benefit from a combination of treatments. We monitor your symptoms at regular checkups and adjust your care plan as needed to reduce pain and support your mobility.

Schedule a spinal stenosis evaluation

Because spinal stenosis presents similar symptoms to many back-related issues, the best way to determine if you’re at risk is to schedule a professional evaluation. To request your consultation and explore treatment options, make an appointment today by calling our office at 561-499-7020 or booking online.