Spinal Stenosis Symptoms

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on the nerves that move through the spine. Spinal stenosis occurs most often in the lower back and the neck. Few  people with spinal stenosis may not have symptoms. Others may experience pain, tingling, numbness and muscle weakness. Symptoms can worsen over time.

Types of spinal stenosis: –The types of spinal stenosis are distinguished  according to where on the spine the condition occurs. It’s possible to have more than one type. The two important  main types of spinal stenosis are:

• Cervical stenosis.In this situation , the narrowing occurs in the part of the spine in your neck.
• Lumbar stenosis.In this situation , the narrowing occurs in the part of the spine in your lower back. It’s the most common form of spinal stenosis.

Symptoms

Several  people have evidence of spinal stenosis on an MRI or CT scan but may not have symptoms. When they do occur, they often start gradually and worsen over time. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the stenosis and which nerves are affected.

In the neck (cervical spine)

• Numbness or tingling in a hand, arm, foot or leg
• Weakness in a hand, arm, foot or leg.(Rarely occurs).
• Issued with walking and balance
• Neck pain
• In complicated cases, bowel or bladder dysfunction (urinary urgency and incontinence)

In the lower back (lumbar spine)

• Numbness or tingling in a foot or leg
• Weakness in a foot or leg
• Pain or cramping in one or both legs when you stand for long periods of time or when you walk, which usually eases when you bend forward or sit
• Back pain