The lack of space can also cause the supply of blood and oxygen to the spinal cord to be reduced. When the spine needs more blood flow during increased activity, the blood vessels may not be able to swell to get more blood to the spine. This can lead to numbness and pain in the nerves that are affected. In addition, the nerves lose some of their mobility when the space available to them is reduced. This leads to irritation and inflammation of the nerves.
Stenosis can occur in all areas of the spine, but it is most common in the lumbar spine.
The main symptoms of spinal stenosis include a sensation of heaviness, weakness, and pain with walking or prolonged standing. With rest, these symptoms often disappear. These symptoms occur because the nerve roots are being tampered with, upsetting the normal signals that travel from the brain to the body. Irritation of the nerves in the spinal canal is worse when standing or walking due to the mechanical compression and stretching of the nerves. Before a health care professional can diagnose your condition and design a treatment plan, a complete history and physical examination are necessary.