At rest, these symptoms usually subside. Associated with wear and tear on the spine, these symptoms are related to irritation of the nerves in the spinal canal. The irritation becomes more painful with standing or walking, because of compression or stretching of the nerves. The treatment for spinal stenosis depends on the severity of the symptoms and the individual's age and overall health. If symptoms do not improve, medications or epidural injection treatments may be recommended.
Surgery is often the last option and is recommended when symptoms are severe or progressive.
The surgical procedure frees nerves in the spinal canal by removing pieces of bone and thickened tissues such as ligaments. A spinal fusion may also be necessary to stabilize the spine. Just click on the appropriate link below to send your question. A member of our medical staff or affiliated professional will answer it, and we'll post the reply. We can't discuss specifics or provide a diagnosis on this page, and information on this site is intended for items of general interest only.