Spinal Stenosis

Spinal Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that houses the spinal cord. This narrowing can compress the spinal cord and the surrounding nerves causing pain, tingling, or numbness in the legs, arms, or torso. Spinal Stenosis affects men and women equally and usually occurs in people over the age of 50. Most often, Spinal Stenosis develops in the low back and the neck, but can affect any part of the spine. Symptoms are typically gradual at the beginning and worsen over time. Some people are born with a congenital form of Spinal Stenosis, but most conditions arise as a result of degeneration that occurs with aging. Causes of Spinal Stenosis can include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, herniated discs, traumatic injury, spinal tumors, Paget’s Disease of the bone, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, and achondroplasia (genetic condition associated with dwarfism).