Spinal stenosis

Need to know

• Symptoms of spinal stenosis icon plus

  Symptoms of spinal stenosis include: - numbness in the hand, arm, foot or leg - problems walking and/or unsteadiness on your feet - neck pain, back pain and/or leg pain - loss of ability to do up buttons or write with a steady hand.

• Screening and diagnosis icon plus

  Nowadays most surgeons will obtain a Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan which shows where the nerves are being compressed. In some patients because of unrelated health conditions like heart disease requiring a pacemaker MRI scans are not allowed. In these situations a CT scan may be obtained instead. A CT scan involves exposure to radiation but you should discuss the pros and cons with your surgeon.

• Potential treatment options icon plus

  Options are non-surgical or surgical treatment and would depend on individual circumstances. Routine exercises maybe helpful to improve mobility and truncal stability. Some patients may benefit from steroid or epidural injections into the spinal canal when there is associated leg or arm pain. In the most serious of cases your consultant may recommend surgery to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord nerve roots; the surgery may be done with or without spinal fusion.