A narrowing of the spinal canal, which can result in compression of nerve roots.

Narrowing of the spinal canal. It may lead to compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots resulting in neck or back pain, and/or numbness or weakness in the extremities.

Your spine, or backbone, protects your spinal cord and allows you to stand and bend. Spinal stenosis causes narrowing in your spine. The narrowing puts pressure on your nerves and spinal cord and can cause pain. Spinal stenosis occurs mostly in people older than 50. Younger people with a spine injury or a narrow spinal canal are also at risk. Diseases such as arthritis and scoliosis can cause spinal stenosis, too. Symptoms might appear gradually or not at all. They include: Pain in your neck or back; Numbness, weakness, cramping, or pain in your arms or legs; Pain going down the leg; Foot problems. Doctors diagnose spinal stenosis with a physical exam and imaging tests. Treatments include medications, physical therapy, braces, and surgery. NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Acute and chronic neck and lower back pain represents a major health care problem in the United States. An estimated 75% of all people will experience back pain at some time in their lives.

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine. Spinal stenosis occurs most often in the lower back and the neck.

Lumbar spondylosis refers to degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine that narrow the spinal canal, lateral recesses, and neural foramina. Facet joint and ligamentous hypertrophy, intervertebral disk protrusion, and spondylolisthesis may all contribute to the stenosis, and symptoms result from neural compression of the cauda equina,...