What are the treatment options for spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is narrowing around the spinal canal or the openings where nerves leave the spine. In the lower back, symptoms may include back or leg pain, tingling, heaviness or weakness that worsens with standing or walking and eases when sitting or bending forward. The neck can affect the arms, hands, balance or walking. Treatment depends on the level involved, examination findings and how symptoms affect daily life.

A clinician may recommend pacing, changing aggravating positions and maintaining safe activity rather than prolonged bed rest. Physiotherapy can build trunk and leg strength, improve balance and teach positions that reduce nerve irritation. Medicines are selected around your health history. An epidural steroid injection may be considered for short-term relief of radiating pain in suitable cases; it does not widen the narrowed space. If walking remains severely limited, pain persists despite non-surgical care, or nerve function is threatened, a surgeon may discuss laminectomy to create more room. Spinal fusion may be added when stability also needs attention.

Arrange review for worsening walking tolerance, persistent leg or arm symptoms, or weakness. Seek emergency care for new loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the inner thighs or genitals, rapidly worsening weakness, or inability to walk. Neck-related balance changes and clumsy hands also deserve prompt assessment.

Ask which spinal level is narrowed, whether your symptoms match nerve compression, and what activity is safe. If an injection or operation is proposed, ask its goal, alternatives, likely rehabilitation and signs that require urgent contact.