Have you heard of something called “lumbar spinal stenosis”? It’s a mouthful, but don’t worry—I’m here to break it down for you in easy-to-understand language. So, let’s dive in and talk about what stenosis is and why it happens.

What is lumbar spinal stenosis and what causes it?

First things first, let’s talk about your back. Your back is made up of a lot of different structures including bones, called “vertebra”, joints, ligaments, muscles, discs and nerves. The nerves in your back go through openings in the spine before continuing down your leg. Lumbar spinal stenosis occurs when the openings in your spine get smaller causing irritation to the nerves. The most common cause of lumbar spinal stenosis is arthritis in your back.

What symptoms would someone feel with lumbar spinal stenosis?

Someone with lumbar spinal stenosis will typically experience symptoms when they are walking or standing which is then relieved when sitting. These symptoms can include leg pain, heaviness, numbness, weakness, or tingling. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you are not alone…in fact, it is one of the most common low back conditions affecting older adults.

Now, you may be wondering, why do I feel pain only when walking and standing? In order to answer this, we need to think back to what is causing your symptoms. You can actually change the openings in your spine through different positions of your back. For example, when you stand up straight or arch backwards the openings get smaller and can irritate the nerves, but when you sit or bend forward the openings get bigger which reduces the nerve irritation. You may notice that when you go to the grocery store and push a shopping cart you are able to walk further with less pain…the reason for this is you are leaning forward on the cart which opens the spaces in your back.

What can I do about my lumbar spinal stenosis?

A rehabilitative approach which consists of manual therapy and home exercises is the recommended first-line treatment. The Spine Clinic at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Ontario is a world renowned clinic that offers a 6-week program for lumbar spinal stenosis. The 6-week program consists of hands-on treatment targeting tight muscles, joints and nerves with the goal of improving flexibility of your low back, strength of your back and legs, and reducing irritation of the nerves. You are also prescribed various stretching and strengthening exercises which you complete at home. As well, you will learn self-management strategies and techniques that reduce irritation to the nerves in order to stand longer and walk further.

Now, you may be wondering what you can expect from the 6-week rehabilitative program. This program has been studied in clinical trials and it has been shown that the majority of people will significantly increase their walking and standing ability, as well as reduce their pain levels. Approximately 83% of patients will increase their walking ability by at least 50%! As well, a main focus of this program is on restoring your function and many people are able to return to the activities they love.

Will I need surgery?

It is now considered best practice to first try a conservative rehabilitation approach before undergoing surgery. If you don’t experience benefits, then surgery may be a potential option for you. When deciding if you are a candidate for surgery, you should have a discussion with your healthcare provider and a surgeon.

What should I do now?

If you’re suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis contact Dr. Plener today to start your road to recovery!

The Spine Clinic located within Mount Sinai Hospital is a specialty clinic located in Toronto, Ontario. You will receive a comprehensive assessment and gain a deeper understanding of what is causing your lumbar spinal stenosis. Dr. Plener will discuss with you proven and individualised treatment options to help get you out of pain and back to living your life to the fullest!

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and not intended to replace medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, make sure to consult your healthcare provider.