Spinal Stenosis

If you’ve ever groaned, “Oh, my aching back,” you’re not alone. As people age, it’s estimated that 8 of 10 adults experience back pain from life's normal wear and tear on the spine. One common cause of back pain is the narrowing of the spinal canal, called "spinal stenosis." Spinal stenosis is categorized by where it occurs in the spine. Cervical stenosis is the narrowing of the spine in your neck. Lumbar stenosis is when narrowing of the spine occurs in the lower back, which is the most common type of spinal stenosis. Symptoms usually begin as a tingling in your hand, arm, foot or leg, and progress to loss of sensation and function. Fortunately, there are multiple options for treating spinal stenosis, including surgery.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Bradford Currier, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, will discuss treatment options for spinal stenosis.