Lumbar stenosis and bowel issues

@marip It does help spine issues in general to increase the core strength of the muscles that support the spine and allow good posture. When you have good posture and the spine is stacked ergonomically, there is much less stress on it. Physical therapy can address that and it can make a difference if the stenosis is not very advanced. Physical therapy does not change what is causing the stenosis which can be overgrowth of bone or enlarged ligaments or ruptured discs. If vertebrae have shifted and are offset by slipping past each other, it will increase the pressure from stenosis by essentially making the spinal canal or foramen smaller. In the foramen which are the spaces between vertebrae, stenosis there gets increased pressure from slipping of vertebrae, ruptured discs, bone growth or by discs that are collapsing, because it starts narrowing down that space where nerves roots exit when the bones get closer together physically because the disc isn't support them.

Sometimes, they need to see if physical therapy helps or not before making a decision to go forward with surgery, and that decision is made based on where the stenosis is affecting the nerves and spinal cord.

You may be interested in checking out this discussion in the Spine Health group where members are discussing stenosis.

Spine Health - "Stenosis/Pain"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stenosis-pain/
Jennifer

Hi @marip, I merged your 3 discussions on the same topic into one discussion so that you only have one place to search for the helpful responses members like @jenniferhunter @marymargaret0501 @gently and others have offered.

Have you been to see a spine specialst?

Mari, if you haven't had an MRI you might want one. Spinal stenosis can be central canal or foraminal. Arthritic changes refer to the joints at the sides of the vertebra. But your symptoms indicate central canal. An MRI would sort that and give you a better indication of the likelyhood of any future surgical intervention.
Physical therapy is great, but won't answer your question.
I would guess that you won't need future surgery. But my guess isn't good enough.

I had to have a fusion done. It failed and so I now have a spinal cord stimulator in my Lumbar. I an I receive periodic injections for pain that has developed due to arthritis in the area of the fusion. God bless you dabswquestions2. brotherchuckles80

@gently how long can stenosis exist before causing severe symptoms

@josephrotella, hi.
Some people have spinal stenosis with no symptoms. It usually progresses slowly, but may not progress at all. If there are mild symptoms, you still may never progress to severe symptoms. But if you are having unavoidable pain, you may be damaging the nerves. Knowing the causative element (disc, ligament, bone) you can better understand the probability of intensifying symptoms.

@brotherchuckles80 not good how are you functioning

@gently My doctor says I have severe thoraticand lumbar stenosis. However I have little back pain and some aches in my legs I am going to continue exersize andtherapy what is your take.