patriciashulz1950-I have suffered severe stenosis in a major part of the lumbar area for quite a while. I was advised that the physical stress of that spinal stenosis on the spinal chord could only be properly removed by surgery. My symptoms of pain, numbness and tingling were becoming increasingly severe and chronic occuring from the right buttocks down the right leg into the right foot. The surgery should, if not totally eliminate, at least make bearable the symptoms and could address possible future problems of balance and walking (caused by the continued and increasing aggravation of the spinal chord). Screws, cages and various widening procedures were employed-taking two surgeries in three years to properly accomplish. I am now 4 months out from the last operation which I believe somewhat successful since the pain and numbness have lessened and are not as chronic (regular ??) I still require pain relief to get through the day though. I am told this is a major surgery and takes a full year to properly recover and judge the procedure's success. Hopefully this might help.