Stenosis is a term that refers to narrowing of the space where your spinal cord and nerves run. This can occur from an acute event (e.g. disc herniation) or develop from a more chronic process as with aging.

Symptoms of stenosis in the neck can include neck pain as well as pain, numbness/tingling, and weakness in the arms/legs. It can also be painless and include symptoms of spinal cord compression, such as numbness/weakness of the hands as well as difficulty with balance, manual dexterity, or controlling bowel/bladder function, among other symptoms.

In the low back, symptoms can include back pain as well as pain, heaviness, numbness/tingling, and/or weakness of the legs.

Treatment of spinal stenosis depends on the severity and duration of symptoms and involves both nonoperative and operative techniques.