Spinal Condition
Spinal Canal Stenosis Treatment
Spinal Canal Narrowing & Nerve Compression
Spinal canal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve exit foramina — exerting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, producing pain and neurological symptoms.
Progressive neurological deficits or bladder dysfunction require urgent surgical decompression to prevent permanent nerve damage.
Understanding Canal Stenosis
The spinal canal houses the spinal cord and nerve roots. When it narrows — due to disc bulges, overgrown ligamentum flavum, bone spurs, or arthritic facet joints — nerve tissue is compressed. Central stenosis affects the cord or cauda equina; foraminal stenosis traps individual nerve roots. Lumbar stenosis is the most common cause of leg pain and walking difficulty in adults over 60. Cervical stenosis, when severe, can cause myelopathy — progressive weakness and loss of coordination. Endoscopic decompression allows Dr. Sparsh Jaiswal to decompress the stenotic segment through a 7 mm incision under direct visualisation.
infoCommon Causes
- Osteoarthritis causing bone spur (osteophyte) formation
- Thickening and calcification of the ligamentum flavum
- Degenerative disc bulging into the canal
- Spondylolisthesis reducing canal dimensions
- Congenital narrow spinal canal
- Paget's disease causing bony overgrowth
symptomsKey Symptoms
- check_circleNeurogenic claudication — bilateral leg pain, heaviness, and cramps with walking
- check_circleSymptoms relieved by sitting forward or cycling (flexion-based relief)
- check_circleNumbness and tingling in both legs
- check_circleLeg weakness and difficulty with balance
- check_circleBladder or bowel dysfunction in severe cases
Diagnosis
MRI is the investigation of choice, quantifying canal dimensions and identifying the compressive element. CT myelography provides complementary bony detail for surgical planning.
verified_userMedically reviewed: May 2026 — Dr. Sparsh Jaiswal, MBBS DNB FISS FINM MNAMS · Apollo Hospitals, Indore (Reg: MP-16286 | MCI-19-30548)
Frequently Asked Questions about Canal Stenosis
What is spinal canal stenosis and who does it affect?
Spinal canal stenosis is the narrowing of the bony channel that houses the spinal cord and nerve roots. It most commonly affects adults over 60 as a result of age-related degenerative changes — bone spur formation, disc bulging, and ligamentum flavum thickening. Lumbar stenosis is the most common form and the leading cause of leg pain and walking difficulty in older adults.
What does neurogenic claudication feel like?
Neurogenic claudication — the hallmark symptom of lumbar stenosis — produces bilateral leg heaviness, aching, cramping, or weakness that worsens with walking or standing and is relieved by sitting forward or bending. Patients often find cycling pain-free (because the spine flexes). This pattern distinguishes it from vascular claudication, which is not relieved by postural change.
Can spinal stenosis be treated without surgery?
Yes — mild to moderate stenosis is initially managed with physiotherapy (flexion-based exercises that open the canal), NSAIDs, epidural steroid injections for radicular pain, and walking aids. Surgery is indicated when symptoms significantly impair quality of life, when conservative management fails after 3–6 months, or when neurological function is declining. Surgical decompression provides excellent symptom relief in 80–90% of patients.
What is the surgical treatment for spinal stenosis?
Dr. Sparsh Jaiswal performs endoscopic stenosis decompression through a 7 mm incision — removing the thickened ligamentum flavum and bone spurs that are compressing the nerves. The procedure takes 45–75 minutes, requires no bone removal from the main vertebral structure, and patients are walking within a few hours. This preserves spinal stability better than traditional open laminectomy.
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