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.
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