Spinal stenosis
Key facts
- Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the canal in which the spinal cord sits.
- Symptoms can include numbness, weakness or tingling in the limbs, neck or back pain, bowel or bladder problems and difficulties with walking or balance.
- Spinal stenosis is usually caused by arthritis, most often after the age of 50.
- To diagnose spinal stenosis, your doctor may refer you for imaging scans such as an x-ray, MRI or CT scan.
- Management options include physiotherapy, medicines and surgery.
What is spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis, also called spinal canal stenosis, is a narrowing of the canal in which the spinal cord sits. The narrowing can put pressure on the nerves in the back, which can cause pain and weakness in the arms or legs.
Spinal stenosis most commonly occurs in the lower back (called a lumbar stenosis) and upper neck (called a cervical stenosis).
What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?
The symptoms depend on which nerves are affected. They can include:
- numbness, weakness or tingling in your hand, arm, foot or leg
- problems with walking
- neck pain or back pain, especially when standing upright
- pain going down your arm or leg
- problems controlling your bowels or bladder
Symptoms may get worse over time.
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
What causes spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is usually caused by age-related wear and tear, most often after the age of 50. Some people are born with a narrowed spinal canal, which puts them at greater risk. Spinal stenosis can be caused by a disc prolapse (a ‘slipped disc’, a problem with the spongy discs between the bones of the spine).
Spinal stenosis can also be caused by a tumour a back injury.
When should I see my doctor?
If you are experiencing any symptoms of spinal stenosis, make an appointment to see your doctor.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
How is spinal stenosis diagnosed?
To diagnose spinal stenosis your doctor ask questions about your symptoms and medical history and examine you. Your doctor may refer you for imaging tests to look at your spine, such as an x-ray, MRI or CT scan.
The results of an imaging scan do not always reflect the severity of your symptoms. You might not experience any symptoms, even if your scan shows spinal stenosis.
How is spinal stenosis treated?
Treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms and your general health.
Pain relief medicines and physiotherapy can help relieve pain. Your doctor may recommend an injection of local anaesthetic or a steroid medicine into your back. Depending on where the stenosis is, your physiotherapist may recommend wearing a brace.
If your symptoms are getting worse, or if other treatments don’t work, your doctor may recommend surgery. A laminectomy surgery involves removing part of the vertebra (spinal bone) to create more space and take pressure off the nerves. Sometimes surgery also involves fusion (joining 2 bones together) to make them more stable.
Most people are advised to try other treatments first before resorting to surgery.
Visit the healthdirect surgical procedures page to learn more about surgical procedures in general, with information including:
Resources and support
More information about laminectomy can be found at the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia.
Call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 at any time to speak to a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria) for more information and advice.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: February 2024
