Who can suffer from spinal stenosis?

Risks associated with the development of spinal stenosis include the individual who:


• is born with a narrow spinal canal
• is a female
• is over 50 years of age
• has prior injury to or surgery on the spine
• has osteoarthritis and bony spurs of the spine that occur with aging
• has inflammatory spondyloarthritis
• has or has had tumors of the spine
• has Paget's disease of the bone

How is spinal stenosis diagnosed?

Your medical professional asks about symptoms and medical history and will perform a physical exam if spinal stenosis is suspected.

Symptoms of spinal stenosis can commonly include:

• pain in the legs and thighs
• numbness
• weakness
• cramping
• radiating pain down the leg
• abnormal bowel and/or bladder function
• decreased sensation in the feet causing difficulty walking
• loss of sexual function
• partial or complete leg paralysis.
  
  Tests may be performed confirm and assess the diagnosis such as:
• X-rays of the spine
• CT (Computed Tomography) scan to check spinal canal
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to check soft tissues and nerves