Spinal stenosis - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Spinal stenosis is a condition typically resulting from degenerative changes in the lumbar spine.
Neurogenic claudication characterized by back and leg pain and lower extremity paresthesia brought on by ambulation and relieved by sitting.
Lumbosacral spine radiographs and computed tomography scans show degenerative changes and possibly spondylolisthesis, but magnetic resonance imaging is the best technique to show neural element compression in the spinal canal and foramina.
Initially treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy. Epidural corticosteroid injections may provide symptomatic relief.
More severe or persistent symptoms that significantly interfere with function are likely to benefit from decompressive spinal surgery, possibly with fusion if there is degenerative spondylolisthesis or degenerative scoliosis.

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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

Citations

Key Articles

Kirkaldy-Willis WH, Farfan HF. Instability of the lumbar spine. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1982 May;(165):110-23.[Abstract]
Jane JA Sr, Jane JA Jr, Helm GA, et al. Acquired lumbar spinal stenosis. Clin Neurosurg. 1996;43:275-99.[Abstract]
Garfin SR, Herkowitz HN, Mirkovic S. Nonoperative and operative treatment of lumbar stenosis. In: Rothman R, Simeone F, eds. The spine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 1991:857-75.
Weinstein JN, Tosteson TD, Lurie JD, et al. Surgical versus nonoperative treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis four-year results of the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2010 Jun 15;35(14):1329-38.[Abstract][Full Text]
Zdeblick TA. The treatment of degenerative lumbar disorders: a critical review of the literature. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1995 Dec 15;20(24 Suppl):126S-37S.[Abstract]
Weinstein JN, Lurie JD, Tosteson TD, et al. Surgical versus nonsurgical treatment for lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis. N Engl J Med. 2007 May 31;356(22):2257-70.[Abstract][Full Text]

Referenced Articles

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