Spinal Canal Stenosis (narrow spinal canal)

In cases of spinal canal stenosis – also known as shop window disease – the spinal canal narrows through sedimentation or bony accretion. Consequently, the nerves which run through the canal become jammed. Usually, walking becomes painful, and the pain often irradiates to the legs. When leaning forward or sitting down, the problem disappears, since the spinal canal expand in this posture and briefly takes the pressure away from the nerves.

Spinal canal stenosis arises usually due to long-term wear or as a consequence of protrusions or prolapses of the intervertebral discs. Most people affected by it are over 60 years old. A narrow spinal canal conditioned by posture or a strong wear due to lasting one-sided burdening can seldom lead to problems in young people.

Symptoms: Patients usually feel back pains, pain irradiation into the leg, sensation of numbness, prickling, weakness and sensation of weight in the leg as symptoms. In addition, there can be weakness, limitation in mobility, sleep disorders, urination disorders and erection problems.

Therapy: If conservative therapies, such as injection of pain killers directly into the relevant nerves, do not produce any effect, microsurgery is the most appropriate response. Microsurgery is a causal treatment since it relieves the jammed nerves.