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Spinal stenosis and leg weakness correlation
A common symptom of spinal stenosis, which is the narrowing of the spinal canal, is leg pain and weakness. This is especially true if the spinal stenosis is in the lumbar (lower back) region of the spine. People who have lumbar spinal stenosis may experience local pain in the lower back, as well as radiating pain down the buttock and leg.
Severe cases cause the pain to travel to the foot of the affected side. If a nerve in the lumbar spine is compressed as a result of spinal stenosis, you may experience weakness or tingling in your leg as the compressed nerve struggles to send signals to the muscles in your leg and foot. Read on to learn about the side effects of lumbar spinal stenosis and the importance of obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
Leg weakness is a common side effect of lumbar spinal stenosis
Lumbar spinal stenosis is the most common form of spinal stenosis because the lumbar spine carries the most stress. The lumbar portion of your spine is the lowest section of vertebrae in your back. The main function of the lumbar is to carry the weight of the body while stabilizing and allowing for flexibility in the spine.
Over the years, as the body increases in weight and the pressure on the lumbar spine grows, parts of the spine may start to gradually deteriorate. This could cause bulging or herniated discs that shrink the space between the walls of the spinal canal and the spinal cord. If the walls continue to narrow, a nerve in the spinal cord might become compressed.
This is the main reason why lumbar spinal stenosis and leg weakness often coincide. When a nerve in the lumbar spine is compressed, it often sends waves of pain to the local extremities. In this case, that would be the leg and foot on the impacted side.
The importance of a proper diagnosis
Spinal stenosis can be caused by anything from natural aging and deterioration to other spine conditions causing the spinal canal to narrow. For this reason, you must consult a doctor and schedule an MRI review to determine the cause of your spinal stenosis. Once you determine what is causing your spinal canal to narrow, you can decide which treatment option is best for your needs.
Additionally, the symptoms of spinal stenosis are very similar to several other spine conditions. A doctor will have to determine whether or not your symptoms are being caused by spinal stenosis before an accurate treatment plan can be created.
If your doctor has diagnosed you with lumbar spinal stenosis and your neck or back pain does not lessen after you try conservative treatments like pain medication, chiropractic care and physical therapy for several weeks or months, contact USA Spine Care. Our minimally invasive procedures offer safer and effective alternatives to traditional open spine surgery.^
To relieve spinal stenosis, our board-certified+ surgeons use small incisions that are muscle sparing to remove the damaged disc or vertebra and insert an implant into its space to stabilize the spine. Reach out to our team and ask for a free MRI review* to determine if you are a potential candidate for our outpatient lumbar spinal stenosis procedures.
Learn more today
If you're living with spinal stenosis in the upper spine and searching for relief, reach out to USA Spine Care for help. Our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to helping people develop the right care plan to reach treatment goals and achieve lasting relief.
Contact us today to learn more. Call toll free 1-866-249-1627.
Spinal Stenosis "Quick Answers"
Depending on the region and severity Spinal stenosis feels like tingling, burning and/or weakness in the hands, arms, neck, lower back or legs. It may also feel like a radiating pain or shooting shock-like pain. Read more in the links below: Spinal Stenosis Spinal Stenosis Overview Defining Spinal Stenosis Researching Spinal Stenosis Learning About Back Stenosis Spinal Stenosis Pathophysiology
The types of spinal stenosis are region based and consist of cervical (neck), thoracic (mid back) and lumbar or lower back. In addition, foraminal stenosis is the narrowing of the foramen. Read more in the links below: Spinal Stenosis of the Neck Cervical Stenosis - Basic Facts Neck Stenosis Causes Neck Stenosis Treatment Central Canal Stenosis Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Spinal Stenosis in the Back
Spinal Stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal. This condition, most often located in the Lumbar spine, may be caused by degeneration of the spine, wear and tear, sports injury, & collapsing discs. Read more in the links below. What Causes Spinal Stenosis? Obesity May Lead to a Stenosis Diagnosis Age and its Role in the Development of Spinal Stenosis Spinal Stenosis Causes Identifying Common Causes From Birth Defects to Getting Older Degenerative Conditions Car Accident Injuries
The symptoms of spinal stenosis include tingling or numbness in the extremities, pain and weakness in the neck, back and/or legs. In severe cases bladder, bowel dysfunction/continence. Learn more in the links below: What Are the Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis? Spinal Stenosis Symptoms Spinal Stenosis Diagnosis What Should I Do If I Think I Have Spinal Stenosis? Spinal Stenosis and Hand Pain Recognizing Spinal Stenosis Have You Been Diagnosed? About Your Diagnosis Diagnostic Process Helping Your Physician How a Diagnosis Is Made Arriving at a Diagnosis
Physician specialties that treat spinal stenosis include: Pain management & rehabilitation physicians, spine surgeons, orthopedic specialists & neurosurgeons. Read more about these specialties in the links below: Doctors Who Treat Spinal Stenosis Spinal Decompression Doctors
Spinal Stenosis Exercises for Pain Relief Spinal Stenosis Treatment Types Treatment for Spinal Stenosis What a Doctor May Initially Recommend to Treat Your Spinal Stenosis At-Home Treatments for Spine Pain Associated with Stenosis Conservative and Alternative Treatments Spinal Stenosis Keyhole Surgery Procedures Spinal Stenosis Treatments Treatment Methods Range of Treatment Options Initial Approaches to Treatment Treating Spinal Canal Stenosis While You Sleep Spinal Stenosis Relief 5 Common Treatments Epidural Injections Alternative Treatments Spinal Decompression Spinal Decompression Therapy Spinal Decompression Exercises Hollistic Approach Acupuncture for Spinal Stenosis Conservative and Surgical Modalities Types of Surgery Minimally Invasive Options to Treat Spinal Stenosis and Leg Weakness Minimally Invasive Treatments Minimally Invasive Surgery Minimally Invasive Procedure Minimally Invasive versus Open Neck and Open Back Operations Spinal Stenosis Surgery Spinal Stenosis Procedures Neck Stenosis Surgery
Patients can expect recovery to last 4-6 weeks in most cases (depending on the complexity of your condition). People who choose minimally invasive spine surgery recover faster and get back to work sooner than those who choose open back surgery. Read more in the links below: Recovery After a Procedure What to Expect Recovery Times
- Problems from anesthesia.
- A deep infection in the surgical wound.
- A skin infection.
- Blood clots.
- Nerve injury, including weakness, numbness, or paralysis.
- Tears in the fibrous tissue that covers the spinal cord and the nerve near the spinal cord. These tears may require more surgery.
- Trouble passing urine, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
- Long-term (chronic) pain, which happens after surgery in some cases.
- The chance that the surgery won't relieve your symptoms. And even if you get better with surgery, there is a chance that you may get new symptoms in the future.
- Death from problems caused by surgery, but this is rare.
Read more in the links below: Overview of Risk Factors Most Common Risk Factors Obesity & Spinal Stenosis Spinal Stenosis & Arthritis Treating Elderly Patients
Spinal Stenosis Resources Additional Information Spinal Stenosis and Neuropathy: The Connection and Treatment Options A Herniated Disc, Stenosis of the Spine, and Other Common Causes of Back Pain in the Elderly Riding a Bicycle Jarvis Jones Sidelined by Stenosis Preparing for a Procedure Stenosis Causes & Risk Factors Stenosis Symptoms & Treatments Alleviating Symptoms Staying Fit with Cervical Stenosis Living with Lumbar Stenosis Participating in Outdoor Activities Easy Ways to Avoid Symptoms
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^Results are typical, but not guaranteed, each patients experience with spine surgery will differ.
For more information, visit usaspinecare.com/results. The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to serve as a replacement for a medical diagnosis.
*Our MRI review is an informational review of the MRI report that you provide to us and is not a form of diagnosis. A diagnosis and a final determination of whether you may benefit from treatment at USA Spine Care can only be made after you have been physically examined by our medical professionals at USA Spine Care. The MRI review has no value and will not be billed.
+For more information, visit usaspinecare.com/surgeons.
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