Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (Lower Back)

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a condition that results from the narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve passageways in the lower back region. The narrowing of the spinal canal often leads to compression of the spinal nerve roots causing chronic lower back pain in patients suffering from this condition. The compression of the spinal cord is often the result of the intrusion of bone or tissue due to bones spurs (osteophytes), herniated discs, or other soft tissues. Lumbar Spinal Stenosis is often due to the natural degenerative process that occurs in the spine due to aging. In other cases the condition results from severe trauma to the lower back area, or excessive misuse that induces spinal canal compression in the lumbar region.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Symptoms

The symptoms of Lumbar Spinal stenosis often develop slowly over time with age and may be of a transitory nature regardless of the severity of the condition. The most common symptom is chronic lower back pain accompanied by increased pain and weakness in the legs when walking (pseudoclaudication). This often results in severe restrictions on patient mobility and quality of life. In many cases patients can obtain relief from this pain simply by sitting down. The pain often returns when the patient returns to the standing position and attempts to walk again. Other symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis are often described as sciatica, which includes general leg pain, tingling sensation, weakness, and numbness that radiates from the lower back to the buttocks and legs.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Treatment

Patients suffering from chronic back pain due to lumbar spinal stenosis often pursue non-surgical treatments as an alternative to surgery. Conservative treatments for the condition include: stretching and exercise, pain and anti-inflammatory medications, or steroid injections. However, patients who suffer severe symptoms from the condition may elect for spinal stenosis surgery in an attempt to alleviate debilitating pain and regain mobility.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Surgery

Patients who have pursued more conservative treatments for lumbar spinal stenosis, yet still experience debilitating pain, may need to pursue a surgical option. Surgical treatments for the condition often involve some sort of decompression surgery such as a laminectomy, laminotomy, or a foraminotomy.

The Bonati Spine Institute has developed endoscopic laser spine surgeries for all of these procedures. The surgeries are performed in an outpatient setting, using a mild sedative. These groundbreaking techniques developed at the Bonati Spine Institute stand in stark contrast to traditional open back procedures which are highly invasive and take place under general anesthesia in a hospital. The Bonati procedures have a 25 year record of achieving favorable results compared to open spine procedures. For more information on these techniques visit our spinal stenosis surgery section or contact a medical professional at the Bonati Spine Institute for a free MRI review.

The Bonati Spine Institute advocates spinal stenosis patients to be well informed. We encourage you to contact us to request a no-obligation MRI review or discussion with one of our medical professionals. Find out why The Bonati Procedures are considered to be among the world? best solutions for laser spine surgery.