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In lumbar spinal stenosis the spinal canal in the lower back is narrowed. Typical is pain and heaviness in the legs while walking, which disappears when bending forward or sitting.
What is lumbar spinal stenosis?
The spinal canal is the tunnel in which the nerves of the lower back run. Wear, thickened ligaments and bone spurs can narrow that tunnel. The nerves then have too little space, especially when you stand upright or lean backwards.
It mainly occurs above the age of sixty and often coexists with hip osteoarthritis. Careful assessment of both back and hip determines which problem causes the complaints.
Possible symptoms
- Pain, heaviness or cramping in both legs after a few minutes of walking
- Quick relief when sitting, bending forward or leaning on a shopping trolley
- Being able to cycle much further than you can walk
- Tingling or an unsteady feeling in the legs
- Little or no groin pain, which distinguishes it from hip osteoarthritis
Treatment
An MRI of the lower back confirms the narrowing. When hip and back are both worn, we decide together with the spine specialist which procedure makes sense first.
- Physiotherapy focused on posture, strength and fitness
- Adapting activities and walking distance
- An image guided injection into the spinal canal
- Surgical decompression by the spine surgeon for severe or persistent complaints
Feel free to make an appointment for a joint assessment of back and hip.
Frequently asked questions
Other hip conditions
Do you recognise your symptoms?
Schedule an initial consultation. We will work with you to determine the best treatment option for your situation.
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