Signs and symptoms
... Spinal narrowing doesn''t always cause problems. But if the narrowed areas compress the spinal cord or the base of the spinal nerves (nerve roots), you''re likely to develop signs and symptoms. These ...

Causes
... In spinal stenosis, part of the spine narrows, putting pressure on your spinal cord or nerve roots. Knowing more about the spine''s anatomy makes it easier to understand where and how this narrowing o...

Risk factors
... Between 250,000 and 500,000 Americans — the great majority of them age 50 or older — have symptoms of spinal stenosis. In fact, age is the main known risk factor for the disorder. Also at ...

When to seek medical advice
... Unfortunately, many people ignore the symptoms of spinal stenosis, believing that the pain and stiffness they experience are a normal part of aging. But discomfort, especially if it interferes with yo...

Screening and diagnosis
... Spinal stenosis can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms are often intermittent and because they resemble those of many age-related conditions. To help diagnose spinal stenosis and ...