Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis | Neurological Surgery

The symptoms of spinal stenosis usually begin gradually and worsen over time. Symptoms can vary depending on where in the spine the condition occurs.

Symptoms of lumbar (lower back) spinal stenosis:

Pain, cramping, or stiffness in the legs and lower back, especially if you have been standing or walking for a long period of time. This pain usually eases upon bending forward or sitting down.
Numbness, weakness, tingling, and/or pain in the arm, neck, hand, leg, or foot.
In severe cases: Bladder or bowel incontinence, paralysis

Symptoms can overlap from condition to condition, and making an accurate diagnosis critical to proper treatment. At the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center, our specialists have advanced training in diagnosing and treating conditions of the spine. (See Diagnosing and Treating Spinal Stenosis.)

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