What is believed to be the cause of spinal stenosis?
The exact cause is unclear but appears to be related to repeated stresses over the years. If the spine is subjected to repeated stress, the bones respond by enlarging. There are some soft tissues which also increase in size. As these structures increase in size, there is less room for the nerves to pass through the openings to the rest of the body. This is spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is a common problem in people over 50 years old. It is most common between the third and fourth, and the fourth and fifth, lumbar vertebrae. It is more common in women. The pressure on these nerves often will increase when you are standing or walking, causing an increase in your back pain and your leg pain. The leg symptoms are quite varied, ranging from mild aching to severe fatigue. Leg pain, buttock pain, pins-and-needles sensations, numbness and multiple combinations of these symptoms are also common. Often your ability to walk is limited to a few blocks or less. The goal of a laminectomy is to en
