Lumbar spinal canal stenosis

The human spine is formed by individual vertebrae and connective tissue discs in between. The vertebrae form the spinal canal. There are seven cervical, twelve thoracic, and five lumbar vertebrae. The intervertebral discs are the link between the individual vertebral bodies.

The little joints that link the vertebrae together are known as facet joints. They help to stabilize the spine and, together with the intervertebral discs, allow a certain degree of mobility of the spinal cord. The spinal canal should be wide enough to allow nerve roots to float freely in cerebrospinal fluid. The front border of the spinal canal is built by the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs, the side by the intervertebral joints (facets) and back by the ligamentum flavum (yellow band) and vertebral arches. Discs consist of an outer fibrous ring (annulus fibrosus), which surrounds an inner gel-like center (nucleus pulposus). The spinal cord and nerve roots lie within the spinal canal. The spinal cord extends downwards approx. to the 1st lumbar vertebra. Below, only nerve roots are present in the spinal canal. At the level of the intervertebral disc the nerve roots pass through the neural root foramina to exit the spinal canal. The spinal cord and nerve roots conduct electric-like signals from the skin and joints to the brain, and process of movement is initiated from the brain to the muscles.

Lumbar stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal. This constriction compresses the nerve roots extending to the legs. The pressure on nerve roots usually increases slowly over months and years. Therefore, the symptoms slowly progress over time.

Gradually progressing compression of the nerve roots in the lumbar spine

Pain, numbness, weakness in the legs when standing upright or walking Loss of bladder or bowel control Numbness of the genitals and loss of sexual function The symptoms are present when standing upright or walking and usually relieved by leaning forward or sitting down. Symptoms usually get worse over time. Symptoms begin gradually and tend to worsen over months and years.

Non-surgical (conservative) treatment can temporarily improve some of the symptoms in less severe cases.

Because of the gradual worsening of the symptoms al­most al­ways sur­gery is re­quired. Due to the chronic progressive nature of the disease an emergency operation is rarely necessary.

Elective surgery should be considered when compression of a nerve root causes a significant muscle weakness (>72 hours) is present or the symptoms (e.g. pain) impair the patient’s quality of life and conservative treatment fails to achieve significant improvement within 6-8 weeks.

To release the compressed nerve roots

To improve symptoms (e.g. pain reduction)

To stop the worsening of the symptoms

To preserve the protective function of the spine

Posterior decompression of the spinal canal without fusion

Posterior decompression of the spinal canal with stabilisation