Diagnosis of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
When a patient presents with the typical symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis (leg pain, with or without back pain, which is aggravated by walking), a conclusive diagnosis is made using imaging studies from an MRI scan or a CT scan with myelogram (using an x-ray dye in the spinal sack fluid). Physical examination alone does not yield a conclusive lumbar stenosis diagnosis.

There are three major types of stenosis and accurate identification is vital to stenosis treatment:

Lateral stenosis. The most common type of spinal stenosis, lateral stenosis occurs when a nerve root that has left the spinal canal is compressed by either a bulging disc, herniated disc or bone protrusion beyond the foramen (a bony, hollow archway through which all spinal nerve roots run).

Central stenosis. Occurring when the central canal in the lower back is choked, central stenosis may lead to compression of the cauda equina nerve roots (the bundle of roots that branch off at the bottom of the spinal cord like a horse's tail).

Foraminal stenosis. When a nerve root in the lower back is pressed on and trapped by a bone spur in the foramen, or the opening where the nerve root leaves the spinal canal.