Symptoms of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
The reason why stenosis causes weakness and pain is the subject of a significant amount of debate and medical research. Pain in the buttocks or leg, which is a common symptom of lumbar spinal stenosis, may be associated with the compression of the microvascular structures carrying blood flow to the nerve roots. At the same time, the symptoms of spinal stenosis may be the direct result of physical compression of the nerve roots. Each of these processes may interfere with the normal function of the nerve roots and decrease the effectiveness and endurance of the spinal nerves.

Some people with degenerative disease of the spine may have no symptoms at all, some may complain of mild discomfort in the lower back, and others may not even be able to walk. In people who have significant spinal stenosis, they will begin to notice pain in the buttocks, thigh or leg that develops with standing or walking, and improves with rest. In some cases, a person will complain of leg pain and weakness without having any back pain.

More severe symptoms of the disorder include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the lower extremities. Certain positions can alleviate the symptoms of spinal stenosis by increasing the amount of space available for the nerves. These positions usually involve flexion (bending) of the lower spine and bending forward. For instance, most people with spinal stenosis can ride a bike and walk up an incline or flight of stairs without any pain. They can often walk for extended distances if they have something to lean on, like a shopping cart. However, if they are walking down an incline or flight of stairs, or if they have to give up the shopping cart, their symptoms will often reappear. The presentation and severity of the symptoms of spinal stenosis depends on several factors, including the original width of the spinal canal, the susceptibility of the nerves involved, and the unique functional demands of the person and their individual pain tolerance.