Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Your spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs through a tunnel formed by your vertebrae. The tunnel is called the spinal canal. Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower part of your back. Stenosis can cause pressure on your spinal cord or the nerves that go from your spinal cord to your muscles.

Spinal stenosis can happen in any part of your spine but is most common in the lower back. This part of your spine is called your lumbar area.. Five lumbar vertebrae connect your upper spine to your pelvis.

If you have lumbar spinal stenosis, you may have trouble walking distances or find that you need to lean forward to ease pressure on your lower back. You may also have pain or numbness in your legs. In more severe cases, you may have difficulty controlling your bowel and bladder. There is no cure for lumbar spinal stenosis, but you have many treatment choices.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call:

• SBL Bonutti Clinic at 217 342-3400, or
• SBL Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at 217 238-3435

For more information on this topic, visit our Health Library.

Lumber Spinal Stenosis

• Understanding Lumbar Radiculopathy
• Understanding Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)
• Lumbar Disk Replacement
• Laminectomy
• Understanding Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF)
• Understanding Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS)
• Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery