Lumbar Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition referred to as narrowing of the spinal canal in which the ligaments enlarge because of degenerative conditions. It also occurs with arthritis of the spine and degeneration that leads to enlargement of the joints which then compresses the nerve roots and the dura. This condition is commonly found in the population over 55. The symptoms are usually that of difficulty in walking for a distance. The patients then sit for a little while and then they may be able to walk again for some time. This classical symptom is called intermittent claudication. Other causes of intermittent claudication are vascular and should be investigated as well.
The neurosurgical treatment requires decompressive surgery of the spine to give more room to the nerves and the spinal elements. This can be associated with spinal fusion. The overall success rate for operation for spinal stenosis in the lumbosacral spine is approximately 85% in the population over 65-years of age.
