Lumbar spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal is narrowed by tumour, disk prolapse or other similar degenerative changes.

Spinal stenosis is more likely to occur in patients older than 60 years, relating to degenerative changes in the spine.

Types

Central stenosis - Narrowing of the central spinal canal

Lateral stenosis - Narrowing of nerve roots (most common)

Foramina stenosis - Narrowing of intervertebral foramina

Risk factors

• Trauma
• Congenital spine deformities (scoliosis)
• Old age

Pathology

Degenerative disease is the commonest underlying cause - IV disc prolapse>increased stress transfer to facet joints>osteophyte formation, associated thickening+distortion of lig.flavum

Ventral disc bulging, osteophytes at the dorsal facet and lig.flavum hypertrophy circumferentially compress the spinal canal

The compression of the nerve roots leads to the characteristic clinical signs and symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis.

PC

Spinal stenosis has a gradual onset VS CES/sudden disc herniation with cord compression