Spinal stenosis and claudication

Question 1

What is spinal stenosis?

Answer 1

This is narrowing of the central spinal canal, intervertebral foramen and/or lateral recess causing progressive nerve root compression

Question 2

What are the most common causes of spinal stenosis?

Answer 2

This is mainly caused by degenerative joint disease in middle aged to elderly individuals

There is often spondylosis and a combination of bulging discs, bulging ligamentum flavum and osteophytosis

Question 3

What age is most likely to develop spinal stenosis?

Answer 3

> 60

Question 4

What is the main symptom of spinal stenosis?

Answer 4

Claudication

Question 5

Describe the claudication in spinal stenosis (Compared to PVD)

Answer 5

This is mainly caused by degenerative joint disease in middle aged to elderly individuals

There is often spondylosis and a combination of bulging discs, bulging ligamentum flavum and osteophytosis

Question 6

How is spinal stenosis diagnosed?

Answer 6

Diagnosis is clinical

Question 7

How is spinal stenosis managed?

Answer 7

Management initial is conservative, requiring analgesia, physiotherapy and weight loss if required

Question 8

When may surgery be indicated in spinal stenosis?

Answer 8

If symptoms fail to resolve with conservative management, and there is MRI evidence of stenosis, then surgery may be performed (Decompression)