Spinal stenosis is a condition where the space for nerve roots in the spinal column gets narrow – narrowing of the spine means spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis leads to narrowing of channels where the spinal cord and nerve roots travel resulting in the spinal cord and nerve roots getting squeezed also known as “compression of nerve roots.”
Spinal stenosis can lead to pain in the lower back, leg pain, sciatica, neck, arms, or hands depending on the exact location of the stenosis. Spinal stenosis most commonly happens in the low back (lumbar spine) or in the neck (cervical spine and so is called lumbar spinal stenosis or cervical spinal stenosis.