What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces through which the spinal cord and nerve roots pass through the spine. These spaces are called foramina. Under normal conditions, the spinal cord and nerve roots are protected within these spaces. During conditions such as osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, the space within the canal progressively narrows, compressing the spine and/or nerve roots and affecting the nerves and blood vessels within. The symptoms of stenosis are experienced as weakness and pain in the lower back that may radiate down the legs and into the lower extremities.^[1]