Abstract

Spinal stenosis is a nar rowing of the spinal canal, lateral recess, or neural foramen. Af ter continued stenosis, the contents of the respective anatomic sites can become compressed. Neurologic symptoms and pain are the clinical manifestations of spinal stenosis. The characteristic symptom of lumbar spinal stenosis is neurogenic claudication (spinal claudication). When walking, the patient experiences pain (which usually starts  in the back and radiates to the legs), numbness or weakness. If the symptoms are tolerable and the patient’s functional capacity is intact, the first-line management options are conservative treatment, analgesia and physiotherapy. Indications for surgery include unbearable pain that can not be relieved with conservative treatment, gradually shortening walking distance (< 200–300 m), progressing neurological deficit or cauda equina syndrome.