Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back, causing pressure on nerve roots. It typically develops due to degenerative changes in people over 50 years old. Neurogenic claudication—leg pain, numbness, and weakness while walking that improves with rest—is the hallmark symptom.
What Is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
Symptoms of Lumbar Stenosis
- Neurogenic claudication: Leg pain and weakness while walking, relieved by rest
- Low back pain: Pain that worsens with prolonged standing
- Radiating leg pain: Burning or aching pain spreading to both legs
- Numbness and tingling: Sensory changes in legs and feet
- Weakness: Leg muscle weakness
- Relief with forward bending: Pain reduction in the shopping cart posture
Causes
- Disc degeneration: Disc wear and bulging
- Facet joint hypertrophy: Joint thickening
- Ligamentum flavum thickening: Yellow ligament thickening
- Spondylolisthesis: Vertebral slippage
- Osteophyte formation: Bone spurs
- Congenital narrow canal: Naturally narrow structure from birth
Diagnostic Methods
- Physical examination: Romberg test, gait assessment
- MRI: Canal diameter, disc and ligament evaluation
- CT myelography: Bone details and dynamic assessment
- EMG: Nerve damage degree
- Dynamic X-ray: Instability check
Treatment Options
Conservative Treatment
- Physical therapy: Flexion exercises, core strengthening
- Medications: Anti-inflammatory, neuropathic pain drugs
- Epidural steroid injection: Pain and inflammation control
- Activity modification: Avoiding long walks
Surgical Treatment
For cases unresponsive to conservative treatment, progressive neurological deficits, or severe functional limitations:
Decompression Surgery
- Laminectomy: Removal of lamina bones
- Laminotomy: Limited bone removal
- Foraminotomy: Enlarging the nerve root exit hole
Minimally Invasive Decompression
- Tubular retractor system: Decompression through small incision
- Endoscopic decompression: Camera-assisted procedure
- Interspinous devices: In selected patients
Decompression + Fusion
Stabilization is added when instability or spondylolisthesis is present.
Post-Operative Care
- Hospital stay: 1-3 days (decompression), 2-5 days (fusion)
- Walking: Surgery day or next day
- Return to work: 2-6 weeks (depending on job)
- Exercise: After 6 weeks
Why Choose Prof. Dr. Salim Şentürk?
Prof. Dr. Salim Şentürk has over 25 years of experience in lumbar stenosis treatment. He applies minimally invasive techniques and personalized treatment approaches for each patient.
Increase Your Walking Distance
Improve your quality of life with stenosis treatment. Schedule an evaluation appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can stenosis improve without surgery?
Spinal stenosis is a structural problem and does not resolve on its own. However, symptoms can be managed with conservative treatment.
When is surgery necessary?
Surgery is considered when conservative treatment fails, walking distance becomes severely limited, or neurological deficits develop.
What is the surgery success rate?
Decompression surgery achieves improvement in walking capacity in 80-85% of cases.
Other Treatments
Spine Surgery
Surgical treatment of spine and spinal cord diseases
Deformity Surgery
Deformity surgery is the surgical correction of scoliosis, kyphosis, and spinal imbalance. Effective treatment is achieved with modern techniques and implants. Prof. Dr. Salim Şentürk's expertise in complex deformity surgery.
Endoscopic Spine Surgery
Endoscopic spine surgery is a minimally invasive technique performed through an 8 mm incision. Same-day discharge and rapid recovery are possible for lumbar and cervical disc herniations. Prof. Dr. Salim Şentürk's endoscopic surgery expertise.
Peripheral Nerve Surgery
Peripheral nerve surgery treats nerve compressions, injuries, and tumors. Carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, and nerve tumors are treated surgically. Prof. Dr. Salim Şentürk's nerve surgery expertise.
Reviewed by: Prof. Dr. Salim Şentürk, Neurosurgeon
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