If you're experiencing frequent lower back pain or a loss of sensation, weakness, or numbness in your legs, you may suffer from lumbar spinal stenosis. A degenerative spinal condition, lumbar spinal stenosis is most commonly caused by degenerative arthritis. Symptoms typically appear around age 60.

Activity Modification

In minor cases of lumber spinal stenosis, your doctor may only modify the types of activities you can do. Heavy lifting and other types of exercises that put a lot of stress on the spine may be restricted.

Exercise & Physical Therapy

Stretching and flexibility exercises, like a modified version of yoga, may be recommended to treat lumbar spinal stenosis. The increased flexibility and endurance these activities provide help stabilize the spine and sometimes relieve pressure on the nerves.

Medication

If the pain becomes too much to bear with a simple over-the-counter medication, your doctor may prescribe something stronger for the pain. Anti-inflammatory medications and analgesics are also often given for pain and to reduce swelling.

Epidural Injection

Although not recommended for regular use, epidural injections of cortisone can be given in the spine to help relieve the swelling. However, this typically only provides temporary relief.

Surgery

If a loss of bladder or bowel function occurs, or little or no improvement is shown after other treatments, surgery becomes an option. A variety of surgeries can be used to treat lumbar spinal stenosis, depending on your individual condition. However, many surgical treatments include either bone grafting or the fusion of vertebrae, like lumbar interbody fusion; or removing or opening the affected area to relieve pressure, such as with a laminotomy or medial facetectomy.

Source:

Spine Health

Neurosurgery Today

MedicineNet.com