Lumbar spinal stenosis (lumbar stenosis) is a degenerative condition caused by the overgrowth of bone and tissue that press on  nerves as they exit the spine and travel to the lower half of the body

There are three areas where lumbar stenosis can occur depending on the location of the overgrown bone and tissue:

1. Central canal - narrowing within the spinal canal   
2. Lateral recess - narrowing at the edge of the spinal canal where the nerve begins to break away from spinal cord
3. Neural Foramen - the narrowing of the foramen, the space where the nerve exits the spinal canal

Common symptoms are lower back pain or pain in the buttocks and legs including:

1. Shooting pain 
2. Numbness or tingling
3. Weakness   

Prevalence

Over 3 million aging Americans experience pain from lumbar spinal stenosis each year
Recent research shows lumbar stenosis most commonly occurs in more than one location
Nearly half of all individuals age 60-69 have lumbar stenosis
Lumbar stenosis is the most common reason for spine surgery in people over 65  

Treatment Options
Conservative
1. Anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling and relieve pain
2. Exercise and/or physical therapy
3. Chiropractic manipulation Epidural steroid injections

Traditional Decompression (Laminectomy/Laminotomy)
1. Decompression is well documented as a successful spine surgery and is the recommended treatment for the 70% of patients who have tried and failed conservative treatment measures
2. Approximately 325,000 surgical procedures that involve decompression with or without fusion will be performed in the U.S. this year8 to treat lumbar stenosis and relieve pressure surrounding the impacted nerves
3. Majority of patients have good results with decompression; most leave the hospital in a few days and return to normal activities within a few weeks