Understanding Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

What's Happening Inside Your Spine

A Healthy Spine

In a healthy spine, the spinal canal — the tunnel that protects your nerves — is wide enough for the nerves to pass through comfortably, with room to spare.

Normal spinal canal cross-section showing the intervertebral disc, spinal canal, facet joints, and ligamentum flavum

A Narrowed Spine

With spinal stenosis, the canal has become narrower, and the nerves are being squeezed.

Stenotic spinal canal cross-section showing hypertrophic ligamentum flavum and degenerative facet joints

When the nerves are compressed, this is what causes pain, numbness, and tingling in your legs.