Dr. Sachin Sharma

Lumbar Canal Stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis occurs when narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve passages results in compression of the nerves. It is a common cause of leg pain and difficulty walking, particularly in older adults. Symptoms often improve with bending forward or sitting.

Common Symptoms

  • Leg pain or heaviness with walking or standing
  • Numbness or tingling in legs and feet
  • Reduced walking distance (neurogenic claudication)
  • Symptoms that improve with sitting or bending forward
  • Back pain (may or may not be present)
  • Weakness in legs (in more severe cases)

When Surgery Is Considered

  • Significant limitation of walking distance and daily activities
  • Progressive neurological deficit
  • Symptoms not improving with appropriate conservative treatment
  • Cauda equina syndrome (emergency)

Treatment Approach

Treatment depends on symptom severity and functional limitation. Many patients can be managed conservatively; surgery is considered when symptoms significantly impair quality of life.

  • Activity modification and weight management
  • Physiotherapy and core strengthening
  • Caudal or transforaminal epidural injections
  • Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD)
  • Endoscopic decompression (selected cases)
  • Conventional laminectomy or laminotomy
  • Decompression with spinal fusion (when instability is present)

Dr. Sachin Sharma believes that treatment should begin with an accurate diagnosis and an individualized approach. Not every patient requires surgery - non-surgical options are always considered first whenever clinically appropriate.