What Is Stenosis?

In this video we discuss the basics of stenosis as a diagnosis and the different causes.

Stenosis essentially means narrowing. The spine has three canals where the nerve roots are situated:

• Central canal: which houses the cauda equina or nerve rootlets

• The exit foramen: situated at every level on both the left and right side of the spinal column and houses the exiting nerve roots

Stenosis is the term given when there is a radiological diagnosis which shows that either the central canal or the exiting foramen have narrowed, from a disc derangement, thickened ligaments or arthritic bone. Stenosis can also be caused by a fracture in the spine which allows the spine to slip forward and compresses the central or exiting canals.