Disorders > Spine Disorders > Lower Back Pain > Segmented Spinal Stenosis

Segmented Spinal Stenosis

Segmental spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in a segmented, or specific, area. Sometimes the stenosis only occurs in a small area of the spine, such as an area where there is a combination of bone spurs from the facet joints in the back of the spinal canal and a bulging disc in the front of the spinal canal. This results in narrowing of that one area of the spine.

Segmental stenosis can occur in both older and younger people. The symptoms of segmental spinal stenosis are similar to other conditions of the spine. Segmental spinal stenosis can affect the nerve roots that leave the spine at the area where the segmental stenosis occurs. These nerves can become irritated, causing pain, numbness, and weakness in the area the nerve travels. There can also be pressure on the rest of the spinal nerves that must travel through the narrowed area of the spinal canal.