Spinal stenosis can progressively limit your ability to walk, stand, and live actively — but it is very treatable. Our fellowship-trained spine specialists offer a full range of options, from physical therapy and injections to minimally invasive decompression surgery.
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal — the channel that houses the spinal cord and nerve roots — becomes narrowed. This narrowing puts pressure on the nerves, causing pain, numbness, and weakness in the areas those nerves supply.
Lumbar stenosis (lower back) commonly causes leg pain and cramping that worsens with walking — a hallmark called neurogenic claudication. Patients typically find relief bending forward, sitting, or leaning on a shopping cart.
Cervical stenosis (neck) can cause arm pain, weakness, numbness, and in more severe cases, problems with balance or coordination (myelopathy). MRI is the most accurate imaging study for diagnosing stenosis.
Back or neck pain that is worse with standing and walking, better with sitting or bending forward
Leg pain, cramping, or fatigue when walking short distances (neurogenic claudication)
Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs or arms
Difficulty with balance or coordination (cervical stenosis with myelopathy)
Symptoms that worsen gradually over months to years
A targeted physical therapy program — emphasizing core strengthening, lumbar flexion exercises, and aerobic conditioning — can meaningfully reduce stenosis symptoms and improve walking tolerance. Many patients achieve substantial improvement without surgery.
Epidural steroid injections reduce nerve root inflammation and can provide months of relief, allowing patients to remain functional and engage more effectively in physical therapy. Our pain management team performs these under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance.
For patients who have not responded adequately to conservative care, minimally invasive lumbar decompression (laminectomy or laminotomy) removes the tissue causing nerve compression through a small incision. Most patients experience significant improvement in walking ability and leg pain.
When stenosis is accompanied by significant spinal instability or spondylolisthesis, spinal fusion may be recommended to stabilize the spine while relieving nerve compression. Our surgeons discuss the specific risks, benefits, and recovery expectations with each patient individually.
Fellowship-trained spine surgeon with expertise in spinal stenosis, minimally invasive decompression, and lumbar and cervical spine conditions.
Board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in degenerative spine conditions, spinal stenosis decompression, and fusion surgery.
Interventional pain management specialist providing image-guided epidural steroid injections and spinal pain management for stenosis patients.
Yes. Many patients manage their symptoms effectively with physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and epidural steroid injections. Surgery is considered when conservative care has not provided adequate relief, or when neurological deficits are progressing.
They can overlap but are not the same. Sciatica specifically refers to pain radiating along the sciatic nerve, usually caused by disc herniation or bone spur pressing on a nerve root. Spinal stenosis is a structural narrowing of the spinal canal that can cause sciatic-like leg pain, but the pattern and triggers differ. Both can be evaluated and treated at Restore Orthopedics.
Not necessarily. Many people with spinal stenosis have stable symptoms for years. However, stenosis does not resolve on its own — the anatomical changes remain, and symptoms can worsen with additional degeneration. This is why maintaining core strength and regular monitoring is important.
Most patients undergoing minimally invasive lumbar decompression are walking the same day or the day after surgery. Full recovery and return to normal activities typically takes 4 to 8 weeks. Many patients experience a significant improvement in walking distance and leg pain soon after the procedure.
Overview of minimally invasive lumbar decompression procedures performed by our fellowship-trained spine surgeons.
Sciatica and spinal stenosis share similar symptoms — learn how each is diagnosed and what treatment options are available.
Herniated discs are another common cause of nerve compression in the lumbar spine — often occurring alongside stenosis.
Restore Orthopedics & Spine is located in Orange, CA, serving patients throughout Orange County including Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Fullerton, Tustin, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Yorba Linda, Brea, and Placentia, as well as Los Angeles County communities including La Habra, Whittier, Downey, Cerritos, and Long Beach. We also welcome patients from Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Same-week appointments. Conservative and surgical options. On-site MRI.