The symptoms of spinal stenosis usually begin gradually and worsen over time. Symptoms can vary depending on where in the spine the condition occurs.
Symptoms of lumbar (lower back) spinal stenosis:
- Pain, cramping, or stiffness in the legs and lower back, especially if you have been standing or walking for a long period of time. This pain usually eases upon bending forward or sitting down.
- In severe cases, loss of bladder, bowel, or sexual function can occur, and is called cauda equina syndrome
- Numbness, weakness, tingling, and/or pain in the arm, neck, hand, leg, or foot.
- In severe cases: Bladder or bowel incontinence
- Paralysis
Symptoms can overlap from condition to condition, making an accurate diagnosis critical to proper treatment. At the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center, our specialists have advanced training in diagnosing and treating conditions of the spine. (See Diagnosing and Treating Spinal Stenosis.)
Kaylie Jones, 58, is a veritable fount of energy. An author of five books, a graduate school professor in two MFA writing programs, and the owner of an independent literary imprint, she seems to do it all. When she’s not at home in New York City,...
The first time Joan Lazarou, 60, felt an odd tingling sensation in her feet she figured it was due to the cold January weather and just put on an extra pair of socks. But over the next few weeks the tingling got worse, and soon it was accompanied by...
By Alfred Tosto I know I’m a pretty complicated case – I had a liver transplant in 2008 after being diagnosed with cancer and I take a basketful of drugs every day, immunosuppressants, prednisone, a lot of meds. But I’m a project manager and I treat...
A new 3D navigation system allowed Dr. Härtl to get Kathy back on her feet -- and back to her life -- in record time
Pearl Staller, known to everyone as “Freddie,” started having pain in her left leg and her lower back — at 90. An active woman and an avid skier who spent most of her winters on the slopes near her second home in Snowbird, Freddie was not about to...
Sara Kearns had always loved to travel, and she built her career around it. So when back pain interrupted her ability to travel, she knew she needed help. Dr. Hartl was there to get her back to her travels.
Our Care Team
- Hansen-MacDonald Professor of Neurological Surgery
- Director of Spinal Surgery
Phone: 212-746-2152
- Clinical Associate Professor of Neurosurgery
- Attending Neurosurgeon
Phone: 888-922-2257
- Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery, Spinal Surgery
- Co-Director, Spinal Deformity and Scoliosis Program
- Chief of Neurological Surgery, NYP Lower Manhattan
Phone: 212-746-2260
- Chief of Neurological Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens
- Co-director, Weill Cornell Medicine CSF Leak Program
Phone: (718) 670-1837
- Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery
Phone: 646-962-3388
- Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery, Spine Surgery
Phone: 718-670-1837 (Queens) / 888-922-2257 (Manhattan)
- Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery
Phone: 866-426-7787 (Manhattan) / 646-967-2020 (Brooklyn)
- Assistant Professor of Radiology in Neurological Surgery (Manhattan and Queens)
Phone: 212-746-2821 (Manhattan) or 718-303-3739 (Queens)
Reviewed by: Eric Elowitz, MD
Last reviewed/last updated: September 2020