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Stenosis means "closing in" or "choking". Spinal stenosis describes a condition in which the nerves in the spinal canal are closed in, or compressed. The spinal canal is the hollow vertical hole formed by the bones of the spinal column. Anything that causes this bony hole to shrink can squeeze the nerves inside. This narrowing can irritate the nerve roots that branch out from the spinal cord, or it can squeeze and irritate the spinal cord itself. This may cause pain, numbness, or weakness, most often in the legs, feet and buttocks. As a result of many years of wear and tear on the parts of the spine, the tissues nearest the spinal cord sometimes press against the nerves. The actual narrowing of the spinal canal does not cause symptoms. Symptoms develop when the spinal cord or nerve roots are compressed. Spinal stenosis may affect the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine. The most common area affected is the lumbar spine followed by the cervical spine. Although many people older than......

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