Spinal Stenosis Treatment with Dr. Shah-Naz Khan, Neurosurgeon in Flint, MI
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces inside the spine that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. In the lower back it often causes leg pain, numbness, or heaviness that eases when you sit or lean forward. Spinal stenosis treatment usually starts with non-surgical care and moves to decompression surgery only when it is truly needed.
What it is
Narrowing of the spinal canal that presses on the spinal cord and nerves.
Lumbar vs cervical
Lumbar affects the lower back and legs; cervical affects the neck, arms, and sometimes legs.
Common symptoms
Leg or arm pain, numbness, or weakness, often eased by sitting or bending forward.
Who it affects
Most common after age 50, usually from age-related wear of the spine.
Conservative vs surgical
Non-surgical care first; decompression surgery when symptoms limit daily life.
What is spinal stenosis?
Your spine surrounds and protects the spinal cord and the nerves that branch off it. Spinal stenosis means the spaces inside the spine have narrowed, so there is less room for those nerves. The word "stenosis" simply means narrowing.
When the space gets tight, the nerves can be squeezed or irritated. That is what causes the pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness many people feel in the legs or arms. It usually develops slowly over years as part of normal wear and tear on the spine, which is why it is most common in adults over 50.
Spinal stenosis is one of the degenerative spine conditions Dr. Khan treats. See spine disorders and spine care →
In plain terms
What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?
A classic sign is leg pain or heaviness when you walk or stand that eases when you sit or lean forward. This is called neurogenic claudication. The signs below separate a rare emergency from the common symptoms a specialist should review.
Seek emergency care now if…
These can be signs of cauda equina syndrome, a rare emergency where nerves at the base of the spine are severely compressed. Do not wait. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
- New loss of control over your bladder or bowels
- Numbness in the groin, buttocks, or inner thighs (a "saddle" pattern)
- Sudden, severe weakness in one or both legs
- A sudden inability to walk or stand
See a specialist soon if…
Not an emergency, but worth a specialist review rather than living around the symptoms.
- Leg pain, cramping, or heaviness when walking that eases when you sit or lean forward
- Numbness or tingling in the legs, feet, arms, or hands
- A shrinking walking distance, or leaning on a cart for relief
- Neck or back pain with symptoms that travel into an arm or leg
Lumbar vs. cervical spinal stenosis
Stenosis is named for where it happens along the spine. The two most common types are lumbar (lower back) and cervical (neck), and they cause different symptoms.
Lumbar spinal stenosis (lower back)
- The most common type, in the lower part of the spine
- Causes leg pain, numbness, or heaviness, often when walking or standing
- Symptoms often ease when sitting or bending forward, such as leaning on a cart
- This walking-related pattern is called neurogenic claudication
Cervical spinal stenosis (neck)
- Narrowing in the neck, which can press on the spinal cord itself
- May cause numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or hands
- Can affect balance, walking, or fine hand movements in more advanced cases
- Cord compression in the neck (myelopathy) is watched more closely
What causes spinal stenosis?
Most spinal stenosis comes from gradual, age-related changes in the spine. A few people are born with a naturally narrow canal.
Common causes
- Osteoarthritis and age-related wear of the spine
- Bone spurs (extra bone growth) narrowing the canal
- Bulging or herniated discs pressing on nerves
- Thickened spinal ligaments
- Past spine injury or surgery
Risk factors
- Age over 50, the strongest risk factor
- A history of osteoarthritis or other spine problems
- A naturally narrow spinal canal you were born with
- Previous trauma to the spine
How is spinal stenosis diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with your story and a physical exam, then imaging that shows how much the canal has narrowed and which nerves are affected.
History & physical exam
Dr. Khan reviews your symptoms and checks your strength, reflexes, sensation, and walking. How and when symptoms appear is often very telling.
MRI
An MRI shows the soft tissues, nerves, discs, and spinal cord in detail. It is usually the best test to confirm stenosis and see what is causing it.
CT scan
A CT scan shows bone clearly and is useful when an MRI is not possible or when detailed bone views are needed. A CT myelogram adds dye for a closer look at the nerves.
How is spinal stenosis treated?
Most people start with non-surgical care. Surgery is considered when symptoms limit daily life or do not improve, or when there are warning signs.
Physical therapy & activity
Targeted exercises, posture and activity changes, and staying active help many people manage symptoms and keep moving.
Medication & injections
Anti-inflammatory medicines and, in some cases, epidural steroid injections can ease nerve irritation and reduce pain.
Decompression (laminectomy)
When surgery is needed, a laminectomy removes a small piece of bone or ligament to create more room for the nerves. This is called decompression.
Fusion, when needed
If the spine is also unstable, a spinal fusion may be added to join two bones together for stability. It is used only when it is truly needed.
A stepwise, conservative-first approach
Dr. Khan generally starts with the least invasive options that fit your case and reserves surgery for when non-surgical care has not helped enough, when symptoms are clearly limiting your life, or when there are warning signs such as progressive weakness.
Every case is reviewed by Dr. Khan personally, and surgery is recommended only when the benefit clearly outweighs the risk. When a minimally invasive option is appropriate, it is considered. You will get a clear, honest explanation of the trade-offs, with time for your questions. See spine care →
What shapes the plan
Recovery and what to expect
Recovery depends on your treatment. With non-surgical care, the goal is steady improvement in comfort and walking distance over weeks, along with exercises you continue at home.
After decompression surgery such as a laminectomy, many people are encouraged to walk soon and go home within a short hospital stay, with activity gradually increased over the following weeks. If a fusion is part of the surgery, recovery usually takes longer because the bones need time to heal. Your care team will explain your specific timeline, activity limits, and follow-up. These are general patterns, not a promise about any one person's recovery.
Follow-up visits let Dr. Khan check your progress and adjust the plan as you heal.
General recovery patterns
Spine care from a neurosurgeon who treats the whole spine
Shah-Naz Khan, MD, FRCSC, FAANS is a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon whose practice includes the full range of spine disorders, from degenerative conditions like spinal stenosis to complex spinal problems. As a neurosurgeon, she focuses on the nerves and spinal cord, not just the bones of the spine.
She founded the Institute of General and Endovascular Neurosurgery in Flint, Michigan in 2014 on a simple standard: excellence, ethics, and integrity. Every case is personally evaluated by Dr. Khan, surgery is recommended only when it is truly in your best interest, and second opinions are genuinely welcomed. Explore spine care →
Why patients choose IGEN
- Board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeon
- Treats the full range of spine disorders, conservative and surgical
- Every case personally reviewed by Dr. Khan, not delegated
- Surgery advised only when the benefit clearly outweighs the risk
- Second opinions welcomed
Spinal stenosis: frequently asked questions
What is spinal stenosis?
What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis in the legs?
Does spinal stenosis require surgery?
What exercises should I avoid with spinal stenosis?
What is recovery like after a laminectomy?
What is the difference between lumbar and cervical spinal stenosis?
Can spinal stenosis be treated without surgery?
Do I need a referral to see Dr. Khan about spinal stenosis?
Living around leg or back symptoms? Get a clear plan.
Whether you were told you have spinal stenosis or you are still looking for answers, Dr. Khan will review your case personally and walk you through your options, from non-surgical care to surgery, calmly and honestly.
- Request a consultation by phone or through the contact form.
- Share any MRI, CT, or reports you already have so nothing is repeated needlessly.
- Meet Dr. Khan for a personal review, a clear explanation, and honest next steps.
- Our team will follow up to confirm your appointment .