Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Should I Have Surgery?

Making health decisions is part of life. These decisions can have a big effect on your health and happiness.

Some decisions may affect how good your health care is. Others may affect how much it costs.

Most people feel better about their health care when they take part in these decisions.

This information will help you understand your choices, whether you take part in the decision or ask your doctor to decide.

Your decision should be based on the medical facts as well as your own feelings.

Your choices

  • Have surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis.
  • Do not have surgery.

Key points in making your decision

  • Your symptoms may go away without surgery. Physical therapy, special exercises, and time may be all you need.
  • If you have tried physical therapy and exercises for a while and still have pain, you may want to think about surgery.
  • Even with surgery, your symptoms may come back in a few years. You may need a second operation.
  • Your symptoms may stay the same, get better, or get worse. If they are very bad, they usually will not get better without surgery.
  • Surgery primarily helps to relieve leg pain and other symptoms. Relief of back pain is less likely.

What nonsurgical treatments are used to treat spinal stenosis?

There are other ways besides surgery to relieve mild to moderate symptoms for many years. They include medicine to relieve pain and inflammation, weight management, physical therapy, and exercise.

Think about the facts and about what matters most to you. To help with your decision, take this information to your doctor and talk about your thoughts and feelings. Ask for more information if needed.

Reasons to have surgery Reasons not to have surgery
  • Your pain, numbness, or weakness interferes with your life.
  • You have tried other kinds of treatment for some time, but they have not worked.
  • You want to have surgery if there is a chance it will fix your problem.
  • You are less able than usual to control your bladder or bowels; you notice sudden changes in your ability to walk; or your movement becomes clumsy.
  • Your pain is mostly in your back, not your legs.
  • You want to avoid surgery if you can.
  • You have other serious health problems that might complicate surgery or your recovery.
  • You might need a second operation in a few years.
Circle the answers that best apply to you.

I am bothered more by my back pain than by my other symptoms.

Yes

No

Unsure

I know surgery may not help all my symptoms, but relief from my leg pain and numbness is worth it.

Yes

No

Unsure

I am working on weight control and stretching exercises to keep my symptoms from getting worse.

Yes

No

Unsure

My legs, and especially my feet and toes, get numb when I walk or stand too long.

Yes

No

Unsure

Learn the facts. Consider the risks and benefits. Ask about costs. Talk to your doctor.