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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffSpinal stenosis complications vary, depending on which nerves are compressed.
Cervical stenosis complications
- Incontinence. In severe cases of cervical spinal stenosis, you may lose the ability to control your bowels or bladder.
- Weakness or paralysis. Cervical spinal stenosis often causes severe weakness and sometimes paralysis.
Lumbar stenosis complications
Cauda equina syndrome is a rare but serious complication, in which the bundle of nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord is compressed. This can cause numbness and paralysis, and emergency surgery may be necessary to relieve the pressure.
- Questions and answers about spinal stenosis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Spinal_Stenosis/default.asp. Accessed Dec. 21, 2009.
- Curlee PM. Spinal stenosis. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/176085454-4/931784364/1584/313.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03329-9..50044-1--cesec14_2092. Accessed Dec. 21, 2009.
- Meleger AL. Cervical stenosis. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/177277239-7/935792099/1678/9.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50008-0--cesec8_89. Accessed Jan. 5, 2010.
- Bartleson JD (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 31, 2010.
- Isaac Z, et al. Lumbar spinal stenosis. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/177277239-4/935690969/1678/49.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50048-1_751. Accessed Jan. 5, 2010.
- Spinal stenosis. American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/diseases_and_conditions/stenosis.asp. Accessed Dec. 22, 2009.
- Cauda equina syndrome. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00362. Accessed Jan. 5, 2010.
- Levin K. Lumbar spinal stenosis: Treatment and prognosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 3, 2010.
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