The treatment of spinal stenosis.

Decompression usually relieves leg pain and enables the patient to walk normal distances. Some back pain may remain. This is often helped by a light elastic support. If there was loss of sensation and motor power before operation, return may be considerable. The operation is only a small part of the total treatment of spinal stenosis. By relieving the pressure on nerves and blood vessels, it paves the way for the postoperative measures previously outlined. These are aimed at rebuilding atrophied muscles and restoring movement to stiff joints. We emphasize the importance of dealing not only with central stenosis involving the central canal, but also of making certain that there is no compression of the spinal nerves in their canals as they pass out through the foramina.