It is frequently due to chronic degeneration,[1] but may also be congenital.

Thoracic spinal stenosis, at the level of the mid-back, is much less common.

Cervical canal stenosis may lead to serious symptoms such as major body weakness and paralysis.

Such severe spinal stenosis symptoms are virtually absent in lumbar stenosis, however, as the spinal cord terminates at the top end of the adult lumbar spine, with only nerve roots (cauda equina) continuing further down.

[3] Potential nonsurgical treatments include:[citation needed] Potential surgical treatments include: