[1] Causes may include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal tumors, trauma, Paget's disease of the bone, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, and the genetic condition achondroplasia.

Cervical canal stenosis may lead to myelopathy, a serious condition causing symptoms including major body weakness and paralysis.

[14] 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.

X-ray and MRI scans are typically used to determine the extent and location of the nerve compression.

[34] The physical examination of a patient with spinal stenosis will give the physician information about exactly where nerve compression is occurring.

Some important factors that should be investigated are any areas of sensory abnormalities, numbness, irregular reflexes, and any muscular weakness.

MRIs are helpful because they show more structures, including nerves, muscles, and ligaments than seen on X-rays or CT scans.

X-rays are performed followed by a CT scan of the spine to help see narrowing of the spinal canal.

The overall evidence is inconclusive whether non-surgical or surgical treatment is better for lumbar spinal stenosis.

[41] A RCT is being conducted in Sweden, to compare surgery versus non-surgical treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis.