Take the check
Woman, late 60s, stopped mid-walk on a neighborhood sidewalk, one hand on her hip, looking ahead. Candid, morning light.

Do your legs
hurt when you walk?

If sitting down makes it better, it may be lumbar spinal stenosis. It's common, and there are ways to treat it.

Take the 1-minute check
1 of 6

When you walk, do your legs or buttocks ache, burn or cramp?

2 of 6

Does it get worse the longer you stand or walk?

3 of 6

Does sitting down or leaning forward ease it?

Like leaning on a shopping cart.

4 of 6

Do you feel numbness or tingling in your legs or feet?

5 of 6

Has it been going on for more than three months?

6 of 6

Have therapy, medication or injections stopped helping?

You're not imagining it.
And you're not alone.

Man, 70s, pausing at a street corner, hand on his lower back.
You stop halfway.
Woman, 60s, standing in a grocery line, shifting her weight.
Standing in line aches.
Older man leaning on a shopping cart in a bright store aisle.
The cart helps.
Couple, 60s, on a park bench watching others walk by.
You sit it out.

Why it happens.

Each bone in your lower back has an opening for the nerves to your legs. When there's room, the nerves move freely.

Ligament Nerves Bone

Your options.

Stenosis care usually moves step by step. lift sits between injections and open surgery.

Step 1Therapy and medication

Exercise, physical therapy and pain relievers. Often the first thing to try.

Step 2Injections

Can ease pain for a while. They don't remove what's pressing on the nerves, so they may need repeating.

Step 3lift

Removes the tissue pressing on the nerves through a small incision. Outpatient, and most people go home the same day.

Step 4Open surgery

A larger operation, usually under general anesthesia, often with a hospital stay.

What you can do.

  1. 1Take the check

    Six questions about your symptoms. It takes about a minute.

  2. 2Talk to your doctor

    Bring your answers. Your doctor may order an MRI or CT to see what's going on.

  3. 3Ask about lift

    If therapy, medication or injections haven't lasted, lift may be an option.

    • Outpatient. Most people go home the same day.
    • A small incision.
    • No implant or steroid left behind.
Grandparent and grandchild walking hand in hand away from camera, park path, golden light.

Your next walk
starts with a question.

Take the 1-minute check

For general education only, not medical advice. Only your doctor can diagnose your condition. lift is not right for everyone and results vary. Your doctor can explain the risks and benefits for you.