Medically reviewed by Dr. Scheid
What Is Spinal Stenosis?
When pain in your lower back or legs makes it difficult to stand in line at the store, walk through a parking lot, or climb a flight of stairs, the problem may go deeper than a strained muscle. Spinal stenosis occurs when the canal that protects your spinal cord and nerves narrows over time, placing steady pressure on the structures that control sensation and movement throughout your body.
At NeuroSpine Plus in Mount Laurel, NJ, we help patients throughout southern New Jersey find answers and relief for spinal stenosis. Dr. Edward Scheid brings over 20 years of neurosurgical experience and more than 8,000 successful procedures to every consultation, and our team is focused on minimally invasive surgical techniques that shorten recovery and preserve as much healthy tissue as possible.
Spinal stenosis is the progressive narrowing of the spinal canal or the bony openings where nerve roots exit the spine, resulting in compression of the spinal cord or individual nerves. It most commonly affects the lumbar spine (lower back) and cervical spine (neck). The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases identifies degenerative aging as the leading cause, including disc breakdown, ligament thickening, and bone spur development. For a detailed overview of the condition, visit our spinal stenosis page.
Many patients respond well to conservative treatments such as targeted physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and activity adjustments. When symptoms continue to worsen or begin affecting neurological function, a surgical evaluation can help clarify the best path forward.
If you have noticed these symptoms developing over time and they are now limiting what you can do each day, a thorough spinal evaluation is an important first step toward finding out what is causing the problem.
Types of Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar stenosis is the most common form and develops when the spinal canal in the lower back narrows enough to compress the nerve roots that extend to the legs and feet. Patients frequently describe their symptoms as a tired, heavy sensation in the legs that builds during walking or standing and subsides when they sit down or lean forward. This predictable pattern, known as neurogenic claudication, is one of the clearest signs that lumbar stenosis may be responsible for the discomfort.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Cervical stenosis narrows the canal in the neck, where the spinal cord itself can become compressed. This is a more serious form of the condition because spinal cord damage, unlike peripheral nerve compression, may not be fully reversible. Symptoms often include difficulty with hand coordination, unsteadiness when walking, neck pain or stiffness, and numbness extending into the arms or fingers. Cervical stenosis that progresses to myelopathy requires prompt attention to prevent permanent neurological loss.
What Causes Spinal Stenosis?
Age-related degeneration drives the vast majority of stenosis cases. The most common contributors include bone spur formation along the vertebrae, herniated or bulging discs, thickening of the ligamentum flavum, spondylolisthesis, and osteoarthritis of the facet joints. The condition is most frequently diagnosed in patients over 50, though individuals born with a congenitally narrow spinal canal or those with prior spinal injuries may develop symptoms at a younger age.
Common Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
- Pain in the lower back or neck that has gradually worsened over months
- Leg heaviness, cramping, or weakness during activity
- Leg heaviness, cramping, or weakness during activity
- Difficulty walking longer distances without needing to stop and rest
- Balance or coordination problems, particularly in the legs
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, particularly if they have worsened over weeks or months, a thorough evaluation can help determine whether spinal stenosis is the underlying cause.
How We Treat Spinal Stenosis in Mount Laurel
At NeuroSpine Plus, we approach every stenosis case with a careful, individualized assessment. Dr. Scheid reviews your diagnostic imaging, discusses your symptom history in detail, and evaluates how the condition is affecting your mobility and quality of life before making any treatment recommendation. Surgery is considered only when conservative options have been tried and the clinical picture clearly supports surgical intervention.
The procedure most commonly used to treat spinal stenosis is laminectomy, in which a portion of the vertebral arch is removed to widen the spinal canal and decompress the affected nerves. Additional surgical options include foraminotomy for nerve root compression at the exit points, lumbar fusion when the stenosis is accompanied by spinal instability, and ACDF for cervical stenosis with disc involvement.
Whenever your anatomy and diagnosis allow, we use minimally invasive techniques to perform these procedures. Smaller incisions, tubular retractors, and intraoperative imaging allow us to achieve thorough decompression while preserving surrounding muscle and soft tissue. This translates to less post-operative pain, shorter hospital stays, and a faster timeline back to your normal routine.
No two stenosis cases are identical, and the surgical plan Dr. Scheid recommends reflects that. The approach is determined by the location of the narrowing, the number of spinal levels affected, the presence or absence of instability, and your overall health. The goal is always durable relief with the smallest surgical footprint necessary.
Recovery After Spinal Stenosis Surgery
Recovery after spinal stenosis surgery varies based on the procedure, the number of levels treated, and your overall health. Following a minimally invasive laminectomy or decompression, most patients can resume light activities within 2 to 3 weeks. When fusion is part of the procedure, full healing typically requires 3 to 6 months as the vertebrae solidify into a stable unit.
Walking usually begins within the first few days after surgery, with gradual increases in activity guided by Dr. Scheid at scheduled follow-up appointments. Our team is available between visits to address questions, monitor your healing, and adjust your recovery plan as needed.
Our Mount Laurel office on Commerce Parkway brings experienced spine care to patients throughout Burlington County and the surrounding southern New Jersey communities. From your first consultation through your final follow-up, Dr. Scheid and our team make sure you understand your diagnosis, your treatment options, and what recovery will look like.
If spinal stenosis is making it harder to stay on your feet, walk comfortably, or keep up with daily responsibilities, we are ready to help. Our Mount Laurel office is located at 16000 Commerce Pkwy, Suite B-1, Mt Laurel Township, NJ 08054, and with six convenient New Jersey locations, advanced spine care is never far away.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Stenosis
Symptoms of spinal stenosis can often be managed through conservative care, including physical therapy, medication, and activity modification. However, the structural narrowing itself does not reverse. When symptoms are progressive or significantly limit daily function, surgery may be the most effective option for lasting relief.
Laminectomy is the most widely performed procedure. It removes part of the vertebral bone to enlarge the spinal canal and take pressure off the compressed nerves. At NeuroSpine Plus in Mount Laurel, we perform laminectomy using minimally invasive techniques to reduce recovery time.
Driving is typically permitted once you are no longer taking narcotic pain medication and can safely turn your head and operate the pedals. For most decompression patients, this is within 2 to 3 weeks. Fusion patients may need to wait longer depending on the extent of the procedure.
Schedule Your Consultation in Mount Laurel
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Scheid & The Team at NeuroSpine Plus
Last updated: June 3, 2026The team at NeuroSpine Plus is led by Dr. Edward Scheid, a board-certified neurosurgeon with over 20 years of experience and 8,000+ successful surgeries. Along with his dedicated team of physician assistants and medical professionals, NeuroSpine Plus specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery and comprehensive spine care across six convenient locations in New Jersey. Our clinical expertise in treating complex spine conditions ensures all content is medically accurate and based on proven treatment approaches we use daily in our practice.