Patients with spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) often have back, buttock, and leg pain. The pain is worse when they walk and gets better when they rest with their
spine bent slightly forward. The patient may also have restless-leg syndrome, an
uncontrollable shaking or movement of one or both legs.
Surgery is a common treatment option for spinal stenosis when everything else has failed. Doctors usually try drugs and exercise first. Surgery doesn’t relieve the back pain for everyone. Quality of life is improved when claudication gets better or goes away. Surgery may give relief from the restless leg movement and leg pain.