M99.53: Intervertebral disc stenosis of neural canal Lumbar region

Changes to your intervertebral discs have caused a constriction in your vertebral canal in the lumbar spine area.

The spine consists of several sections. The cervical spine begins below the head. The cervical spine is very mobile. Below that is the thoracic spine. The ribs are attached to the thoracic spine. Below the thoracic spine is the lumbar spine. The lumbar spine is also very mobile and it bears a large part of the body’s weight. After the lumbar spine, the sacrum and coccyx join. The spine is made up of the individual vertebrae. Between every 2 vertebrae there is a vertebral disc. The vertebrae form the vertebral canal on the rear of the spinal column. The spinal cord runs in the vertebral canal. Nerve fibers run from the brain into the body via the spinal cord and form nerves there. Every nerve is responsible for a particular part of the skin and for certain muscles. These nerves are important for instance in enabling you to feel and move the muscles.

Wear and tear can result in changes in the intervertebral discs. For example, intervertebral discs can bulge into the vertebral canal and constrict it. When the vertebral canal is narrowed, the spinal cord can be damaged.

The narrowing of the spinal canal can cause pain or sensitivity disorders. This can affect your abdomen or legs, for example. For example, the skin in the affected areas may tingle or be numb. It may also be that you are no longer able to move certain muscles properly. The problems may be particularly apparent when walking and standing, and improve when lying and sitting down.