Spinal Stenosis
What Causes Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is primarily caused by age-related wear and tear in the spine (cervical or lumbar spondylosis). Degenerative changes affect up to 95% of people over the age of 50, though not everyone develops symptoms. Key contributing factors include osteoarthritis, spondylolisthesis, osteoporosis and vertebral collapse, previous spinal trauma or surgery
What Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms typically develop gradually and depend on whether the narrowing occurs in the lower back (lumbar stenosis) or neck (cervical stenosis). Common signs include:
- Back pain or aching stiffness
- Burning pain radiating into the buttocks, thighs, or legs (sciatica)
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs, feet, or hands
- Heavy, cramping sensations in the legs when standing or walking (neurogenic claudication)
- Relieved discomfort when sitting down, resting, or leaning forward (such as over a shopping trolley or bicycle handlebars), as bending opens up space in the spinal canal
Emergency Warning: Myelopathy & Cauda Equina
Seek urgent medical attention if you experience progressive unsteadiness, severe clumsiness in your hands, loss of bowel or bladder control, or numbness around your saddle area (buttocks, genitals, or inner thighs). These red-flag symptoms indicate significant spinal cord or Cauda Equina compression requiring immediate evaluation.
How Is It Diagnosed?
Your Fortius specialist will conduct a detailed physical and neurological examination, testing your reflexes, gait, balance, and leg strength. To confirm the extent of the narrowing, they may recommend:
- MRI scan: The primary imaging modality used to view soft tissues, nerve root compression, disc herniations, and spinal cord involvement.
- X-rays: To assess overall spinal alignment, degenerative changes, bone spurs, or underlying instability (spondylolisthesis).
- CT scan: Used when MRI is contraindicated to evaluate bone architecture and canal dimensions in detail.
How is it treated?
Many cases remain stable over time, with approximately 20% improving naturally. Treatment focuses on preserving mobility, relieving pain, and reducing nerve pressure.
Treatment Routes for Spinal Stenosis
Non-surgical treatment is effective for managing mild to moderate symptoms. A targeted exercise plan focuses on aerobic fitness, core strength, and spinal flexibility. Using a stationary exercise bike is often recommended, as cycling keeps the spine slightly flexed, keeping the canal open. Anti-inflammatory or targeted nerve-pain medications prescribed by your doctor can also provide symptom control.
Working with Spine professionals and teams
Our spine specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their spines. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Spine treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
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