Hello,

I was diagnosed with congenital spinal stenosis at 23 years old after significant symptoms similar to your brother. Spinal Stenosis is really common with elderly and older people as their disc begin to deteriorate and other calcification etc., occurs in the spinal canal. Plain english-this is a narrowing of the spinal canal which causes increased pressure/compression on the spinal cord among other nerves. This could be a cause, or secondary cause due to some other issue. I would be inclined to ask about this because Spinal Stenosis presents with common symptoms of pain after walking and standing upright as well as sitting, these all add compression to the spine and discs.

An MRI would most likely be the preferred diagnostic method.

I would notify the family MD for his or her consult, they may order MRI and dependent upon findings refer to neuro/orthsurgeon for treatment. For us younger guys, they typically try to avoid surgery so PT and other pain management and rehab would most likely be the first course of action depending on the results.

I am not a MD but I have my own experiences that I am speaking from.

I would definetely reach out to my family doc and ask about spinal stenosis simply because of the impacts to leg pain and

Thanks a lot. That is now something we can look into. My mother wanted me to ask you....when you wake up in the mornings, do your body feel stiff or do you move around like an older person? Also she wanted to know when did you first start experiencing the pains and how long was it before you were diagnosed?

I do have many of the same symptoms, although I cannot say it is due to the spinal stenosis or from the affects of lumbar disc surgery in my lower back. I am typically slightly hunched over at the waste and cannot straighten up real well. Either way it definetely should be looked at by a physician who would most likely refer to a orthopeodist or neurosurgeon for diagnosis and treatment plan. Be sure to try and remember any falls, trauma or specific occurences that may have caused the initial pain.

I had pains for a while but I was in the military and medical care wasnt available, within a few weeks once I went to the doctor I had the MRI done with results and consulted Orthopedist who in turn developed a treatment plan starting with muscle relaxers, antiinflammatory meds and therapy. I may a substantial recover initially with slight flare ups only after heavy lifting/labor. I did however rupture a disc this fall which required surgery and unfortunately I have not recovered as easily as the first time.