Stenosis is caused by the narrowing of a canal or space in your body. It most commonly affects the space where your spinal cord is kept and/or where the spinal nerves exit your back bones (vertebrae).
Stenosis should be treated to alleviate or avoid unwanted pressure along the spinal nerves and/or spinal cord. This is because the spinal cord and spinal nerves allow other parts of your body to function such as your arms and/or legs. As a result, stenosis can cause pain, numbness, weakness and/or problems with bowel and bladder function.