In some cases, spinal stenosis does not cause any symptoms. However, it is more likely that patients will experience gradual symptoms that will worsen over time. These may include:

• Leg pain or cramping in the legs. Compression of nerves or spinal cord in the lower spine may lead to a condition known as neurologic intermittent claudication, more commonly known as pseudoclaudication. Pseudoclaudication triggers pain or cramping in the legs of those who walk or stand for extended periods of time.
  
  Patients with pseudoclaudication usually find that bending forward relieves symptoms, as this takes pressure off the nerves. Unlike true (vascular) claudication, a common pain symptom caused by constriction of blood vessels in the leg (typically due to peripheral arterial disease), at least 20 minutes of rest rather than a few minutes may be required to ease leg pain caused by spinal stenosis.
  
  
• Sciatic nerve pain (sciatica). Discomfort that radiates down the back, hip and into the leg. This is usually the result of a herniated disc pressuring the sciatic nerve, which extends down the back of each leg. For most patients, pain usually affects just one leg and worsens during sitting. In addition to pain, patients may experience numbness, weakness and tingling in the leg or foot.

• Neck pain and shoulder pain. Occurs when the nerves or spinal cord of the neck are compressed and may occur either occasionally or chronically. In some patients, pain extends into the arm or hand and can cause headaches, loss of sensation or muscle weakness.