Lumbar canal stenosis has been well recognised as a cause of low backache. A study was undertaken to find out the incidence of lumbar canal stenosis in Indian adults from 1 July 1978 to 30 June 1981. The diagnosis was based on clinical, radiological and myelographic findings. The majority of adults in the fourth decade were found to be suffering from degenerative arthritis of the apophyseal joints with thickened ligamentum flavum. Congenital stenosis cases were few. Decompression of the stenosed canal by laminectomy of the stenosed segments and excision of thickened ligamentum flavum, or any osseous element in the posterolateral compartment, gave lasting relief from backache and intermittent claudication. Incidence of pure relative stenosis is higher than pure absolute stenosis amongst Indian adults.