Objectives: To verify the relationship between the degree of lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LCS), in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the severity of disability according to the Oswestry Index in patients with LCS compared to controls without LCS. Methods: Twenty-three patients with a diagnosis of LCS were compared with a control group of 17 volunteers. All participants underwent MRI and completed the Oswestry questionnaire. Statistical analysis used the Fisher exact test, the Mann-Whitney and the Spearman's tests. Results: Low back pain was the most frequent complaint in both groups. The Oswestry index showed average disability in 45.69% patients and 11.60% controls. MRI revealed that the dural sac cross-sectional area, the diameter of the canal and the lateral recesses and foramina were equally changed in both groups. 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