Gov. Mark Dayton undergoes spinal surgery

Gov. Mark Dayton is at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester today. He's going to have back surgery to deal with his painful condition known as spinal stenosis.

According to the National Institutes of Health, spinal stenosis is most common among people 50 and older. Dayton is going to turn 66 in the coming weeks. He's been seen walking with a cane because of his back pain.

During the procedure, vertebrae that have shifted out of alignment will be fused together. Joining MPR's Cathy Wurzer to talk about spinal stenosis is Dr. Christopher DeWald a Chicago-based orthopedic surgeon who specializes in spine surgery.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.