Nonoperative management of lumbar spinal stenosis.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the successful treatment of a patient with lumbar spinal stenosis utilizing nonoperative procedures.


METHODS
A 76-yr-old male with a chief complaint of low back pain and left lower extremity pain demonstrated the following per history and physical examination: 1. A right antalgic shift. 2. Restricted lumbar range of motion with provocation of left lower extremity pain during extension. 3. Generalized lumbar spondylosis as revealed on plain film X rays. 4. MRI confirmed lumbar stenosis. A diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis secondary to spondylosis was made.


RESULTS
Twelve treatments of flexion-distraction manipulation, deep tissue massage, ultrasound, therapeutic exercise, heel lift, and modification of activities of daily living. He was discharged from care asymptomatic in 3 wk. Objective improvement was also noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Conservative treatment designed to increase lumbar flexion, thus increasing lumbar spinal canal volume, has a positive influence on the diminution of neural ischemia and its resultant neural dysfunction. Additional research is needed to elucidate these concepts.
DuPriest
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CM
D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008349:Manipulation, Orthopedic / Q000379:methods*; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy