The efficacy of physical therapy and physical therapy plus calcitonin in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy of physical therapy alone and in combination with calcitonin in patients with neurogenic claudication (NC).


METHODS
In this single blind, and randomized study, patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis who were diagnosed by clinical findings and MRI and having NC were included. Patients were observed for 8 weeks and evaluated before and after treatment. Patients were randomized between the salmon calcitonin 200 U/day + physical therapy (n = 23) (Group 1) and paracetamol 1,500 mg/day + physical therapy (n = 22) (Group 2) treatment groups. Both groups received the same physical therapy (interferential current + hot pack + short wave diathermy) and exercise protocol. The association of various clinical and functional parameters was assessed statistically by using paired and unpaired t test, chi square test and McNemar's test. p < 0.05 indicated statistical significant.


RESULTS
Mean age of the patients in Group 1 was 57.6 +/- 11.2 and in Group 2 54.5 +/- 10.6 years. Before treatment, there were no significant differences between groups with respect to age, body mass index, spinal axial diameter, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), spinal mobility, functional status and walking distance (p > 0.05). After 8 weeks of treatment, both groups benefited significantly with respect to VAS, functional status and walking distance (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between groups (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In 45 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who received 8 weeks of treatment, concomitant use of calcitonin with physical therapy and exercise did not have any benefical effect on the patient's pain, functional status, lumbar mobility and walking distance.
Sahin
Fusun
F
Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. drfusunsahin@yahoo.com.tr
Yilmaz
Figen
F
Kotevoglu
Nurdan
N
Kuran
Banu
B
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000082:Acetaminophen; C028815:salmon calcitonin; D002116:Calcitonin