Algorithmic approach to the management of the patient with lumbar spinal stenosis.
A 71-year-old generally healthy woman presents for her first visit in 3 years. She ambulates slowly from the waiting room, with a more stooped posture than previously. She reports a 2-year history of slowly worsening buttock and leg pain when she walks any distance. She has noticed that her symptoms are much less when she leans on a shopping cart in the grocery store. Her buttock/leg pain resolves within a few minutes when she sits down. The patient exhibits signs and symptoms suggestive of lumbar spinal stenosis.
Doorly
Terence P
TP
The North Shore Medical Center, Salem, MA, USA.
Lambing
Cheryl L
CL
Malanga
Gerard A
GA
Maurer
Philip M
PM
Rashbaum
Ralph F
RF
D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002081:Buttocks / Q000503:physiopathology; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome