title: Non-operative treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Non-operative treatment is widely accepted for early stages of lumbar spinal stenosis. In general, a trial of conservative treatment is recommended prior to surgery. However, there is an ongoing debate regarding benefits from non-operative treatment and their duration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-eight patients were included in this prospective study. All patients received repeated epidural injections and facet joint injections as well as physiotherapy during a one week hospitalization. Patient characteristics, VAS scores, COMI and ODI scores and SF-36 were assessed prior to and immediately after treatment as well as after six, twelve, and 26 weeks. For six weeks after treatment, patients were asked to record a pain diary.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Back and leg pain scores improved significantly on VAS up to three months follow-up. COMI score improved significantly over the entire follow-up. Regarding quality of life, mental sub-scores showed no improvement. Physical component summary scores improved for the first three months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Non-operative treatment offers pain relief and improves physical function for three months. COMI scores improve up to six months follow-up. Spine Tango registry offers standardized instruments for outcome evaluation of non-operative treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Marien Krankenhaus GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Geier
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bredow
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oppermann
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Marien Krankenhaus GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Peer
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eysel
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Medizinisches Zentrum StädteRegion Aachen GmbH, Mauerfeldchen, Würselen, Germany.
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sobottke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000577:Amides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001416:Back Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007268:Injections, Epidural; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017409:Sufentanil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014221:Triamcinolone / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D014221:Triamcinolone; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D017409:Sufentanil
keywords: Lumbar spinal stenosis; Spine Tango; epidural injections; non-operative treatment