Authors' objectives: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses the neural elements in the lower back. The resulting pain, weakness, and/or numbness in the legs are known as neurogenic intermittent claudication. Symptoms are relieved by postural flexion, such as by sitting or bending forward. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can affect patient mobility and quality of life. The incidence of LSS in the United States is approximately 10% of the population. LSS is mainly related to degenerative changes, and it is estimated that approximately 400,000 Americans, most aged 60 years or older, are afflicted. First-line treatment for symptomatic LSS includes nonsurgical approaches such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotics, physical therapy, chiropractic manipulation, spinal traction, acupuncture, and epidural steroid injections. If symptoms do not respond adequately to these approaches, open surgical treatments such as decompression (laminectomy) or spinal fusion may be required, which can have serious complications and can be particularly risky for elderly patients.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2014

URL for published report: The report may be purchased from: http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/crd/?crd=14987

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: HAYES, Inc.

Contact Address: 157 S. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA. Tel: 215 855 0615; Fax: 215 855 5218

Contact Name: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Contact Email: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Copyright: 2014 Winifred S. Hayes, Inc