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· DOS Abstracts
Systematic review of treatment for lumbar spinal
stenosis
Rikke Rousing, Mikkel Østerheden Andersen
Rygkirurgisk afdeling, Middelfart Sygehus
Background:
Lumbar Spinal stenosis is treated in different ways. Physiotherapy
and manual treatment are two ways of conservative approaches. The neuro-
genic symptoms are treated with different types of medication. Surgical de-
compression is an invasive treatment.
Purpose / Aim of Study:
The aim of this study is to examine the evidence of
conservative and surgical treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis by a review of
the literature for the last 10 years.
Materials and Methods:
Literature search for randomised studies dealing with
symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis was performed. A protocol for the literatur
search performed by the national board of health was the basis for the literature
seach. Studies in english, german and scandinavian languages were included.
Findings / Results:
There is no evidence for conservative treatment for lum-
bar spinal stenosis. Neurogenic pain may be relieved with Gabapentin, but there
is risk of side effects. In the last 10 years no studies deal with ordinary pain
medication for radiating leg pain. Surgical decompression relives leg pain and
improves physical and mental outcomes and there is a low risc of complications.
Conclusions:
Surgical decompression for symptomatic lumbar spinal stenoses
should be considered in case of failed conservative treatment and/or in case of
severe and long lasting symptoms. There is a need for future randomised studies
concerning conservative treatment, pain medication and surgery for symptom-
atic lumbar spinal stenosis.
No conflicts of interest reported
150.