Clinical manifestations of lumbar spinal stenosis
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2005 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | European Journal of Neurology |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Neurology, neurosurgery, neurosciences |
| Keywords | Lumbar spinal stenosis; clinical manifestation |
| Description | The aim of this study was to describe the clinical picture of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and to evaluate the relationship between neurogenic claudication (NC) and the ability to move and run, any permanent motor and sensory deficit of the lower extremities, pain and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). The authors examined and followed up a group of 103 patients with LSS over a period of 2.5 years. Mean age was 65 years (23-92). Neurogenic claudication (NC) was present in 61% of patients, while in one-third of the NC+ group the presence of NC fluctuated significantly during follow-up. Lower back and leg pain was permanently present in 48% of patients; only 17 patients (16%) were free of pain during for the whole follow-up period. In 36% the pain fluctuated. Weakness of the lower limbs was demonstrated in 30 patients. The mean ODI was 43% (0-80%). The presence of NC was related to a ten-metre walking test (p <0.001) and the ability to run (p=0.006). A similar association was established between NC and permanent weakness (p=0.049) on neurological examination. An association was also found between NC and mean ODI (NC+ = 41%, N- = 22%, p=0.021) and severity of low back pain (measured by visual analogue scale) (NC+ = 5.0, NC- = 3.0 pts, p= 0.009). Conclusion: NC is a prominent marker of lumbar spinal stenosis and influences and correlates with other clinical signs and symptoms frequently used in the assessment of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. |
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