Efficacy of Surgery and Physical Therapy in Treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Running head: EFFICACY OF SURGERY AND PHYSICAL THERAPY IN TREATMENT OF LUMBAR SPINAL
STENOSIS 1
Efficacy of surgery and physical therapy in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis
Name:
Institution:
Tutor:
Date:

EFFICACY OF SURGERY AND PHYSICAL THERAPY IN TREATMENT OF LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS 2
Introduction
Lumbar spinal stenosis is an anatomical condition in which the spinal canal or the nerve
root foramen is narrowed. It is one of the most disabling condition among people older than 65
years. It is characterized by low back pains, buttocks and neurogenic claudication. With the ever
increasing ageing population, more people may suffer from the condition (Tosteson et al., 2017).
It is therefore important to focus on its therapy. Some of the recommended therapies include
surgical or non-surgical modalities. Within the framework of this essay, there will be a
comparison and contrast on the efficacy between the two.
Discussion
Physical therapy for spinal stenosis involves use of physical means like thorough exercise
or heat so as to lower the pain and allow the patient to gradually return to routine activities.
Physical therapy is conducted by a physical therapist and it involves stretching to lower stress on
joints, exercise to strengthen the muscles and ice therapy to assist in relieving the pain (Tosteson
et al., 2017). Surgery to correct lumbar stenosis is known as Laminectomy and it basically
involves removal of the lamina which forms part of the vertebra so as to widen the spinal canal
to provide room for nerves. During this process, some ligaments and bone spurs may be
extracted. The surgery is carried out by making an incision into the back. There is continued
debate over which method between the two is the most effective in treating the lumbar stenosis
and this calls for extensive research to solve the puzzle.
All the two treatment regimen are effective and there is no one that seems better than the
other. This is according to different studies conducted to establish the most effective between the
two. In one of the studies conducted in 2015 for example where 169 participants were examined