Advice on Spinal Stenosis...

TimN · 10-06-2004, 06:39 AM

I know a gentleman who is 91 yrs old. He's been diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis which is causing him an increasing amount of pain in his legs. He's amazingly active and is very sound minded. He's been prescribed 6-8 weeks of PT to treat this. Is this best for him or is there anything else to be done. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and if farther info is needed, please let me know and I'll find out ASAP. Thanks in advance.

Tim

SCI-Nurse · 10-06-2004, 06:56 AM

Tim, this is a hard one. Spinal stenosis can lead to significant weakness, loss of bowel/bladder control or worse. In the elderly, even a small fall with spinal stenosis can lead to a spinal cord injury.

On the other hand, even if in good shape, most physicians would consider a 91 year old a poor risk for spinal stenosis surgery. There is a significant risk of spinal stenosis surgery making someone worse.

PT is unlikely to improve his symptoms. It may help him learn how to prevent falls. If his only symptom is pain, then therapies such as TENS (provided through his PT) may be helpful.

If his symptoms deteriorate he may need to consider surgery. It would be critical to get several opinions about the advisability of this before going ahead, and of course he would need cardiac clearance for any surgery from his internist or cardiac physician.

(KLD)

10-06-2004, 06:39 AM	#1
TimN Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: TN / USA Posts: 319	Advice on Spinal Stenosis... I know a gentleman who is 91 yrs old. He's been diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis which is causing him an increasing amount of pain in his legs. He's amazingly active and is very sound minded. He's been prescribed 6-8 weeks of PT to treat this. Is this best for him or is there anything else to be done. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and if farther info is needed, please let me know and I'll find out ASAP. Thanks in advance. Tim

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-06-2004, 06:56 AM	#2
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 29,463	Tim, this is a hard one. Spinal stenosis can lead to significant weakness, loss of bowel/bladder control or worse. In the elderly, even a small fall with spinal stenosis can lead to a spinal cord injury. On the other hand, even if in good shape, most physicians would consider a 91 year old a poor risk for spinal stenosis surgery. There is a significant risk of spinal stenosis surgery making someone worse. PT is unlikely to improve his symptoms. It may help him learn how to prevent falls. If his only symptom is pain, then therapies such as TENS (provided through his PT) may be helpful. If his symptoms deteriorate he may need to consider surgery. It would be critical to get several opinions about the advisability of this before going ahead, and of course he would need cardiac clearance for any surgery from his internist or cardiac physician. (KLD)