Clinical conversations: Managing patients with lumbar spinal stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a clinical syndrome of buttock or lower extremity pain—which may occur with or without back pain—that is associated with diminished space available for the neural and vascular elements in the lumbar spine. There are several categories of LSS, of which degenerative LSS is the most common and the focus of this audiocast. The normal process of aging leads to degenerative changes in the lumbar spine. The result is a gradual narrowing (stenosis) of the central spinal canal, the area under the facet joints (subarticular recess), and the neural foramina. Significant stenosis compresses the underlying neural and vascular elements, which results in the typical painful symptoms.

This clinical conversations audiocast provides recommendations from a practicing physician expert on how to treat and manage LSS, including assessment, diagnosis, and surgical and nonsurgical treatment options.

FACULTY
Stephen A. Brunton, MD, FAAFP
Adjunct Clinical Professor
Department of Family Medicine
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Terence P. Doorly, MD
Associate Chief of Neurosurgery
The North Shore Medical Center
Salem, Massachusetts
Medical Director
Neurosurgery and Spine
The Musculoskeletal Center
Peabody, Massachusetts

LISTEN TO AUDIOCAST   |   TRANSCRIPT   |    DOWNLOAD THE SLIDES

Click here for more information on LSS. Read the companion supplement, Managing patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

SPONSOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

The content collaborators at the Primary Care Education Consortium report there are no existing financial relationships to disclose.

Dr Brunton has disclosed he is on the advisory board for Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. and Novo Nordisk Inc. and is on the speakers bureau of Boehringer-Ingleheim and Novo Nordisk Inc.

Dr Doorly disclosed he is on the speakers bureau of Medtronic Inc.

STATEMENT OF SPONSORSHIP
This activity is sponsored by the Primary Care Education Consortium.

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Medtronic Inc.

Copyright © 2010 Quadrant HealthCom Inc. and the Primary Care Education Consortium.