Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, Vol 53, Issue 1 M72-M75, Copyright © 1998 by The Gerontological Society of America
Lumbar spinal stenosis in an elderly patient
DM Clinchot, PE Kaplan and JF Lamb
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ohio State University, Columbus, USA.
BACKGROUND: The general population is aging, and lumbar stenosis is one of
the more frequent conditions observed in an orthopedic or neurosurgical
practice. METHODS: This case presentation is of an 86- year-old male who
developed lumbar spinal stenosis with a progressive neurologic deficit that
caused severe leg pain, affected bladder function, and affected gait.
Relevant medical literature is reviewed. RESULTS: Bladder function and gait
returned after spinal surgery, and this patient's pain was greatly reduced.
A multidisciplinary team applied therapy after surgery. The medical
literature does not concentrate solely upon patients older than 80, but a
few are included in studies of younger patients. CONCLUSIONS: This case
report illustrates that a patient over 80 can have a successful outcome
with multidisciplinary medical coverage of medical, surgical,
rehabilitative, social, and psychological areas. More studies need to be
done of these patients.
