LUMBAR STENOSIS CASEFILETypical signs and symptomsLUMBAR STENOSIS CASEFILE shows how low back and leg pain in the elderly is not always the monster it is assumed to be. Mr S, a 75 year old man, with a 15 year history of low back pain and onset of 'tired, aching legs' about 18 months ago whenever he walked more than 50 metres, gave cause for concern. He walked in a stooped manner, in slight flexion, which brought relief to his back and leg pain. Extension of his back produced immediate low back pain and bending to the side produced pain down his right leg. He obtained relief from the ache in his legs by sitting and lying down. My favourite, the Slump test, for a slipped disc was negative. Nor did he have any bowel or bladder problems which may accompany a severe case of lumbar stenosis.
Read more about the SLUMP TEST.
Part of his underlying problem was a short left leg, and tilted sacrum that give him a moderate scoliosis. Interesting research about leg length inequality is unequivocal: A short leg produces more arthritis in the knee, hip and low back. Read more about Leg Length Inequality ...
People with a short leg, and there are a great many of us (I am one), are more likely to develop fixations in the lower joints, and it is this immobilisation of the joints that is the cause of the degenerative changes that we found in Mr S's lumbar spine.
Read more about IMMOBILISATION ARTHRITIS ... Medicine's theory ...Medicine believes this degeneration in the lumbar spine is the natural affect of aging, call it wear-and-tear. Like grey hair. To an extent this is true, but the full blown degenerative arthritis in the joints of every lumbar stenosis casefile is not normal and natural aging.Sometimes, this it is indeed the case after trauma like a serious car accident or a fall from a height on the buttocks, or infection. But in the majority, science is now proving that it is joint fixation that stagnates the fluids that lubricate the joint cartilage, causing the prolific arthritis. Regular exercise, and an occasional but regular Chiropractic adjustment of fixated joints, is what we believe is the correct approach. Prevention, long before the wear-and-tear develops. More about Mr S ...Backs are the most strange and unpredictable things. Despite a very poor prognosis, within three weeks Mr S was walking up straight, and could walk several kilometres without the fatigue in his legs. We've started the rehab phase (he's on these exercises every morning for life. It only takes 2 mins. You can get them from Chiropractic Tips.)What did I do? I adjusted his sacrum, lying on his tum, using a Thompson drop protocol, part of the usual Sacroiliac Joint treatment. Then we adjusted the fifth lumbar vertebra which was fixated, lying on both sides. Using a drop technique, it's gentle but firm, with no audible releases. Bob's your uncle. Mr AA can walk again. Remember, this is only an anecdote. Chiropractic can't cure every case of spinal stenosis. In fact, Mr S isn't cured. I don't believe in cures with backs, any more than one can be cured of diabetes. He must come under Chiropractic management of his back to maintain the progress. He is more than happy, having suffered for 18 months.
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