Evaluation of Clinical Findings and Treatment Results in Patients With Lumber Spinal Canal Stenosis and Osteoporosis Treated With Calcitonin and Physical Therapy

• Published in: Turkish journal of osteoporosis Vol. 8; no. 2; pp. 56 - 64
• Main Authors: Hidayet Sarı, Ülkü Akarırmak, A. Akkan, D. Onel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Galenos Yayinevi 01.06.2002
• Subjects: degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis; Osteoporosis; treatment
• ISSN: 2147-2653

Objective: The role of osteoporosis in the etiology of degenerative lumbar spinal canal stenosis is debatable. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinic as well as therapeutic results in subjects with osteoporosis combined with lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSS). Material and Methods: The study was conducted in İ.Ü. Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty PMR Department on 40 patients diagnosed as spinal canal stenosis . Lumbar canal was imaged by computerized tomography (CT). Bone mineral content (BMC) was assessed by quantitative computerized tomography (QCT). Subjects were divided into three groups according to their BMC. Pain, motion, neurologic findings and walking distance were reevaluated after 1 months conservative treatment consisting of physical therapy IR, US, currents and exercises) and medical treatment (100 IU Salmon Calcitonin injections and calcium). Results: Pain parameters showed significant improvement in Group II and III(low and very low BMC). Walking distance showed greatest increase in Group II and III, with these results being statistically significant. Conclusion: In subjects with combined LSS and osteoporosis one months conservative therapy resulted in significant improvements in pain and walking distance parameters, especially in groups with low BMC .We suggest that BMC should be considered and treated in patients with LSS.