Spinal Stenosis Affects Gait and Causes Back Pain
Spinal stenosis affects gait…and today they’re working with “smart shoes” to track gait abnormalities and connected altered walking patterns! Our Oxford chiropractic patients dealing with spinal stenosis often comment that they walk differently. That makes sense! Satterwhite Chiropractic can help relieve Oxford back pain and the related effects of spinal stenosis.
SPINAL STENOSIS AND ITS SIDE EFFECTS
Older folks are increasingly affected by frailty and locomotive syndrome, and those who also have lumbar spinal stenosis find themselves even more bothered by it. In a study of such patients who were going to undergo surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis, all but 1 of the 234 patients had locomotive syndrome while 24.8% were documented to be frail. After surgery, those with frailty displayed improvement in locomotion. (1) Yet surgery does not necessarily enhance gait for all spinal stenosis patients. Researchers evaluated the sagittal vertical axis using a gait motion analysis with lumbar spinal stenosis patients before and after they underwent decompression surgery to see if there was any improvement in spatiotemporal – how and how quickly a person moves in terms of stride, pace, width of step, etc. - gait parameters. There wasn’t a change in sagittal vertical axis, but there was significant difference in spatiotemporal parameters. (2) Cox® flexion distraction treatment produced significant improvement to lumbar spinal stenosis patients in terms of improved function, symptomatology, and performance-based mobility. Further all of their subjective improvement outcomes were statistically and clinically important. (3) This is beneficial!
SPINAL STENOSIS AND POSTURE
It’s also good to understand that lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) patient’s static spine and pelvic posture are related to their symptoms. A recent study delved into the question of how dynamic alignment of the spine and pelvic might be connected to lumbar spinal function in the everyday life of LSS sufferers and found that weak hip or trunk extensor muscles, a more pronounced pelvic tilt angle, or less spinal flexion during gait resulted in decreased daily-life lumbar function. (4) Satterwhite Chiropractic aims to enhance the quality of life for our Oxford spinal stenosis patients and appreciates studies that divulge what works. An up-coming study’s goal is to form a set of data that can assist in defining and/or altering patient treatment plans, indications for surgery, and routines for post-surgery rehab for lumbar spinal stenosis patients who elect to have surgery. These patients come with a unique set of issues concerning posture, balance, ambulation biomechanics, paraspinal muscle quality and fatigue rates, as well as symptoms. (5) All of these have a role in a lumbar spinal stenosis patient’s care at Satterwhite Chiropractic and outcome.
SPINAL STENOSIS AND BACK PAIN AND SMART SHOES!
To ensure as good an outcome as possible, new tech may come to the rescue. With lumbar spinal stenosis come gait abnormalities like decreased gait speed and unevenness due to muscle weakness and pain in the lower extremities. Have no fear! “Smart shoes” to the rescue! Smart shoes are wearable sensors that can detect gait changes quicker, easier, and cheaper. (6) In the meantime while their accuracy and cost-effectiveness are explored - since smart shoes might not be for everyone - the old fashioned in-clinic tests remain effective, and Satterwhite Chiropractic knows them well! Find out during your exam!
CONTACT Satterwhite Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Nate McKee on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes how The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management helps relieve spinal stenosis and increase balance.
Schedule your Oxford chiropractic appointment now to see us especially if you find your gait being “off” and/or have back pain. Spinal stenosis may be the culprit, and Satterwhite Chiropractic knows how to deal with it!
