[Study about outcomes of non-pharmacological conservative treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis]

To describe the short-term outcomes of a non-pharmacological conservative approach to patients with LSS.

This is a prospective consecutive case series with short-term follow-up of 21 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with LSS. Patients recruited from the outpatients of orthopaedic department and rehabilitation department in the Peking University People's Hospital from March 2010 to March 2011. Patients had baseline interviews with follow-up questionnaires in the end of the first and the third month.

pain intensity was measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and disability was measured using the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), as well as the 36-item Short Form Health Surrey (SF-36) and efficacy assessment for evaluation.

All of 21 eligible consenting patients initially enrolling completed the follow-up. Pain at worst, functional status, quality of life improved significantly in the end of the first month. These were considered to be clinically meaningful in the end of the third month. No patients went on to require surgery. No major complications of treatment were noted.

A non-pharmacological conservative treatment may be useful and safe in bringing about clinically meaningful improvement in pain and disability in patients with LSS. Before surgical management, a non-surgical approach should be taken into account at first.