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Updated: Mar 26, 2026
Author Spotlight: Scope of LE-ULBD as a Safe, Effective, and Minimally Invasive Approach to Treat Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Published on: February 9, 2024
Non-operative treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis
Frank Beyer1, Fabian Geier2, Jan Bredow2
1Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Marien Krankenhaus GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany.
Background And Objective:
Non-operative treatment is widely accepted for early stages of lumbar spinal stenosis. In general, a trial of conservative treatment is recommended prior to surgery. However, there is an ongoing debate regarding benefits from non-operative treatment and their duration.
Methods:
Thirty-eight patients were included in this prospective study. All patients received repeated epidural injections and facet joint injections as well as physiotherapy during a one week hospitalization. Patient characteristics, VAS scores, COMI and ODI scores and SF-36 were assessed prior to and immediately after treatment as well as after six, twelve, and 26 weeks. For six weeks after treatment, patients were asked to record a pain diary.
Results:
Back and leg pain scores improved significantly on VAS up to three months follow-up. COMI score improved significantly over the entire follow-up. Regarding quality of life, mental sub-scores showed no improvement. Physical component summary scores improved for the first three months.
Conclusions:
Non-operative treatment offers pain relief and improves physical function for three months. COMI scores improve up to six months follow-up. Spine Tango registry offers standardized instruments for outcome evaluation of non-operative treatment.
