Spinal stenosis affects gait…and today they’re working with “smart
shoes” to track gait abnormalities and associated
transformed walking patterns! Our Auburn chiropractic
patients who have spinal stenosis often remark
that they walk differently. That makes sense! Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. can help alleviate
Auburn back pain and the related effects of spinal stenosis.
SPINAL STENOSIS AND ITS SIDE EFFECTS
Older folks are affected to a greater extent by frailty and locomotive syndrome, and those
who also experience lumbar spinal stenosis find themselves even more
affected. In a study of such patients who were heading
for 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 exhibited improvement in locomotion.
(1) Yet surgery doesn’t necessarily improve gait
for all spinal stenosis patients. Researchers measured 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 was
not a variation 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
enhanced 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 know
that lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) patient’s static spine and pelvic posture are
linked to their symptoms. A new study delved
into the subject of how dynamic alignment
of the spine and pelvic might be related to lumbar spinal
function in the everyday life of LSS sufferers and discovered
that weak hip or trunk extensor muscles, a more pronounced pelvic
tilt angle, or less spinal flexion during gait resulted
in lower daily-life lumbar function. (4) Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.
seeks to improve the quality of life for our Auburn
spinal stenosis patients and appreciates studies that divulge
what works. A future 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 choose
to have surgery. These patients come with a distinctive set of
issues regarding 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 Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. and outcome.
SPINAL STENOSIS AND BACK PAIN AND SMART SHOES!
To ensure as
good an outcome as viable, new tech may be of help. With lumbar spinal stenosis come gait
abnormalities like decreased gait velocity
and asymmetry due to muscle weakness and pain in the lower extremities. Don’t
worry though. There are “smart shoes” to help. Smart shoes are wearable sensors that can identify
gait variations 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 still work, and Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. knows them well!
Find out during your exam!
CONTACT Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.
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 improve
balance.
Schedule your Auburn chiropractic
appointment now to see us especially if you find
your gait being “off” and/or experience back pain. Spinal stenosis
may be the culprit, and Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. knows how to rein it
in!