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Spinal Stenosis Affects Gait and Causes Back Pain

Spinal stenosis affects gait…and today they’re working with “smart shoes” to measure gait abnormalities and connected altered walking patterns! Our Manahawkin chiropractic patients dealing with spinal stenosis often comment that they walk differently. That makes sense! Manahawkin Chiropractic Center can help relieve Manahawkin 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 bothered by it. In a study of such patients who were heading for surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis, all but 1 of the 234 patients were documented to have locomotive syndrome while 24.8% were documented to be frail. Post-surgically, those with frailty showed improvement in locomotion. (1) Yet surgery does not necessarily enhance 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 walks in terms of stride, pace, width of step, etc. - gait parameters. There wasn’t a variation in sagittal vertical axis, but there was significant difference in spatiotemporal parameters. (2) Cox® flexion distraction treatment delivered 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 meaningful. (3) This is good!

SPINAL STENOSIS AND POSTURE

It’s also beneficial 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 matter 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) Manahawkin Chiropractic Center seeks to enhance the quality of life for our Manahawkin spinal stenosis patients and values studies that divulge what works. A future study’s goal is to establish a set of data that can help define and/or alter patient treatment plans, indications for surgery, and practices for post-surgery rehab for lumbar spinal stenosis patients who choose 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 Manahawkin Chiropractic Center 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 reduced 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 sense gait changes quicker, easier, and cheaper. (6) In the meantime while their accuracy and cost-effectiveness are analyzed - since smart shoes may not be for everyone - the old fashioned in-clinic tests still work, and Manahawkin Chiropractic Center knows them well! Find out during your examination!

CONTACT Manahawkin Chiropractic Center

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Nate McKee on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates how The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management helps ease spinal stenosis and improve balance.

Make your Manahawkin chiropractic appointment now to see us especially if you find your gait being “off” and/or have back pain. Spinal stenosis may be the offender, and Manahawkin Chiropractic Center knows how to deal with it!

 
Manahawkin back pain affects gait and walking patterns 
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."