The mnemonic ” LUMBAR SPINAL CLAUDITION ” enables anyone to remember easily the most important aspects of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS) especially in clinical rounds & medical exams.
To help you to recall better we have used related words that are very close to the actual disease itelf, thus helping you to relate well
Lumbar spinal stenosis refers to a narrowing of this spinal canal, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, causing a variety of symptoms.
The most common cause of lumbar spinal stenosis is age-related degeneration of the spine, which can result in thickening of ligaments, formation of bone spurs, and narrowing of the spinal canal. Other causes may include congenital (present from birth) narrowing of the spinal canal, herniated discs, tumors, and injuries to the spine.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis : How To Remember Easily ?
- L – Lumbar spinal canal narrowed
- U – Usually relieved by sitting
- M – Most often acquired (75%)
- B – Back and leg pain with walking or standing
- A – Abnormal anatomy seen on MRI
- R – Responds to surgical decompression
- S – Severe neurologic deficits occur rarely
- P – Predictors of poor surgical outcome: impaired walking, depression, cardiovascular disease, scoliosis
- I – Invasive surgery (laminectomy) may be needed
- N – Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for conservative treatment
- A – Acetaminophen for symptomatic pain relief
- L – Laminectomy and fusion for LSS with spondylolisthesis
- C – Claudication relieved by flexed positions (leaning over shopping cart, sitting on stationary bike)
- L – Conservative treatment includes exercise programs
- A – Acute pain episodes may require symptomatic treatment
- U – Usually asymptomatic, but symptoms correlated with severe spinal canal stenosis
- D – Degenerative diseases, trauma, surgery, metabolic/endocrine disorders, and Paget’s disease can contribute
- I – Insufficient evidence for routine use of epidural glucocorticoid injections
- T – Treatment needed when medical therapy fails or neurologic signs present
- I – Improvement may not occur with medical treatment
- O – One-quarter of surgically treated patients develop recurrent stenosis
- N – Neurogenic claudication and radiculopathy may coincide
Mnemonic : LUMBAR SPINAL CLAUDITION
