Lumbar spinal stenosis in an elderly patient.

BACKGROUND

The general population is aging, and lumbar stenosis is one of the more frequent conditions observed in an orthopedic or neurosurgical practice.

METHODS

This case presentation is of an 86-year-old male who developed lumbar spinal stenosis with a progressive neurologic deficit that caused severe leg pain, affected bladder function, and affected gait. Relevant medical literature is reviewed.

RESULTS

Bladder function and gait returned after spinal surgery, and this patient's pain was greatly reduced. A multidisciplinary team applied therapy after surgery. The medical literature does not concentrate solely upon patients older than 80, but a few are included in studies of younger patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This case report illustrates that a patient over 80 can have a successful outcome with multidisciplinary medical coverage of medical, surgical, rehabilitative, social, and psychological areas. More studies need to be done of these patients.