The Efficacy of Physical Therapy and Physical Therapy Plus Calcitonin in the Treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy of physical therapy alone and in combination with calcitonin in patients with neurogenic claudication (NC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single blind, and randomized study, patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis who were diagnosed by clinical findings and MRI and having NC were included. Patients were observed for 8 weeks and evaluated before and after treatment. Patients were randomized between the salmon calcitonin 200 U/day + physical therapy (n = 23) (Group 1) and paracetamol 1,500 mg/day + physical therapy (n = 22) (Group 2) treatment groups. Both groups received the same physical therapy (interferential current + hot pack + short wave diathermy) and exercise protocol. The association of various clinical and functional parameters was assessed statistically by using paired and unpaired t test, chi square test and McNemar's test. p 0.05). After 8 weeks of treatment, both groups benefited significantly with respect to VAS, functional status and walking distance (p 0.05). CONCLUSION: In 45 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who received 8 weeks of treatment, concomitant use of calcitonin with physical therapy and exercise did not have any benefical effect on the patient's pain, functional status, lumbar mobility and walking distance.