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Lumbar spinal stenosis: syndrome, diagnostics and treatment

Eberhard Siebert, Harald Prüss, Randolf Klingebiel, Vieri Failli, Karl M. Einhäupl & Jan M. Schwab

In lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), narrowing of the spinal canal leads to neural compression and, frequently, pain in the lower back. LSS has become the most common reason for lumbar spine surgery, partly reflecting the elevated demand for mobility and flexibility in the aging population. In this article, Siebert et al. review the underlying pathophysiology of LSS, and discuss how to diagnose and treat the condition.

Current Issue

Featured article

Pain: Clinical pain assessment: from bedside to better treatment

Gunnar Wasner & Ralf Baron

Successfully treating chronic pain is challenging, as patients respond heterogeneously to analgesic treatments. Such variation in response can be attributed to differing underlying pain-generating mechanisms. A novel clinical bedside test that identifies distinct pain phenotypes might help deliver more-effective mechanism-based treatment strategies.

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Also in this issue

Research Highlights: Prion disease: Variant Creutzfeldt—Jakob disease epidemic looks increasingly unlikely in the UK

Research Highlights: Neurodegenerative disease: Antisense targets faulty Huntington allele

Research Highlights: Parkinson disease: Intrajejunal duodopa improves motor symptoms

Current Issue

Also in this issue

Critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy in the intensive care unit

Wolfgang Zink, Rainer Kollmar & Stefan Schwab

Improvements in the survival of critically ill patients over the past few decades have led to an increased incidence of acquired muscular weakness in intensive care units. Zink and colleagues review the clinical and diagnostic features of critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy and discuss preventive and therapeutic approaches to these severe and costly medical complications.