FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Jennifer Rondon
jenniferrondon@apta.org
703/706-3216
PHYSICAL THERAPY JUST AS EFFECTIVE AS SURGERY FOR EASING
SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS
Physical Therapist Treatment Effective and Without Risks and Costs of Surgery
ALEXANDRIA, VA, April 8, 2015 A study published on Monday, April 7, in the Annals of
Internal Medicine shows that physical therapy is just as effective as decompression surgery
for relieving symptoms and improving function in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

The study compared surgical decompression with a specified physical therapy regimen
in patients who were considered surgical candidates for symptomatic and degenerative
LSS. The study is the first to directly compare a single, evidence-based, physical therapy
regimen with decompression surgery among patients who agreed to be randomly
assigned to either approach.
The 169 study participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups: 87 to the
surgical decompression group and 82 to physical therapy. After 2 years, patients in both
groups experienced similar reduction in pain and other symptoms. According to the
studys lead author Anthony Delitto, PT, PhD, FAPTA, of the University of Pittsburgh,
Physical therapy should be fully considered as an equally effective, less risky, and
much less costly first treatment option in patients who are candidates for decompression
surgery.
Patients physical function was evaluated primarily through self-reported outcomesfirst
at 10 weeks and then at 6, 12, and 24 months. While more than half (57%) of the
physical therapy group elected to have surgery at some point within the 2-year study
window, analysis revealed that even with this shift, "any differences between the groups
were not significant."
In an accompanying editorial Jeffrey N. Katz, MD, MSc, said that data from this and
other studies suggest that patients with LSS should be offered a rigorous, standardized
PT regimen. Those who do not improve and ultimately consider surgery should be
informed that the benefits are likely to diminish over time. He added, Because longterm outcomes are similar for both treatments yet short-term risks differ, patient
preferences should weigh heavily in the decision of whether to have surgery for LSS.

-more-

Physical Therapy for LSS/page 2 of 2

Physical therapist treatments included instruction on lumbar flexion exercises, general

conditioning exercises such as stationary cycling or treadmill walking, lower extremity
strengthening exercises, and patient education to avoid postures involving
hyperextension of the lumbar spine.
According to American Physical Therapy Association President Paul Rockar Jr, PT,
DPT, MS, "Patients and health care providers should engage in shared decision-making
conversations that include full disclosure of evidence involving surgical and nonsurgical
treatments for LSS."
The American Physical Therapy Association represents more than 90,000 physical
therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy nationwide. Learn
more about the types of conditions physical therapists can treat, and find a physical therapist
in your area, by visiting www.MoveForwardPT.com. Follow Move Forward PT on Twitter
and Facebook.
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