In spinal canal stenosis quiet cycling

Cycling can help with a spinal canal stenosis

08/26/2014

Spinal canal stenoses, ie narrowing in the spinal canal, are among the benign age-related diseases. Conservative and pain-relieving treatments are usually sufficient to keep the condition, which is reflected in leg and back pain as well as walking, at a level that people can live with. Surgery becomes necessary when unbearable pain sets in at a walking distance of less than fifty to one hundred meters. Even for patients who develop edema stenosis at a younger age and feel significantly impaired in their quality of life, surgery may be useful.

During surgery, strictures in the spinal canal are surgically removed. In many cases it is necessary to stabilize the spine. However, the common stiffening operation involving multiple vertebrae may compromise spinal mobility and spread disease to adjacent areas. A new surgical procedure is flexible spine stabilization. „A dynamic implant, the TOPS system, ensures that the patient remains mobile and permanently painless in all directions after surgery. In addition, excessive load transfer to other areas of the spine is prevented“, knows Dr. Mathias Pippan, Spine Surgeon and Specialist in Orthopedics at the Spine Institute in Mainz Orthopedic Center (OZM).

However, to prevent this from happening, sick patients should comply with rules that make it easier to deal with spinal stenosis. For example, regular changes in posture between sitting, standing and walking should always keep you moving. As a result, the pressure on the nerve roots less and the patient for the moment painless. In addition, sufferers should avoid slow walking and instead prefer a brisk pace. „This is naturally associated with a slight trunk propulsion that widens the spinal canal“, advises Dr. Pippan. „Slow strolling and walking leads rather to the hollow cross, which causes the opposite.“ Even high heels and overhead work reinforce the hollow cross. Since the spinal canal expands due to a trunk prone, it is important to take a seated and precautionary break when walking and standing for a long time. Also on aids such as walker, walker or shopping carts sufferers can support themselves with slight torso propulsion. Another important rule is: Do not lift and carry with difficulty. The vertebral joints are pushed into each other and thus press on the nerves.

In addition, this favors a possibly existing vertebral joint arthrosis, which is often the basis of spinal canal stenosis. Anyone who carries a lot of body weight with them, should reduce this. Every single kilo less relieves the vertebral joints. The most important principle for a life with spinal canal stenosis, however, is: movement, movement and again movement. But almost every sporting activity that goes hand in hand with a slight torso propulsion is ideally suited. This primarily includes cycling. „Many patients know from experience that sometimes they can barely walk but can cycle for hours“, affirms Pippan. But there are also cross-country skiing, Nordic walking, rowing or backstroke. (Pm)