Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Treatment in Faridabad: Physiotherapy for Walking Pain

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: What Is It?

Lumbar spinal stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal or lateral recesses, compressing the nerve roots of the cauda equina. It is primarily a condition of older adults (usually 60+), caused by the cumulative effects of disc degeneration, facet joint hypertrophy, ligamentum flavum thickening, and osteophyte formation. In Faridabad, with an ageing population, spinal stenosis is an increasingly common presentation.

The Classic Presentation: Neurogenic Claudication

The hallmark of lumbar stenosis is neurogenic claudication: pain, heaviness, cramping, or weakness in one or both legs that develops after walking a certain distance (often 50-200 metres) and is relieved by sitting down or bending forward. The flexed posture (as when pushing a shopping trolley) relieves symptoms because it opens the spinal canal. This distinguishes neurogenic from vascular claudication (the latter is not relieved by bending forward).

Physiotherapy Treatment

Flexion-Based Exercise Programme

Because lumbar flexion opens the spinal canal and relieves neurogenic claudication symptoms, flexion-biased exercises are the cornerstone of stenosis physiotherapy: posterior pelvic tilts, lumbar flexion exercises (knee-to-chest), stationary cycling (naturally flexed posture), and walking with a slightly flexed posture (using a walking frame or uphill walking to maintain flexion).

Core Stabilisation

Core strengthening reduces the dynamic narrowing of the spinal canal that occurs with lumbar extension under load. Emphasis on exercises in neutral or flexed positions.

Walking Programme

Interval walking programme: walk within pain-free tolerance, rest in flexion, repeat. This progressively extends walking tolerance.

Stenosis Treatment in Faridabad

At Realign Rehab Clinic, NIT-5, Faridabad, we help stenosis patients walk further with less pain. Book your assessment today.