Health Blog: Solutions & Wellness Tips

Physical therapy reduces the likelihood of surgery



Common cause of back pain becomes even more prevalent with age


Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a condition that occurs when the space surrounding the spinal cord narrows, which puts pressure on this area and leads to low back pain (LBP). LSS is regarded as one of the most common causes of LBP, especially in older adults. Despite this prevalence, the most effective way to manage LSS has not yet been established. Physical therapy is one type of conservative (nonsurgical) treatment that is prescribed for LSS patients. Unfortunately, it's not clear just how effective physical therapy is and if it prevents eventual surgery. To get a better understanding of physical therapy in this context, a study analyzed results from another trial to determine its effectiveness and if it reduced the likelihood of surgery over time.



Patients are assessed periodically over one year


The initial Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) evaluated the outcomes for different conservative management strategies by examining 654 LSS patients. Of these, 244 patients had conservative treatment and completed the study, while the others chose to have surgery (357) or dropped out (53). Not all conservative group patients received physical therapy, but clinicians strongly recommended that they consider it. All patients were assessed for health status and disability before the study, and then again 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year later.



Receiving physical therapy early associated with lower rate of surgery


Of the 244 conservative group patients, only 90 (37%) received physical therapy during the first six weeks, and there was a wide range of the number of sessions each one attended. Patients who received physical therapy reported significant self-rated improvements, as well as reductions in leg pain and improved physical functioning. Most importantly, 70 of the 244 patients (29%) in the conservative group eventually had surgery, but only 19 (27%) of these received physical therapy in the first six weeks while the remaining 51 (73%) did not. This provides evidence of the benefits of early physical therapy for LSS patients and shows it's associated with a lower rate of surgery over one year. It is therefore advisable to recommend physical therapy to LSS patients in order to improve their condition and reduce their likelihood for surgery.



-As reported in the October '13 edition of The Spine Journal
July 29, 2014
Back to Health Blog

Quick Links

Are You Ready To Live Pain-Free?

Request an Appointment

Latest Health Blog Posts

If you're currently dealing with shoulder pain, you already know how much it can affect your daily life. Simple tasks like reaching for something on a shelf or opening a car door can become agonizing experiences. Rotator cuff problems are often responsible for these types of symptoms, which lead many individuals to seek out professional […]

September 11, 2025

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is an extremely common, yet often misunderstood condition that limits mobility for millions of people around the world. GTPS, which causes persistent pain on the outside of the hip, is responsible for about 10–20% of all cases of hip pain that patients seek help for (often be consulting their primary […]

September 4, 2025