Spinal Stenosis

[[old] brakerpj]

I have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis and spondylylothesis. Essentially that means a vertebrae has slide forward and is pinching off the nerves that run down the left leg. I have been advised to do pilates and work on core strength and stability to help hold it together. Is rowing beneficial for this, or detrimental? Any advise on what to do or not to do? Thanks.

[[old] Ikabob]

The best advice that I could give you would be.... ask your physician who knows your particular situation. I do not think it would be wise to obtain advice regarding what you can do or cannot do over the internet. Spinal Stenosis is something that requires caution because it could become completely debilitating. Some people have surgery to correct the problem and the surgery is very sucessful in most cases. When the disc (/discs) constricts the spinal cord , symptoms begin and these symptoms may gradually become worse. Ask your personal neurosurgeon or neurologist for dos and don'ts. My humble cautious opinion. Good luck....it can be corrected! Ron

[[old] brakerpj]

Ron - thanks. Unfortunately my doctor doesn't know anything about rowing physiology and suggested I talk to some rowers about the sport for strengthening the lower back. Maybe I need to find a sports physician.

[[old] Ikabob]

<!--QuoteBegin-brakerpj+Nov 23 2005, 04:02 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(brakerpj @ Nov 23 2005, 04:02 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Ron - thanks.  Unfortunately my doctor doesn't know anything about rowing physiology and suggested I talk to some rowers about the sport for strengthening the lower back.  Maybe I need to find a sports physician. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br /><br />Oh...Maybe I should not have jumped in. Could you let me know what you find out? And good luck.

[[old] ulu]

I cannot tell from your post how old you are, but here are my assumptions:<br /><br />You are middle age or older.<br />Your diagnosis is from an xray or CT scan report<br />We are dealing with Grade 1 spondylolisthesis.<br />You went to your doctor for low back pain, or pain in your leg, but not numbness in your leg<br />Your spondylolisthesis is degnerative in nature, not congenital or idiopathic, etc<br />We are talking about your lower back<br /><br />Given the above scenario rowing would be OK for your back. You would have to watch your technique very carefully. Particulary no hyperextension at the finish.<br />Most people in your situation prefer bike riding as it allows flexion of the lower back. They call it the "bike rider" symptom. <br /><br />Any increase in back pain or numbness in your legs, <b><span style='font-family:Arial'><span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>STOP ROWING<br /><br />YOUR INDIVIDUAL SITUATION MUST BE ASSESSED BY YOURSELF AND A QUALIFIED PRACTIONER. </span></span></b><br /><br />Jim<br />Not to be considered medical advice, caveats, etc.....

[[old] Cayenne]

Hi Jim ( Ulu,)<br /><br />Although I am not the original poster, BreakerPJ, I do have the charecteristics you list, to wit:<br /><br />You are middle age or older.<br />Your diagnosis is from an xray or CT scan report<br />We are dealing with Grade 1 spondylolisthesis.<br />You went to your doctor for low back pain, or pain in your leg, but not numbness in your leg<br />Your spondylolisthesis is degnerative in nature, not congenital or idiopathic, etc<br />We are talking about your lower back<br /><br /><br />I had an x-ray based dx and have no numbness in my legs. ( except some in my groin area if I drive for a very long time.)<br /><br />While I am appreciative of the risks of "internet diagnosis" I also appreciate gathering knowledge. ( Some of the various practitioners I've been to, Board Certified Sports MD, Sport Certified (or specialized, I forget which,) Chiropractor, McKenzie Certified Physical Therapist, etc, while very knowledgable in some respects, have demonstrated great ignorence and/or "dismissiveness" ( eg: "just give up that sport/activity, etc...) <br /><br />What is your background ?<br /><br />I'd be very interested to know your further thoughts on this, specifically with regard to the caution against hyperextension.<br /><br />Also, as I do not have a coach, are you familiar with Xeno's DVDs ? I want to make sure I strenghthen, not injure, ( of course,) my back, core etc.<br /><br />Your courtesy, attention and wisdom are most greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving !<br /><br />Eddie

[[old] ulu]

<!--QuoteBegin-Cayenne+Nov 24 2005, 12:31 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Cayenne @ Nov 24 2005, 12:31 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi Jim ( Ulu,)<br /><br />Although I am not the original poster, BreakerPJ, I do have the charecteristics you list, to wit:<br /><br />You are middle age or older.<br />Your diagnosis is from an xray or CT scan report<br />We are dealing with Grade 1 spondylolisthesis.<br />You went to your doctor for low back pain, or pain in your leg, but not numbness in your leg<br />Your spondylolisthesis is degnerative in nature, not congenital or idiopathic, etc<br />We are talking about your lower back<br /><br /><br />I had an x-ray based dx and have no numbness in my legs. ( except some in my groin area if I drive for a very long time.)<br /><br />While I am appreciative of the risks of "internet diagnosis" I also appreciate gathering knowledge.  ( Some of the various practitioners I've been to, Board Certified Sports MD, Sport Certified (or specialized, I forget which,) Chiropractor, McKenzie Certified Physical Therapist, etc, while very knowledgable in some respects, have demonstrated great ignorence and/or "dismissiveness" ( eg: "just give up that sport/activity, etc...) <br /><br />What is your background ?<br /><span style='color:blue'>For all intents and purposes, I am a guy responding to a post on the internet, because that is what it should be in this format</span><br /><br />I'd be very interested to know your further thoughts on this, specifically with regard to the caution against hyperextension.<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'> As you are probably aware, the lumbar spine consists of vertebrae (the bony building blocks) stacked on top of one another. In between each of these verterbrae is an intervetrebral disc. (shock absober). <br /><br /><img src='http://www.coloradospineinstitute.com/g ... utaway.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /><br /><br />Each individual vertebrae looks like this:<br /><img src='http://www.coloradospineinstitute.com/g ... rtebra.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' /><br /><br />In spinal stenosis, the hole you see at the back is narrowed. This can be due to a number of factors. The nerve roots travel in that space in the lumbar spine.<br />In spondylolisthesis, the vertebrae have slipped on one another. Very common and once again due to a number of causes. In a grade 1 slip, it is less that 25% of the vertebral "thickness". This obviously contributes to narrowing of the spinal canal (the hole).<br /><br />On top of all of this, the nerve roots exit between each vertebral body through the neural foraminem.(neuroforamen in the picture)<br /><br /><img src='http://www.coloradospineinstitute.com/g ... t_body.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /> <br /><br />Hypextension decreases the amount of space available in the neural foraminem and in the spinal canal itself.</span><br /><br />Also, as I do not have a coach, are you familiar with Xeno's DVDs ? I want to make sure I strenghthen, not injure, ( of course,) my back, core etc.<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'> I have Xeno's technique video and think it is excellent. </span><br />Your courtesy, attention and wisdom are most greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving !<br /><br />Eddie <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />Just another rower with a sore back.<br /><br />Jim

[[old] Cayenne]

Jim, <br /><br />Thanks for the enlightening and excellent reply.<br /><br />As a lay person, while your points make sense, I've been steered, especially by the McKenzie oriented PT, toward the idea that we are an "over-flexed" society - Holding the car steering wheel, the computer keyboard and mouse and the t.v. remote control, etc., - and that therefore, time in extension was the "solution" that would balance out the evils of flexion. Hmmm....much for me to learn...<br /><br />Best wishes with your sore back.<br /><br />Eddie