Degenerative lumbar stenosis - The neurosurgical perspective

Degenerative lumbar stenosis is a complex entity caused by predictable patt erns of degenerative pathoanatomy. Patients with spinal stenosis are treate d by orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons, who often have slightly differ ent ideas regarding treatment strategies. However, data exist to support se veral recommendations, regarding fusion with or without instrumentation, su rgical versus conservative treatment, and limitation of procedures to sympt omatic levels. In the current study, the typical patterns of degenerative d isease and surgical treatment and a view of the neurosurgical perspective o f the treatment of patients with lumbar stenosis are presented.