Pudendal nerve electroacupuncture for lumbar spinal canal stenosis – a case series

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of pudendal nerve electroacupuncture for lumbar and lower limb symptoms in patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis for whom acupuncture of the lumbar and lower limb muscles had been ineffective. Methods Nine patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis for whom conventional acupuncture at the lumbar and lower limb muscles had no effect. Pudendal nerve electroacupuncture was performed eight times (once per week). VAS scores and continuous walking distance were used to evaluate changes in symptoms. Results The following changes in symptoms occurred after pudendal nerve electroacupuncture: low back pain was improved from 45.3±17.4mm (mean ± SD) to 39.2±14.0mm, lower limb pain was improved from 61.1±5.6mm to 35.4±11.9mm, lower limb dysaesthesia was improved from 63.9±8.4mm to 46.9±16.2mm, and continuous walking distance was improved from 100.0±35.4m to 250.0±136.9m. Conclusion Pudendal nerve electroacupuncture may be an effective treatment for lumbar and lower limb symptoms due to spinal canal stenosis, and is potentially useful in patients who have not responded to conventional acupuncture.