Use of the short physical performance battery and step monitoring to evaluate improvements after epidural steroid injections in an elderly patient

Treatment options for symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis are limited in elderly patients. Injection therapies, such as lumbar epidural steroid injections, are one accepted alternative; however, objective evidence is usually not reported. We describe the use of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and step count monitoring for the first time to demonstrate physical improvements in our patient with lumbar stenosis. The patient underwent two lumbar epidural steroid injections. Pain scores, the SPPB, and step count monitoring were measured at baseline and prior to and after each injection. Improvements were noted in the numerical pain score, the walk test, and the step count.