I am 58 years old and have had unbearable back pain for a year. I can only walk a few meters and then have to sit down again. At times it pulls into the buttocks. My orthopaedist already prescribed me physiotherapy, but this did not lead to any improvement. What could that be?

I would advise you to get a proper diagnosis done first. In addition to a detailed physical examination, a magnetic resonance imaging must be carried out,
possibly also an x-ray. Your doctor should then discuss the images and your symptoms in detail with you and work out a suitable therapy. they describe
Symptoms that typically apply to spinal canal stenosis, i.e. to a bony narrowing of the spinal canal due to a type of arthrosis of the vertebral joints.
This compresses the nerves and causes pain, especially when walking and standing. A spinal canal stenosis can be treated conservatively or surgically depending on the progress
will. But as already described, as a first step, you should consult an expert and have a proper diagnosis made.

dr Michael Schubert, spine specialist, apex spine center, Munich

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