What is Lumbar Spondylosis?

Lumbar spondylosis treatment is sometimes necessary when the anatomical components in the lower spine deteriorate, leading to spinal instability and/or the compression of a spinal nerve. The condition almost always affects individuals who have reached or exceeded middle age, though it is not completely unheard of for younger individuals to suffer from lumbar spondylosis. Deterioration of the spine is completely normal; in fact, it’s part of the natural aging process. This isn’t surprising given that the spine is responsible for supporting virtually every movement we make. Every time we sit, stand, lift, bend, twist – you get the idea – our spine is responsible for facilitating that movement and supporting the weight of our bodies in the process.

Before we delve into the available treatments for spondylosis, you should first have a good understanding of the condition, its associated spinal conditions, and its symptoms.

What Spinal Conditions are Associated with Spondylosis?

Over time, being under constant strain can cause some of the spine’s anatomical components to break down, making individuals more susceptible to developing a slew of spinal conditions, including:

– Herniated or bulging discs – The intervertebral discs are pad-like structures that are seated between adjacent vertebrae. Discs act as shock absorbers, minimizing the amount of impact that’s placed on other spinal components. Over time, discs can begin to lose water content, weaken, and become brittle, making them susceptible to herniating and bulging. A herniated disc occurs when the annulus fibrosis (the disc’s tough outer layer) develops a crack or tear, sometimes allowing the nucleus pulposus (the disc’s gelatinous center) to seep into the spinal canal. A bulging disc occurs when the nucleus pulposus shifts – but remains contained within the annulus fibrosus – forcing the disc to become misshapen, sometimes infringing on the spinal canal.

– Facet disease – Adjacent vertebrae are connected to one another by facet joints. Like the various other joints located throughout our bodies, the facet joints have a cartilaginous lining. Over time, this lining can wear away, leading to pain, inflammation, and the sensation of bones rubbing against one another. In an effort to mitigate bone-on-bone contact, the body may produce bone spurs to stabilize the joint. These bony protrusions, however, can do more harm than good when they invade the spinal column and cause neural compression.

What Are the Symptoms of Lumbar Spondylosis?

Some patients with lumbar spondylosis experience no symptoms at all. It is typically only when a misaligned, inflamed, or otherwise damaged portion of the spinal anatomy invades the spinal canal that patients will become symptomatic. In general, the symptoms of neural compression can include pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness, the location of which depends on the affected region of the spine. In the case of lumbar spondylosis, patients may experience symptoms in the lower back, hips, buttocks, thighs, legs, and/or feet.

What are Some Lumbar Spondylosis Treatment Methods?

Most physicians will initially begin treating the symptoms of lumbar spondylosis with conservative, nonsurgical treatments. This can include:

– The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen

– Physical therapy

– Lifestyle changes such as losing weight or quitting smoking

– The application of heat and/or ice

Some patients benefit from integrating alternative therapies into their physician-prescribed treatment regimens. Popular alternative therapies include:

– Acupuncture

– Restorative yoga

– Pilates

– Herbal supplements

In the event that conservative and/or alternative treatments fail to provide meaningful relief, a physician may recommend surgery as part of a patient’s lumbar spondylosis treatment plan. Some patients may be candidates for minimally invasive procedures that are performed on an outpatient basis and require a less rigorous rehabilitation than traditional open spine surgery. Before consenting to any surgical procedure, patients should discuss all risks and benefits with their physicians and may want to consider receiving a second opinion.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective surgical lumbar spondylosis treatment and outpatient treatments for several other spinal conditions.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective lumbar spondylosis treatment. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/spondylosis/lumbar_symptoms/

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective surgical lumbar spondylosis treatment and outpatient treatments for several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Lumbar spondylosis treatment