Lumbar Spondylosis

Spondylosis is an age-related change of the bones (vertebrae) and discs of the spine. These changes are often called degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis. When this condition is in the lower back, it is called lumbar spondylosis. These changes do not always cause symptoms. But they are a common cause of spine problems that can range from mild to severe.

As your body ages, the discs between the bones of the spine become stiffer and can break down. The bones also wear down and can grow bone spurs.

There are often no symptoms. But when symptoms occur, back pain and stiffness are the main ones. They are usually worse in the morning and get better throughout the day. If bony growths are pushing against a nerve root or the spinal cord, you may have numbness, tingling, weakness, or an aching, shooting pain in your buttock and leg.

Lumbar spondylosis can usually be diagnosed based on your history of symptoms, a physical exam and imaging tests. These are tests that produce various kinds of pictures of your body. They include:

• X-ray, which can help measure the extent of osteoarthritis or injuries to the bones
• MRI, which checks your spinal nerves and looks for disc problems
• CT scan, which checks your spinal canal, bones and joints

Pain and stiffness are first treated with ice or heat and over-the-counter medicines. Physical therapy and daily exercises can be helpful. 

If these treatments are not helping enough, you may need other treatments. This might be more likely to happen if you have spine problems such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. In some cases, an injection of medicine in the joint area may offer short-term relief. For a severe problem, surgery may be an option.