Lumbar Spondylosis, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Lumbar Spondylosis is a degenerative disorder of the lumbar spine characterised clinically by an insidious onset of pain and stiffness of the spine.

Causes of Lumbar Spondylosis

Bad posture and chronic back strain is the commonest cause.

Other causes are, previous injury to the spine, previous disease of the spine, birth defects and old intervertebral disc prolapse.

Normally this time many persons job type are sitting job that is the major reason of Lumbar Spondylosis because they are sit in same position several hours.

Symptoms of Lumbar Spondylosis

The symptoms begin as Low Backache,

Initially worst during activity, but later present almost all the sime.

There may be a feeling of “a catch while getting up from a sitting position, which improves as one walks a few steps.

The pain may radiate down the limb up to the calf (sciatica) because of irritation of one of the nerve root.

There may be complaint of transient numbness and paresthesia in the dermatome of a nerve root, commonly on the lateral side of leg or foot (L5. S1 roots) respectively.

PATHOLOGY

Primarily, degeneration begins in the intervertebral joints. This is followed by a reduction in the disc space and marginal osteophyte formation.

Degenerative changes develop in the posterior facet joints. Osteophytes around the intervertebral foramen may encroach upon the nerve root canal, and thus interfere with the functioning of the emerging nerve.

EXAMINATION

The spinal movements are limited terminally, but there is little muscle spasm.

The straight leg raising test (SLRT) may be positive if the nerve root compression is present.

RADIOLOGICAL FINDINGS

Good AP and lateral views of the lumbo-sacral spine. should be done after preparing the bowel with a mild laxative and gas adsorbent like charcoal tablets.

X-Ray of the Lumbosacral spine,     showing Lumbar Spondylosis

It is particularly difficult in obese patients, the ones usually suffering from this disease. Following signs may be present:

1-Reduction of disc space

2-Osteophyte formation

3-Narrowing of joint space of the facet joints

4-Subluxation of one vertebra over anotherT

Treatment of Lumbar Spondylosis

Principles of treatment: Like cervical spondylosis, lumbar spondylosis also undergoes spontaneous remissions and exacerbations.

Treatment is essentially similar to cervical spondylosis. In the acute stage, bed rest, hot fomentation and analgesics are advised.

As the symptoms subside, spinal exercises are advised. In some resistant cases, a lumbar corset may have to be used at all times. Spinal fusion may occasionally be necessary.

If the pain is sever so You can apply Shortwave diathermy.

Application of Shortwave Diathermy

Position of the patient: Prone lying with adequate support posteriorly.

1-Methods: Monoplanar

2-Spacing: Narrow

Dosage:

1-Acute: Subthermal .

2-Subacute: Mildthermal

3-Chronic: Thermal