Lumbar spondylosis covers other conditions like osteophytes, facet joint degeneration, herniations and lumbar disc bulges. Common symptoms of lumbar spondylosis may include sciatica, limitation in back movement and low back pain.
Treatment for lumbar spondylosis is usually conservative however surgery is always recommended if there is spinal cord compression or pain that is intractable. Read further to know the detailed treatment of lumbar spondylosis.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Exercise Therapy. One of the leading conservative treatments for lumbar spondylosis includes stretching exercises, muscle strengthening and aerobic exercises (Ann Intern Med 2005). With individuals suffering from chronic pain symptoms, a significant improvement is seen with patients who are given individually designed programs which includes strengthening and stretching and is done under supervision. Improve in pain and function is significantly seen (Ann Intern Med)
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS). This device brings electrical stimulation to the nerves with the purpose to relieve pain. Implanting of such device is considered an outpatient procedure. This is quite effective in managing pain as one study sites, there is an immediate pain relief after an hour following TENS yet there is still little evidence of its long term benefits
Lumbar Supports. Supports are usually made for the purpose of limiting spine motion, to correct any deformity, stabilize the spine and lessen mechanical forces. Moderate evidence is available regarding the effectiveness of the device for those who are suffering from chronic lower back pain.
Spine manipulation. Involves a manual therapy approach which has the following function – lessens muscle spasm, modifications in neuriphysiological function, mechanical stimulation of nociceptive joint fibers, repositioning of miniscule structures within the articular surface, lessens disc bulge, released entrapped synovial folds, lessens tension in the hypertonic muscle and disturbance in the periarticular adhesion (Ann Intern Med 2003). Research has been conducted in this subject and result showed that spinal manipulation is effective when compared to sham manipulation when you talk about short and long term relief of pain as well as functional improvement.
Massage therapy. This form of treatment seems to bring pain relief to low back pain sufferers. If compared with other treatment, it is less effective with TENS and spinal manipulation but is comparable with exercise and lumbar supports and much more superior with acupuncture and any other relaxation therapies if it is maintained for over a year course.
Medication Therapy. Lumbar spondylosis patients do need medications to manage the pain as well as the swelling, lessens the disability and generally improve the quality of life of the patient. This medication therapy often complements the non-medication interventions. Great number of research has been done to explore the effectiveness of various oral medications in the management of low back pain and degenerative conditions.
Medications like NSAIDs, opioid, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants. Injection therapy is also available to manage chronic pain. Injection therapy includes epidural steroid injections, facet injections, and SI joint injections.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery. This form of treatment is usually reserve for sufferers who have failed non-surgical treatment options. Surgery procedures aim to achieve two important goals and that is spine decompression or spinal fusion or in some cases both. There are different kinds of surgical techniques today, talk to your doctor and discuss your best option regarding this kind of treatment.