Lumbar osteoarthritis

What is lumbar osteoarthritis?

Lumbar osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease in which the cartilage between the vertebrae in the lumbar region wears away.

What are the symptoms of lumbar osteoarthritis?

In many cases lumbar osteoarthritis is suffered without presenting symptoms, so it is often diagnosed by chance by X-rays taken for other reasons. If symptoms are present, the most frequent are

  • Pain in the lumbar area, in the buttock or in the lateral posterior face of the thigh when moving or when carrying any weight, especially when there are changes in atmospheric pressure.
  • Sciatica (less frequent)
  • Narrowing of the lumbar canal (the nerve roots of the spinal cord are compressed and intensify pain in the lower back and thighs).

What are the causes of lumbar osteoarthritis?

The direct causes of lumbar spine osteoarthritis are not always known, but there are a number of risk factors:

  • Advanced age
  • Gender (it is more frequent in women)
  • Osteoporosis
  • Obesity
  • Overload in the joints of occupational origin
  • Joint deformities or other disease such as scoliosis

Can lumbar osteoarthritis be prevented?

It can be prevented and its evolution can be slowed down by following the following advice:

  • Do not carry heavy loads
  • Sleep on a hard bed
  • Sitting with your back against the back of the chair.
  • Do not take a nap on the sofa
  • Take regular walks
  • Practicing a sport
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What does the treatment of lumbar osteoarthritis consist of?

Within the non-surgical treatment, the techniques may be anti-inflammatory, analgesics, muscle relaxants, gymnastics, cartilage nutrients, rules on what postures to adopt at work or at rest, application of local heat, among others. Surgical treatment is needed to decompress the arthritic areas affecting the spinal nerves to relieve pain.