Lumbar Spondylosis treated with pedicle screw fixation

Lumbar Spondylosis

Lumbar is the medical term for the lower back. Spondylosis is again the term referring to degenerative arthritis of the joints between the bones. Therefore, lumbar spondylosis is arthritis of the back. The back supports the body and helps keep us upright. It is therefore affected by the weight of the body especially when standing, sitting and walking. Pain in the back can radiate to the hips, the legs and the private parts. With pressure on the nerves, it can lead to numbness in the legs and weakness causing difficulty in walking. It can be so bad as to cause problems with passing urine and stool. It can also affect sexual function.

The causes of common back pain are as follows:

·        Poor posture

·        Improper lifting techniques

·        Back injury such as muscle sprains

·        Bone and muscle disease

·        Stress, anxiety and depression

·        Degenerative conditions such as osteoporosis and arthritis

Treatment of Lumbar Spondylosis

·         Resting: 1-2 days of bed rest is advisable and most pains will settle. Sleeping on a firm mattress is also good.

·         Over the counter drugs such as paracetamol and aspirin taken every 4-6 hours can also help reduce the pains.

·         Weight reduction, in people who are over-weight.

·          Physical therapy by a trained physiotherapist.

Life style changes

·         Stop smoking.

·         Stop alcohol.

·         Lose weight.

·         Exercise.

Drug treatment

·         Paracetamol

·         Aspirin

·         Ibuprofen

·         Voltarol or Diclofenac

·         Tramadol

·     Steroids like PREDNISOLONE are NOT RECOMMENDED TREATMENT for back or neck pains.

Surgery

Operations can be designed especially for each patient depending on their particular symptoms, signs and MRI. The operation is done to address the particular problem, be it, back pain, leg pain or both. Pedicle screw fixation is for back pains due to spinal instability. 

The following are images of a patient who had had the screws inserted.