Is Lumbar Spondylosis a Permanent Disease?

Lumbar spondylosis is a wear and tear process that occurs as a result of age in the lower spine- that painlessly turns into painful conditions showing one’s stiffness and discomfort-happens to be called spondylosis of the lumbar.

Primarily, this condition results from the degeneration of the discs of the bones and the joints within the lumbar spine-a part of the natural process of aging. While common in adults due to aging, it can affect younger people because of poor posture, repetitive stress, or injury.

One question often asked is whether lumbar spondylosis is a permanent disease. It can be termed that lumbar spondylosis is permanent because it is due to the degeneration of the spine.

Most bones and joints, including spinal discs, are subjected to use that does not repair or regenerate normally. As the degeneration starts, it usually tends to increase progressively if it is not managed well.

While the structural changes in the spine are permanent, symptoms and discomfort may be managed, and in many cases, controlled quite effectively.

Managing Lumbar Spondylosis

Although it is a chronic condition, the symptoms of lumbar spondylosis do not need to be constant or agonizing; most cases of the disease are minor or episodic regarding the pain produced, and there is a wide variety of nonsurgical options for symptomatic treatment.

These may include physical therapy and exercise as well as lifestyle modifications such as avoiding poor posture and being appropriately weighted.

Such conservative measures can often reduce pain and stiffness. Pharmaceutical agents for pain control and anti-inflammatory drugs, plus heat or cold therapy, also help control symptoms.

Treatment might be as intense as injections into the spine or surgery, but such is reserved for those whose pain impairs their normal quality of life.

Conclusion

Since the degenerative changes of lumbar spondylosis are permanent, symptoms and pains can be managed with some proper lifestyle choices. Thus, though a cure does not exist for lumbar spondylosis, early diagnosis, partnered with proactive management methods, can go a long way toward enabling the patient to maintain a productive, comfortable life.

Therefore, personal treatment by a healthcare professional is essential for better long-term outcomes.

Dr. Navin Tiwari
Consulting Neurologist