Lumbar Spondylosis Treatment

Lumbar spondylosis is age-related wear and tear of the lumbar spine, involving disc dehydration, bone spur formation, and facet joint arthritis. It's extremely common after age 40 and doesn't always cause symptoms. Treatment focuses on managing pain and maintaining mobility.

The degenerative changes themselves cannot be reversed, but the symptoms — pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility — can be effectively managed and often eliminated through physiotherapy. Many people with spondylosis on imaging live completely pain-free with proper exercise and posture habits.

Initial pain relief typically occurs within 3-4 weeks. Building lasting strength and mobility requires 8-12 weeks of consistent physiotherapy. Since spondylosis is a degenerative condition, we also establish a long-term maintenance exercise program you can do independently.

Avoid prolonged sitting, heavy lifting with poor form, and high-impact activities like running on hard surfaces. However, staying active is crucial — walking, swimming, and yoga are generally excellent. We create a specific activity guide tailored to your severity.

No. Lumbar spondylosis is gradual age-related degeneration, while a slipped (herniated) disc is a specific injury where disc material pushes out. However, spondylosis can increase your risk of disc herniation. Both conditions respond well to physiotherapy treatment.

Surgery is rarely needed for lumbar spondylosis. It's only considered when there's significant nerve compression causing weakness or bowel/bladder problems. Over 90% of patients manage effectively with physiotherapy, exercise, and lifestyle modifications.