LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS
CONTENT
At the end of this very article, readers would be able to ;
-Define lumbar spondylosis
-Outline the causes/Risk factors of lumbar spondylosis
-Know how lumbar spondylosis is diagnosed
-Know some clinical manifestations lumbar spondylosis causes.
-Know the physiotherapy management of lumbar spondylosis.
•DEFINITION AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION
~The spine contains about 31 vertebrae bones. Cervical (7), thoracic (12),Lumbar(5),Sacral(4),Coccyx (3). These bones lie on each other and separated from each other by cartilage containing fluid-filled substance called synovial fluid. This cartilage is found on the surfaces of each of the vertebrae bones articulating with each other in providing cushioning and serves as shock absorbers. It also prevents the bones from kissing each other, that may cause inflammation.
Lumbar spondylosis is described as all degenerative conditions affecting the lumbar spine. This degenerative conditions may be disc degeneration, disc herniation, osteophytes growth, foramina stenosis and other inflammatory conditions affecting the lumbar spine.
Lumbar spondylosis can affect persons as young as 20yrs.
It can be seen as a cascade -Anatomical changes of the spine occurs, which leads to more degeneration and changes combine to cause lumbar spondylosis and its symptoms. More often, lumbar spondylosis comes along with radiations. Pain radiates from the lumbar regions into the Lower limbs(Lumbar spondylosis with radiculopathy). The body is wired with nerves. These nerves emanate from the spinal cord through a foramina created by two different vertebrae bones. The Sciatic nerve for instance, most often become compressed and this causes pain radiation from the lumbar into the Lower limb. It originates from the L4-S3 spinal vertebrae.
Lumbar spondylosis can simply be defined as, pain at the lower back as a result of degeneration of the articular cartilage between the vertebrae bones.
•CAUSES/RISK FACTORS
1. Age. Aging happens to be a major contributing factor in the cause of the discussed condition. As one ages, there are changes on the body structures. Disc degeneration, herniation, Osteophytes formation may occur in the old ages and may trigger lumbar spondylosis depending on the vertebrae bone affected.
2. Genetics.
Lumbar spondylosis may run through the family when one of the family members or parents has had it before. With that, there's increases risk of getting the condition.
3. Back trauma and prolong sitting.
Injury to the back (lower back) can increase one's risk of getting lumbar spondylosis due to inflammation this may cause and injury to the surrounding soft tissues. Sitting for a prolonged period of time may put pressure at the lumber region which may increase the possibility of articular cartilage degeneration and causing lumbar spondylosis.
4. Extreme talls
5. Assuming bad postures such as bending over and twisting of trunk unnecessarily.
•DIAGNOSIS OF LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS
Lumbar spondylosis can be diagnosed by the prescription of X-ray, CT scan, MRI which may give images of the parts of exposure to any of these radiation devices. With the help of any of these, the doctor would know whether there's a fracture(#), disc herniation, foramina stenosis and articular cartilage degenerationthat may be causing the patient complaints.
During assessment by a physiotherapist, a special test would be performed to determine what is really causing the pain. Notable among these tests include Straight leg raising test. A positive result would be aggravation of pain and patient's symptoms during the test. This would then be combined with the findings of the X-ray report before it can be ascertained that, lumbar spondylosis is really the cause.
•CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
lumbar spondylosis may come with the following signs and symptoms.
•Pain in the axial spine
•neurological claudication which include;
•Low back pain
•Leg pain
•Numbnes in lower limbs when standing and walking.
•PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT OF LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS.
1. A physical therapist remains the primary treatment for musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. Though, doctors prescribe medications that may reduce the pain but the effect of these medications are short compared to the effect the physical therapist intervention would give.
2.Exercises below would help maintain the flexibility of the joints and also helps in the management ofSigns & symptoms of lumbar spondylosis.
-Knee -chest exx
-Bridging exx
-Gluteal stretch
-Side planks
-Half way straight leg raise exx
-Quadripled Arm/Leg raise exx
-Back Extension exx
-Ambulation
-Mini squats
-Stair case climbing exx
-Hot pack or hydro collar pack on the lower back (30mins)
-TENS(20mins)
-Massage with gel.
1.MASSAGE :massage, also known as soft tissue manipulation is very useful in the management of lumbar spondylosis. It helps relaxes tensed muscles at the lower back as well as encourages removal of metabolites accumulated in the soft tissues which aggravate pain. It also improves blood circulation thereby facilitating the removal of carbondioxide and other irritant substances in the tissues.
2.Hot pack application : The hot pack applied for about 20-30minutes at the lower back is useful in managing pain. The melzac and Wall's pain gate control theory of 1965 remains the idea of using hot pack in the control of pain in lumbar spondylosis.
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Exercise Physiology for Arthritis
Suffering from arthritis?
Suffering from arthritis can vary from person to person. For some suffering from arthritis, many of the tasks we take for granted in our youth can become extremely difficult to perform as we age. Cases can vary considerably depending on a person’s general health, environment, lifestyle and so much more. Exercise is often the last thing on someone’s mind when they are dealing with an arthritic condition.
It is said that the most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. For more on Osteoarthritis please read our health article Exercise & Osteoarthritis
Exercise Physiology can help an individual improve their ability to move safely and effectively, with greater function. Functional Health’s Exercise Physiologists are accredited professionals with graduate degrees and clinical experience who examine, diagnose, treat and sometimes work to prevent conditions that impact the body’s ability to move and function in everyday life.
One of the main focus areas for Exercise Physiology, is to focus on improving our ability to get the body to engage in functional movement. This can encompass anything from getting out of bed in the morning to walking up and down stairs, walking on the beach, playing a sport or any normal everyday recreational activities.
One of the main focus areas for Exercise Physiology, is to focus on improving our ability to get the body to engage in functional movement. This can encompass anything from getting out of bed in the morning to walking up and down stairs, walking on the beach, playing a sport or any normal everyday recreational activities.
What are typical goals of Exercise Physiology for someone suffering arthritis?
- Improve joint mobility/range of motion
- Restore ‘normal’ use of affected joints
- Increase strength to support the joints
- Develop/maintain fitness
- Maintain the ability to perform everyday tasks
What can an Exercise Physiologist do for you?
First, we get to work by designing a tailor-made plan of exercises catered specifically for the individual. The key areas we look to improve with these exercises are flexibility, strength, coordination and balance, in order to support the patient’s optimal physical bodily function.
Functional Health’s EP’s will:
- Teach you proper posture & body mechanics essential for common daily tasks, with a focus on relieving pain and improving function.
- Guide you through your session to ensure that exercises are completed correctly with your results-based exercise program.
- Work closely with our Physiotherapists to provide you with a more complete approach to your development/treatment.
- Provide ongoing support through modified sessions.
- Recommend other treatment options.
- Suggest modifications to your everyday environment, such as ergonomic chairs, beds, etc. to relieve pain and improve function.
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What does an Exercise Physiology Session Look Like?
The primary goal of an Exercise Physiology session is to support your health and well-being through a supportive exercise training plan. Our incredible Medical Exercise equipment is managed by our highly trained, allied health professionals, who guide you through your sessions in a highly supportive environment. We record your training plans and update any treatment records, thus allowing us to better assess and manage future treatment plans.
We demonstrate certain exercises that you can undertake at home and always look to increase our patients understanding of a particular condition and means in which they can help self-manage symptoms they may be suffering. Sessions are approx 30-40mins and focus largely on your particular treatment plan along with our medical exercise prescription to strengthen your physical function, improve range of motion and also help give you strategies for care that you can do at home.
At your initial consultation, consider your condition/complaint and what you would like to achieve as a result of undertaking Exercise Physiology. It can be anything from simply getting in and out of your car or bed without pain, raising your arms to reach items overhead in the kitchen, taking a walk or performing your tasks within your employment without pain in the hips, knees and feet, or even running a marathon. Functional Health’s highly trained team can work with you to develop an individual plan that is perfect for you!
A successful outcome
The key to a successful outcome, is working closely with your EP or Physio and learning as much as you can from them. Functional Health have built a wonderful team of passionate therapists throughout the years and this has been the key to our success. Our hands-on approach to treatment is one of the key areas we have focused and this has been well received by our patients. While the process of treatment can be a long road ahead for some, we know that the body will become stronger and more functional, through continual support and management.
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