Lumbar Spondylosis Treatment in Dhaka

Draft patient information — awaiting medical review by Prof. Dr. Md. Kamrul Ahsan before publication.

Overview

Over time the discs of the lower back lose height and water, and the small joints behind them can thicken. This process, called spondylosis, is very common and often causes no symptoms at all.

When the changes narrow the spinal canal or the openings for the nerves (lumbar canal stenosis), people may feel leg pain or heaviness on walking that eases when they sit or bend forward.

Symptoms that may need assessment

Low back pain and stiffness, often worse in the morning
Pain, heaviness or numbness in the legs on walking or standing
Relief on sitting or leaning forward

Seek urgent medical care if you have

Loss of control of the bladder or bowel
Numbness around the groin, buttocks or back passage
Weakness in the arms or legs that is getting worse
Severe pain after a fall, road accident or other injury
Back or neck pain with fever, unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer

How it is assessed

Clinical and neurological examination
X-ray to assess alignment; MRI to assess the spinal canal and nerves

Treatment options

First line

Non-surgical care

Medicines as prescribed and physiotherapy
Exercise to maintain flexibility and core strength
Weight management and activity modification

When needed

Surgical options

For persistent nerve compression that limits walking and daily life, decompression — sometimes with stabilisation (fusion) — may be considered.

No treatment can guarantee a particular result. Your options, their benefits and their risks are discussed with you at consultation.

Recovery

Many people manage well with non-surgical care. Where surgery is advised, the expected recovery is discussed in detail beforehand.

Questions patients ask

Is spondylosis the same as spondylitis?

The terms are often used interchangeably in everyday speech. Strictly, spondylosis refers to age-related wear, while spondylitis refers to inflammation of the spine. Your doctor will explain which applies to you.

Is this condition caused by ageing?

Age is the main factor, but posture, workload and previous injury also play a part.

From Prof. Ahsan’s published research

Journal of Bangladesh Orthopaedic Society. Jan 2015; 30(1): 38–45.

Degenerative lumbar canal stenosis: results of operative treatment

Indian Journal of Orthopaedics. Jun 2013; 47(3): 255–63.

Comparison of the early results of Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) and Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) in symptomatic lumbar instability

Mymensingh Medical Journal. Oct 2013; 22(4): 798–806.

Instrumented posterior lumbar Interbody fusion (PLIF) with interbody fusion device (cage) in degenerative disc disease (DDD) — 3 years outcome

Clinical Surgery Journal. 2021; 2(2): 1–9.

Surgical management of adult high-grade spondylolisthesis by partial reduction, decompression and instrumented circumferential fusion

All publications

This page is general information for patients and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for a consultation. See the medical disclaimer.

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