Common Diagnosis
Lumbar Degeneration
Lumbar degeneration, also known as lumbar arthritis, degenerative disc disease, or degenerative joint disease, usually affects patients after the age of forty. It can cause low back pain, leg pain, or both.
Overview
Lumbar degeneration is also known as lumbar arthritis, lumbar degenerative disc disease, or lumbar degenerative joint disease. It usually affects patients as they become older, not starting before age forty. Symptoms usually start as bouts of low back pain that subside with either rest or non steroidal anti inflammatory medications.
As the episodes become more frequent, patients may be referred to a course of physical therapy, chiropractic care, or acupuncture. Chiropractic care is more effective if the patient has a component of leg pain. Acupuncture works best in the presence of severe muscle spasms related to the pain.
At some point, an MRI of the lumbar spine should be performed to determine the diagnosis and next best course of therapy. Your physician may refer you to a physiatrist or pain management physician to try something more invasive, such as an epidural or facet block. Depending on the success of any conservative management option, it may be tried again if it is successful at alleviating symptoms.
Lumbar degeneration can cause low back pain, leg pain, or both. Your symptoms will dictate what procedure is indicated if the patient requires surgery. For instance, lumbar degeneration may simply cause foraminal stenosis and leg pain, which would only require a foraminotomy. Alternatively, degeneration may cause severe back pain and require a multi level fusion.
Symptoms
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Causes
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When to see a specialist
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Non surgical treatment options
We offer comprehensive non surgical treatment plans tailored to each patient's condition, focused on pain relief, mobility improvement, and overall spinal health. While we do not perform these treatments in house, we collaborate with trusted local specialists to ensure you receive the highest level of care.
Physical therapy
We develop personalized physical therapy prescriptions based on your specific needs and refer you to experienced local providers. These programs are designed to improve strength, flexibility, and posture, helping to reduce pain and enhance mobility while promoting long term spinal health.
Epidural injections
For patients who may benefit from epidural steroid injections, we provide expert evaluations and referrals to trusted local physicians who specialize in pain management. These injections can reduce inflammation and nerve related pain caused by conditions such as herniated discs and spinal stenosis, offering significant relief with minimal downtime.
Chiropractic care and acupuncture
Chiropractic care can help patients with leg pain as a component of their condition. Acupuncture works best in the presence of severe muscle spasms. Both are considered alongside physical therapy and medication as part of a comprehensive conservative plan.
View all non surgical options →
Common treatments include non steroidal anti inflammatory agents, physical therapy, and epidural injections. Acupuncture and chiropractic care can help as well.
Surgical options
Patients are initially evaluated by a physiatrist to ensure all non surgical options, including physical therapy and non narcotic pain management, are exhausted before considering a surgical solution.
Lumbar foraminotomy
A lumbar foraminotomy is a surgical procedure designed to relieve nerve compression by enlarging the foramen, the passage where spinal nerves exit the spinal column. It is most commonly performed at the L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1 levels. Most surgeons have seen success with this procedure for patients with lumbar foraminal stenosis, which can cause radiating leg pain, numbness, or weakness due to nerve compression.
This procedure is often recommended when conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medication, or injections have failed to provide relief. The surgery takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Patients usually go home the same day.
Lumbar fusion and decompression (TLIF)
Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, or TLIF, is a fusion procedure that decompresses the neural elements and stabilizes the level. This is the typical procedure for degenerative spondylolisthesis or instability with radicular symptoms. Most patients go home within a day or two of surgery.
To treat low back pain alone without leg pain, most patients require at least a single level fusion with pedicle screws and an interbody cage.
Recovery
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Sources and further reading
Patient questions
Frequently asked questions
Our clinical team explains Lumbar Degeneration using your history, examination, and imaging. Symptoms vary by nerve or spinal cord involvement. An accurate diagnosis guides whether conservative care or surgery is the safest next step.
Symptoms may include neck or back pain, arm or leg pain, numbness, weakness, or balance changes when the spinal cord is involved. Severity and duration help determine urgency and treatment options.
Evaluation usually includes a neurological examination and MRI. X ray or CT may assess bone alignment. We correlate imaging with your symptoms before recommending injections, therapy, or surgery.
Physical therapy, medication, activity modification, and selective injections are common first steps. We monitor progress over four to eight weeks and escalate only when symptoms persist or neurologic deficits progress.
Seek urgent care for rapidly worsening weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, saddle anesthesia, or severe pain after trauma. Call (914) 948 3008 for guidance if you are unsure how quickly to be seen.
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Office
Institute For Spine Surgery244 Westchester Avenue, Suite 209
West Harrison, NY 10604
Phone
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