Lumbar spondylosis is a spine condition that describes the natural deterioration of the lower spine due to age and compression. While spondylosis can occur throughout the spine, the most common location of occurrence is in the lowest portion of the spine, where the lumbar spine meets the sacrum, or tailbone. This type of spondylosis is called L5 to S1 spondylosis because it is found in the last vertebra of the lumbar spine (L5) and the first vertebra of the sacral spine (S1).

Most patients over the age of 50 have some form of mild to progressive spondylosis in the lumbar spine. However, most cases of spondylosis do not result in any symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms of lower back pain, stiffness and limited mobility, you may need to schedule an appointment with your physician to determine if you have a progressive case of spondylosis. Spondylosis can often result in other forms of spine conditions that do result in symptoms and further degeneration of the spine.

Causes of lumbar spondylosis in the L5 to S1 vertebrae

The spine is made up of several vertebrae stacked on top of each other. A vertebra is a small bone that builds the core structure of the spine. On both side of a vertebra is a joint and a disc made of soft tissue to allow the vertebra to bend and move. The purpose of the lumbar spine in your lower back is to support and stabilize most of the body’s weight. Over time, as the spine undergoes years of repetitive motion, heavy lifting, and possible weight gain, the vertebrae of the lumbar spine become compressed and push into the discs and joints from both sides, much like a clamp.

This constant pressure can cause the discs and joints to gradually deteriorate and possibly develop other spine conditions, such as spinal stenosis or spondylolisthesis. This is particularly true in the L5 to S1 vertebrae because that holds the most weight and stability of the body. Another main cause of lumbar spondylosis is arthritis of the spine. Typically, arthritis of the spine develops later in life and contributes to the gradual degeneration of the components of the spine. This also could lead to the development of other spine conditions, such as bone spurs.

Treatment options for spondylosis in the L5 to S1 vertebrae

If you have been diagnosed with L5 to S1 spondylosis, you have several types of treatment available to you for your condition. Most mild forms of spondylosis respond well to conservative treatment methods, such as chiropractic care and physical therapy. Conservative treatment methods can often be combined to help increase your pain relief and positive results. Consult your doctor to create a treatment regimen that fits your needs and helps alleviate your pain.

If you are not experiencing any relief from conservative treatments after several weeks or months, you may consider contacting USA Spine Care to find out how we can treat your spondylosis symptoms. At USA Spine Care, we offer a safer and effective alternative to open back surgery to treat spondylosis.^ Review our minimally invasive decompression and stabilization surgery for spondylosis to learn more.

At USA Spine Care, our board-certified surgeons+ have helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from chronic neck and back pain, setting us apart as the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery. We perform our outpatient procedures using a small incision and muscle-sparing techniques in order to alleviate symptoms while resulting in less bleeding and a lower risk of complication compared to traditional open back surgery.^

To find out if you are a candidate for our state-of-the-art procedures, reach out to our dedicated team today and ask for a no-cost MRI review.* We are here to help guide you through your journey to wellness.

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