Lumbar Conditions

Lower back pain affects adults of all ages due to the combination of daily stress, sports injuries, and age-related conditions. Brandon Ortega, MD, in Torrance and Long Beach, California, can help no matter what lumbar condition you develop. Dr. Ortega provides the full range of conventional treatments and recommends surgery when needed to ease your pain and restore mobility. Call his practice, Brandon A. Ortega, MD, today to schedule a lumbar evaluation and begin treatment tailored to your needs.

What are lumbar conditions?

The lumbar spine (lower back) bears a lot of stress as it carries the weight of your upper body and supports bending and twisting.

Poor posture, lifting heavy objects, and daily activities can lead to lumbar problems. However, repetitive movements, injuries, and age-related degeneration are the top causes of lower back pain.

People turn to Dr. Ortega for help with many conditions causing lower back pain, including:

Herniated Disc

Spinal discs have a tough outer cover that weakens with time, allowing the inner gel to push out and cause a herniated disc. If the cover cracks, the inner substance leaks out.

Radiculopathy

Radiculopathy occurs when a lumbar condition pinches or compresses the spinal nerve roots as they leave the spinal cord and travel to your hips, legs, and feet.

Neurogenic Claudication

Neurogenic claudication occurs when there is compression of the spinal nerve roots within the spinal canal causing buttock/leg pain that is worse when upright/walking and improves when leaning forward/sitting down. 

Spondylosis

Spondylosis is caused by age-related degenerative changes that affect the vertebral bodies, intervertebral discs, and facet joints.

Spondylolysis

Spondylolysis is a type of stress fracture that can be present from birth, though it often occurs with repeated hyperextension of the back (such as in gymnastics or football). 

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is a condition where one of the vertebrae in the spine slips out of place and onto the vertebra below it. This can cause varying degrees of pain and discomfort, as well as potential nerve compression or spinal instability. 

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis occurs when degenerated and damaged discs, bone spurs, and thickened ligaments protrude into the spinal canal and openings in each vertebra called foramen. The openings narrow, causing three types of spinal stenosis.

Central stenosis compresses the spinal cord. Foraminal stenosis refers to pinched nerves traveling through the foramen. Lateral recess stenosis occurs when the spinal nerves are compressed just before reaching the foramen.

Compression Fractures

Compression fractures happen when vertebrae collapse because they are weakened by osteoporosis or, less commonly, a spinal tumor.

Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain

Sacroiliac joint pain often presents as sacroiliitis, or severe pain in your lower back or buttocks. It is often most noticeable when you experience a change in your gait, like compensation for knee pain or a fracture. 

What symptoms do lumbar conditions cause?

Lumbar conditions cause lower back pain and limit your ability to move and walk.

If you have radiculopathy or any nerve involvement, you could have symptoms like sharp pain, tingling, weakness, or numbness in your legs.

In addition to leg pain, neurogenic claudication causes cramping, leg heaviness, and difficulty walking.

How are lumbar conditions treated?

Dr. Ortega provides pain management and recommends conservative treatments like changing your activities to avoid pain and further aggravating your lower back. Physical therapy is also essential for overcoming lumbar conditions.

If your symptoms do not improve with conservative treatment, Dr. Ortega discusses surgical lumbar procedures available to address the spinal problem.

Call Brandon A. Ortega, MD, today to relieve back and leg pain.