Treatment for Lumbar Degenerative Disease

Abstract

  The lumbar spine is involved in locomotion. Lumbar degenerative diseases, such as lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, and lumbar degenerative scoliosis/kyphosis, are caused by the degeneration of the bone, disc, ligament, facets, and other elements of the lumbar spine. History taking, neurological examination, and diagnostic imaging are key to correct diagnoses. Conservative treatments, such as lifestyle guidance and medication, are effective in many patients with lumbar degenerative diseases. In cases of severe symptoms or insufficient effects of conservative treatment, invasive treatment is used. Several relevant technological developments are discussed in this article. The posterior lumbar approach is used in most lumbar surgeries. Fusion surgery is needed in cases of instability or deformity correction. However, decompression surgery has been reconsidered from the viewpoint of surgical site infection, adjacent segment disease, and the medico-economic problems induced by fusion surgery.