Lumbar Degenerative Joint Disease Treatment in New Jersey
Lower back pain has a significant effect on patients who develop it. Lumbar degenerative joint disease is one condition that leads to chronic back pain. The condition can worsen over time, meaning early diagnosis and treatment are recommended.
Branko Skovrlj, MD, is the founder and lead spine surgeon at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute in New Jersey. We provide procedures for back and neck conditions at facilities in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, and Holmdel. Learn more about back pain and the treatments for lumbar degenerative joint disease.
What Is Lumbar Degenerative Joint Disease?
Lumbar degenerative joint disease is osteoarthritis of the spine that affects the lower back or lumbar sacrum area. As a spine condition, it is similar to lumbar degenerative disc disease. However, its cause is deterioration in the vertebral joints rather than in the discs between the vertebrae.
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, especially the:
- Knees
- Hands
- Feet
- Hips
- Spine
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and often slowly progresses as we age. Similar to the structure of facet joints in the hands and feet, protective cartilage surrounds the facet joints that connect with the vertebrae within the lumbar spine. When this cartilage deteriorates, the movement and flexibility of the spine are reduced. Depending on the level of degeneration, this spine condition can cause increasing low back pain.
What Should I Do About Degenerative Joint Disease?
As with all back pain, it’s important to receive a diagnosis and treatment recommendations as soon as possible. Our neurosurgeon and spine specialist, Dr. Skovrlj, and the entire medical team at NU-Spine have experience treating a wide variety of spine conditions. We use state-of-the-art equipment and the latest procedures to deliver noninvasive treatments, as well as minimally invasive spine surgery.
While it is not possible to reverse joint damage, many treatments are available for reducing lumbar degenerative joint disease symptoms. After a thorough physical examination, review of your medical history, and diagnostic tests such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, we create an individual treatment plan for each patient. If the back pain is related to lumbar degenerative joint disease, patients are in good hands at NU-Spine.
Dr. Skovrlj has dedicated his career to studying the spine and helping people with back pain. Through years of intensive training and experience as a neurosurgeon, he has gained a deep understanding of lumbar degenerative joint disease and the most effective treatments.
What Are the Symptoms of Lumbar Degenerative Joint Disease?
The symptoms of lumbar degenerative joint disease usually present slowly over time. Because of this, many patients put off seeking medical attention until the pain limits their mobility and function. The medical team at NU-Spine recommends you see a spine specialist right away if you are experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms:
- Pain before or after exercise
- Stiffness after periods of sitting or standing
- Tenderness in the lower back
- Limited flexibility during normal activities
- Grinding feeling when moving the joints
- Bone spurs
- Swelling and inflammation
What Are the Risk Factors for Lumbar Degenerative Joint Disease?
Lumbar degenerative joint disease occurs over time. This means it most prominently affects older patients. However, it can appear in almost anyone. Some conditions and circumstances may increase the chance of developing osteoarthritis in the lower back, including:
- Aging: As we age, the incidence of osteoarthritis increases.
- Obesity: Excessive weight puts pressure on the spinal facet joints that can wear down cartilage. It also leads to greater levels of inflammation.
- Family history and genetics: Having a family member with lumbar degenerative joint disease can increase the risk of developing the condition.
- High blood sugar levels: High blood sugar adds free radicals and more oxidative stress to the body.
- High cholesterol levels: Lipids create deposits in the cartilage that inhibit blood flow.
- Deformities: Deformities include lumbar deformity, such as lordosis and hyperlordosis, as well as flat back syndrome.
- Stress on the joints: Excessive wear and tear from certain activities, including occupations that require heavy lifting or athletic training.
What Are the Common Lumbar Degenerative Joint Disease Treatments?
Your general practitioner may treat you for osteoporosis of any joint with conservative, noninvasive remedies. The medical team at NU-Spine also recommends these for patients in the early stages of lumbar degenerative joint disease. Mild treatments may include:
- Anti-inflammatory, non-steroidal medications
- Prescription medications, such as muscle relaxers and antidepressants
- Physical therapy to strengthen related muscles and increase overall flexibility
- Occupational therapy to help learn work habits that reduce or eliminate pain
- Injections, such as cortisone to reduce inflammation
These treatments can be effective, especially for milder cases of degenerative joint disease. Strengthening the muscles and finding new work habits can have a lasting impact.
If the pain returns or worsens, it may be time to make an appointment with a spine specialist at NU-Spine. Patients can access the latest minimally invasive spine surgery techniques and procedures.
What Are the Surgical Treatments for Degenerative Joint Disease?
At NU-Spine, we get to know our patients and ask about many aspects of their lives, like their health goals and general state of health. If you receive a diagnosis of lumbar degenerative joint disease, we will suggest a procedure with the best chance of reducing your lower back pain. Each patient is unique, meaning we tailor and customize each treatment to their specific needs.
Options for minimally invasive spine surgery may include:
- Minimally invasive laminectomy: This procedure removes bone spurs and reduces compression on the spine or nerve roots using minimally invasive instruments
- Laminectomy: This type of surgery removes portions of the lower back vertebra and can relieve back pain, as well as pain in the legs or buttocks
- Lumbar foraminotomy: This is a form of decompression surgery that creates more room for affected nerves
- Lumbar decompression: A common pressure-relieving procedure that removes part of the vertebrae, also called laminectomy
- Hemilaminectomy: This refers to a partial laminectomy, removing less bone to resolve compression in the lumbar spine
- Spinal fusion: This procedure joins two or more vertebrae, limiting movements within the spine that have become painful
Let the spine specialists at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute help relieve your back pain. Whether you are diagnosed with lumbar degenerative joint disease or another chronic condition, we use our experience and knowledge to find optimal treatment options. Dr. Skovrlj has dedicated his career to helping people with spine conditions.
Take advantage of modern minimally invasive spinal surgery procedures and return to your life and usual activities. For more information, or to make an appointment at one of our offices in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, and Holmdel, NJ, contact us today.
