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What Causes Degenerative Changes In Lumbar Spine?
Question: CT report in connection with kidney stone included the following: "There are degenerative changes of the lumbar spine most pronounced at L3-4 with disc space narrowing, endplate sclerosis, osteophytes, and endplate irregularity. There is 9 mm of anterolisthesis of L5 on S1 with bilateral pars defects." I am 48 year old male, 6'3" 195 lbs. Active, including weight lifting - squats & deadlifts in 250 lb range. Should I seek treatment? Stop weighted squatting and deadlifting? Currently no pain or nerve issues.
Thank you
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Should stop weightlifting.
Detailed Answer:
I read that report carefully and I understand your concern.
That report indicates chronic degenerative changes in your spine. To a certain degree these changes are found in many people with the passing of the years due to the added stress and strains the spine has to endure. In people who do heavy weight lifting the chances of these changes occurring are obviously higher and noted earlier.
If you aren't feeling any back pain or other symptoms then no particular treatment is necessary for now. Even if you had symptoms therapy initially would be centered on physical therapy, with exercises for stretching and improving spine support by the muscles.
However I recommend that you stop weight lifting, as you might well imagine it increases the load your spine has to endure and will accelerate the degenerative changes.
I hope to have been of help.
Should stop weightlifting.
Detailed Answer:
I read that report carefully and I understand your concern.
That report indicates chronic degenerative changes in your spine. To a certain degree these changes are found in many people with the passing of the years due to the added stress and strains the spine has to endure. In people who do heavy weight lifting the chances of these changes occurring are obviously higher and noted earlier.
If you aren't feeling any back pain or other symptoms then no particular treatment is necessary for now. Even if you had symptoms therapy initially would be centered on physical therapy, with exercises for stretching and improving spine support by the muscles.
However I recommend that you stop weight lifting, as you might well imagine it increases the load your spine has to endure and will accelerate the degenerative changes.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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