Lumbar Spondylosis
Lumbar spondylosis is age-related wear and tear affecting the lower back, including discs, joints, and surrounding bone structures.
When to get help quickly: Urgent review is important if back pain is accompanied by new leg weakness, severe numbness, difficulty walking, fever, unexplained weight loss, or bladder or bowel symptoms.
Common symptoms
Symptoms may include lower back pain, stiffness, pain that is worse after standing or walking for long periods, and sometimes pain, tingling, or numbness going into the legs.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps when pain is persistent, symptoms suggest nerve compression, or doctors need to check for spinal narrowing, instability, or another cause of back symptoms.
What radiology does
X-rays and MRI help show degenerative change, nerve compression, spinal narrowing, and alignment issues.
What usually happens next
Treatment often begins with pain management, exercise, physiotherapy, and posture or lifestyle changes, with surgery reserved for selected cases.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.
Related scan guides
- Lumbar Spine (Lower Back) MRIA Lumbar Spine MRI is a specialized scan focusing on the lower back. It is highly effective for investigating the root cause of chronic lower back pain, sciatica, and numbness or weakness in the legs.
- Spine X-RayA spine X-ray is a scan that uses a small amount of radiation to show the bones and alignment of your neck, upper back, lower back, or tailbone. It is often requested for pain, injury, posture changes, arthritis, or scoliosis.