Low back pain, CT says degenerative changes but also mentions bone spurs—what does this mean?
Disease description:
I have been experiencing frequent lower back pain recently, so I underwent a CT scan. The report mentioned degenerative changes and also noted bone spurs. I don't quite understand what this means. The pain worsens when I bend over or sit for prolonged periods. I would like to know the relationship between degenerative changes and bone spurs?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
CT findings of lumbago show "degenerative changes" and "bone spurs," which are common clinical conditions.
Lumbar degenerative changes refer to a degenerative process involving the lumbar intervertebral discs and facet joints as people age, representing a manifestation of lumbar spine aging. These degenerative changes may lead to narrowing of the intervertebral space, disc bulging or herniation, and facet joint hypertrophy, which can cause symptoms such as low back pain and restricted movement.
Bone spurs, medically termed osteophytes or bone overgrowths, are specific manifestations of degenerative changes. On CT scans, bone spurs appear as abnormal bony projections at the edges of the bones. When the spine experiences uneven pressure or long-term overuse, the body forms additional bone at the vertebral edges to enhance spinal stability, resulting in bone spurs. Bone spurs themselves do not necessarily cause symptoms, but when they compress nerve roots or the spinal cord, they may trigger symptoms such as leg pain or numbness.
Therefore, lumbago, lumbar degenerative changes, and bone spurs are interrelated. Degenerative changes represent the overall aging process of the lumbar spine, while bone spurs are specific manifestations of these degenerative changes at the bone edges.
