Lumbar Arthritis & Sharp Pain

Lumbar arthritis occurs in the lower back vertebrae near the curvature in the spine. This ailment is caused by the degeneration of discs that lie between the vertebrae, which can put pressure on nerve endings and cause sharp pain.

Significance

• People with lumbar arthritis may experience sharp pain because of compression on the sciatic nerve, which begins near the L4 and L5 vertebrae, extending down to the hips and back of the thigh, according to Spineuniverse.com.

Effects

• Lumbar arthritis can cause radiating pain or sciatica to shoot down the legs and hips. Spineuniverse.com reports that this pain is usually intermittent and sometimes causes numbness in the hips and legs, leading to trouble sitting or standing up.

Types of Treatment

• Individuals with lumbar arthritis and sharp pain should rest until the initial inflammation and pain subsides, says eOrthopod.com. They can take anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen to relieve these symptoms.

Expert Insight

• Ice can reduce inflammation and swelling during the first 48 hours. After that, heat can relax and loosen the muscles, and gradually alleviate the sharp pain of lumbar arthritis, according to Dr. Grant Cooper, an interventional spine and joint pain medicine specialist in Princeton, N.J.

Prevention/Solution

• Most medical professionals recommend a gradual increase in exercise once the lumbar arthritis pain is under control. Cooper suggests simple stretching exercises, to help patients increase mobility in their back and hips.