The lower back (lumbar spine) carries most of the body’s weight and is the most common site of degenerative spine conditions. These range from worn discs causing back pain to pinched nerves causing sciatica or leg pain on walking.
Back pain or leg pain?
A useful way to think about lower-back conditions is to ask whether the main problem is back pain or leg pain. Leg pain from a pinched nerve (sciatica or claudication) usually responds very well to decompression surgery when needed. Back pain from worn discs usually settles with time, non-impact cardio and weight control, and surgery has a very limited role. Read Prof Kruger’s advice on spinal health and common sense.
What the evidence says: The SPORT trial
The Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) is one of the largest studies in spinal surgery. It compared surgery with non-surgical care for the three most common lower-back conditions: disc prolapse, spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis. Both approaches helped patients, but those who had surgery improved more and faster, with benefits lasting 8 years or more. The details are explained on each condition page.
Talk to Prof Kruger
If you are living with this condition and would like an opinion on your options, you are welcome to book a consultation. Please bring any recent scans and reports.
This page is general patient education based on published research and is not a substitute for a personal consultation. Treatment is always tailored to the individual.