What is the initial management for a patient with lumbar arthropathy?

From the Research

The initial management for a patient with lumbar arthropathy should focus on conservative measures, including providing patients with information about the condition, pain education, individualized physical activity, and directional preference exercises, supported with NSAIDs, as recommended by the most recent study 1.

Key Components of Initial Management

• Providing patients with information about the condition, including pain education
• Individualized physical activity
• Directional preference exercises
• Support with NSAIDs for pain relief

Additional Considerations

• In the sub-acute stage, strength training and neurodynamic mobilization could be added, and transforaminal/epidural injections could be considered, as suggested by 1
• In the chronic stage, spinal manipulative therapy, specific exercise, and function-specific physical training should be combined with individualized vocational, ergonomic, and postural advice, as recommended by 1

Pharmacological Interventions

• NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can be used for pain relief, as mentioned in 2 and 3

Non-Pharmacological Interventions

• Physical therapy, including core strengthening exercises, flexibility, and proper body mechanics, should be initiated early, as suggested by 2 and 4
• Activity modification, heat or cold therapy, and weight loss (if applicable) are also important components of initial management, as mentioned in 2 and 3