A Prospective Observational Study on Cervical and Lumbar Spine Conditions: Effectiveness of Conservative Treatment Versus Surgical Interventions

Abstract

Introduction: Spondylosis is an age-related degenerative condition caused by normal wear and tear of spinal bones and soft tissues. Spondylolisthesis involves the forward slipping of one vertebra over another, resulting in mechanical pain or radicular symptoms. Spinal stenosis occurs due to narrowing of the spinal canal, leading to compression of neural structures and functional impairment. Conservative treatment includes NSAIDs and inflammation control and muscle relaxants to relieve spasms. Surgical options include laminectomy, discectomy, and spinal fusion.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to observe risk factors for spinal conditions, evaluate the effectiveness of treatment approaches, and determine the success rate of conservative and surgical interventions.

Methods: An observational cohort study was conducted on 120 patients aged 18–80 years with confirmed cervical or lumbar pathology. Data analysis was performed using MS Excel, Google Sheets, and unpaired t-test.

Results: This study found a 13.2% higher prevalence in males, indicating greater disease severity compared to females. Individuals aged 31–60 years, particularly 30–50 years, showed higher susceptibility to spinal degenerative conditions. Farmers and housewives were at increased risk due to physically demanding activities. Conservative treatment was successful in 66.7% of cases, while surgical management achieved an 88.3% success rate, with 11.7% requiring re-surgery due to complications.

Conclusions: The study concluded that only a few patients showed satisfactory relief with conservative treatment, whereas surgical interventions demonstrated higher effectiveness and better success rates.