Osteoarthritis of Spine Treatment in India

Sara Joshi, a 58-year-old elementary school...

Sara Joshi, a 58-year-old elementary school teacher, had always been active, but a decade of bending over small desks and carrying heavy books took its toll. For five years, she managed increasing lower back stiffness and a deep, aching pain that radiated into her hips. Her morning ritual involved a slow, painful straightening just to get out of bed. Over-the-counter pain relievers lost their effect, and her beloved weekend gardening became impossible. An MRI confirmed severe lumbar spinal stenosis from advanced osteoarthritis, with bone spurs pressing on her nerves. Her spine surgeon, Dr. Lee, recommended a lumbar laminectomy and fusion at L4-L5 to relieve the pressure and stabilize the segment. Terrified of surgery but desperate for change, Sara agreed. The procedure went smoothly. Her initial recovery in the hospital was challenging, with pain managed by medication and the help of physical therapists who got her walking the next day. At home, she followed a strict regimen: no bending, lifting, or twisting for three months. She felt frustrated by her dependence on her husband, but gradual walks grew longer each week. By six months, with dedicated physical therapy, the debilitating nerve pain was gone. The deep ache was replaced by a manageable stiffness. A year later, Sara is back in her garden, using raised beds and mindful body mechanics. Her emotional journey was from a fearful, grieving woman who felt her identity slipping away to a grateful, cautious optimist who has reclaimed her joy in movement, albeit smarter.