Spondylosis is a medical term used to refer to the various degenerative processes in the spine that accompany the natural aging process. It is a chronic disease in which bony growths are formed in the vertebral bodies (osteophytes or espondylophytes).
Doesn't cause anxiety at first, but they can cause a stiff neck, the lower back or the back in general.
With age or due to a sedentary lifestyle, metabolic processes in the discs and ligaments of the spine are disturbed
This condition is characterized by the degeneration of the articular cartilage located between the vertebrae. These allow our spine to perform many different movements, including: the bending, rotation and tilt.
If we stop the development of spondylosis in time we avoid its complications, pain is eliminated and normal neck and back movement is restored.
Index
Causes of spondylosis
Spondylosis occurs when the soft tissues of the spine: intervertebral discs, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and muscles, naturally go through a series of degenerative changes.
To understand the cause of spondylosis, it is necessary to imagine the anatomy of the spine. It consists of vertebrae interconnected by elastic pads - discs and is held together by two longitudinal ligaments: posterior and anterior.
Consequently, the cartilage in the arch joints gradually wears down, causing bones to rub against each other. This friction can lead to inflammation and lead to the production of pathological bone growths. (spurs or osteophytes) in the affected area and growth is spondylosis.
What's more, the muscles that support the spine weaken. Ligaments and tendons thicken, stretch and lose elasticity.
The disc can no longer bear the loads, that are increasingly due to muscle spasms. The pressure inside the disc increases and the surrounding annulus fibrosus begins to bulge.
Risk factor's
The probability of suffering from spondylosis can be increased by some factors, including:
- Genetic predisposition
- Obesity
- History of traumatic injuries
- Participation in high-risk sports, that can cause sudden or permanent trauma to the joints
Spondylosis symptoms
When nerve root compression occurs, spondylosis symptoms vary depending on the intensity of compression and its location.
If the nerve is compressed in the cervical spine, symptoms occur in the upper back, shoulders, brazos, hands and fingers. Secondly, if the sciatic nerve contracts in the lumbar spine, symptoms are felt in the lower back, buttocks, legs, feet and toes.
People who suffer from spondylosis for a long time cannot find a comfortable position during sleep due to the constant feeling of discomfort. If you have lumbar spondylosis, snuggles to reduce pain, tension and discomfort.
In advanced stages of spondylosis, an accumulation of osteophytes is observed. There is compression of the nerves, causing severe pain. The stiffness of the spine progresses. In the cervical region, pain is felt in the back of the head, headache, pressure instability and numbness of the hand.
In thoracic spondylosis there is chest pain and stiffness between the shoulder blades. Discomfort appears in the buttocks, stiffness and loss of sensation in the legs.
Most common symptoms
Regardless of the location of the spondylosis, the most common symptoms include:
- Pain localized in the cervical or lumbar spine
- Numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in the extremities
- Reduced range of motion in the spine
- Muscular weakness
- Joint stiffness
These symptoms are usually more intense in the morning, on waking, but show improvement when starting to move.
Spondylosis Diagnosis
X-rays can reveal the presence of osteophytes and a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs. But the CT scan (TC) and magnetic resonance imaging (IRM), are more accurate.
With CT scan can detect bone changes associated with spondylosis. MRI can detect disk abnormalities, ligaments and nerves.
Spondylosis Treatments
The goal of spondylosis treatment is to stop the disease from developing, relieve symptoms and increase range of motion in the neck and back.
Conservative treatment
Significant relief can be experienced with the use of conservative treatments. Conservative treatment should be directed at the cause of the onset of symptoms, and not just to reduce discomfort.
Medicines
Prescription or over-the-counter medications are often used to reduce discomfort.
Some medications recommended to reduce the symptoms of spondylosis include:
Analgesics. These help reduce pain. Only prescription pain relievers help cope with severe pain.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Relieve inflammation.
Epidural Steroid Injections. They are applied to reduce severe inflammation around the pinched nerve root, causing temporary numbness in the affected area.
Physical activity and exercises
Physiotherapists recommend special exercises for patients with spondylosis. These exercises seek to restore strength and flexibility to the spine and the muscles that support it..
Physical activity can help expand range of motion and restore spinal health. Yoga and acupuncture also work to relieve symptoms.
For the prevention of spondylosis, it is necessary to practice physical activity daily. If you are getting old, you need to do a series of special exercises or do yoga. The perfect combination is gymnastics and swimming.
Break
If pain interferes with routine actions, one or two days off is perfectly possible. But you should be aware that getting too much rest is detrimental.
Surgical treatment
Surgical treatment of spondylosis is rarely indicated, but if the symptoms of spondylosis persist after many weeks or months conservative treatment, surgery can be recommended to the patient.
Nevertheless, When considering surgery, be aware that open spinal surgery is extremely aggressive and is not the only way to reduce symptoms..