The most common spinal injuries depending on your age

The human axial skeleton has a vertebral column composed of 33 vévertebrae, that are separated from each otherí through the intervertebral discs. This structure stands as the main axis of the body, significantly influencing the executionón of the majoríof our daily activities. Its nature combines solidity and flexibility, which enables us to perform actions such as getting up, duck and turn.

Además de su función mecánica, The spine plays a crucial role in protecting the central nervous system. Nevertheless, this regionón goneómica isá subject to various conditions that can lead to a wide spectrum of ailments in the population.ón adulta, caused by traumaátics, degenerative, congéstrength, infectious and tumorous.

Index

Spinal injuries máfrequent s

The pathologiesíthe degenerative are probably the más frequent of all and are, with a lot of difference, the main cause of absenteeism worldwide. Among the degenerative conditions we canñwing the herniated discs, canal stenosis, osteopor fracturesótics and sífacet syndromes, among other.

Although the eldestíMost adult injuries are common to childrenños, at the age I askedátric highlights problems related to configurationócolumn no.: scoliosis, exaggerations of the cif curveótica or lordótica, spondylólysis and spondylolisthesis. Given the, además, at this age birth problems manifest themselves (congénitos), It should be noted that alsoécan not be presented, complete or partially, some rare entities like get out of shapeón de Chiari O spine bíhidden fida.

Causes of injuries

From the 30 años, the spine begins to degenerate and this occurs inexorable in the majoríof human beings. Factors like the activity, raza, sex and geneética influence when determining the future of a person's spine. Aun así, the biggestíto of the sísymptoms and signs of almost all spinal diseases can be avoided with proper postural hygiene.

Although in general the degenerationón is similar in men and women, there are certain pathologiesíthose that appear with más frequency in one group than in another. For instance, the spondylolisthesis (displacement of a vévertebra with respect to the other) son más common in women jóyou come as athletes (when is traumaática) or older adult women (when it is degenerative). On the other hand, since many heavy jobsún are carried out in their greatestífor men, this group isá exposed to a clear increased risk of work accidents with the consequent vertebral fractures, acute hernias of traumatic originático O high grade spondylolisthesis.

Síntomas máusual s

The símy youthás común is he pain what, depending on the type of pathologyía, mayá to be continuo, intermittent, To walk, when at rest, very intense or low intensity. All these particularities of pain allow us to guide the diagnosisóstico.

Many pathologistíace of columna, when they are serious, spaghettién they share the neurological focalityógica; this is, at péreturn of some functionón determined by the nervous system, as the péloss of strength, sensitivity or of esf controlínteres.

Diagnóstico

The exam fíphysical and by image allow you to make a diagnóaccurate stic. Especially, because the úlatest technologyías enable reconstructions and offer an image quality that even makes someñthey were unthinkable. This combine usón is crucial because the correct treatment It is based on the correspondence between what the patient describes and what is observed in the images.ágenes radiolócool. Thus, a good spine specialist always treat the patient, and not your imágenes…

We have various imaging tests and the máfrequent s are radiographería, Scannería and magn resonanceética. The radiographería provides us with informationón about bones in two planes. SpaghettiéThe imaging system does not exist EOS, what is an x-rayífull body with ten times less radiationón that the x-rayíthe conventional. This image allows us to know the balance sagital of the patient, that is to say, a series of pairámeters that indicate whether the column has an alignmentón pooróunique with respect to the pelvis and lower limbs, to determine whether these values ​​should be corrected or preserved. Currently, It is inconceivable to operate the spine without knowing the balance sagital of a person. The Scannería provide us with informationón ósea más detailed in three planes, allowéus to carry out reconstructions and take measurements for the placementón of screws and prótesis intersomátics.

The magn resonanceética allows us to evaluate with great precisionón the soft parts of the spine. In this way, we can know the state of the raínervous stop, intervertebral discs, the ligaments and if there is the presence of intramedullary tumors. Además, makes it easier for us to evaluateón of the great vessels, such as the vena cava and the aorta artery, to plan anterior lumbar approaches. Finally, There are other tests that allow us to obtain informationón about the conditionón of a patient, such as nuclear medicine imaging tests or electromyograms.

Treatments

Occasionally, the treatment of a pathologyíto of column ends up being whoúrgic, although it usually starts with a conservative treatment which then goes 'escalating'. This philosophería is based on that, once the spine is operated, they can always be doneás interventions, but you can't undo what has already been done. Among the conservative treatment options, you can start with physiotherapy and rehabilitationón. If this is insufficient, minor procedures may be performed to treat pain, What locks, infiltrations O radio frequencies.

Posteriorly, afteréit's one valuationón very careful, the optionsón wantúrgica as a definitive alternative for a spinal problem. In this sense, It is crucial to be very precise when considering the best option.ón wantúrgica, always preserving the balance sagital and relieving the sípatient symptoms.

In any case, la preventionón is essential and begins by cultivating good hábits of spinal postural hygiene. These háBites include avoiding awkward postures, squat down by bending your knees instead of your back, do not carry excessive weights, avoid rebound or axial loading exercise, and dead weights. during work, It is important to maintain physical posturesómagic whileá sitting and avoid remaining in that positionón más de 30 minutes, así How to take breaks to stretch your legs during long car tripsówill. Regarding foodón, It is essential to maintain a balanced diet, avoid tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption, and take care of body weight.