Deforming spondylosis is an age-related degenerative-dystrophic disease of the spinal column, in which bony growths( osteophytes) form at the edges of the vertebral bodies. To some extent, it is the next stage in the development of osteochondrosis.
- reasons
- Signs
- Degrees
- Diagnostics
- Treatment
- Pharmacotherapy spondylosis of the spine
- Physiotherapy
- procedures Alternative treatment
- Surgical treatments
- Gymnastics
- Diet
- Treatment folk remedies
- Disability
In the process of aging and the natural wear of the body intervertebral human drivesdry out, lose their elasticity and damping properties. Under the load of the whole body, the dense membrane of the disc( fibrous ring) starts to squeeze out beyond the vertebrae. At the same time, fibrous fibers draw the fused edges of the vertebral bodies behind them. Bony growths and protrusions are formed on which then osteophytes are formed.
To some extent it is a protective reaction of the organism - marginal osteophytes limit the protrusion of intervertebral discs beyond acceptable limits and inhibit their destruction( cracking).Initial spondylosis usually does not bring any unpleasant sensations to the patient, as well as special harm to the body. Most often, lumbar and cervical lesions are affected, as they are the most mobile and susceptible to stress.
Causes of
The occurrence and development of spondylosis is due to many factors. First of all, it is the progression of osteochondrosis due to disturbance of natural metabolic processes, excessive salt deposition, dehydration of the cartilaginous tissues of the discs and extrusion into the front longitudinal ligament.
Other causes are:
- traumatic spine injuries or soft back structures;
- physically hard work and load;
- genetic predisposition or features of the constitution of the body;
- curvature of posture, flat feet;
- age changes in the body( aging, arthrosis);
- some viral or infectious diseases;
- long stay in forced poses( at work, at home behind computer monitor, during immobilization) or weak physical activity, etc.
Symptoms of
Depending on the location of the processes, the following signs can be added:
- Spondylosis of the cervical spine. Dizziness, headaches, visual and auditory impairment, stiffness of the shoulder girdle, clicks and crunching in the vertebrae with turns or inclinations of the head, sensation of weakness, cold, numbness or tingling in the fingers of the upper limbs. Spondylosis of lumbar spine. It is manifested by the intensification of the pain syndrome, especially after lifting of heaviness, excessive physical exertion, prolonged stay in a sitting posture. It can be accompanied by radiculitis, weakness of the lower extremities, sciatica nerve inflammation, rapid fatigue. The joining and fusion of the osteophytes of adjacent vertebrae leads to the formation of "bone blocks" that significantly affect the motor abilities.
- Spondylosis of the thoracic part of the back occurs rarely. It is manifested by symptoms: intercostal neuralgia, pains are given to the chest and sometimes remind of heart attacks.
In later stages of the disease, when the enlarged edges of adjacent vertebrae begin to touch and press one on top of the other, severe pains occur. They subside only in a state of rest in a certain position of the body. When the osteophytes of blood vessels and soft tissues are squeezed, there are swelling, circulatory disorders, sciatica, muscle spasms. When compressing the nerve roots - there is a fallout of reflex reactions, neuralgia, paresis or paralysis of the extremities develop.
to contents ^Degrees
The deforming spondylosis has several degrees of development:
- is the first, when on the roentgenogram only minor extensions and outgrowths of the marginal segments of the vertebral bodies are visible, the outgrowth is barely visible;
- Spondylosis of the second degree is diagnosed when a large rounded spur with a pointed end( coracoid) is formed, protruding beyond the intervertebral disc and beginning to bend over it;
- , the third degree is characterized by the fusion of several spurs into one, forming an ossification or osteophyte, which completely covers the intervertebral disc and tends to the adjacent build-up.
Diagnosis
Givenpoorly expressed symptoms of spondylosis, the disease is most often found entirely by accident. X-ray signs indicate a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs, as in osteochondrosis, and the proliferation of bone formations( osteophytes) along the edges of the vertebral bodies. The photos are taken in two projections: anteroposterior and lateral.
For computation of the pathology picture and detection of compression of blood vessels and nerve fibers, a CT scan or MRI diagnosis is performed. Myelography - X-ray examination with the use of contrast agent is prescribed for suspected tumors of various etiologies.
to contents ^Treatment
Deforming spondylosis, as well as osteochondrosis and spondyloarthrosis, is a disease with an irreversible process. It can not be cured, all the efforts of physicians are aimed at eliminating the pain syndrome and stopping the development of the disease.
Therapy should consist of complex measures aimed at:
- improving blood circulation in soft tissues, the spine and the entire body;
- restoration or correction of metabolic processes;
- improvement in the state of cartilage tissues of the whole body and intervertebral discs in particular;
- strengthening of the muscular corset of the back and bone structures;
- decrease in pressure of bone formations against each other and on soft tissues.
Medication for spinal spondylosis
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are needed to relieve swelling and inflammation of the affected area.
- General anesthetics or local novocaine( lidocaine) blockades are used for severe pain, muscle spasms, or blockages.
- Chondroprotectors improve the condition of cartilage tissues, their nutrition and regeneration.
- Vasodilating and blood-activating drugs that will provide intervertebral disks with water and nutrients.
- Vitamin complexes, muscle relaxants, antidepressants are prescribed as necessary to maintain the body and correct the patient's psychological mood.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
- Classical massage of the lumbar spine or the entire surface of the neck and back perfectly restores blood circulation and nutrition of soft tissues, relieves pain.
- Medical gymnastics strengthens the muscular structure of the back and the whole body, contributes to the development of a correct posture and the correct stereotype of movements.
- Electrophoresis, myostimulation, warming compresses, creosote and paraffin applications promote relaxation of muscle structures, activation of blood supply to tissues, elimination of spasms.
- The tract( spinal column extraction) and corsetotherapy( cervical collar, Shantz's tire, lumbar braces) stretch the spine, increasing the spacing between the vertebrae, release the clamped structures, improve the blood supply of the discs, and reduce the pressure of the osteophytes against each other.
Nontraditional therapies
- Acupuncture and acupuncture massage - improve blood circulation, relax, increase the general tone of the body, relieve pain.
- Homeosyniatry is a subcutaneous local injection of homeopathic remedies or vitamins, for better nutrition of the tissues and pain relief.
- Hirudotherapy - the use of medical leeches in the treatment of diseases of the back. It is used to improve the blood supply of tissues and the introduction into the patient's body of natural healing enzymes released by leeches.
Surgical treatment methods
Spondylosis surgery is considered only as an extreme and urgent measure in the failure of conservative therapy or with a sharp deterioration in the patient's health. When there is a real threat to the work of internal organs or the risk of death of nerve fibers and the subsequent immobilization of the body.
to the table of contents ^Gymnastics
Any therapeutic gymnastics recommended for osteochondrosis is suitable for therapy and prevention of deforming spondylosis. The complex of exercises usually begins with the correction of posture. To do this, you need to stand near the wall, touching her head, deployed shoulder blades, buttocks and heels. Check the plumbness of the correctness of the vertical spine, remember this state. To walk 10-15 minutes, periodically returning to the wall and checking the initial position of the body.
Also the complex contains all kinds of slopes, turns, circular rotation( head, chest, arms, torso, legs).In this case, all movements should be performed slowly, smoothly, without jerking, unnecessary load and pain.
Then follow the strength exercises for the press, back muscles, buttocks, type "cat", "boat", "birch".The cycle ends with stretching of the spine, hip bones, some yoga poses can be used, etc.
to the table of contents ^Diet
Meat and vegetable dishes must be cooked steamed, boiled or baked, and only then before consumption dosalivat. If possible, exclude salted and pickled products.
Restrict the consumption of fatty meat, roast, smoked, meat broths, canned food, semi-finished products, spices, carbonated drinks, ketchup and mayonnaise, sweet, confectionery and bakery products and fast food products. To some extent, the diet during spondylosis resembles a 7 table. The meal is divided into 5 parts per day with the appropriate proportions: 10%: 25%: 30%: 20%: 15%.
It is desirable to abandon margarine, spreads, refined vegetable oil, replacing it with unrefined. It is recommended to consume as much as possible fresh vegetables and fruits, herbs, nuts, berries, cereals, low-fat dairy products, drink more water, especially between meals.
to table of contents ^Treatment with folk remedies
Significantly weaken the symptoms of spondylosis( to eliminate pain, improve nutrition and blood circulation of cartilaginous tissues, remove muscle tissue spasm) will be helped by folk remedies.
The American agave or similar with it on properties of an aloe will help to remove a pain, deduce adjournment of salts, to restore metabolic reactions. It is used inside in the form of broths, infusions and freshly squeezed juice or in the form of applications on the affected area.
The fresh or dried parsley root has a good effect. Are taken orally in the form of broths or in fresh form in the composition of salads. It helps to remove salt and saturates the body with vitamins.
To remove pain and inflammation, widen blood vessels, strengthen the whole body with the help of mistletoe white. But this plant is considered poisonous, therefore it is used with extreme caution.
To improve metabolic processes, it is recommended to take tea from rose hips, cranberry leaves and black currant. To anesthetize and relieve inflammation used: bark of willow, a leaf of a birch, flowers of an elderberry black;the root of parsley, the leaves of the nettle, the plantain, the horsetail of the field.
to the table of contents ^Disability
Spondylosis of the spine is a serious enough disease causing a limitation of the patient's motor abilities, which violates the quality of life and work capacity. Even at the second stage of the pathology, a third group of disability can be appointed with the recommendations to change the work place to a more sparing one.
Expanded osteophytes, which begin to press against each other( the third stage of the disease), cause more pain to the person, a bone block is formed, which considerably limits the mobility of the affected segment. It is difficult for a patient to stay in a sitting position or standing for a long time, perform physical work - the second group of disability is recommended.
The third group is assigned with a complete fusion of adjacent vertebrae( ankylosis), when the patient has difficulty moving and moving, he needs the help of others.