Before proceeding with the treatment of any disease, it is necessary to identify its cause. Osteophytes (Greek osteon bone + phyton something growing) are specific bone processes that can appear in the form of an elevation, tubercle and even a sharp spike, which often causes pain when moving. Most often they are in the cervical region or in the spine.
If osteophytes are suspected, treatment is recommended as follows: for a mild form of the disease or at the initial stage, special medical procedures are performed (physiotherapy, massage, therapeutic exercises, etc.). In some cases, it will be necessary to take anti-inflammatory drugs such as Naproxen, Ketoprofen, Ibuprofen, or Aspirin, which reduce inflammation and swelling in the tendons. Severe forms of spondylosis (also called osteophytes) are very difficult to treat. In this case, medication or surgery is recommended.
What are the causes of osteophytes? The following options were identified:
- heredity;
- passive lifestyle (rest at the TV, sedentary work);
- body overload (sports, domestic, professional, etc.);
- various kinds of injuries and overloads of the spine and neck;
- violation of posture;
- flat feet;
- osteochondrosis;
- general aging of the body;
- metabolic disorder and overweight.
It is believed that the main physiological cause of osteophyte formation is periosteum irritation. In other words, joints without cartilaginous coating touch, rub against each other, which leads to the formation of specific bone processes. Thus, osteophytes in a sense even protect joints from damage.
Spondylosis occurs due to general aging of the body, so it is most often observed in the elderly. It is not always accompanied by painful sensations, and therefore can be asymptomatic. But sometimes these bone processes cause compression of the nerve formations, which leads to more serious consequences. Therefore, any disease is better to prevent than to treat later.
In order to prevent osteophytes, it is recommended to lead an active lifestyle. People with prolonged sedentary work need to do exercises at least once an hour to warm their neck, back and other parts of the body. The main thing is to monitor your posture: it is necessary that the neck does not protrude forward, and the back is even. Of great importance in the prevention of spondylosis is therapeutic massage. To prevent osteophytes, it is recommended to eat foods rich in calcium, magnesium (fish and seafood, nuts, seeds, spinach, beans, peas, cheeses, dairy products, wholemeal bread) and vitamins. It is necessary to monitor changes in weight.
If osteophytes are found in the cervical spine, treatment should be comprehensive.
It is proved that the cervical spine is the most sensitive part of the spine, as it has a special structure. Therefore, even with the slightest load on it, the vertebrae are displaced, and the vessels and nerves are compressed, which adversely affects the blood supply to the brain. This is very dangerous, therefore it is necessary to do everything possible so that no more serious consequences appear.
The following signs of cervical spondylosis can be distinguished: pain in the back of the head giving to the hands, dizziness, restriction or pain when turning the head in a standing position, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, etc. If the headache attack cannot be tolerated, nausea and vomiting appeared, then the arteries and veins in the intervertebral openings are pinched, and intracranial pressure has increased. What to do in this case? Of course, you need to see a doctor.
Osteophytes: treatment
Therapy will become more effective if it is carried out comprehensively, i.e. with the simultaneous use of drugs and medical procedures.
Preparations "Diclofenac", "Nise", "Voltaren", "Ibuprofen", etc. relieve pain and inflammation. B vitamins, nicotinic acid, calcium, phosphorus, manganese and magnesium preparations are taken to relax muscles. According to doctors, modern promising dietary supplements are useless.
If osteophytes are found, the treatment for severe intolerable pain is as follows: doctors allow independent use of such medicines as Analgin, Baralgin, Tempalgin, although they warn of their negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract and insist on subsequent mandatory treatment by a specialist . You can also use anti-inflammatory painkillers ("Diclofenac", "Butadion") or warming ointments ("Finalgon", "Capsicam", "Viprosal", "Virapin", "Apizartron"), which, according to doctors, do not so much treat, how much distract from pain.
In addition, if you are concerned about osteophytes, treatment can be carried out using a very effective medical procedure - physiotherapy, which relieves pain and restores body functions. Therapeutic gymnastics also favorably affects the muscles, strengthening them, and massage relieves their spasm. Experts agree that exercises should not be done during an exacerbation of the disease or at the time of acute pain.
It is very important to approach the disease of each person individually. Depending on the stage and characteristics of osteophytes, acupuncture procedures can be prescribed to relieve muscle hypertonicity, hirudotherapy (treatment with medical leeches) for the rapid removal of edema, and many other non-medical medical procedures.
If there is a suspicion of osteophytes of the spine, the treatment here will also be specific.
Signs of spondylosis in the spine are stiffness, limited movement and back pain, as well as weakness and numbness of the limbs, which is explained by nervous irritation and inflammatory edema. To prevent the development of subsequent stages, where it will be impossible to do without surgical intervention, you must consult a doctor.
Naturally, in the initial stages, spondylosis of the spine is well treatable. If the patient has just such osteophytes, the treatment is carried out almost in the same way as in the cervical region. Of great positive importance is physiotherapy, a set of physiotherapeutic procedures, as well as orthopedic correction (wearing a medical collar or corset). In some cases, prescribe medication treatment. After the pain has passed and the course of treatment has been completed, in order to consolidate a positive result, it is necessary to continue an active lifestyle, which will undoubtedly improve blood circulation and maintain muscles at the proper level. The main thing is not to overdo it!
Any disease is better to prevent than to suffer and treat later. This is a confirmed truth. But if nevertheless the illness has overtaken you, do not forget about the need to consult a doctor.