Spondylarthrosis of the spine is a degenerative disease and is characterized by a chronic course. This disease affects small joints. As a rule, spondylarthrosis of the spine is detected in the cervical or lumbar region, often proceeds in combination with spondylosis.
With the development of the disease, forty-eight joints may be involved in the pathological process. Spondylarthrosis of the spine is considered a very common disease among patients over fifty years of age.
The greatest load falls on the lumbar region, which is what causes the frequent occurrence of cartilage damage in it. As you know, these segments perform a depreciation function. With their thinning, the vertebrae are shifted to each other. This is often accompanied by narrowing of the canals, which in turn provokes increased pressure on the nerve spinal trunks that lie in them.
Significant changes characteristic of the disease are usually detected in the fifth vertebra of the lumbar region. With an increase in the normal curvature of this area, the load intensifies forward, which ultimately provokes the development of the disease.
Changes can also be caused by weakening of the muscles of the back and abdomen, frequent wearing of weights, overweight. People who have a curvature in the fifth vertebra of the lumbar region are not entitled to climb uphill.
Undoubtedly, stress and nervous strain exert a negative effect on the condition of the spine. Therefore, people with similar problems are recommended to pay great attention to the rational organization of free and working time.
Often spondylarthrosis of the spine develops in combination with intervertebral osteochondrosis, accompanied by subluxation of the joint, cartilage and curvature. Such a pathology often disrupts the process of human growth. Men and athletes engaged in physical activity are more susceptible to this disease. Such a complex of ailments provokes degenerative changes in the disc, protrusion in different directions of the nucleus. This, in turn, significantly injures the spinal cord. Bone surfaces often change. Along with this, growths (osteophytes) and an increase in the articular plane are revealed.
After the patient is diagnosed with spondylarthrosis, treatment is prescribed depending on the severity of the disease. The main methods are:
- medication;
- surgical;
- physiotherapeutic.
As a rule, the treatment of spondylarthrosis begins with the appointment of drugs. Medicines are selected in accordance with the degree of pain and the severity of other symptoms. First, less powerful over-the-counter drugs are prescribed. If their use is ineffective, more effective means are prescribed. The most intense form of drug exposure is spinal injection. This method involves administering the drug directly to the source of pain.
The drug "Acetaminophen" has an analgesic effect. This medication is not able to reduce inflammation, but it effectively blocks soreness, which is very important during an exacerbation.
NSAIDs are also used (for example, Ibuprofen). Non -steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs not only help reduce swelling, but also eliminate pain. Due to the fact that medicines have a cumulative nature of the action, they must be taken for a long period. The appointment of NSAIDs is advisable in chronic forms of the disease against a background of severe pain.
Muscle relaxants are considered more potent agents. They are available only by prescription. The drugs of this group include, for example, Valium.