Chronic degenerative changes in the spine are a fairly common problem. Therefore, many are interested in why spondylosis occurs, what it is, what its symptoms are, and whether there are really effective methods of treating such a disease. After all, the sooner it is diagnosed and appropriate therapy is started, the more likely it is to stop the processes of vertebral deformation.
Spondylosis - what is it?
As you know, spondylosis is a chronic disease in which there is a lesion and gradual degeneration of the connective tissue elements of the spine, as well as deformation of the vertebrae themselves.
Depending on the cause of development, the disease, as a rule, affects only one area of the spinal column - most often it is the cervical, lumbar or thoracic region. And if at the initial stages there is a weakening of the cartilage ligaments and a change in the intervertebral discs, then as the disease progresses, very characteristic bone growths form on the vertebral bodies. Such neoplasms compress blood vessels, worsening trophic tissue, and often damage nerve roots, which affects the work of various muscle groups. In any case, it is worthwhile to understand that such a disease simply needs to be treated, since otherwise dangerous and unpleasant consequences are possible.
Spondylosis: what is it and what are the causes of its occurrence?
In fact, modern medicine knows many reasons for the development of deforming spondylosis. First of all, it is worth mentioning injuries and constant physical exertion on a particular section of the spine.
On the other hand, the degeneration of connective tissues can be the result of a violation of normal blood circulation or metabolism. Therefore, risk factors include diseases associated with a change in metabolism. By the way, older people are more susceptible to such a disease precisely because of a violation of normal trophism.
But no less rarely, young people suffer from this disease. In such cases, degeneration is usually associated with a lack of necessary physical activity and sedentary work. Indeed, constant static loads on the spinal column impair blood circulation. Sometimes spondylosis occurs against the background of other deforming diseases of the musculoskeletal system, in particular flat feet.
Spondylosis: what is it and what are its symptoms?
The first stages of the development of the disease most often occur without noticeable symptoms. Patients only occasionally complain of a feeling of tension and discomfort in a particular section of the spine. In the future, the clinical picture depends on which parts of the spinal column were affected.
- With cervical deformity, neck pain, a feeling of stiffness in movements are noted. In the case of compression of the nerve roots, a brief numbness of the hands, tingling and loss of sensitivity in the fingers are observed.
- Spondylosis of the lumbar region is accompanied by discomfort in the lower back, tension of the back muscles, numbness of the lower extremities. In some cases, false claudication occurs.
- Spondylosis of the thoracic spine, respectively, causes pain and stiffness in the chest area.
In any case, the disease requires medical attention. During an exacerbation, patients are prescribed pain medications and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It will be extremely useful massage, which will help relieve tension of the muscles of the back. And regular exercises in therapeutic gymnastics will help stop the process of degeneration and make muscles stronger.