Arthrosis of the spine, or spondylarthrosis, is a degenerative change in the articular cartilage. The disease most often affects elderly people whose spinal column wears out and loses elasticity.
The basis of the whole organism
The spine through the nerve endings is connected with the whole body. When a particular vertebra is affected, problems begin with those muscles and organs with which it is associated. So, with the defeat of the 7th cervical vertebra, the thyroid gland suffers. And with her - the whole hormonal background. At the same time, the spine is one of the most vulnerable parts of our body, which is easily subjected to deformations due to an incorrect lifestyle, which, alas, we all actively practice.
The mechanism of development of spinal arthrosis
The most common arthrosis of the lumbar spine and cervical. At the root of the pathological process is a violation of blood supply. When the perchondral layer of the periosteum is devoid of nutrition, the tissue of the cartilage gradually begins to thin and lose elasticity. And repeated loads only worsen the condition. As a result, subluxations in the joints and the formation of bone growths called osteophytes are recognized. Endocrine and hormonal disorders entail similar deformations, although the mechanism of their development is somewhat different.
The disease progresses gradually, may be local in nature. Most often, cervical arthrosis of the spine occurs, the symptoms of which are most pronounced. With damage to the lumbar region, the disease can be asymptomatic.
Initially, the disease causes deformation of the articular cartilage, its gradual destruction and, as a result, the formation of osteophytes, which completely deprive the spinal column of flexibility.
The defeat of the cartilage entails a constant muscle spasm, as the muscles tend to take the load on themselves. This causes back pain and interferes with normal blood flow. In this case, the vertebral cartilage is also devoid of nutrition, which exacerbates its condition. It turns out a vicious circle that is very difficult to break, but today we will find out how to treat spinal arthrosis.
What are the causes of the onset of the disease?
Spondylarthrosis is divided into two types - primary, or idiopathic, and secondary. The causes of primary arthrosis are still unknown to medicine, but it is assumed that an important role in its development is played by a hereditary predisposition, as well as congenital abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system. This is flat feet, dysplasia, etc.
The following causes cause arthrosis of the spinal column:
- prolonged stay in one position - if you are forced to constantly stand or sit during work, this is extremely bad for your spine;
- injuries, injuries of the spinal column;
- autoimmune and vascular diseases;
- liver diseases leading to malfunctioning of the joints;
- high blood sugar;
- hormonal and endocrine disorders;
- genetic changes that lead to the destruction of cartilage;
- excess weight;
- existing diseases of the spine;
- disruption of the intervertebral discs and poor mobility of individual vertebrae.
The disease also occurs in young people, but is most often diagnosed in people after 60 years. It is noteworthy that after the age of 45, the majority of cases are women, and up to 45, men are mostly ill.
Wearing joints is a natural process, but in our country it is accelerated several times by incorrect back position, excess weight, and injuries.
Symptoms of spinal arthrosis
The main symptom of arthrosis of the spine is pain in the affected area. One feels limited mobility of the back when tilting to the sides or back and forth. Soreness disappears when the patient takes a horizontal position, since the load is removed from him. The back area in which pain is felt is limited.
In the mornings, patients are constrained by stiffness, constraint in movements is felt. With prolonged movement, there is an acute desire to stretch a numb back.
Arthrosis of the cervical spine is also characterized by:
- Crunch in the neck when turning the head.
- Pain in the head and neck due to compression of the nerve roots.
- "Irregular" blood pressure.
- A feeling of numbness in the hands.
Uncovertral arthrosis of the spine
What it is? This is one of the types of spondylarthrosis, during which growths called osteophytes grow on the spinal column. They injure the sensitive ligaments of the spine. With this type of disease, which usually affects the neck, the patient hears a constant crunch during head turns.
Uncovertebral arthrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by a gradual increase in pain, which eventually becomes unbearable and constant. The patient tries to twirl his neck less and move his hands. Especially dangerous due to the development of neurological complications. This is one of the most serious types of arthrosis of the neck. Now that we have examined the arthrosis of the cervical spine, what it is, let's move on to the symptoms and subtleties of treatment.
Symptoms of Lumbar Arthrosis
- Stiff muscles, especially in the morning. This symptom manifests itself in any type of spondylarthrosis.
- Pain, burning, numbness in the muscles of the back, buttocks, hips.
- Stiffness in the hip area.
- Pain during bending.
With the intensification of the pathological process, a crunch is observed in the spinal column, initially almost inaudible. Later it occurs with any movement. In the second stage of the disease, the movements themselves become very limited. Soon pains begin to appear even at rest, and the muscles in the affected area are spasmodic and atrophied. As a result, a hernia may occur. Deformation of the spine at this time is already noticeable even with visual inspection.
Thoracic arthrosis of the spine develops much less frequently than cervical or lumbar. It is manifested by pain between the shoulder blades that occur when turning the body and morning stiffness.
Attention! In the initial stages of the disease, when pain in the affected area appears only when lifting weights and with sharp bends of the neck, timely access to a doctor will significantly reduce the duration of treatment - it will only take about two weeks to recover.
Diagnosis of the disease
To diagnose arthrosis of the spine, use screening research methods that allow you to visualize the spinal column. This is an MRI scan. If there is suspicion of uncovertebral arthrosis of the cervical spine, it is recommended to do an ultrasound of the brain. This will eliminate the suspicion of other diseases.
How to treat
If arthrosis of the cervical spine is diagnosed, treatment (however, like other parts of the spinal column) includes:
- Relieving soreness and inflammation.
- Recovery of the spinal column and its joints.
- Improving blood circulation and nutrition of the intervertebral discs.
- Increased joint mobility.
Drug therapy
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Diclofenac and Nimesulide will help relieve pain and inflammation. The main disadvantage of these funds is a large number of side effects, but during the period of exacerbation they can not do without. In order to reduce the risk of side effects, doctors prescribe drugs in the form of injections, ointments, gels.
Cartilage tissue repair is carried out by chondroprotectors. They are especially effective in the initial stages of the disease, as they have a pronounced therapeutic effect. The drugs help restore the regeneration of cartilage and improve the nutrition of cartilage and discs. Among the recommended drugs are Teraflex, Stopartrosis, Alflutol.
Other treatments
- Physical therapy and massage are recommended to nourish and enhance blood supply to the cartilage of the spinal column. There are many variations of physiotherapy exercises, and the doctor selects it taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient. The program may include stretching, classes with a hoop, etc. Also, swimming is recommended for the patient - it has no contraindications and helps to nourish cartilage and strengthen the muscle corset.
- Physiotherapy. For the treatment of spinal arthrosis, a patient may be prescribed such procedures as reflexology, manual and manual massage, magnetotherapy (special magnetic banks), abdominal decompression and phonophoresis. Physiotherapy helps to improve the nutrition of the vertebrae and joints and relieve pain.
- Diet. It is recommended to drink plenty of water and eat a small amount of fresh vegetables and fruits daily, as well as switch to whole grain bread, cereals and replace animal fats with vegetable fats. Try to exclude carbonated drinks, sweet pastries and sugar, flour products, smoked meats and other excessively fatty foods from the diet.
If conservative treatments are ineffective, radiofrequency denervation is possible. The method consists in exposure to the affected area of the electromagnetic field and is minimally invasive, with a minimal risk of complications.
In the presence of complicated arthrosis (for example, compression of the spinal cord), surgical treatments can be prescribed. But they are rarely prescribed due to the fact that conservative therapy usually helps to eliminate the manifestations of the disease.