Spondyloarthrosis of the spine: causes, symptoms and effective treatment of spondyloarthrosis at home

Spondyloarthrosis of the thoracic spine

Spondyloarthrosis of the lumbar spine

A pathology such as sponidloarthrosis is one of the forms of osteoarthrosis, which is characterized by degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structures of the facet joint of the spine:

• capsules;
• ligaments;
• joint surface;
• cartilage;
• periarticular muscles;
• bones.

Signs of spondyloarthrosis in the vast majority (up to 90%) of cases appear in people over the age of 60 years. However, the pathology can also be found in young people over the age of 25.

Timely treatment of spondyloarthrosis in a multidisciplinary CELT clinic will provide the desired results and allow you not to give up your usual lifestyle.

What happens with spondyloarthrosis

Dystrophic changes in this disease affect different structures of the spine - its facet joint. Bone and cartilage tissue, ligaments and even periarticular muscles are damaged. The pathology develops slowly and without symptoms. When a person seeks help, the intervertebral joints are already sufficiently damaged and require serious treatment.

• After sleeping or sitting for a long time, a person feels discomfort in the back or mild pain.
• Unpleasant sensations go away after intense bending and rotation of the body.
• Over time, symptoms worsen and it becomes difficult to move after prolonged periods of rest or sitting.
• In the later stages, it is impossible to straighten up and take a step.

Stages of development of spondyloarthrosis

1st stage:

• no pain;
• minor disruption of the paravertebral ligaments;
• The elasticity of the intervertebral disc decreases.

2nd stage:

• mild pain;
• the fibrous rings of the discs are affected;
• slight stiffness in the muscles is felt;
• mobility is slightly limited.

3rd stage:

• inflammation begins;
• osteophytes begin to grow;
• The bone surface of the intervertebral joint and the ligamentous apparatus are affected.

4th stage:

• significant changes in the structure of the joints of the spine;
• vascular circulation and innervation of the affected segment are disrupted.

How does spondyloarthrosis differ in different parts of the spine?

Depending on the location, spondyloarthrosis has different symptoms.

• In the cervical region.

The pain is constant, aching and shooting in nature, radiating to the occipital, shoulder and scapular regions, and upper extremities. A person is limited in movements when turning and tilting his head. He may hear tinnitus and a crunch in his neck.

• In the thoracic region.

The pain occurs periodically at first, then intensifies. A person feels particular discomfort at high levels of humidity. In the morning there is a feeling of stiffness. The back muscles atrophy, and a crunching sound is heard with sudden movements.

• In the lumbar region.

Pain makes itself felt in the lower back, hips and gluteal region. The affected joints limit mobility there, stiffness occurs in the morning, and gait becomes impaired over time.

With spondyloarthrosis of the lumbar region, gait is impaired

Symptoms of spondyloarthrosis

The main reason why patients with spondyloarthrosis see a doctor is back pain. It increases with walking and other movements and becomes weaker at rest. In this case, the pain does not radiate to neighboring areas of the body.

Patients feel stiffness in the morning. It usually goes away an hour after waking up.

In patients with spondyloarthrosis, characteristic subluxations of the facet joints are observed, which manifest themselves as constant pressing pain in the spine. The patient may spend a long time searching for a comfortable position in which the back does not hurt.

In the 3rd degree of the disease, bone growths compress the spinal canal and impinge on the nerve roots. This causes pain radiating to the limbs, muscle weakness, pins and needles, tingling and numbness.

Symptoms of spondyloarthrosis are similar to signs of protrusion, osteochondrosis or intervertebral hernia. To distinguish diseases, the patient is prescribed radiography, CT and MRI.

How is the disease treated?

Before prescribing treatment, a comprehensive diagnosis is necessary. The doctor recommends the optimal instrumental methods: X-ray, CT, MRI, radioisotope scanning, angiography. Based on the results, therapy is selected.

The conservative treatment regimen includes:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - to relieve inflammation (mainly in the form of intravenous and intramuscular injections);
• chondroprotectors - to restore damaged cartilage tissue and improve blood circulation;
• muscle relaxants - to relax muscles;
• B vitamins – to support the musculoskeletal system;
• physiotherapy - massage, therapeutic exercises, electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, acupuncture, hirudotherapy - to reduce pain.

In severe cases, surgical treatment is indicated. The diseased joint is removed, and a fixed block is formed in its place. Such an intervention is advisable if the functions of the pelvic organs are severely impaired due to compression of the spinal cord, with paresis or paralysis, with spinal instability, and also if conservative therapy does not produce results.

Treatment of spondyloarthrosis is long and difficult

Treatment of spondyloarthrosis

Spondyloarthrosis is treated in the following ways:

• medicinally;
• with the help of exercise therapy and other procedures;
• using manual therapy;
• through surgery.

During drug treatment, the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory and painkillers. To prevent spasms, muscle relaxants are used. In addition, anti-inflammatory injections into the joint and chondoprotectors are effective.

In the first stages of the disease, a set of exercises is prescribed to work the joints and strengthen the muscles. However, they should not cause discomfort. Loads should be monitored by a physical therapy doctor.

In the early stages, an appointment with a chiropractor will be effective. After diagnosis and palpation, the doctor realigns the vertebrae and stretches the muscles so that nothing puts pressure on the vessels and nerve endings.

Some types of spondyloarthrosis can only be treated surgically. The doctor decides whether to remove the joint that is compressing the nerve, enlarge the disc opening, or use other surgical methods.

Lifestyle and sports with spondyloarthrosis

Drug therapy alone for dystrophic changes in the vertebral joints is not enough. It is very important to adjust your physical activity. Some people make a serious mistake - they completely avoid stress and take care of their back in every possible way. In fact, this only makes the situation worse.

The muscles around the spine weaken, blood flow deteriorates, and the joints do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients. Therefore, with this disease, it is especially important to choose the right physical activity and make it regular. Optimal activities include walking, Nordic walking, swimming and Pilates. But lifting weights and shaking must be abandoned. It is also important not to sit for long periods of time, especially in an awkward position that strains your back, and not to bend over for long periods of time.

Spondyloarthrosis is not a reason to give up sports

Unfortunately, vertebral joints damaged by spondyloarthrosis cannot be completely restored. The goal of treating osteoarthritis is to stop the progression of the disease and maintain a high quality of life for the patient. If you have been diagnosed with this condition, follow your podiatrist's recommendations. Engage in physical therapy to maintain muscle tone, and undergo spinal alignment adjustments at least once a year. Do not exceed the level of physical activity on the spine - then the prognosis will be favorable!

Causes

Spondyloarthrosis of the spine can occur due to various reasons:

• spinal injuries, in particular - subluxation in its joints;
• spondylolisthesis;
• abnormalities of the spine;
• osteochondrosis;
• vertebral instability;
• constant intense loads on the spine.

Risk groups susceptible to this disease include:

• elderly people over 60 years of age;
• obese people;
• women after menopause;
• persons genetically predisposed to spinal pathologies;
• patients suffering from diabetes.

Why does spondyloarthrosis develop?

A common cause of spondyloarthrosis is the incorrect structure of individual vertebrae. This is facilitated by injuries to the spinal column or congenital anomalies of the spine, for example, when the sacral vertebra takes the form of a lumbar vertebra (lumbarization) or the lower lumbar vertebra merges with the sacrum (sacralization).

The patient’s physical activity is of considerable importance: the disease can develop both with excessive physical activity and with its lack, especially if the patient has to stay in the same position for a long time (working at a computer, driving a car, etc.)

Flat feet of varying degrees can provoke spondyloarthrosis. The long course of the disease leads to curvature of the spine, in particular, the load on the spinal column is redistributed, individual vertebrae can become displaced, which will further affect the condition of soft and bone tissues.

Types of spondyloarthrosis of the lumbar spine

Based on diagnostic information, the doctor determines what type of pathology a particular patient has:

1. Degenerative. The cartilaginous part of the vertebrae has a flat shape. This characteristic is directly related to its loss of elasticity.
2. Deforming. The size and shape of the vertebrae changes. The phenomena provoke the formation of bone growths, which, as they progress, displace cartilage. This is an irreversible process. To confirm the diagnosis, an x-ray examination is performed.
3. Ankylosing. The spine becomes deformed and loses elasticity. The disorder is typical for young people and mainly affects men.
4. Polysegmental. The pathology is characterized by development simultaneously in several areas of the spinal column.

The type of spondyloarthrosis is not determined until diagnostic results are obtained, since the first 3 forms are similar in clinical manifestations.

Classification of the disease

The symptoms cannot be called characteristic, since they are similar to a dozen pathologies that affect the spine. In addition, we should not forget that spondyloarthrosis itself is divided into several types:

• Deforming - the vertebrae change their shape due to bone growths; the form of the disease is easily detected on an x-ray.
• Dysplastic - an inflammatory process that completely affects the entire structure of the joints, which leads to serious consequences.
• Polysegmental - damage to several parts of the ridge at once, for example, the cervical and lumbar regions, pathology develops in several places at the same time.
• Arcuate - significant changes appear in the articulations between the spinal column and the ribs, namely in the arcuate processes of the vertebra, hence the name of the species.
• Degenerative – resolution of the surface of the vertebra and facet joint, after which the pathology moves to the structure of the intervertebral disc.
• Ankylosing is a known type called ankylosing spondylitis, the rarest type of pathology.

Each variety has its own characteristic course, which is also taken into account when making a diagnosis. Correct diagnosis allows you to determine the most effective tactics for treating the disorder.

Bone growths limit the mobility of the spine

Symptoms

The first signs of the disease are limited movements in the morning and increased fatigue. Limited mobility gets worse as it progresses and can eventually lead to paralysis. In addition, there are other symptoms of spondyloarthrosis of the thoracic spine:

• Severe local pain when moving the arms at a high amplitude.
• Discomfort when palpating the edges of the clavicle.
• Deformities at the junction of the acromion and clavicle.
• Unpleasant sensations even while breathing.
• Increased discomfort during weather changes.
• Partial atrophy of muscle tissue.
• The appearance of goosebumps on the skin of the back for no reason.
• Shooting and severe pain along the arm.
• Characteristic crunching of joints when turning the spine.
• Violation of the natural curves of the back, curvature of the ridge.

At the initial stages, the manifestations are almost insignificant, and as it progresses, the intensity of the lumbago increases. Motor function becomes limited, and it becomes increasingly difficult for the patient to perform even simple tasks, such as getting dressed or combing one’s hair. Muscle spasms gradually intensify, causeless discomfort appears, and a person can no longer remain in one position for a long time.

Diagnostics

To begin with, the orthopedic doctor finds out information about previous illnesses and surgical treatments performed, and learns about the presence of injury or congenital pathology. After collecting an anamnesis, an X-ray examination is prescribed in various projections, thanks to which it is possible to detect the altered state of the facet joints and the presence of spinous growths.

Spondyloarthrosis can be detected by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which show damaged soft tissue and compressed nerve structures.

Inflammation of the facet joints is detected by radioisotope scanning.

To exclude compression of the vertebral arteries in the skull area, an ultrasound examination of the cerebral vessels is performed.

Symptoms of lumboarthrosis

At the initial stage, the disease does not manifest itself in any way. The first sign of pathological changes (pain in the lumbar or sacral area), as a rule, appears when pathological changes in the cartilage tissue are already quite significant and the joint cannot fully perform its functions.

The following symptoms may raise suspicions about the diagnosis of lumbar spondyloarthrosis:

• swelling of the lower extremities;
• pain or numbness in the legs;
• gastrointestinal disorders (constipation or disorders);
• problems with pregnancy;
• urinary incontinence;
• prostatitis, potency disorders and erectile dysfunction.

Since most of the listed symptoms are observed in many diseases that have a very different nature and often require radically different approaches to treatment, the most important step on the path to recovery is diagnosis.

Which doctor treats spondyloarthrosis?

Most people do not know which doctor to contact for spondyloarthrosis. It all depends on the source and nature of the pain:

• In case of inflammatory and dystrophic nature of joint diseases, you should contact a rheumatologist.
• An orthopedic traumatologist will most fully examine the overall picture of the disease: the root causes or consequences of spondyloarthrosis due to curvature of the spinal column and flat feet.
• If the deformation of the vertebral body has affected the nerve plexuses, a consultation with a neurologist may be required.

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Symptoms of dorsarthrosis

Due to the fact that the thoracic region is less mobile than the cervical region, the symptoms are less pronounced. The following manifestations may indicate that the spine is undergoing destructive changes:

• shortness of breath and attacks of suffocation;
• cough without significant inflammation in the respiratory tract;
• pain in the kidneys, pancreas, liver or gallbladder;
• disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract.

Doctors believe that this type of disease is no less common than cervicoarthrosis, but in many cases remains undiagnosed, since diagnosis of the facet joints is difficult due to the structural features and location of this part of the spine.