Spondyloarthrosis of the spine, neck, lower back - such diagnoses are not uncommon today. This disease is observed in 85-90% of elderly patients. In young people, spondyloarthrosis can begin to develop after 25-30 years.
Spondyloarthrosis (arthrosis of the intervertebral (facet) joints, facet arthropathy) is a form of osteoarthritis that affects the joints of the spine. Dystrophic changes begin with the cartilage of the joints, which becomes thinner and loses its elastic properties, and spreads to the articular capsule and periarticular areas of the bone, resulting in the formation of bone spine-like outgrowths.
Causes of the occurrence and development of spondyloarthrosis
Spondyloarthrosis can be caused by congenital spinal abnormalities, spinal injuries and chronic microtraumas. Spondyloarthrosis can also be caused by poor posture and metabolic disorders (especially in old age). Constant static loads that cause overload of the spinal column (sedentary work - for example, at a computer) can cause spondyloarthrosis.
Another cause of spondyloarthrosis is prolonged physical activity (professional sports, weightlifting, etc.). In addition, the cause of this disease may be flat feet (of various types). With this disease, gait disturbance occurs and, accordingly, improper distribution of the load on the spine in a vertical position, which in turn leads to spondyloarthrosis.
Prevention
Prevention consists of eliminating the causes that provoked the disease. To do this you need to do the following:
- reduce body weight;
- reduce physical activity and direct it to strengthening the chest muscles;
- try to form correct posture;
- avoid uncomfortable positions and spending long periods of time in them;
- lift heavy objects slowly and smoothly;
- do not allow the body and muscles to become overcooled;
- Don't move too quickly.
Types and symptoms of spinal spondyloarthrosis
Spondyloarthrosis is manifested by pain in the spine and limited mobility in the affected areas of the spinal column. The following types of this disease can be distinguished:
- Lumbar spondyloarthrosis (lumboarthrosis). The most common type of spondyloarthrosis. Lumbar spondyloarthrosis is characterized by chronically recurrent aching pain in the back and lumbar region, which can radiate to the gluteal region and hip area. The pain may worsen when turning or bending backwards. As a rule, pain from lumbar spondyloarthrosis is localized, and unlike pain caused by a herniated disc, it does not radiate to the leg and is not accompanied by numbness and weakness. Most often, pain occurs after staying in a monotonous position (sitting, lying down), during the transition from a state of rest to movement. The pain may be accompanied by a feeling of stiffness in the lumbar spine and disappears after warm-up movements in the lower back (facet syndrome).
- Cervical spondyloarthrosis (cervicoarthrosis). With cervical spondyloarthrosis, patients are bothered by pain in the neck, which can radiate to the shoulder girdle, interscapular region, scapula area, upper limb, and occipital region. Osteochondral growths in cervical spondyloarthrosis from the joints can also lead to narrowing of the intervertebral foramina and irritation of the cervical roots of the spinal cord (radicular syndrome). In addition, osteophytes (pathological growths on the surface of bone tissue) can protrude into the canal of the vertebral artery and cause the development of vertebral artery syndrome.
- Thoracic spondyloarthrosis (dorsarthrosis). Thoracic spondyloarthrosis is detected much less frequently, since examination of the facet joints in this part of the spine is difficult, since they are covered by the ribs. Experts believe that spondyloarthrosis in the thoracic region occurs no less frequently than in other regions, especially in older people, but rarely reaches a significant degree of severity. In addition, the mobility of the thoracic region is low, especially in old age, so the likelihood of injury to blood vessels and nerves in the intervertebral foramina is low. This probably explains the fact that pronounced neurological disorders in the thoracic spine with its dystrophic lesions are rare.
Cervical region
Spondyloarthrosis of the cervical spine is expressed by dull pain in the neck and back of the head. Turning the head and moving the neck becomes impossible. Gradually, the pain moves to the area of the shoulder blades and shoulders, as a result of which the functions of the organs of vision and hearing, as well as balance, are disrupted. Pressure drops are observed. In the later stages of the disease, complete immobilization of the joints of the cervical vertebrae is possible.
Treatment of spondyloarthrosis
When treating spondyloarthrosis, the following are prescribed:
- anti-inflammatory therapy (NSAIDs) are prescribed for severe pain;
- centrally acting muscle relaxants - for severe muscle spasms;
- chondroprotectors - drugs that help slow down the degeneration of cartilage tissue;
- acupuncture;
- traction therapy (spinal traction);
- gentle therapeutic exercises, incl. visit to the pool.
In elderly people with spondyloarthrosis , as well as in the presence of contraindications for active measures to strengthen the muscular frame, physiotherapeutic procedures are widely used.
very good results in the treatment of spinal spondyloarthrosis .
Results
Spondyloarthrosis of the thoracic region is a disease that is often encountered by older people, as well as workers who are forced to remain in an uncomfortable position for a long time. Pain with this disease does not appear immediately, like other symptoms. They become more pronounced only after years. In an advanced state, the patient has a very sad situation, since the disease is difficult to detect.
Today, in the diagnosis and treatment of spondyloarthrosis, only modern effective techniques are used that can help get rid of the symptoms of the disease. However, it is best not to treat the pathology, but to prevent its occurrence. Sometimes this cannot be avoided, for example, with a congenital anomaly in the development of the vertebrae, but this can be extremely rare.
For prevention, you need to try to walk as often as possible, do various exercises, change your body position from time to time, put as little stress on your back as possible and not carry heavy objects.
Remember! At the first sign of problems in the back area, you should immediately consult a doctor, otherwise you will end up having to go “under the surgeon’s knife.”
Spondyloarthrosis: treatment with the NANOPLAST forte therapeutic patch
In the treatment of spondyloarthrosis, the NANOPLAST forte therapeutic patch is very effective, it allows you to relieve pain and inflammation, improve blood circulation in the area affected by spondyloarthrosis, and reduce the dose of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. In the therapeutic treatment of spondyloarthrosis , various agents are used, such as NSAIDs, analgesics, and hormones. All these remedies are effective, but if used for a long time they can cause harm to the body. Therefore, it is very important to minimize side effects and increase the effectiveness of treatment of spondyloarthrosis. A new generation drug can help with this - the pain-relieving anti-inflammatory medical patch NANOPLAST forte .
For spondyloarthrosis , the therapeutic plaster NANOPLAST forte is applied to the area of the affected joint of the spine, depending on the location - lower back, neck or chest. To relieve acute symptoms of spondyloarthrosis, use for 3 to 5 days. The duration of the course of treatment for spondyloarthrosis is from 9 days. It is usually recommended to use the patch in the morning for 12 hours, but it can also be used at night.
High efficiency, unique composition, long-term (up to 12 hours!) therapeutic effects, ease of use and affordable price make NANOPLAST forte the drug of choice in the treatment of spondyloarthrosis.
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Diagnostics
When detecting the first signs of the development of the disease or undergoing a routine examination, every year a person undergoes diagnostics.
It is divided into two stages:
- initial examination;
- instrumental examination.
So, first the patient turns to the attending physician, who examines the patient and at the same time interviews him. During this process, anamnesis is collected. It is expressed as follows:
- the patient's complaints are noted;
- the full history of the disease is determined;
- a survey is taken regarding the presence of various spinal diseases in the family being examined;
- an initial search for risk factors and possible causes is carried out;
- A palpation procedure is performed to detect visible changes in the spine.
Diagnosis of spondyloarthrosis is a rather complicated procedure.
After the initial examination, the doctor prescribes mandatory examinations.
- X-ray of the spine. It is carried out in two projections - straight and lateral. It is the main and mandatory method, since it is the most affordable for people in terms of price/quality. Allows you to determine the general structure of the vertebrae, the possible presence of bone growths, bone fusion, as well as curvature of the chest.
- CT scan. It is considered a more accurate procedure than radiography because it is based on the combined use of X-rays and special equipment that processes the resulting X-ray images and creates a three-dimensional image from them. With the help of such a diagnostic procedure, the doctor will be able to determine all possible changes in the spine and joints, down to the most minor ones.
- MRI. This method is known as the most accurate method. Using highly specialized equipment, bones, cartilage, nerves and blood vessels are visible in the image. Based on the results of this diagnosis, the doctor can identify the stage of the disease and the condition of the above elements of the human body.
- Radioisotope scanning. This examination is based on the use of X-rays in conjunction with radioactive contrast agents. It is a secondary examination method. Provides information about inflammation of the joints of the spine.
- Angiography. Another additional study using x-rays and contrast material. Allows you to assess the condition of the vertebral artery. Angiography helps to determine the extent of the lesion and the level of blood flow through the main vessel of the spine.
Causes of spondylosis deformans
Aging of the body is the main cause of spondylosis. The body is subjected to daily stress for many years and changes occur in various structures of the spine over time. Before symptoms such as pain and stiffness appear, degeneration of the spinal structures occurs. Spondylosis is a cascading process: one anatomical change leads to another, which leads to changes in the structure of the spine. These changes together cause spondylosis and the corresponding symptoms.
As a rule, degenerative changes first begin in the intervertebral discs. For this reason, patients with spondylosis often also have osteochondrosis. The consequences of these degenerative changes in the spine are closely related.
Changes begin in the discs, but ultimately the aging process affects other components of the motion segments of the spine. Over time, the collagen that makes up the annulus fibrosus begins to change. In addition, the water content in the disc decreases. These changes reduce the shock-absorbing functions of the disc and the ability to absorb load vectors. With degeneration, the disc becomes thinner and denser, which leads to changes in the joints, which take on part of the load of the disc, providing stabilization of the spine. When the disc thins, the cartilage of the joints begins to wear out faster, the mobility of the spine increases, and conditions arise for irritation of the nerve roots located nearby. This hypermobility, in turn, causes a compensatory reaction of the body in the form of excessive growth of bone tissue in the joint area (osteophytes). Osteophytes, when sufficiently enlarged, can exert a compressive effect on the roots of the spinal cord and cause the corresponding clinical picture. Osteophytes can also cause spinal canal stenosis. As a rule, the cause of spinal canal stenosis is not osteochondrosis, but spondylosis.
Genetic determination plays a role to a certain extent in the development of spondylosis. Bad habits, such as smoking, also have a certain impact.
Treatment of spondylosis of the thoracic spine
Conservative treatment
Symptoms of thoracic spondylosis can range from mild and occasional discomfort to intense and chronic pain. Spondylosis affects the facet joints in the spine, significantly reducing mobility in motion segments. Fortunately, most people with thoracic spondylosis do not require surgery. The most common conservative treatment methods are:
• Acupuncture
is a popular treatment used to relieve back and neck pain. Tiny needles, about the size of a human hair, are inserted into specific points on the body. Each needle can be twisted, electrically stimulated or heated to enhance the treatment effect. Acupuncture is thought to work (in part) by stimulating the body's production of certain chemicals that help relieve pain.
• Bed rest
: In severe cases of spondylosis, bed rest may be required (no more than 1-3 days). Long-term bed rest should be avoided as the risk of deep vein thrombosis increases.
Use of corsets
: Temporary bracing (1 week) may help relieve symptoms, but long-term brace use is not recommended. Corsets worn for long periods of time weaken the back muscles and can increase pain if not worn continuously. Physical therapy (physical therapy) is more beneficial as it strengthens the muscles.
• Manual therapy
: Chiropractors believe that a healthy nervous system is synonymous with a healthy body. Subluxation or misalignment of a vertebra can lead to nervous system disorder and development of back and neck pain. Spinal manipulations, which a chiropractor performs with his hands, can eliminate subluxations and increase the mobility of motion segments.
• Lifestyle modification
: Losing and maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy, nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking are important “healthy habits” that help support spinal function at any age.
Medicines
- Muscle relaxants: Muscle relaxants help relieve muscle spasms and pain.
- Drugs (opioids) may be prescribed for short periods of time to relieve acute pain.
- NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relieve inflammation, which often contributes to pain.
It is not recommended to take NSAIDs on your own, especially for a long time, as this can lead to serious side effects and adverse effects on the body.
• Physical therapy
- combines passive treatment with therapeutic exercises. Passive treatments include heat/ice, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation to relieve muscle spasm and pain. Therapeutic exercises allow the patient to increase flexibility and range of motion while building muscle strength.
Patients should not be afraid of physical therapy. Even patients who experience pain and difficulty walking have found that isometric exercises have some effectiveness.
• Spinal injections
: There are many types of spinal injections, including epidural steroid injections and facet joint injections. These injections use a combination of local anesthetics and steroid drugs to reduce inflammation in nerve tissue and thus often help reduce pain.
•Hydrotherapy
: By harnessing the soothing effects of water, hydrotherapy can treat a variety of bone and joint pain. It differs from swimming in that it involves exercises that the patient does in warm water, usually at a temperature of 35-37 degrees.
•Taping
: This is a technique that is used for injury prevention or rehabilitation. Exercise therapy professionals are specially trained to effectively apply tape to the skin to help maintain the stability of specific muscles or bones. The benefits of using this treatment include:
- Injury Prevention
- The ability to quickly return to sports or work
- Protection of damaged soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons or fascia
- Improved mobility
- Pain reduction
- Reduced risk of re-injury
- Improving joint stability
- Reducing swelling
•Postural restructuring
: If symptoms are the result of years of poor posture, spinal bone realignment combined with postural exercises may help reduce back pain. This often involves assessing your current posture, helping to identify any tight or weak muscles that may be causing back pain. Next, the doctor gives tips on how you can make changes in your posture—sitting, standing, and handling objects properly. A selection of exercises is also carried out to stretch and strengthen the back muscles, which helps improve posture.
•Effect on soft tissues
: Involves the evaluation and treatment of any soft tissue injury causing pain and dysfunction. Soft tissue includes ligaments, tendons, muscles and fascia. Types of soft tissue treatments include myofascial release, massage, heat therapy, stretching and electrotherapy.
Benefits of soft tissue treatment include:
- Faster recovery from injury
- Reduced risk of re-injury
- Increased functionality
- Accelerated healing process
- Increased mobility
- Increased muscle strength
- Reducing swelling
- Increasing the length of soft tissues
- Increased range of motion
- Pain reduction
Stages
The disease is characterized by a gradual course, and in the early stages it can only be detected by chance. Therefore, patients are advised not to ignore even seemingly insignificant signs. There are several stages of the pathology:
- Initial. No visible manifestations or characteristic symptoms are observed, but the pathology is already actively affecting the membrane of the joints, ligaments, and the elasticity of the intervertebral disc is significantly reduced. A problem in the cervicothoracic region can be detected during a routine examination or if an occupational disease is suspected.
- Second. This is where the fibrous rings of the intervertebral discs develop. The patient begins to feel unwell, endurance decreases, chronic fatigue appears, and vertebral mobility is limited. It is at this stage that the disease should be treated immediately to get the maximum chance of restoring health.
- Third. Unpleasant sensations are constantly present, and the state of health deteriorates significantly. Due to the growth of osteophytes on the surface of the vertebra, it becomes problematic to maintain an even body position. The inflammatory process spreads.
- Fourth. All pathological changes become irreversible, the movements of joints and bones are severely limited. The growths limit the mobility of the back. The vertebrae grow together, which makes the spine static and absolutely inflexible.
If treatment for spondyloarthrosis is not started in time, a number of serious complications may develop. These include complete paralysis, compression of the vertebral artery, the development of spondylolisthesis or vertebral instability.