Spondylarthrosis - what is it? Causes, Symptoms and Methods of Treatment

Degenerative changes in the tissues of the spine are a problem that most people face. Why does spondyloarthrosis occur, what is it and what are its main symptoms? What treatments are used today? Many people are interested in these questions.

Spondyloarthrosis: What is it?

This disease is associated primarily with the defeat of small intervertebral joints. Spondyloarthrosis develops gradually - first, there are dystrophic processes of the cartilaginous tissue of intervertebral discs, as a result of which they become less elastic and thin. Subsequently, the disease covers articular surfaces, periarticular bags and bone tissue of the vertebrae.

Later stages of the disease are accompanied by the formation of spike-like bone processes, which are the most dangerous. The fact is that such neoplasms often clamp blood vessels and nerve fibers, which leads to the development of complications.

Spondyloarthrosis: what is it and what are its causes?

In fact, degenerative joint changes can be the result of a variety of factors. But first of all it is worth mentioning about age, as the aging process affects the tissues of the spine. According to statistics, more than 80% of pensioners suffer from spondylarthrosis of one degree or another. Although often the disease begins to develop and young people 25-30 years.

In addition, the risk factors include various metabolic disorders, violations of normal circulation, some congenital features of the spine. The risk of developing spondylarthrosis increases in the presence of curvature of the spine, flat feet and some other problems.

Often, the disease occurs with increased physical activity, intense stress on the spine, which is observed, for example, among professional athletes. On the other hand, prolonged static loads can also lead to dystrophy, so the risk factors include sedentary work and a sedentary lifestyle.

Spondylarthrosis: symptoms of the disease

In fact, the clinical picture can look different, depending on the stage of development of the disease and the spine department, which was struck. The initial spondyloarthrosis may be asymptomatic at all, and a person weighs a small weight and stiffness at the expense of overwork.

Nevertheless, the main symptoms include pain and loss of mobility, which are most noticeable in the morning hours, after sleep. With lesions of the thoracic and cervical spine, pain can be given to the back, shoulders, scapula and arms. If spondyloarthrosis is accompanied by a lesion of the nerve roots, then numbness and tingling in the fingers is possible. But with dystrophy of the lumbosacral department, pain in the legs, sciatica (sciatica nerve inflammation), and sometimes a disruption in the excretory system.

Spondyloarthrosis: what is it and how to get rid of it?

Of course, the choice of treatment methods directly depends on the stage of the disease and the degree of lesion of vertebral structures. At the initial stages it will be enough to take painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroprotectors, as well as regular exercises in physiotherapy and proper nutrition. Effective will be a massage that will eliminate muscle spasm.

If spondyloarthrosis is accompanied by severe compression of the vessels or damage to nerve fibers, the doctor may prescribe a surgical operation to remove bone growths.