Spondylosis (Osteoarthritis)

Depending on which part of the spine is affected, treatment for spondylosis may differ in effectiveness and simplicity. For example, cervical spondylosis can be effectively treated with exercise and the application of a cervical collar. Patients with lumbar spondylosis may need transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, heat application, exercise and painkillers to get rid of symptoms.

In rare cases, patients may undergo some surgery to get complete relief from the symptoms of spondylosis.
In most cases, uncomplicated cases of thoracic spondylosis can be successfully managed using conservative therapy or non-surgical options.

 

CONTENT:

1. Acupuncture
2. Rest
3. Medications
4. Physical therapy
5. Use of prostheses
6. Physical therapy
7. Hydrotherapy
8. Tape application
9. Therapeutic massage
10. Therapeutic laser procedures

 

Acupuncture

Your doctor may recommend that you try acupuncture to reduce pain. Acupuncture is best performed by an acupuncture specialist.

 

Rest

The patient should have adequate rest and avoid strenuous exercise until symptoms subside.

 

Medications

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation. If nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs do not provide relief, epidural steroid injections can be given into the spine to reduce pain, numbness and tingling in the legs.

 

Physical therapy

An exercise program helps strengthen the abdominal and back muscles, improves flexibility and increases the range of motion of the lower back.

 

Use of prostheses

In severe cases of spondylolysis, a brace or support can be used to stabilize the lower back.

 

Physical therapy

If this condition has already occurred, and has been medically identified, your doctor may recommend a period of physical therapy. The progression and severity of symptoms will determine whether it is necessary to be hospitalized in a clinic or hospital, or in an outpatient clinic where you can come and go daily.

The goals of physical therapy in spondylosis are to rebuild muscle mass and increase muscle endurance, help the patient adjust to effort, maintain and increase joint mobility, improve muscle degeneration, coordination, control and balance, and correct posture and body alignment.

 

Hydrotherapy

Using the effects of water to relieve pressure and pain is a beneficial treatment for spondylosis. Hydrotherapy can treat a variety of disorders related to bone and joint pain. This differs from swimming in that it involves exercises that you do in hot water, usually at a temperature between 32 C and 36 C. A trained physiotherapist usually demonstrates how to do the exercises in water, making necessary adjustments for patients. individual.

 

Tape application

This is a technique used to prevent or rehabilitate injury. Physiotherapists are specially trained to effectively apply the tape to the skin to keep specific muscles or bones stable.

 

Therapeutic massage

A therapist can use a gentle massage to gradually relax the muscles. It can use circulatory massage, transverse and longitudinal friction, trigger points and other light to medium pressure techniques to relax your muscles and increase your range of motion in all directions. The goal of this treatment for spondylosis is to minimize the progression of it and to control the pain. Massage is effective because it can balance and relax the muscles that support the spine.

 

Therapeutic laser procedures

The concept that light energy from a laser can reduce pain and inflammation, accelerate the healing of damaged tissues, relax muscles and stimulate nerve regeneration seems to be a myth. Science, however, tells us that these effects occur, and helps patients suffering from spondylosis and beyond.

Wavelength and power determine the ability of the laser to penetrate the body. Once in the infrared spectrum, the laser energy penetrates like x-rays, but to get the required depth you need significant power or energy.

Spondylosis is also known as spinal osteoarthritis – a fairly common condition, but it is usually not serious, although it can be quite painful. As with many other terms for describing spinal problems, spondylosis is more of a descriptive term than a clinical diagnosis. Literally, it can be translated to mean both pain and degeneration of the spine, regardless of what causes the pain or where the degeneration occurs.

Spondylosis is becoming more common. Over 80% of people over the age of 40 have spondylosis in radiographic studies.

CONTENT:

1. Causes
2. Symptoms
3. Treatment

 

Causes of Spondylosis

The bones and cartilage in the cervical spine are more prone to damage due to various causes. These include:

• Bone spurs – are some bone growths that occur when the body develops excess bones to make the spine stronger.

However, these bones can put pressure on delicate areas of the spine, such as the spinal cord and nerves, which is why the pain occurs.

• Dehydrated spinal discs – the bones of the spine have discs between them, which are similar to thick pillows, which absorb the shock of lifting, twisting and other activities. The gel material in these discs can dry over time. This causes the bones (vertebrae of the spine) to rub more, which can be painful.

This process can begin at the age of 30.

• Disc herniation – the vertebral discs may develop cracks, allowing internal cushioning material to drain. It can press on the spinal cord and nerves, leading to symptoms such as numbness of the arm and pain radiating down one of the arms.
• Injury – a trauma to the neck (due to a fall or a car accident, for example) can speed up the aging process.
• Ligament stiffness – the hard cords that connect the bones of the spine can become even harder over time, which affects the movement of the neck.
• Overload – some activities or hobbies involve repetitive movements or difficult efforts that can put pressure on the spine, resulting in its early wear.

 

Symptoms of Spondylosis

These symptoms can range from mild to severe, and can become chronic. These may include:

Neck (cervical area)

• The pain that appears and disappears
• Pain that spreads to the shoulders, arms, hands or fingers
• Stiffness in the morning in the neck or shoulder, or a limited range of motion
• Numbness of the neck or shoulder
• Weakness or tingling in the neck, shoulders, arms, hands or fingers
• Headache felt in the nape of the neck
• Loss of balance
• Difficulty swallowing (This is rare, but may occur if the spinal cord is compressed.)

 

Chest area

• Bending and enlarging the body triggers pain
• Stiffness in the back when getting out of bed in the morning

 

Lower back

• Pain that appears and disappears
• Stiffness in the back in the morning
• Pain that decreases after rest or exercise
• Weakness or numbness in the lower back
• Sciatica (mild to severe pain in the foot)
• Weakness, numbness or tingling in the back, legs or soles
• Difficulty walking
• Intestinal or bladder disorders (this is rare, but may occur)

 

Treatment of Spondylosis

Often, methods that do not involve surgery are very effective.

A physiotherapist is usually helpful for people with cervical spondylosis. Physical therapy helps to stretch the muscles of the neck and shoulders, which, in the end, will lead to pain relief.

Therapeutic massage is often indicated before physiotherapy sessions, to calm and relax the area, combat painful muscle contractions, stimulate blood circulation and muscle toning.

Your doctor may recommend medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotics, antiepileptics, steroid injections or topically applied gels.

If the patient’s condition is severe and he does not respond to other forms of treatment, surgery may be needed. This may involve removing the bone spurs, parts of the neck bones or herniated discs to give more space to the spinal cord and nerves.

Surgery is rarely necessary for cervical spondylosis. However, the doctor recommends this method if the pain is severe and if the patient’s ability to move his arms is affected.

Natural remedies
There are several natural remedies that may help those suffering from cervical spondylosis. These include:

• Ginger tea;
• Devil’s claw supplements;
• White willow bark extract supplements.

 

Although they can help reduce pain and inflammation, they should be taken with your doctor’s consent. Even if it is an herbal tea, it can have unwanted effects if it interacts with another commonly used medicine prescribed by your doctor.