What is Spondylosis?
Spondylosis is a type of arthritis, namely spinal osteoarthritis. We think arthritis affects the hands and knees, but it may also affect the spine, bones, and joints. Osteoarthritis is one type of arthritis caused by wear and strain of the bones and joints. Any joint inside the body can be affected. X-rays show that more than 80% of adults over 40 years of age have the problem. Lumbar, or lower spine, Spondylosis is more common in adults over 40.
Spondylosis symptoms vary from person to person, but they rarely cause major difficulties. When a person experiences symptoms, these are frequently pain & stiffness that come and go.
Spondylosis symptoms
Spondylosis can damage any joint along the spine, and it is most frequent in the neck and lower back.
- Pain in the back
- Stiffness in the joints
- Weakness
- Headaches
- Cracking feeling while moving the neck
The stages of Spondylosis disease
- Early Spondylosis: It usually begins in the hip joint just at the base of your spine. The pain may begin on one side and gradually spread to both sides over weeks or even months. It can spread to your hips. If you wake up with a sore, you normally feel better as soon as you move.It will not go away with time, unlike back discomfort caused by an injury or excessive exercise. However, you can experience symptom-free periods in between flare-ups.
- Growing stage of Spondylosis: It frequently creeps slowly up from the base of the spine to your neck. Imaging studies, such as MRIs can determine the severity of the condition based on how much of your spine is damaged. Changes in the spine can be difficult for doctors to detect during the first few years, but they gradually become more evident.It may damage portions of your body other than your spine if it worsens. It frequently occurs in the entheses, which are the areas where tendons and ligaments attach to the bones. You may experience discomfort in your ribs, shoulders, hips, thighs, or heels.
- Advance Spondylosis: According to your doctor, your spine may have fused if you have more severe AS. This occurs when new bone forms between your vertebrae, connecting them.The more frequently this occurs, the less motion you have in your spine. It happens gradually, but it can eventually lead to total spinal fusion.Fusion in the spine can increase your risk of fracture. It can also cause your spine to tilt forward, resulting in a hunched-over position. Physical treatment can be beneficial.
Causes of Spondylosis
Years of continual wear and tear causes alteration in your spine as you age. In middle age, the discs within your vertebrae deteriorate. Other causes of this medical condition are:
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD): Changes occur in your discs, but the ageing process gradually affects the other mobility segments of the vertebrae. (The discs and facet joints are called motion segments, which implies they assist you in moving). The disc will be less porous and much thinner as it ages. A thinner disc reduces the space between the vertebrae above and below the disc, causing a new set of problems with the facet joints.
- Spinal Movement Disturbance: Another alteration in your spine is caused by hypermobility. It attempts to halt movement by growing microscopic bony pieces known as bone spurs (osteophytes). Unfortunately, bone spurs can squeeze nerve structures, causing discomfort.
- The Function of Genetics: Your genes can also cause spondylosis. You may be predisposed to excessive bone and disc wear and tear, so if someone in the family has or has had Spondylosis, you may get back or neck pain.
Spondylosis Risk factors
The most important risk factor for Spondylosis is ageing. It causes dehydration, disc herniation, and bone spurs.
Risk factors for Spondylosis are as follows
- Being overweight and inactive
- Neck injuries are common
- Long periods of keeping your neck in an unpleasant position
- Factors of genetic origin
- Smoking
- Jobs that necessitate frequent neck motions and awkward positions
- Normal aspects of the ageing process.
Complications
Complications of Spondylosis are as follows:
- Compression of the Nerves: The continual pressure imposed on the spinal nerves intensifies a medical condition known as cervical radiculopathy in many persons suffering from Spondylosis. Constant nerve compression can cause symptoms depending on the affected nerve.
- Stenosis of the Spine: When left untreated for an extended period, Spondylosis can progress to spinal stenosis, a condition in which the spinal canal becomes impinged. The spinal canal narrowing may cause injury to the spinal cord.
Prevention of Spondylosis
The contour of the spine and any aberrant curvatures will be noted, and the spine will be palpated or felt for painful spots, muscle stiffness, spasms, lumps, or regions of inflammation.Your doctor will assess your pain level and other complaints such as weakness or paresthesias and take X-rays to look for bone spurs or loss of disc elevation, which can be signs of degenerative disc disease.
A CT (computerized tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan may also be ordered by your doctor to look for degenerative changes and anomalies in the spine's soft tissues. Other diagnostic tests may be ordered based on your symptoms.
Spondylosis Treatment
The treatment for Sondylosis include mainly the symptom or pain management through medicines or self-care measures.
If you are in pain, you can attempt the following:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, are available over-the-counter for pain treatment
- Maintaining physical activity: Reduced exercise, such as rowing or walking, can aid in the maintenance of flexibility and strengthen the muscles that stabilize the spine.
- Improved posture: Bad posture, for example, might aggravate pain. A physiotherapist may recommend specialized exercises or massage.
- Shoulder support: An individual may have to select a chair or bed that provides better back support.
- Rest during bouts of inflammation: If your symptoms bother you, try taking a break.
