Osteoarthritis of the spine: symptoms, treatment

Causes, symptoms and effective treatment of spinal arthrosis

articles:

• Causes of the disease
• Symptoms and Diagnosis
• Methods of treatment
• Prevention

Disease of the spine arthrosis is a degenerative lesion of the joints, which causes premature wear of the intraarticular cartilage. During a life of a load on joints of a backbone result in their gradual deterioration.

When the intervertebral discs wear out, the intervertebral space narrows, which leads to abrasion of the cartilaginous tissue and the formation of cracks in it, through which proteoglycans gradually disappear - substances that make cartilage elastic.

In most cases, arthrosis is accompanied by severe pain, because the bones, deprived of a full cartilage, rub against each other, causing a slight movement of strong pain.

Depending on the location of such a pinch, arthrosis may be accompanied by pain in the neck, arms, legs.

Causes of the disease

The main reasons for the development of arthrosis are:

• Age changes in the joints: the disease often develops in people after 50 years.
• Osteoporosis.
• Heavy physical work with severe strain on the spine.
• Excess weight is a constant additional burden on the vertebral column and joints.
• Hypodinamy and weak development of muscles.
• Diabetes mellitus, high blood sugar.
• Diseases of the liver, leading to disruption of the articular cartilage.

The following are the main symptoms that indicate the damage to the spine with arthrosis:

• Pain when tilted to the sides or back and forth. When a person takes a horizontal position and the load on the vertebrae decreases, such pains gradually subside by themselves.
• The pain is localized in a limited area of ​​the back, in contrast, for example, with pain in the intervertebral hernia.
• Feeling of stiffness in the morning, restraint in movements.
• Discomfort in the back with sedentary work, prolonged sitting causes a sensation of sagging back, a strong irresistible desire to warm up.

Together, these symptoms indicate arthrosis, but only according to these signs can not be diagnosed.

For reliable diagnosis, instrumental methods of research are used: X-ray, MRI, in a number of cases, ultrasound of the brain is performed to exclude some other similar symptoms disease.

If the clinic examination has confirmed the pathology - it is urgent to begin treatment.

In the photo there is an x-ray

Methods of treatment

Because arthrosis is a serious disease, which leads to disability in a neglected state, therapy must necessarily be complex and versatile.Such treatment of spinal arthrosis includes:

1. medicamentous treatment (taking drugs inside, injections, ointments, gels);

2. physiotherapy;

3. correction of lifestyle (including exercise, diet);

4. folk remedies for increasing the effectiveness of basic therapy, reducing the negative side effects of drugs, eliminating the symptoms of the disease;

5. surgical intervention (if necessary).

To treat the disease, anti-inflammatory and pain medications are prescribed. Usually it is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which reduces inflammation and pain.

Also, a patient with arthrosis of the spine may be prescribed muscle relaxants (drugs that relieve muscle spasm), chondroprotectors (preparations for feeding cartilage tissue) and drugs that improve local blood flow and lymphatic drainage.

Medications are prescribed in injections, tablets, droppers. When the disease is exacerbated, injections directly into the affected area are most effective. For local treatment, anti-inflammatory and anesthetic ointments and gels are used.

Physiotherapy

For the treatment of the spine with arthrosis, the following physiotherapy procedures are used:

• Magnetotherapy.
• Reflexotherapy (acupuncture).
• Abdominal decompression. What it is? This is a method of physiotherapy, in which artificial negative pressure is created in the lower half of the body, which improves blood flow and inhibits inflammatory processes.
• Phonophoresis.

These methods can relieve pain, increase joint mobility, improve blood circulation and nutrition of the vertebrae.

Correction of a way of life

Also, with arthrosis of the spine, the patient is shown regular gymnastics and diet.

Exercise therapy

It is necessary to engage in physiotherapy exercises - an individual complex of exercises, which is a doctor. The program may include stretching exercises, with a hoop, exercises for general physical training.

Another patient is recommended to do swimming, water gymnastics. This has a positive effect on the joints of the spine, improves blood flow in problem areas and effectively alleviates the symptoms of the disease.

Diet

Proper nutrition plays a significant role in therapy. The basic rules of the diet for arthrosis:

• Limited use of spices and salt.
• Exclusion from the diet of smoked products, fatty foods, preservatives and sausages.
• Complete exclusion from the diet of carbonated drinks, any alcohol.
• Minimizing the consumption of sweets, sugar, flour products and sweet pastries.
• Go to whole wheat bread and cereals.
• Replacement of animal fats with vegetable.
• Mandatory daily consumption of fresh vegetable and fruit juices.
• Increase the share of vegetables and fruits in the daily diet.

It is necessary to drink at least, liters of clean water per day - not compotes, not juices or tea, namely pure water.

Folk, non-traditional methods

Tinctures, rubbing and ointments, prepared according to folk recipes, well relieve pain and help in the treatment of arthrosis.

Usually, tinctures of the golden mustache and root of the aura, ointments from the comfrey, horseradish, cornflower are used.

You can also wear special belts from dog hair, apply warm clay wraps.

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Good results are provided by apitherapy - treatment with bee products. Compresses from honey and royal jelly are used, rubbing with alcoholic tincture of propolis, application of bee venom.

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However, it should be understood that any folk methods are used as an addition to the basic therapy, it is not worthwhile to rely on them alone. And how correctly to treat an arthrosis of a backbone in your concrete case, the doctor can tell or say only after all-round inspection.

Surgical intervention

If the above-described therapeutic methods are not effective, surgical treatment is performed.

Depending on the stage of the disease and the severity of the joint, one of two types of operations can be used: denervation (exclusion pain syndrome by thermal destruction of nerve endings in the affected joint) and transplantation (replacement of the destroyed vertebra artificial).

Preventive measures

Basic preventive measures for the prevention of arthrosis:

1. Rational nutrition, which has already been mentioned above.

2. Regular gymnastics and a flexible way of life.

3. Correct distribution of loads on the spine during physical work.

4. Professional massage to improve blood flow and relieve muscle strain after hard work.

5. Normalization of weight (if necessary).

Observing these recommendations, you can avoid such a complex and serious disease.

A source: http://SustavZdorov.ru/artroz/pozvonochnika-120.html

Osteoarthritis of the spine: symptoms and treatment of intervertebral joints

Arthrosis of the spine (spondylarthrosis) is a degenerative disease that affects the joint and muscle tissue adversely.

The disease affects the ribs, iliac and sacral bones of a person, ligaments and cartilage structures.

Practically every patient with time formed hard growths, they are usually localized along the edge of the bone (osteophytes).

Causes of the disease

It is generally accepted that spinal arthrosis is a problem for older people. However, medical statistics are inexorable. Recently, spondyloarthrosis has significantly "grown younger" and younger patients turn to the doctor. The group of potential patients includes people who:

• has congenital abnormalities of the spinal column;
• has excess weight;
• suffered trauma;
• suffers spondylolisthesis and some other pathologies of the spine;
• has disorders in intervertebral disks and deviations in the mobility of some vertebrae.

Dystrophic disorders cause a loss of amortization of the intervertebral discs, thinning of the cartilage, provoking an acute pain syndrome in the back. The patient begins to adjust to these uncomfortable sensations, changing the position of the body to minimize pain.

As a result, the gait changes, which, naturally, leads to overstrain of individual parts of the vertebrae and only aggravates the overall picture of the disease.

Age also does not have the best effect on health. As the body ages, metabolism slows down, feeding cartilage, ligaments and joints significantly deteriorates, and the synovial fluid gradually loses its functions, enhancing the symptoms of destructive process.

Symptoms of spinal arthrosis

The main symptoms of spinal arthrosis are painful sensations when the torso is tilted back, forward and sideways. During the day, the back is overloaded and begins to ache, but in a state of rest (in a horizontal position), weight from the vertebrae is removed and the pain subsides.

In addition, in the morning the patient does not leave a feeling of stiffness: he is not able to move normally. Approximately an hour later or after a morning warm-up, such stiffness passes.

If a patient with spondyloarthrosis needs to sit for a long time at a computer or a table, he feels discomfort in the back, intuitively wants to warm up and change the position of the body as soon as possible. Symptoms of back pain can alleviate symptoms, especially if the pain is caused by subluxation of the facet joints.

In addition, pain with arthrosis does not give in the legs and hands, as is usually the case with radiculitis. To increase the discomfort can osteophytes - the formation of bone outgrowths.

Arthrosis of the spine carries a lot of troubles and complications. Disturb the person can the back of the head, shoulder blades and chest.

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Arthrosis of the thoracic spine is symptomatic similar to myocardial infarction (there is a sharp pain near the heart).

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With chest disease it hurts a long time: from a couple of days to several weeks.

The nature of the pain syndrome can vary. Physicians distinguish 2 of its kind:

• dorsago (severe paroxysmal pain);
• dorsalgia (aching, mildly expressed).

Arthrosis in the chest area in the absence of treatment can cause pathological changes in the coronary vessels.

Methods of diagnosis and treatment

Confirm the diagnosis of arthrosis of the intervertebral joints of the spine in various ways:

1. radiography;
2. Magnetic resonance imaging;
3. radioisotope scanning;
4. venous blood sampling for biochemistry;
5. a common blood test from the finger.

In some cases, the use of ultrasound of the brain (to exclude the pathology of the head).

Treatment of spinal arthrosis always requires an integrated approach. It must be persistent and systematic.

Today, there are several methods to combat the disease.

First and foremost, anti-inflammatory drugs are recommended that can relieve the symptoms of spondylarthrosis. In addition, the application is shown:

• physiotherapy;
• therapeutic physical training;
• manual therapy;
• massage;
• traditional medicine;
• orthopedic devices.

Physiotherapy is aimed at reducing the pain syndrome and inflammation from the vertebrae. No less important role is assigned to physical therapy. In those cases when the spine suffers, it should be loaded as little as possible due to the muscles of the back.

It is on the strengthening of the muscular corset that all physical exercises should be directed. Additional yoga and exercise will help prevent atrophy of muscles, joints and accelerate blood circulation.

Treatment of arthrosis of the spine and thorax with the help of manual therapy in a fairly short time will give a positive result. It is especially important to practice manual methods for correction of facet and other subluxations of joints.

Medications

Treatment with medicines not only helps to relieve symptoms, but also affects the causes of the disease. The use of drugs should be agreed with the attending physician and depend on the severity of the pathology.

If the spinal arthrosis stage is medium or severe, then treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is indicated. They stop the signs of inflammation and pain. These funds are selected based on the characteristics of the body.

Unlike powerful non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, these drugs do not have a harmful effect on the patient's body. However, there is a main condition - chondroprotectors should be used for a long time. Treatment in such cases last at least 3-6 months.

Treatment with folk and other methods

Unconventional medicine has its own view on the treatment of arthrosis of the spine. She suggests using products made on the basis of natural components.

Effective ointments, lotions and compresses from medicinal plants are effective.

The patient should understand that such therapy should be combined with medical treatment and must be agreed with the attending physician.

Often, to alleviate the symptoms and eliminate the causes of arthrosis of the back is possible with the help of acupuncture. It allows you to strengthen the microcirculation of blood vessels, which has a beneficial effect on the nutrition of cartilage and joints.

Sometimes corsets and other orthopedic devices can be prescribed to facilitate movement. They will help to prevent pain during slopes and other movements of the body.

A source: http://sustav.info/bolezni/arthrosis/artroz-pozvonochnika.html

Osteoarthritis of the spine: symptoms and treatment of the lumbar, thoracic

Arthrosis of the spine is a chronic destructive-dystrophic processes developing in the intervertebral joints and provoking disturbances in the functioning of the spinal column. With the involvement of cartilage in these processes, osteoarthritis develops. In medical practice, these pathological processes are also called spondyloarthrosis.

Development of the disease is accompanied by dystrophic changes in the cartilaginous tissue structures of the joints, their gradual thinning and destruction, which leads to the formation of osteophytes.

Often arthrosis of the spine is accompanied by other dystrophic disorders, but often act as and limited pathological processes in the presence of existing deformation the spine.

With lesions of the joints in the cervical region, there is a pronounced symptomatology of the disease. If the lumbar region is involved in the deforming processes, the course of the disease is asymptomatic for a long time.

Causes of pathology development

The predominant part of patients with diagnosed arthrosis of the spine belongs to the category of people at the age of over 60, but among the younger generation this ailment is not that big rarity. It is customary to isolate the primary and secondary forms of the disease. The etiology of the primary form is not fully understood, but experts tend to believe that the main risk group includes people:

• who are diagnosed with congenital abnormalities of the vertebral column and a violation of its development;
• overweight;
• suffered spinal trauma;
• suffering from disorders in intervertebral discs.

Among the provocative factors, the main place is taken by age, because in the course of time there is an aggravation of the state joints, which is inextricably linked with the slowing of metabolism and the deterioration of the supply of cartilage tissues, joints and ligaments. The secondary form of spinal arthrosis is due to other pathological processes in the body.

In this case, the main reasons are:

• certain diseases of a dystrophic and inflammatory nature, affecting the musculoskeletal system;
• traumas of the spine, including those associated with regular excessive loads on the spine (with a similar problem often encounter professional athletes, people with overweight and workers who regularly experience excessive physical load);
• autoimmune diseases, including gout, chondrocalcinosis, hemochromatosis;
• cardiovascular diseases and circulatory disorders in hypodynamia;
• disorders of the hormonal background;
• pathologies of the endocrine system, metabolic disorders.

Characteristic signs of the disease

Depending on where the pathological processes are localized, several types of disease are distinguished:

• arthrosis of the lumbar spine;
• arthrosis of the cervical spine;
• arthrosis of the thoracic spine.

Regardless of the localization of arthrosis of the spine manifests itself as characteristic features.

The disease is accompanied by severe pain in the spine and a gradual restriction of mobility in the affected joints or areas.

Painful sensations are permanent and aching, and their greatest intensity is noted during the performance of turns, inclinations or any physical exertion.

With pains that are typical for arthrosis, the patient can accurately point to the location of their location, because the sensations do not give in the limbs and are not accompanied by numbness. For example, arthrosis of the lumbosacral spine is manifested by pains that are localized exclusively in the lumbar region and the sacrum.

Patients encounter the impossibility of prolonged movements, rapid fatigue and weakness.Characteristic signs of the disease include morning stiffness, which is caused by hypertension of the muscles of the spine.

Depending on the intensity of the disturbing symptoms, it is possible to distinguish 4 stages of the development of the disease.

At the first stage, the patient does not face physical activity limitations, and the only ones manifestations of the disease may be stiffness after awakening and a characteristic crunch when making slopes and turns.

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The second stage is characterized by the appearance of difficulties in the process of performing physical work. At the same time, the number of active movements in the spine is markedly reduced. The patient notes the increased painful sensations that occur after any joint movements.

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The third stage of the disease can be distinguished by constant painful sensations, which disturb the patient even at rest.

There is a significant limitation of movements, accompanied by severe pain, and deformation of the muscles in the affected areas.

Already at this stage, the deformation of the spine becomes externally obvious. The fourth stage is accompanied by the complete fusion of the joints.

How is the diagnosis?

Arthrosis of intervertebral joints is a dangerous disease that needs timely diagnosis and treatment.

Consequences of prolonged ignoring of symptoms may be periarthritis and synovitis.

With periarthritis, inflammation of the tissues located next to the affected joint is noted, and with synovitis in the inflammatory processes, the envelope that lining the joint area is involved.

The greatest danger is characteristic of coxarthrosis, characterized by lesions of the hip joints.

Arthrosis, affecting small joints, often leads to the acquisition of ugly and bizarre contours.

Timely diagnosis is extremely important and consists of an expert analysis of the symptoms and a series of examinations.

Compulsory methods of diagnostic research are presented:

• radiography;
• magnetic resonance imaging;
• biochemical analysis of blood;
• radioisotope scanning;
• ultrasound examination of the brain to eliminate diseases with similar symptoms.

Healing measures

When revealing arthrosis of the spine, it is necessary to appoint a complex treatment consisting of:

• taking medications;
• correction of power supply;
• therapeutic physical training;
• use of external means;
• physiotherapeutic procedures;
• surgical intervention;
• effects on the disease folk remedies.

With lesions of vertebral departments, the patient is prescribed analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs, and their addition with muscle relaxants will help to cope with muscular tension.

When diagnosing the disease, which is in the first two stages of development, you will need treatment with drugs, improving blood flow, as well as chondroprotectors, which are necessary for the normalization of the state of intervertebral disks.

To improve blood circulation, reduce pain syndrome and eliminate inflammation, patients are prescribed topical preparations.

Additional therapy is represented by phonophoresis, magnetotherapy and acupuncture.

If the application of the above methods of treatment is not accompanied by an improvement in the condition, the patient is assigned a transplantation intervention, which involves replacing the destroyed vertebrae with artificial ones.

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Osteoarthritis refers to serious diseases with irreversible consequences, therefore, if characteristic symptoms are detected, treatment should be started urgently. This will avoid joint deformation and the need for surgical intervention.

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A source: http://LechenieGryzhi.ru/artroz-pozvonochnika/

How is spine arthrosis treated?

How to treat arthrosis of the spine? This question is often asked by the doctor patients. The structure of the spine of a person is quite complicated. There are about 30 vertebrae in the vertebral column, which are joined together by joints.

Unsurprisingly, arthrosis of the spine is common enough. In another way, this disease is called spondyloarthrosis.This disease refers to the degenerative types of diseases that enter the osteoarthritic group.

It leads to the fact that the joints are gradually destroyed and the degeneration of cartilage develops.

In addition, the structure of the cartilage, ligaments in the muscle tissue changes. One of the symptoms is the development of osteophytes, which are formed in the marginal bone tissue.

Why osteoarthritis of the spine develops

As a rule, the disease develops in patients in old age. However, some young people are also at risk.
The causes of this insidious disease are as follows:

1. Congenital diseases of the spine.
2. Obesity.
3. Injuries of the spine.
4. Osteoarthritis of the spine and other diseases.
5. Violations in the intervertebral disk, impaired mobility of the joints.

Injuries contribute to the fact that the joints prematurely wear out. And if a person has a problem with excess weight, then arthrosis develops almost inevitably. The disease is dangerous because there is a violation of amortization and the structure of the cartilage.

This process is accompanied by severe pain in the back area. In order to get rid of the pain syndrome, the patient changes the position of his body. This leads to the fact that his gait gradually changes.

The metabolic disturbance leads to disruption of cartilage nutrition, which is accompanied by a loss of elasticity of the joints and ligaments. The liquid gradually loses its properties.

One of the reasons for the development of spinal arthrosis is spine trauma. In addition, there are prerequisites for the development of this disease. These include:

1. Dysplasia of the joints of the congenital type.
2. Inflammatory autoimmune reactions.
3. Arthritis of inflammatory origin.
4. Bechterew's disease.
5. Staphylococcus, encephalitis, venereal diseases.
6. Diseases of the blood.
7. Heredity.
8. The processes that lead to collagen mutations.
9. Disorders of hormonal metabolism, associated with age.
10. Infringements of internal exchange.
11. Lack of nutrients.
12. Work in an unfavorable environment.
13. Complications after operations on the joints.

Very often arthrosis of the spine develops in parallel with other diseases, for example, with osteochondrosis. At the initial stage, the disease actually does not manifest itself.

However, there is a thinning of the cartilaginous tissue, which leads to an increase in the load on cartilage and joints, so osteophytes begin to form.

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A characteristic manifestation of the disease are pain sensations in the joint area, a violation of muscle functions.

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Closer to the third stage, this disease occurs in severe form. Gradually there is a violation of the joints and the axis of the vertebrae. There is a shortening of the ligaments, which disrupts the ability to move normally. In the muscles there are trophic phenomena.

How is spinal arthrosis manifested?

What are the signs of the disease? Arthrosis of the intervertebral joints has pronounced symptoms, which are characterized by the appearance of pain developing when the body tilts forward or sideways.

Typically, the pain manifests itself after a load that accumulates during the day, but passes after the person rests in a prone position. No less characteristic manifestation of the disease is the stiffness of movements in the morning.

It passes about an hour after lifting or performing a morning exercise complex.

After a back massage, the patient is usually relieved, especially if the discomfort is caused by a subluxation of the facet joints. However, it is necessary to distinguish painful sensations that arise when a herniated intervertebral disc.

With arthrosis, the pain has local localization and does not give up in hands or feet, as it happens with another disease called sciatica. When osteophytes are formed, pain intensifies.

Depending on the localization of the process, pain may be located in the neck and lower back, while stiffness in movements is observed. Thus, the disease with arthrosis of the spine leads to serious problems.

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Sometimes pain in the area of ​​the scapula, chest or nape may be misleading, which is often the cause of misdiagnosis.

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How is the diagnosis of spinal arthrosis? Treatment of spinal arthrosis begins after the doctor diagnoses.

For this purpose, the doctor prescribes a diagnosis that does not differ from the examination for any type of arthrosis:

1. Radiography.
2. MRI.
3. It is required to undergo an analysis of capillary blood from the finger, a biochemical analysis from the vein.
4. Radioisotope scanning is performed.
5. Sometimes the doctor gives direction to ultrasound of the brain, in order to establish other diseases associated with it.

Treatment of arthrosis requires a lot of time and an integrated approach. It is necessary to show considerable persistence in order to cope with this disease. The doctor prescribes a course of physiotherapy, physical therapy, treatment with manual therapy, massage.

In order to cope with the disease, you will need regular intake of therapeutic drugs-chondroprotectors. If the doctor does not object, then you can use traditional medicine, acupuncture, special orthopedic drugs.

Physiotherapy can reduce the manifestation of pain, remove the inflammatory process in the vertebrae. Doctors believe that the complex of physiotherapy exercises is very effective for spinal arthrosis.

Very useful yoga, which can prevent the development of joint atrophy and normalize metabolism.

A visit to the chiropractor is very useful in the treatment of arthrosis. This will correct the subluxation of the joints. This massage has a warming effect, so it perfectly removes spasms of the muscles of the back and neck area.

Depending on how bad the disease is, the doctor prescribes a course of medicines. As a rule, these are nonsteroidal drugs that relieve the inflammatory process and anesthetize. Medicines are selected individually taking into account the patient's condition.

A source: http://1PoSustavam.ru/artroz/artroz-pozvonochnika.html

Osteoarthritis of the spine and its treatment

By the term "arthrosis" is meant a joint disease characterized by premature wear of the intraarticular cartilage.

The leading role in the development of pathology is the gradual erasure of the cartilage surface, which subsequently leads to its thinning and brittleness.

During the pathological process, microcracks appear, through which the chemical components are washed away.

The disease can arise as a result of traumatic injuries, post-traumatic inflammatory processes, and also due to constant loads on certain joints.

Most often, pathology occurs in individuals whose professional activities are related to physical labor, or athletes.

In addition, arthrosis of the spine (spondyloarthrosis) affects people of advanced age, which is associated with depletion of regenerative capabilities and physiological changes in aging.

Causes

This kind of dystrophic changes can develop against a background of metabolic disorders, as well as due to the daily statistical load exceeding the functional capabilities of muscles or joints. In addition, traumatic spinal column injuries, overweight, sedentary lifestyles, work involving long standing on their feet can trigger the onset of pathology.

There are also internal causes of arthrosis of the spine. These include hereditary predisposition, diabetes, gout, malformations musculoskeletal system, autoimmune pathology, accompanied by the production of antibodies against their own tissues of the body.

Among other things, there are a number of factors predisposing to the development of the disease:

• insufficient development of the muscles responsible for maintaining the spine;
• some liver diseases;
• in persons suffering from osteoporosis, arthrosis occurs as a secondary disease;
• nonspecific pathologies of inflammatory genesis (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis);
• specific inflammatory diseases (gonorrhea, tuberculosis, syphilis);
• violations of the endocrine system.

Types of pathology

There are several types of arthrosis at the site of localization:

• lumbararthrosis - lesion of the lumbar region;
• cervicoarthrosis - pathological process of the cervical spine;
• dorsartrosis - pathology of the thoracic region.

Depending on the area of ​​the lesion, the clinical picture of the pathological process will also differ.

Osteoarthritis of costal vertebral joints

The disease is extremely rare, usually in the elderly, mostly women. It differs strongly pronounced degenerative-dystrophic character, it can be asymptomatic up to several years.

Since the rib joints are involved in the process, all the symptoms of the disease will be localized precisely in the thoracic region.

The main clinical manifestations of arthrosis of this type include pain in the ribs, less often in the back.

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In addition, the patient can note a certain stiffness in the spine that occurs in the morning.

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At the initial stage of the development of the disease, the symptomatology is short-lived and weakly expressed. With the progression of the pathology, there will be a constant pain in breathing, a violation of the mobility of the chest, which can subsequently lead to a complete loss of a person's ability to work.

Osteoarthritis of the arcuate joints of the spine

The arcuate joints connect the vertebrae together along the entire vertebral column, in view of this, the symptomatic manifestations of the pathology will have their localization. Most often, the defeat of arcuate articulations occurs in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and lumbosacral divisions.

Osteoarthritis of the articular joints of the spine is a common disease, to which the people most affected are those who have crossed the threshold of 40 years

Taking into account the place of localization of the pathological process, the degree of its severity and the peculiarities of the course, these or other clinical manifestations will be observed:

You can also read:Osteoarthritis - what is it?

1. Osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine is rarely met. In the case of defeat of arcuate joints, painful sensations will be disturbed in this area of ​​the patient, They have a pulling character, which can be amplified by changing the position and in the process of physical activity. As the pathology develops, such symptoms can appear: a crunch in the affected joints, a disruption of motor abilities, a painful contraction of the muscles.
2. When the lumbar region is affected, there will be dull pain in the lower back, resulting from prolonged sitting, lifting heaviness. Also, there may be a violation of the motor capacity of the lumbar region, expressed by a disorder of flexion and extension.
3. Osteoarthrosis of the spine, localized in the cervical region, is characterized by the appearance of painful sensations, the occurrence of which often falls on the evening time. As a rule, after a rest such symptomatic manifestations completely disappear. Osteoarthritis of the cervical vertebrae (spondylosis) is quite a serious disease requiring timely treatment.

If one of the above symptoms occurs, you should not postpone the trip to the doctor, because the earlier the disease is detected, the more successfully and quickly it will be treated.

Medication Therapy

When the spine is affected, the treatment is based on the use of medications that have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.

Tablet forms of medicines, injection administration of preparations and droppers are widely used.

The main purpose of prescribing medications is to reduce the severity of the inflammatory process in the cartilaginous tissues of the intervertebral joints and to relieve the pain syndrome

Treatment of arthrosis 1-2 degrees includes the use of chondroprotectors, stimulating the regeneration processes and slowing the degeneration of cartilaginous tissue. Drug medications related to this group significantly increase the likelihood of complete recovery without surgery.

Physiotherapeutic procedures

Physiotherapy plays a special role in the treatment of spondylarthrosis. The use of such procedures complements the main therapy, strengthening the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.

Among the most frequently prescribed physiotherapeutic manipulations, the following are very effective:

• Phonophoresis is a therapeutic method in which, for the purpose of anesthesia, medicinal substances are administered by ultrasonic radiation.
• Magnetotherapy - the effect of the magnetic field on the body to eliminate inflammatory phenomena, reduce pain and relieve puffiness.
• Abdominal decompression is a therapeutic procedure based on the effect on the sick joints of negative air pressure, which provides increased blood flow and better nutrition of the vertebrae.

Such manipulations have a very good effect with accurate adherence to indications and contraindications.

Therapeutic physical training and massage

There are special sets of exercises that make it possible to significantly ease the condition and speed up the healing process. Selection of therapeutic gymnastics is carried out strictly on an individual basis, taking into account the clinical features of the disease.

Therapeutic massage is one of the necessary components of the therapy of spinal arthrosis

Regular execution of such exercises will not only improve the motor capabilities of the joints, but also will strengthen the back muscles, which is especially important after trauma, surgical intervention, when there is instability vertebrae.

Especially massage is shown at subluxations of intervertebral joints for removal of muscular pains, blood circulation improvement and returning of a normal position of joints.

Operative intervention

Surgical treatment for osteoarthritis of the spine is prescribed if conservative therapy does not bring the desired results. As a rule, this refers to neglected pathological processes, as well as when combined with traumatic injuries.

Depending on the severity of the disease, the operation can be divided into two categories:

1. Transplantation. The damaged vertebrae are replaced with artificial implants. The procedure is used at the last stage of the pathology, when the damaged discs stop coping with minimal loads.
2. Denervational. Surgery involves "turning off" the nerves in the affected joints in order to eliminate the pain syndrome.

It should be remembered that such a disease as arthrosis of the spine, is better treatable at the initial stages of its development.

Therefore, the first symptoms of an illness should not be left without due attention, hoping for self-healing.

It is necessary to contact a qualified specialist, because the sooner you start treatment, the more effective it will be.

A source: http://MoyaSpina.ru/bolezni/osteoartroz-pozvonochnika

What is spine arthrosis - features, symptoms and treatment

Degenerative disorder in other wordsarthrosis of the spinethe most common disease of the elderly. Almost 80% of patients older than 63 years have radiographic signs of this disorder. And only 15% of patients have clinical manifestations.

Causes of arthrosis of the spine

Etiology has not been studied to the end. There are such predisposing factors:

1. Metabolic, hormonal changes lead to the destruction of the tendon complex.
2. Trauma of any nature, whether it is stretching, displacement or a small fracture accelerates the spread of the inflammatory process.
3. Congenital injuries of various kinds lead to incorrect development of the surfaces of the joints.
4. Anxiety of trophism of cartilage cells (for example, with hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver) leads to their dystrophy.
5. Excess weight, hypodynamia will increase the burden on the ligament system.

Features of arthrosis of the spine

The pathological process begins in the fibrous tissue of the intervertebral discs, contributes to the reduction of the spinal canal.

The pressure on the formations that adjoin it increases, huge osteophytes (outgrowths) of the margins of the cartilage are formed.

They press on the roots of the adjacent nerve fibers and this causes neurologic symptoms.

Osteoarthritis of the spinearises in any part of it. In the upper part due to excessive mobility, in the lumbar - too much load.

Stages of arthrosis of the spine

1. Thinning, softening and disintegration of cartilage tissue
2. Destruction of cartilage, arthralgia
3. Deformations lead to a change in the vertical axis, which entails stretching the ligament apparatus and poor muscle contraction

Osteoarthritis of the spine, types and frequent symptoms

The disease usually flows asymptomatically and it is very difficult to get a complete clinical picture.

Whenarthrosis of the spinepeople make frequent complaints of pain, neck stiffness. Some people experience faints due to clamping of nearby arteries when the head turns.

If the thoracic part of it is involved, there is a pain in the chest, back. There are difficult to implement slopes to the side, stiffness in the morning. Such a state is easily confused with the pathology of the pulmonary system.

In the classical typearthrosis of the spinelumbar region, the pain is localized in the lower back and irradiates into the buttocks, lower limbs. A common complaint is numbness, lack of all kinds of sensitivity in it.

Diagnosis and modern treatment of spinal arthrosis

At the initial stages, the picture on the X-ray image remains normal. In a later period, the spaces between the cartilaginous joints become narrower and this can be seen in the pictures. Bone spurs are formed - outgrowths.

In a medical institution, the sick often come after traumatizing any part of the back. The complex of compulsory research includes:

1. Radiography, to study the structure
2. Myelography, will help to exclude or confirm damage to the roots of nerve plexuses
3. Computer tomography, is prescribed in severe cases, with a question of the presence of a crack, displacement
4. Angiography, with suspicion of compression of nearby large arteries

Victims with the course of the disease without manifestations do not need a special cure. And those who have symptomatology receive:

1. Local warming of the disturbing zone,
2. Removing the pain symptom with analgesic agents (paracetamol, ibuprofen). If he is strong, injections of anesthetic into the detected area, for example, lidocaine, are used.
3. Extension is used to facilitate general condition
4. Use drugs that improve blood flow and lymphatic drainage. And also the means, which establish nutrition and relieve muscle spasms.
5. Assign a massage and pick the right exercises. Magnetotherapy and phonophoresis are well proven in solving this problem.
6. During the pain period, the patient should have complete rest, bed rest

Also appoint consultations of related specialists: neurologist, surgeon, to identify concomitant pathologies. With significant compression of the spinal cord and neural plexuses, surgical intervention by neurosurgeons is required.

Complications

Usually there are claims of a neurological plan. Depending on the level of damage, there will be motor and tactile injuries. In neglected moments, atrophy of different muscle groups may appear.

Untreated arthrosis of the spinecan contribute to the emergence of acute herniated intervertebral discs.

Occasionally, because of the compression of the esophagus by a large osteophyte, dysphagia appears (swallowing disorder).

Very rarely the disease can lead to ischemic stroke, after its transfer, excessive neck extension can become fatal.

Forecast

Favorable, with timely detection of changes in the joint apparatus. Correctly chosen scheme of medical measures will relieve the problem and the accompanying discomfort. Compliance with all prescriptions of the doctor - a pledge of the fastest way out on the amendment and discharge.

Prevention of occurrence

In health-improving purposes, it is recommended to avoid lifting weights, hypothermia. It is required to limit jerky, sharp movements, finding in a monotonous pose, lifting weights.

For several hours a day, you need to wear a supporting orthopedic corset and comfortable shoes. Systematic training with selected exercises will strengthen the body, will improve the body.

Observance of the regime of the day, the definition of a suitable climate will restore mental equilibrium, raise the mood.

Diet

Proper nutrition plays an important role in healing. Limited consumption of salt and spices will restore the water-salt balance. The use of fruits and vegetables, low-fat varieties of meat, fish will increase the level of vitamins in the body. Refusal of fried and smoked food will be able to maintain homeostasis.

A source: http://o-lechenii-sustavov.ru/artroz-pozvonochnika-osobennosti-simptomy-i-lechenie/