Spinal disorders: symptoms, causes and treatment

Definition of spinal disorders

What are spinal disorders?

Spinal disorders are conditions that affect the curvature or position of the spine. The spine consists of 26 bones called vertebrae, which protect and support the spinal cord and nerves.

A number of conditions or injuries can affect the condition of the spine, causing pain and damage that later limits mobility.

When you have abnormalities in the spine, the range of doctors who may be involved in treatment varies widely. Starting from orthopedic surgeons, physiotherapists, psychologists, and other specialists who have knowledge and experience in treating this condition.

How common is this disease?

Spinal disorders are a very common condition that affects children, adults and the elderly. Even so, this crooked spine condition can be avoided by reducing various risk factors. Consult further about this with your doctor.

Types of spinal disorders

There are several types of disorders in the spine, so the treatment that must be done is also different. More completely, the kinds of abnormalities in the spine that are very common are:

Kyphosis

Kyphosis is a spinal disorder that causes the upper back to become excessively rounded forward. As a result, this condition makes your body look slouched. When viewed with imaging tests, the results will show a spine that is bent forward.

This crooked spine can occur at any age. However, it most commonly affects older women. In infants and teenagers, this spinal deformity occurs as a result of a malformation or a pinched spine from time to time.

Lordosis

Lordosis is a spinal disorder that causes excessive curvature of the lower back. This condition is also known as swayback and will make your butt stand out even more.

Children may experience this twisted spine. However, in most cases, the condition will improve over time.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a spinal disorder that curves excessively to the side. Most cases of scoliosis are mild, but the condition can worsen over time as the child gets older.

In severe cases, this crooked spine can be paralyzing and impair lung function because the curvature of the spine can reduce the amount of space in the chest.

One type of scoliosis, levoscoliosis, can cause the spine to bend to the left side of the body to form the letter C.

Spondylosis (spondylosis)

Spondylosis is a degeneration of the spine that affects the joints, bearing bones, and the spine itself. Spondylosis can interfere with the movement of the spine and affect the nerves.

People with advanced age, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking habits are more likely to develop spinal disorder.

In addition, athletes or people who frequently do sports that involve repetitive pressure on the lower back, such as gymnastics, weight lifting, and soccer, are also at higher risk of developing the condition.

Spondylolisthesis (spondylolisthesis)

Spondylolisthesis is the displacement of the spine, that is, the vertebrae from their position due to constant stress fractures. The part of the spine that is commonly affected is the lower back. However, the area of ​​the upper back or the back of the neck can also be affected.

Signs & symptoms of spinal disorders

There are various types of spinal disorders, which can cause different signs and symptoms, including:

• In people who have kyphosis, the back may often be painful. Others feel stiffness in the spine due to its abnormal curvature. Your posture will also change to a slouch.
• People with lordosis have the buttocks that stick out further back and the stomach is more forward. When lying on your back, it will be difficult for your back to stay on the floor. Other accompanying symptoms are pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both legs accompanied by bladder problems.
• Symptoms of scoliosis generally include uneven shoulders and hips, one shoulder blade appears more prominent than the other. If the curve is severe enough, the spine forms an S-making the ribs on one side of the body appear more prominent.
• People with spondylosis generally feel symptoms of tension in the muscles around the spine. This discomfort can spread to the buttocks and hamstrings area. Symptoms get worse with activity.
• Spondylolisthesis causes back pain symptoms accompanied by stiffness and numbness to the legs. People with this condition can also experience kyphosis and lordosis.

When to see a doctor?

If you experience persistent (persistent) back pain and notice changes in your spine, see a doctor immediately. The sooner it is detected and treated, the easier the treatment process will be.

Causes of spinal abnormalities

The causes of spinal disorders are numerous, including:

Certain health problems

The risk of kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis can increase due to health problems, such as:

• Osteoporosis (spinal loss).
• Scheuermann's disease (an accelerated growth condition before puberty).
• Muscular dystrophy (a disease that weakens the muscles)
• Cerebral palsy (a condition that affects the brain and nerves).
• Bone cancer that attacks the spine and undergoes chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment.

Genetic

Some people are born with a spine that is thinner than normal, so they are prone to fractures or fractures and problems with the spine. This is most likely the cause of the scoliosis.

Birth defects

The spine may not develop properly while the child is still in the womb, which can cause the spine to become bent.

Certain injuries and activities

An injured spine, such as a fracture, can cause the bones to slide or bend. In addition, excessive activity that puts a heavy load on the spine continuously can cause disorders of the bones.

Risk factors for spinal disorders

There are several factors that can increase a person's risk of abnormalities in the spine, namely:

• Obesity

Being overweight can put extra strain on the lower back, causing the spine to become bent.

• Bad posture

Improper posture when walking and sitting, such as slouching too much to the right, left, front, or back can increase the risk of spinal problems.

• Family history

One type of spinal disorder, namely scoliosis, can be passed on from parents, although it is quite rare.

• Athlete

People who have a profession like this, can increase the risk of problems in the spine, because they often do activities that put stress on the spine.

Complications from spinal disorders

Some of the complications that can occur due to a crooked spine include:

• Bad appearance

Excessively curved spine can make your posture when standing, walking, sitting become worse. The shoulders and hips also become unbalanced, and one of the ribs protrudes.

• Digestive problems

A crooked spine makes a person more prone to acid reflux and difficulty swallowing.

• Breathing problems

Disorders of the spine can put pressure on the lungs, causing these organs to malfunction.

• Limited bodily functions

The appearance of symptoms on the spine can make it difficult for people to sit, move freely, drive, or even lie down.

Diagnosis and treatment of spinal disorders

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

Reported by UT Southwestern Medical Center, medical tests to diagnose abnormalities in the spine include:

• Physical test

The doctor will ask about the symptoms you are experiencing, look at your and your family's medical history, and check the curvature of your back and the straightness of your waist, shoulders, and ribs.

• Imaging test

Medical tests such as MRI, CT scan, x-rays to view curvature of the spine and detect injuries to muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves.

• Electromyography (EMG)

Electrodiagnostic examination to measure the electrical activity generated by the muscles and nerves. The goal is to see the body's response to stimuli.

What are the ways to treat spinal disorders?

Ways to treat spinal disorders that are generally recommended by doctors are:

• Take pain relievers

Discomfort and pain in the back can be relieved with painkillers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve).

• Take medication for other underlying diseases

If the cause of spinal disorders is due to health problems, such as osteoporosis, for example, the doctor will prescribe medication to prevent bone loss.

• Therapy and physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is needed to increase the ability to move the body and reduce pain symptoms.

Then, there is also therapy in the form of use brace that is, a wire support device to prevent the spine from slipping back or curving more in an unnecessary direction. The use of bracing is a treatment for scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis.

• Operation

Surgery is sometimes needed to prevent complications. The goal of surgery is to restore the displaced spine and restore bony curvature. This operation is called spinal fusion.

Home treatment for spinal disorders

Apart from doctor's medication, lifestyle changes are very important to help treat spinal disorders. You are required to maintain posture when sitting, standing, walking, and even adjusting the sleeping position that the doctor or therapist recommends.

During treatment, you are asked not to smoke and drink alcohol. In addition, ensure adequate nutritional intake and adjust the activities undertaken, especially in choosing the type of exercise.

Prevention of spinal disorders

Although this crooked spine is mostly caused by certain health problems, several causes and risk factors can be avoided, including:

• Always practice good posture

Good posture is very important, including getting used to sitting upright. Avoid sitting too bent forward, backward, or sideways.

• Avoid over activity

It is important to maintain a proper sitting position. In addition, you also have to know the limits of the activities you carry out. For example, don't often lift heavy weights on your back. Take breaks between activities.

• Exercise and stretch

You can prevent spinal stress by resting and doing simple stretching movements. In order to maintain healthy bones, exercise must also be done regularly.