Spondylosis: symptoms, causes and how to treat it

Definition of spondylosis

What is spondylosis?

Spondylosis is a medical term used to describe the aging process (degeneration) of the spine. Your spine is also called the vertebra.

In the skeletal system and anatomy of the human bones, in each pair of vertebrae there are three joints, namely the intervertebral discs at the front of the spine.

The other two joints are the facet joints which are at the back of the vertebra. This joint is made of cartilage which functions to protect the bones. Then, there are also ligaments around the vertebrae that help support the joints and bones.

As we get older, the bones, discs, cartilage and ligaments will decrease. Bone spurs (abnormal growths of bone) can form, discs dry up and crack, cartilage wears out, and ligaments can thicken.

All these changes in the bone and the area around it are what you know as spondylosis. Spondylosis is divided into several types, including:

Lumbar spondylosis (lumbar)

Degenerative spondylosis affecting the lower spinal discs.

Cervical (cervical) spondylosis

degenerative spondylosis which attacks the spinal discs around the neck. The disc suffers from a lack of water so that it shrinks and osteoarthritis will form, which is indicated by the presence of bone spurs.

Thoracic spondylosis

Degenerative spondylosis that affects the joints in the spine around the chest, such as the intervertebral discs and facet joints (zygapophyseal joints).

How common is this disease?

Spondylosis is a common spinal disorder and can affect anyone. However, this degenerative condition of the spine is more common in the elderly, to be exact, people over 60 years of age.

Signs & symptoms of spondylosis

In the early stages, spinal disorders generally do not cause symptoms. Symptoms usually appear when the condition gets worse. Each type of spondylosis is very likely to show different symptoms.

More specifically, the various signs and symptoms that commonly occur in people with spondylosis are:

• In people with cervical spondylosis, the symptoms are pain and stiffness in the neck. In addition, other symptoms include problems with the bowel and bladder.
• For people affected by thoracic spondylosis, usually they will feel stiffness and pain in the middle back, because the problem is the spine around the chest.
• Lumbar spondylosis sufferers usually experience pain and stiffness around the lower back.

This decline in bone condition can lead to spinal stenosis, which is a condition of narrowing of the tubes in the spine. As a result, the spinal cord and / or spinal cord roots can be compressed.

Other symptoms that may arise

Reporting from The Spine Hospital, if this condition occurs, usually people with spondylosis will also experience symptoms such as:

• Tingling and numbness in the arms, legs, and other areas of the legs.
• The muscles around your arms, shoulders, legs, feet and hands will weaken, making it difficult for you to do normal activities.
• Difficulty in body coordination, such as difficulty adjusting hand and eye movements or difficulty walking.

When to see a doctor?

If you experience the symptoms mentioned above and don't go away after being treated with home remedies, see your doctor right away. The sooner it is handled, of course the conditions will be better.

Causes of spondylosis

The main causes of spondylosis are worn and flattening of the bones, drying out of the discs, and thickening of the ligaments around the spine.

It is important to know that the spine provides structure and supports the body. In addition, this bone also protects almost all the major nerve branches that run from the brain.

The spine helps give the body structure and supports most of its weight. It also carries and protects nearly all of the major nerve branches running from the brain.

As you age, strenuous certain activities, or certain health problems can cause your discs to become dry, thin and lose their capacity. The facet joints between the vertebrae can also wear out, causing their function to be less than optimal.

Cartilage also becomes eroded, resulting in the growth of bone spurs. All of these things can eventually lead to spondylosis.

Spondylosis risk factors

Everyone has a different risk of bone abnormalities. The following are various factors that can increase the risk of spondylosis:

• Are overweight or obese.
• Having a lifestyle that is lazy to move and does not like sports.
• Inheriting certain genetics that make the risk of bone abnormalities greater.
• Have had a spinal cord injury or have had spinal surgery.
• Have a smoking habit.
• Have a job that requires repetitive motion or weight bearing that involves the spine.
• Suffering from psoriasis or mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.
• Getting older.

Complications of spondylosis

These spinal abnormalities can cause complications. The following complications of spondylosis that may occur are:

• Spinal stenosis

A condition of narrowing of the nerve passages in the spine that causes symptoms of numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs.

• Cervical radiculopathy

Changes in the discs or bones in the back that cause a pinched nerve, causing pain, numbness, and hypersensitivity in the back.

• Cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Compressed or squeezed spinal cord, causing pain and numbness in the legs.

• Scoliosis

There is a relationship between this spinal disorder and scoliosis, which is curving the spine to the side so that the spine forms an S or C.

Diagnosis & treatment of spondylosis

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

In addition to a physical exam, your doctor may order certain tests to help diagnose spondylosis. These tests include X-rays and MRIs or blood tests to rule out other diseases.

X-ray

This procedure is one of the best ways to confirm a diagnosis of spondylosis because it can see damage to the bone, bone spurs and cartilage or disc erosion. However, X-rays cannot show initial damage to cartilage.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

To indicate possible damage to the disc or narrowing of the area where the spinal cord ends.

Electromyography

Done to measure the electrical activity in nerves, when sending messages to muscles to contract or rest.

Nerve conduction study

This procedure is performed by attaching electrodes to the skin over the nerve. Small shocks will be sent and pass through the nerve. Then, the doctor will measure the strength and speed of the nerve signals.

Blood test

Done to eliminate other diseases.

What are the treatments for spondylosis?

After a medical examination and diagnosis, the doctor will determine the right spondylosis treatment for you.

Following are the treatments for lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spondylosis are:

Take the medicine your doctor prescribes

Pain, which is a common symptom of this spinal disorder, can usually be relieved by taking the following medicines:

• NSAID drugs: To relieve pain and inflammation in the spine. An example is ibuprofen.
• Corticosteroids: Can relieve back pain that is more severe and is not effectively treated with NSAIDs. For example prednisone, it is usually given as a short-term pill or an injection if it's more severe.
• Muscle relaxants: Can help relieve spasms in the neck muscles or muscles around the lower back. The drug that is usually used is cyclobenzaprine.
• Anti-seizure drugs: Useful to reduce pain in damaged nerves. The drugs in this class that are usually prescribed are gabapentin (Neurontin, Horizant) and pregabalin (Lyrica).
• Antidepressants: Certain antidepressants can help relieve pain in the neck or lower back.

You can get some of the above drugs either without or with a prescription from a doctor. If the drug you are currently using is not effective enough, consult your doctor further to consider increasing the dose or changing the type of drug.

Attending therapy

In addition to taking medication, treatment for lumbar, cervical, or thoracic spondylosis can also be done by following therapy. Its purpose is to help stretch and strengthen the muscles around the neck, shoulders and spine.

Examples of stretches that can safely be performed by a patient with spondylosis under the supervision of a therapist are:

• Lumbar Spine Rotations : Position your body lying on your back with your knees bent and your feet touching the ground. Then, put your hands at your sides. Push your knees to the left and right, keeping your upper body straight. Do this movement repeatedly.
• Knee to Chest: Position your body to sleep on your back and slowly raise one leg to your chest with your knees bent. Hold this position for 30 seconds, then, bring your feet back to the floor and straight forward. Repeat this exercise with the knee of the other leg.

Underwent surgery

If the above treatments do not show effective results in treating spondylosis, your doctor may recommend surgical surgery. Especially if there has been great pressure on the spinal cord or spinal cord roots.

The types of surgery that are usually performed as a treatment for spondylosis are:

• Dysectomy to remove a herniated disc, which is a cartilage disc from the spine that protrudes and clamps the nerve.
• Laminectomy to remove bone spurs or remove parts of the spine called the lamina.
• Laminoplasty to open up nerve tissue space by changing the position of the lamina.
• Spinal fusions hold segments of the spine together using bone transplanted with or without instruments, such as rods and screws.

Home remedies for spondylosis

Apart from doctor's treatment, there are several home remedies that you can do to help reduce the symptoms of spondylosis, namely:

• Perform physical exercise recommended by your doctor on a regular basis.
• Apply hot water or ice to the affected back. Avoid applying the compress for more than 15 minutes to prevent skin problems.
• Adjust daily activities with body conditions. Avoid jobs where you have to lift heavy objects on your back.

Prevention of spondylosis

There is no way to completely prevent spondylosis because generally this damage is normal due to aging that causes wear and tear on the joints and spine.

However, if you have a job that requires looking up, down, or making your posture unusual, try taking more frequent breaks. Perform stretching and strengthening movements that can keep your spine healthy.