Spinal osteoarthritis, known as spinal osteoarthritis or spondilarthrosis, is the wear and tear of cartilage in the joints of the spine, which causes symptoms such as pain and difficulty moving the back, and can be caused by both age changes and genetic changes.make false movements with your back.
The symptomatology of osteoarthritis is different in each person, with intensities ranging from mild to high, and may even lead to limitations for daily and work activities, so in some cases osteoarthritis can be an indication of absence from work or retirement., but this rarely happens, because when the person is doing the treatment correctly, the symptoms are usually well controlled.
- Wear can occur in any area of the spine.
- Being more common in the lumbar and cervical regions.
- And although there is no cure.
- Treatment can greatly improve the symptoms and quality of life of the person.
- Including the use of painkillers.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs.
- As well as surgical options for cases of difficult improvement.
Cartilage is important for cushioning impact and reducing friction between the ends of bones and, in case of osteoarthritis, symptoms such as:
In an attempt to regain bone wear on the part of the body, small spikes can also form in its limbs, called parrot beaks, that pinch or tighten the nerves that run through the area, such as sciatica, and cause a lot of pain.
In addition, compression of cartilage discs in the spine, called intervertebral discs, can cause them to swell and exit the spine, resulting in a herniated disk.Watch the video below and learn all about herniated disk:
Diagnosis of spinal osteoarthritis is made from your doctor’s symptoms and physical examination, as well as imaging tests such as spinal x-ray.
In some cases, an MRI of the spine may be needed to identify changes such as herniated disk or minor deformities not visible on the x-ray.
Spinal osteoarthritis has genetic and hereditary influences, however, there is an increased risk of developing changes by:
Therefore, it is very important that the practice of physical activity is guided by a professional, and that the repetitive movements or efforts made in the work are carried out with the maintenance of a correct posture, avoiding the development of osteoarthritis.spine and how to avoid them.
Spondilarthrosis is incurable, but proper treatment is very important to eliminate symptoms and improve a person’s quality of life, with medications such as:
These treatments can be done during periods of onset of symptoms, or they can be done throughout life, for people with persistent symptoms, and should be guided by the GP, orthopedist or rheumatologist.
Spine surgeries are only indicated by the orthopedist or neurosurgeon in certain cases, where there has been no improvement in symptomatology with previous treatments, for its even minimal risk of complications, such as bleeding, infections or spinal injuries.
These surgeries consist of radiofrequency surgery, conventional or minimally invasive, designed to correct deformities, reduce symptoms and allow the person with this disease to lead a life with minimal limitations.Find out what care you need after spine surgery.
Physical therapy is a very important treatment for people with osteoarthritis of the spine, as the exercises and manipulations performed by the physical therapist help reduce inflammation, align the joints and strengthen the muscles, so that there is less overload and pain in the spine.
Physical activity is also important for toning muscles and maintaining joint stability, and the best types of exercise are swimming and aquagym, as activities in water work muscles with the least impact on joints.Find out how physical therapy is done for osteoarthritis.