Degeneration of the spine

Spondylosis is a degenerative disease of the spine (that is, involving the gradual destruction of tissue and disruption of its function).The main changes involve the intervertebral disc (an elastic mass located between the vertebrae and a kind of shock absorber that helps smooth out shocks and vibrations of the vertebrae relative to each other when walking).With osteoarthritis, the intervertebral discs become callused, hardened and often protrude into the spinal canal, where they can press on the spinal cord or its roots, causing corresponding complaints (pain in the arms and legs, back, skin numbness in the limbs).

Symptoms of degenerative spine disease

• Back and neck pain: especially in the evening, after physical activity.
• Feeling of tension and pain in each muscle in the back.
• Numbness of the skin in the arms or legs (fingertips or as a separate band on the skin).
• Weakness in the muscles of the arms or legs.
• Atrophy (thinning) of the muscles in the arms and legs.
• Dizziness, headache: when the vertebral artery supplying blood to the brain is compressed between the cervical vertebrae.

Form

• Depending on which part of the spine the greatest changes are localized, the following forms of spondylolisthesis are distinguished:
  • cervical spine degeneration;
  • osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine;
  • Osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine.
• Depending on the structural changes that occur in the intervertebral disc (elastic formations located between the vertebrae), the following stages of spondylosis are distinguished:
  • Stage 1: intradiscal movement of the disc core (densely formed in its center) to the edge;
  • Stage 2: cracks appear in the fibrous annulus of the intervertebral disc (including connective tissue) and instability of the spine (excessive mobility);
  • Stage 3: the disc completely ruptures and prolapses as a herniation into the spinal canal, possibly compressing the spinal roots;
  • Stage 4: gross changes not only in the intervertebral discs, but also in the surrounding tissues (overgrowth of bone tissue, strong pathological fixation of the vertebrae to each other).

Reason

• Excessive stress on the spine:
  • occupational hazards: lifting heavy objects (for example, for excavators), long-term work in a static position (immobility);
  • excess body weight, which increases the load on the spine;
  • lifting objects that are too large (excessively heavy).
• Spinal injuries: broken vertebrae, torn ligaments.
• Genetic causes: tendency to gradually break down the nutrition of the vertebra and its surrounding tissues (ligaments, intervertebral discs).

Diagnose

• Complaint analysis and medical history:
  • How long ago did you first experience back pain, numbness in your fingers and toes, and other symptoms?
  • whether work or household activities involve lifting heavy objects, maintaining an immobile position of the back and neck for long periods of time (sitting at a desk, etc.).
• Neurological examination: look for signs of neurological disorders (decreased sensitivity in the arms or legs, scoliosis, pain when touching the back and neck muscles).
• X-ray of the spine: this method allows you to study the structure of the spine in one or more planes, detect thinning of the intervertebral discs (elastic formations located between the vertebrae), their protrusion towards the spinal canal, as well as marginal growth of spinal bone tissue (osteoporosis), which is also a consequence of malnutrition of the spine and can damage the spinal roots, causing pain and sensitivity disorders.
• CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the spine in the cervical and spinal region: allows studying each layer of the structure of the spine and surrounding tissues (discs, ligaments) and detecting the thinning of the discs, the presence and size of protrusions (herniations) of the discs from the spaces between the vertebrae.

Treatment of spondylosis

• Limit the load on the spine (do not lift heavy objects).
• Properly distribute the load on the spine: for example, carry a bag not with one hand, but with both, this makes the load more even.
• Massage the back and neck area.
• Physiotherapy: a set of exercises that help strengthen the spinal muscles.
• Swimming.
• Acupuncture: affects the process of local tissue destruction of the intervertebral disc by injecting it with a special small needle.
• Analgesic.
• Medicines that reduce muscle tension (muscle relaxants).
• For advanced processes (herniation due to spinal root compression), treatment is surgical (removal of the disc, immobilization of the affected part of the spine).

Complications and consequences

• Chronic back pain.
• Paralysis (weakness in arms or legs).
• Poor cerebral circulation (when the vertebral artery supplying blood to the brain is compressed between the cervical vertebrae).

Preventing bone degeneration of the spine

• Light working regime: lift moderate weights, refuse to lift excessively heavy objects, periodically change physical and mental labor (to "stretch" the spine).
• Active entertainment.
• Exercise, morning exercise: daily perform simple exercises related to the spine (rotate the body, bend slightly).