ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Spondylosis

What is Spondylosis?

21:56 - 4 May , 2021

Disease

It is a condition related to any degeneration of the spine characterized by the wear of the discs located between the spinal vertebrae, whose loss of volume produces intense pain that can even incapacitate the patient. 

It is more common in men between 45 and 70 years old, affecting different areas of the spine: 

  • Neck (cervical).
  • Middle back (thoracic).
  • Lower back (lumbar). 

Signs and symptoms Spondylosis

  • Severe pain, stiffness in the head, neck, or back.
  • Immobility of the affected area.
  • Muscle spasms.
  • Numb limbs.
  • Dizziness.
  • Urinary incontinence.

Potential causes and risks:

Most of the cases are caused by aging and natural wear and tear of the spine. However, there are certain factors that directly affect the development of this condition, such as:

  • Blows or traumatic injuries to the spine.
  • Wrong postures.
  • Genetic predisposition.
  • Sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition.
  • Overweight and obesity.
  • Smoking.

Prevention:

  • Maintain a correct sitting or standing posture. 
  • Avoid lifting heavy objects.
  • Quit smoking and drinking alcohol.
  • Keep a healthy weight.
  • Exercise regularly.

Diagnosis and treatment Spondylosis

Once a physical examination has been performed and your medical history has been analyzed, imaging studies such as X-rays, MRI, or computed axial tomography will be requested to identify the degree of wear of the discs involved.

Physical therapy, massage, chiropractic, and osteopathy sessions will be prescribed, as well as painkillers and anti-inflammatories to control pain and avoid permanent injury to the spinal cord and nerves.

In more severe cases, where there is no notable improvement with the treatments described, and movement is more limited each time, the pain is stronger or there is partial or total loss of sensitivity, it will be necessary to perform surgery to correct the problem.

At the Orthopedics and Traumatology Center we seek to improve the lives of patients restricted or immobilized by musculoskeletal disorders or injuries. We specialize in the care of the locomotor system by integrating the latest medical, biological, and technological advances, in strict adherence to the highest international standards of patient care.

We put our skills and knowledge at your service to provide you and your loved ones with cutting-edge treatments and highly specialized medical care in the following procedures:

  • Arthroscopic surgery.
  • Partial and total joint replacement surgery (prostheses).
  • Trauma surgery.
  • Hand surgery. 
  • Foot and ankle surgery.
  • Spinal surgery.

We treat injuries such as:

  • Dislocation.
  • Chronic bone and joint diseases.
  • Ligaments.
  • Spinal diseases.
  • Joint replacements.

Fuentes:

  • mayoclinic.org.
  • neurorgs.net
  • medilineplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Vidal JE, Aneiro AC, Álvarez AA, et al. Discectomía, artrodesis intersomática y estabilización en mielopatía espondilótica cervical. Presentación de un caso. Rev Méd Electrón. 2019;41(4):1012-1019.
  • Martínez AJJ, Muñoz RI, Collado CMÁ, et al. Valor de la monitorización neurofisiológica operatoria en cirugía para espondilosis lumbar. An Med Asoc Med Hosp ABC. 2016;61(2):98-104.
  • Andrade CMJ, Gavilánes CMC. Espondilosis cervical. El rol de la prevención secundaria en la aparición de la mielopatía cervical espondilótica. Rev Cub de Reu. 2015;17(1):79-84.
  • Ramírez GR, Ramírez MJJ, Sánchez LM, et al. El balance sagital en la columna lumbar degenerativa. Ortho-tips. 2015;11(3):126-133.

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