Spondylosis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Spondylosis Classification and external resources |
|
| ICD-10 | M47. |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 721 |
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (December 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
- Not to be confused with spondylitis, spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis.
Spondylosis is spinal degeneration and deformity of the joint(s) of two or more vertebrae that commonly occurs with aging. Often there is herniation of the nucleus pulposus of one or more intervertebral discs and/or formation of osteophytes.
When the space between two adjacent vertebrae narrows, compression of a nerve root emerging from the spinal cord may result in radiculopathy (sensory system and motor system disturbances, such as severe pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, back, and/or leg, accompanied by muscular weakness). Less commonly, direct pressure on the spinal cord (typically in the cervical spine) may result in global weakness, gait dysfunction, loss of balance, and loss of bowel and/or bladder control. The patient may experience a phenomenon of shocks in hands and legs because of nerves contraction and lack of blood flow. If vertebrae of the neck are involved it is labeled Cervical Spondylosis. Lower back spondylosis is labeled Lumbar Spondylosis.
Contents |
[edit] Treatment
Majority of mild and moderate cases of neck or low back pain can be relieved without the use of drugs or surgery. Chiropractic is fast becoming the most popular, safe, and acceptable treatment of choice. The largest study on how chiropractic care affects the cost of health care was conducted by American Specialty Health Plans Inc. of San Diego who compared four years of claims from two groups: approximately 1 million members with and without chiropractic care. The findings were published in [[1]][1] (Oct. 2004) and [WebMD][2], which confirmed that chiropractic care:
- Cut the cost of treating pain by 28%
- Reduced hospitalizations by 41%
- Reduced back surgeries by 32%
Reduced cost of medical imaging, (X-rays or MRIs), by 37%.
The use of neck collar to keep the affected vertebrae slightly apart to relieve the pressure on the nerves is not usually recommended as it can weaken the muscles supporting the vertebrae and hence exacerbate the problem in the long term.
Injections of the spinal joints can be useful for relief of acute pain for otherwise intractable discomfort. Naturally, any spine injection should be performed by a physician with training in spine injection techniques. These injections should be done with xray assistance (fluoroscopy) to ensure accuracy.[citation needed]
[edit] Surgery
There are many different surgical procedures to correct spinal deformity. The vertebra can be approached by the surgeon from the front, side, or rear. Portions of a disc may be removed. To prevent further dislocation, fusion of two vertebrae may be done by taking pieces of bone from the patient's hip and inserting them between the two vertebrae which are fused together and secured by screws.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Spondylosis - Spinal Arthritis
- Cervical Spondylosis: Diagnosis and Treatment
- Take A Survey On Cervical Spondylosis
