Fatty degeneration of the vertebrae: what is it, causes, treatment

Fatty degeneration of the vertebrae – of age the process of replacement of hematopoietic tissue of bone marrow to fat. In some cases begins earlier in the background of cancer or infectious diseases, uncontrolled drug therapy. This natural process can cause complications. Among them, osteoporosis, anemia, hormonal disturbance and spinal stenosis. In most cases, specific treatment is not required, but if complications threaten the patient's quality of life can be appointed surgery.

Reasons

The main risk factor is age. Starts to happen the degeneration of tissues, including bone marrow of the spine. It's natural, and if the patient was seventy, it is often the bone marrow is half of fat.

Initiate the process of cell-melody. They are found in the bone marrow and generate all blood cells. From them are formed the muscles and internal organs like the liver.

In some cases, the degeneration occurs much earlier. The cause may be metabolic disorders, malignant tumors and metastasis, infections. Unfortunately, such changes can occur regardless of the age factor.

The accelerated process of "obesity" of the vertebrae can occur due to intake of certain medication. They rank as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This is especially bad given that many suffering from osteoarthritis mainly use it NSAID – a vicious circle of degeneration of the tissues of the back. Also, you can record reduces pressure drugs, cardiac drugs and antibiotics.

How is

When blood circulation and metabolism of the spine, degenerative disc disease remains the only problem. Additional pathology may be fatty degeneration of bone marrow and ligaments, fixing the back. The result of this pathological process could be the spinal stenosis, and further compression of the spinal cord. And if the spinal cord is some kind of mechanical effect, inevitable a whole bunch of severe neurological symptoms. Including partial and full paralysis.

Due to the fact that the vertebral bodies do not have an independent internal nerves and blood vessels, and eating through zamechatelnye plate, the fatty degeneration which begins quickly. In addition to the change of the vertebrae and arteries. Complicated way of nutrients to the vertebrae and disks. This is another reason loses its shock-absorbing properties purposee core.

Low back pain and fatty degeneration lead to reduced space between the vertebrae. To reduce spasms of the vertebral ligaments, the body tries to get rid of the calcium. This leads to such disease as osteoporosis.

Prognosis and complications

Fatty degeneration of the bone marrow leads to the fact that produced bad blood cells. Observed anemia, decreased immunity. Decreases vascular tone. Deteriorating not only the spine but also the entire human body. Tissue of the internal organs begin to "choke" without getting enough oxygen.

Fatty degeneration of the vertebrae can lead to the development of diseases such as:

• Disease Simmond-Sheehan. Usually affects women of middle age. Start hormonal changes, which suffers from a large number of tissues of the body;
• Anemia. Degeneration of the blood cells creating a cell does not go unnoticed;
• Osteoporosis. Too much fat in the bones gives the body to produce collagen. Because of this, the person ceases to properly metabolize calcium, and vertebrae become brittle.

The blood coagulates worse, and as a result of traumatic exposure may be fatal. Especially serious consequences can occur if such a symptom is accompanied by osteoporosis – the osteoporosis. Bones break easily, and if a fracture occurs, may begin non-stop internal bleeding.

Treatment

Used as a conservative therapeutic measures, and surgery. But unfortunately, they are, by and large, only symptomatic. The degeneration of the tissues of the vertebrae due to aging is an irreversible process. But if there are complications, inflammatory processes, compressions fit the followingrecommendations:

• In the acute phase, when constantly plagued by attacks, you need to let the patient rest. Eliminate both mental and physical stress factors;
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac);
• Muscle relaxants to relieve painful muscle spasm (for example, Sirdalud);
• Injection of spinal blockade with procaine;
• Chondro – drugs that help to regenerate the cartilage tissues;
• Physiotherapy (Magnet, Electrophoresis, low-frequency current, Shock-wave therapy);
• Therapeutic physical training (after the end of acute phase);
• Massage, acupuncture.

• See also: Instability of the vertebrae.

Surgical intervention is justified only if there is a narrowing of the spinal canal. Here the work of the surgeon is necessary, because otherwise the patient will experience a loss of sensation and mobility, and possibly paralysis.