Osteophytes of the spine: what is it, causes, symptoms, treatment

Osteophytes of the spine – a kind of overgrowth of bone tissue. Most people encounter back problems, accompanied by pain syndromes. Perhaps, pain in the back can be caused by the appearance of osteophytes.

What is it?

Ideally, the spine is straight as an arrow, the structure and if, when holding a hand from the cervical to lumbar, palpated any protrusions, then it is likely osteophytes (one of the beginning stages of a serious disease – spondylosis).

Osteophytes of the spine have different shapes: they can be in the form of hooks, spikes, and so on.

The causes can be completely different. It is worth considering that treatment of osteophytes always takes a long time, so you need to worry about prevention of this disease. Growths in the spine is a beacon of characterizing changes in the spine. The occurrence of osteophytes susceptible, usually people older than 56 years. But the spikes on the spine and appear young. It should be noted that the growths are unable to knit. But in exceptional cases there may be jumpers.

As formed

All healthy vertebrae situated at a certain distance, but under different processes, the space is reduced. They are filled with various growths, as protrusion, herniation, and so on. Any change in disc space caused by disc displacement that threatens the loss of the restraint properties of the vertebra. Pathological processes may be involved in any uncertain effects of external factors that can cause inflammation and sprains. The result can be changed the edges of the vertebrae, taking the form of spikes (increasing to the outside) and hooks (the increase in the internal).

Types of growths:

• Front. Rarely cause pain. Formed on the front portions of the vertebrae;
• Back – causes severe sharp pain, as mechanically compress the nerve endings. Formed on the posterior portions of the vertebral bodies;
• Anterolateral growth of bone superficially similar to the form of birds. Occur in vertebrae most susceptible to pressure. Also occur in the form of growths, colliding with each other.
• Posterolateral – formed, usually in the cervical spine. Cause brain damage back.

Reasons

Irregularities in the spinal division can be observed in almost all people of pension age, from 60 years. The disease may appear as a result of adverse changes in the condition of the spine, which begins to develop in adolescence. The main cause of the strain supraspinous tissue, which begins to emerge in the friction between vertebral discs, joints in which cartilage has worn off the coating.

The disease can have such factors as:

• Excess weight increases the load on the spine
• Regular back strain;
• Changes posture;
• Genetic predisposition;
• The presence of flat, resting on the entire sole of the foot, without digging
• Failures in the endocrine system;
• Neoplasms in the form of lumps and growths on the spine;
• Previous injuries of the spine;
• Inflammatory processes in the hard tissues;
• Integrated development of degenerative disorders in the cartilage of the joints.

Symptoms

In each spine, the symptoms of the disease may vary slightly. Therefore, we consider each segment of the spine separately.

Cervical

Has a specific structure, as well as the most sensitive to any violations that occur. If it fails, a shift in the discs and compression of the nerve roots. The displacement of the vertebrae also entails compression of blood vessels. This factor can provoke obstruction in the brain's blood supply.

With the formation of osteophytes in the cervical spine can appear:

• Dizziness, loss of coordination of movements;
• Pain in the back of your head, accompanied by a return inhands;
• Noise in the ears;
• Restriction of movement and pain when turning the head;
• Possible partial loss of vision.

If the patient can not endure the pain or he had a feeling of nausea, any vomiting, then you need to go urgently to a specialist.

Thoracic

Osteophytes of the thoracic spine is characterized by the absence of any symptoms due to immobility of the vertebrae of the Department. The abuses in this Department is very dangerous because the patient may not even know about the disease, up to complete paralysis in the spine. In this Department may appear marginal osteophytes of the vertebral bodies.

Lumbar

Symptoms the appearance of osteophytes in the lumbar spine are:

• Aching pain in the lower back is produced when walking or long stay in a standing position;
• Lower back pain shooting thigh;
• A feeling of numbness in the extremities;
• The appearance of the hands and feet tingling.

Less common symptoms of occurrence of osteophytes is a disturbance in the bladder and gastrointestinal tract.

• Suggest to read: how to treat osteophytes of the lumbar spine.

Diagnosis

In advanced stages of osteophytes, they can be detected using feeling with your fingers. The doctor can easily to determine by touch hills (spikes in the spine), and bumps (kliuchky). If the stage of the disease early, and by palpation to determine the disease cannot, use such methods of diagnostics as:

• Imaging by magnetic resonance;
• X – ray examination on the basis of penetration of x-rays through the body;
• Tomography with use of computer technology.

See also: Kyphosis of the spine.

The most detailed picture, reflecting changes in the bone tissue of the vertebrae give computed tomography and magnetic resonance method.

The application of these methods allows you to see the condition of the brain back and the condition of the nerve roots and determine method of treatment :medication, physiotherapy or need an operation.

Treatment

To deal with osteophytes of the spine impossible. You can only ease the pain by using drugs. They aim to reduce swelling and inflammation. Also use drugs to relax muscle tissue as well as agrawala funds. After the pain, start the healing fizkulture and massage. Physical activity normalizes the activity of the muscles, accelerates blood on the spine, which has beneficial effects on the body.

In some forms of the disease, your doctor may prescribe girudoterapii (this method involves the use of leeches).

During exacerbation of pain relies on bed rest, which means that all physical loads are excluded. In particularly difficult stages surgical intervention is required. But it does not cure osteophytes of the spine completely, and simply removed the extra growth. In this case, there will be a sharp pain.

Prevention

To reduce the possibility of osteophytes should:

• Exercise regularly, to strengthen a muscular corset;
• To sit on a proper diet, eat only healthy foods;
• Constantly monitor the condition of a bearing;
• Avoid sleeping on a high, hard pillows;
• In sedentary work every hour to do exercises for the back and neck.

Osteophytes – a disease of the risk caused by changes in the structure mejpozvonkovi space. Diagnosis is made by palpation, if the disease started. It is worth remembering that in the thoracic spine no symptoms, so it is sometimes necessary to diagnose. To cure this disease is impossible. But you can avoid the possibility of its occurrence, adhering to preventive guidelines. And most importantly, what to avoid – self.