Causes and Treatment for Spondylosis

You must of heard of arthritis. It is a degenerative disease of the joints and usually affects the aged. We almost always assume the wear and tear of the knee joint on hearing the term ‘osteoarthritis’. While  knee is indeed the commonest joint to be affected by this debilitating disease, osteoarthritis can affect our spinal joints as well. Spinal arthritis is more commonly known as Spondylosis.

Types- Lumbosacral arthritis is seen when the disease affects the lower part of the spine and is characterized by stiffness and pain in the region. This condition is also known as lower back osteoarthritis. Cervical spondylosis affects the upper region of the spine and causes stiffness of the entire upper body including the arms, head and shoulders. The rubbing of cartilages against each other causes excruciating pain and the patient has difficulty getting up from bed every morning.

Diagnosis- Proper diagnosis can only be made after the patient undergoes extensive blood tests and x-rays. This is done to eliminate the possibilities of other spinal disorders. Detailed medical history of the patient is also analyzed by the doctor before reaching a conclusion.

Treatment- Regular physical exercises are required to maintain the mobility of the body. Back exercises can help to strengthen the back muscles which then tend to support the body to some extent. Pain management can be done by taking common over the counter analgesics. Changes in lifestyle coupled with a healthy diet may help to alleviate the condition. Traditional treatments are often aimed at reducing the symptoms instead of addressing the disease itself. Too much dependence on drugs may lead to drug tolerance as well. Side effects of these highly potent drugs often worsen the condition instead of providing an effective cure. Patients of spondolysis often develop physical deformity  by adopting an incorrect posture. Surgery may be considered as a last resort and is seen as a drastic but somewhat effective solution.