When it comes to the spondylosis definition, it is a condition characterized by wear and tear of the discs in the spine. Research shows that the incidence rate of spondylosis is 25% to 37% of the lower back pain population that is mostly asymptomatic.
In the U.S, about 3% of people aged 20 to 28 years suffer from spondylosis. On the other hand, over 85% of people who are between the age of 40 and 50 years have lumbar spondylosis.
What is Spondylosis?
You already know and understand the spondylosis definition. It is important to know that this spinal condition is a type of arthritis, which occurs when there is wear and tear in the spine. In simple words, the condition occurs when the joints and discs in your spine begin to degenerate.
Also, spondylosis is characterized by bone spurs, which grow the vertebrae. Such changes lead to various impairments, such as defective spinal movements and damages nerves in the spine. The most common type of this disorder is cervical spondylosis, which damages the neck area. Research shows that aging is a common factor is the progression of cervical spondylosis.
Other types of spondylosis are thoracic, lumbar, and multilevel spondylosis. The first one affects the middle area of the spine, the second one affects the lower back, and the third is more severe than the first two because it affects multiple areas of the spine.
What are the Causes of Spondylosis?
The primary function of the spine is to give your body structure and stability. It also supports the weight of your body. The spine protects the main nerves, which run from the central nervous system.
The spine contains 24 bones, which are known as vertebrae. There are joints between these vertebrae that allow the spine to move accurately. These joints are known as facet joints.
Besides, there are intervertebral discs, which are soft tissues that separate the vertebrae. The discs have cartilage endplates and the annulus fibrosus, which surrounds the inner core called the nucleus pulposus.
When you age, your discs become thinner, drier, and harder. They also undergo various changes that affect the cushioning ability, and thus you may feel pain or difficulty moving your spine. That’s the reason older people have higher chances of getting compression fractures than younger individuals.
The spinal bone collapse is the most common cause of the vertebral compression, which occurs with osteoporosis more commonly. As a result, your facet joints will not function properly and cause the wear and tear of their cartilage surfaces.
When there is corrosion of your cartilage, your bones in the spine will rub together and produce friction, which leads to the formation of bone spurs. The loss of cartilage and soft tissues, as well as the formation of bone spurs, will make your spine stiffer. As a result, the friction will increase, and your spinal movement will become less smooth.
What are the Possible Treatments for spondylosis?
Most often, your doctor will prescribe pain medications, such as NSAIDs, to helps relieve inflammation and pain. Low-impact exercises, which include walking and swimming, are also effective in treating the condition. For instance, these exercises will maintain your spinal flexibility and strengthen your spinal muscles.
Physical therapy, massage, back support mechanisms, and rest are other methods that can be used at home to improve the symptoms of spondylolysis. Considering the spondylolysis definition, which is about the wear and tear of the spinal discs, many doctors recommend other lines of treatments, such as acupuncture, electrical stimulation, massage therapy, and chiropractic treatment.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Although conservative treatment options can relieve the symptoms of the disorder, they are permanent. So, the Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas that has qualified surgeons suggest minimally invasive spine surgery. You may need surgery if your pinched nerves are causing weakness, numbness, bladder control, bowel, and nerve damage.
Remember, the minimally invasive surgery for spondylosis primarily depend on the issue and the area where the problem occurs. The affected areas can be identified by our surgeons using X-rays and other imaging technology tools.
The minimally invasive procedure involves removing the intervertebral disc, which presses against the spinal nerves and then fusing the vertebrae using the artificial bone graft material.
The minimally invasive surgery has few risks due to smaller incisions, less blood loss, less damage to the tissues and muscles, and performing the surgery under local anesthesia. Thus, the minimally invasive surgery at MINT has a 98% success rate. From the Spondylosis Definition, the disease results in severe pain, which means it can be treated accurately with MIS surgical methods.
