Spondylarthrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the spinal column, with the development of which changes occur in facet joints. In most cases, spondylarthrosis occurs against the background of osteochondrosis and is only one of the components of pain symptom complex. Changes in a facet joint are gradual. Cartilage tissue begins to wear out, loses its elasticity, ossifies. If the treatment of spondylarthrosis has not been carried out on time, the degenerative process affects the periarticular bone tissue. Stiffness of the joint causes discomfort and pain during movement.
Causes of spondylarthrosis
Spondylarthrosis is a disease that occurs due to congenital and acquired abnormalities in the structure and development of the spinal column. More often, this disease occurs in people with impaired posture. Factors provoking spondylarthrosis are:
Symptoms of spondylarthrosis
The main sign of the development of spondylarthrosis is back pain. The location of pain syndrome depends on in which part of the spine the joints were affected:
Diagnosis and treatment methods
For the investigation, it is needed to carry out:
The treatment of spondylarthrosis is complex, and therapeutic methods are selected individually. At the early stages of development, drug therapy is used, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed for pain relief. To restore the elasticity of the joints and prevent their ossification, a course of therapeutic gymnastics is prescribed.
In later stages, spondylarthrosis is not amenable to medical treatment. Surgical interventions for isolated spondylarthrosis are extremely rare.
In such cases, an option is radiofrequency ablation of the medial branch of the spinal root, which innervates the facet joint. This allows significantly reducing, or eliminating the pain syndrome, thereby improving the quality of life and allow continuing an active lifestyle.
The advantages of this method:
Self-treatment of the disease using traditional medicine methods is excluded.