Spondylosis
People often say to me that the GP has diagnosed 'spondylosis'. It's like we have just been told we caught a disease or something that has suddenly come on. I don't find the word spondylosis particularly user friendly. Spondylosis is a latin word, (doctors seem to like latin). 'Spondy' - means spine and 'losis' means wear and tear. Now 'spinal wear and tear' is a much more user friendly term I think, everyone can get their head around this.
Then to make matters worse there are some other conditions that sound very similar but result in different problems.
Spondylitis: Inflammation of one or more vertebrae, such as in ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory arthritis of the spine. This is a very different process than spondylosis because spondylosis is degenerative while spondylitis is inflammatory.
Spondylolisthesis: Forward or backward movement of the vertebrae on the vertebra below it, or on the sacrum. For example, forward spondylolisthesis of L4 on L5 means that the fourth lumbar vertebra has slipped forward on the fifth lumbar vertebra. As a result, the spine is not normally aligned.
Spondylosis deformans: Growth of bone spurs (osteophytes) or bony bridges around a degenerating intervertebral disc in the spine.
Spinal stenosis: Is narrowing of the spinal canal. This narrowing of the spinal canal limits the amount of space for the spinal cord and nerves. Pressure on the spinal cord and nerves due to limited space can cause symptoms such as pain, numbness, and tingling.
Spinal 'Wear and Tear' or spondylosis can be used interchangeably with osteoarthritis. Wear and tear can happen at different rates. At Chiropractic First we can see patient in their 30's with spines that look a 90 year old and visa versa we can see a 90 year old with a spine that looks like a 30 year old. Spinal wear and tear is affected more by how we look after our spine than how old our spine is.
Symptoms of Spondylosis
- About 1/4 of the population with spondylosis don't feel a thing
- Spinal Stiffness and pain
- Headache that may originate in the neck
- Pain in the arms or legs
- Inability to fully turn the head or bend the neck, sometimes interfering with driving
- Grinding noise or sensation when the neck is turned
Our Grimsby Chiropractor is an expert in diagnosis of spinal complaints. Whether it be spondylosis, spondylitis or stenosis. At Chiropractic First we spend time on finding out what is wrong, that way we can give you options on how it can be treated. If you need an appointment with our Chiropractor then call 01472 488082, we would love to hear from you.
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