Spine Care – No More Spondy “Losis, Lysis, Litis, and Listhesis”

The human spine is the backbone of human existence and is essential for posture and mobility. In this fast-paced world, we have to cast pressure and stress on our spine to meet our daily tasks. Because of this, a significant number of people experience spine-related issues.

This can also impact your quality of life and cause pain and discomfort in the human body. This can not only affect the quality of life in a bad way but also lead to a huge array of physical limitations. Conditions like Spondylosis, Spondylolysis, Spondylitis, and Spondylolisthesis are becoming common day by day.

That is why it is important for you to know what these conditions are and when you should contact your doctor. Other than this, we will also guide you about some precautionary measures that will minimise the risks of developing these conditions.


Anatomy of Spine

The anatomy of the spine is quite complicated, but don’t panic, because we won’t be getting into the complexities. The basic anatomy of the spine which everyone should know is given here:

  • The spine has 4 sections including cervical, thorax, lumbar, and sacral
  • There are 33 bones in the vertebral column known as vertebrae.
  • These bones are separated from each other with the discs known as intervertebral discs.
  • The outer ring of vertebrae is called the annulus, and the inside gel-filled centre is termed as nucleus pulposus.
  • The vertebrae consist of the vertebral arch, vertebral body, vertebral canal, spinous process, transverse process, pedicles, lamina, and articular processes.
  • The ligaments in the spine are the supraspinous ligament, interspinal ligament, ligamentum flavum, posterior longitudinal ligament, and anterior longitudinal ligament.
  • The vertebral column protects the spinal cord, supports body weight, and assists in movements.

What is Spondylosis

The word “Spondy” means “Spine” and “Losis” means “Problem.” It is also known as the osteoarthritis of the spine. Spondylosis is usually developed with age and is commonly seen in the upper and lowest sections which are the neck and lower back. This condition is quite difficult to pinpoint and frequently diagnosed as spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease.

People who smoke or have a family history of spondylosis are at risk of developing this condition. The pain of Spondylosis often radiates for example, if you have this condition in your lower back, then you will feel its pain in your thighs and legs also. One can diagnose Spondylosis with the help of an MRI or X-ray.

  • Treatment and Prevention

The treatment of Spondylosis depends on the affected area and symptoms. Yet, physical therapy, epidural injections, and oral medications are often prescribed.

Other than this, you can prevent spinal cord injuries with the help of support products. Back support such as a lower back support belt with adjustable straps to manage spine injury is a great option. Moreover, try to do strengthening exercises in routine and restrict unwanted movements.

What is Spondylolysis

A thin bone that helps in joining two vertebrae together is known as Pars Interarticularis. If it got fractured because of stress or compression, then this condition is termed Spondylolysis. Continuous compression or repeated stress can lead to this condition. It doesn’t have particular symptoms other than back pain which can get worse with activities.

Overuse of vertebrae or hyperextension are some risk factors of Spondylolysis. X-ray or CT scan can help in diagnosing it. for a definitive diagnosis, you can opt for a nuclear medicine bone scan with SPECT.

  • Treatment and Prevention

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy, or lumbar brace can be effective in treating Spondylolysis. Other than this, you can also trust a lumbar brace such as a back and hip support brace for pain relief to avoid risks of Spondylolysis. 

What is Spondylitis

Spondylitis or Ankylosing Spondylitis is a type of spine arthritis. Because of this, one can experience inflammation in the anatomical structures of the spine such as joints or ligaments. It can also lead to the fusion of vertebrae which results in a stiffer or rigid spine.

Both environmental and genetic factors such as HLA-B27 have risks of developing Spondylitis. People having Spondylitis can also develop uveitis or inflammatory bowel disease. Difficulty with deep breathing, vision changes, stiffness or fatigue can be common symptoms of Spondylitis.

  • Treatment and Prevention

NSAIDs, physiotherapy such as spinal manipulation, and breathing exercises can be effective in treating Spondylitis. You may also need a lumbar brace that can support the lower spine and improve blood circulation. Abdominal and lumbar belts for comfort and pain relief may be a good choice for people with Spondylitis.

What is Spondylolisthesis

The displacement of vertebrae in which one bone slides out from a normal position and slides on the bones below is called Spondylolisthesis. The displacement mostly occurs because of fractures or breaks. There are multiple types of Spondylolisthesis such as dysplastic, pathological, traumatic, or degenerative.

Changes in sensations, damage of spinal nerve roots, chronic back pain, or weakness of lower limbs are some of its complications. The symptoms of this condition include muscle tightness, semi-kyphotic curve, tenderness, and stiffness. X-rays and MRI can be trusted to diagnose Spondylolisthesis.

  • Treatment and Prevention

Physical therapy, epidural injection, and NSAIDs can help in treating this condition. To maintain the stability of the lumbar spine and provide optimal comfort, you can opt for medically proven lumbar braces. Lower back self-heating magnetic belts can protect and support this painful condition.

Concluding Remarks

In this fast-paced world, no one has enough time to rest their spine for an extended period. Because of this, the number of spinal conditions is increasing drastically. The common spinal conditions include Spondylosis, Spondylolysis, Spondylitis, and Spondylolisthesis. Differentiating these conditions can be quite hard, that is why we have described all these conditions along with their prevention and treatment above.

It is important to know about the condition in order to treat or prevent it. You can take assistance from the above article for better understanding and can also learn about the braces that will help you in preventing spinal conditions.

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