The treatment for osteoarthritis in the spine can be done by taking anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants and pain relievers. Physiotherapy sessions may also be indicated to relieve symptoms and prevent the disease from getting worse, and as a last resort, surgery to remove the parts affected by arthrosis.
The treatment for arthrosis of the lumbar spine, which is the region of the lower back, should be carried out under the guidance of an orthopedist as soon as the first symptoms appear. The treatment for arthrosis in the cervical spine, which is the neck region, is very delicate and the surgery is only performed in very severe cases.
Remedies for spinal arthrosis
Spinal osteoarthritis drugs depend on the stage of the disease and the severity of the symptoms. The following options can be used:
- Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs: help to relieve pain and inflammation such as paracetamol; Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: relieve pain and swelling such as ibuprofen and naproxen; Medicines that prevent worsening of the spine: chondroitin and glucosamine; Anesthetic blocks or infiltrations with corticoids; Application of analgesic and anti-inflammatory ointment: they are applied to reduce pain at the site, such as moment or voltaen.
It is important to note that the time, amount and type of medicine most suitable for treating spinal arthrosis must be defined by the doctor.
Physiotherapy for spinal arthrosis
Physical therapy for spinal arthrosis depends on the symptoms presented and the disease progression. The resources used by the physical therapist include:
- Application of crushed ice wrapped in a damp towel on the spine: it must be done in an initial and acute phase to relieve pain; Application of hot water bags on the spine: can be used in a more advanced and chronic phase to relax the muscles and relieve pain; Use of devices to relieve pain and inflammation: TENS, microcurrents, ultrasound, short waves, laser; Manual therapy: it is done through stretching, pomp and articular mobilization with the objective of improving movements; Strengthening of the muscles of the spine and legs: should be performed gradually, in a phase with little pain, to give more firmness to the joints and so that the symptoms do not get worse; Hydrotherapy and / or swimming: water exercises have many benefits as they relieve symptoms and help reduce weight; Correction of posture: techniques such as Global Postural Reeducation (RPG) and Pilates can be used, aiming to reduce the overload in the spine, improve alignment and strengthen the muscles; Osteopathy: it is a technique that must be performed by a specialized physiotherapist through manipulations of the spine in order to reduce friction between the joints. Not all cases of spinal arthrosis can benefit from this technique.
Physical therapy for spinal arthrosis should always be performed under the guidance of a physical therapist. It can be performed in a physiotherapy clinic daily and at a later stage, when the symptoms are more controlled, it should be done at least 3 times a week.
In addition to physical therapy and taking medication, the patient must adopt some preventive measures so that the wear of the spine does not worsen, such as avoiding carrying weights, always maintaining a correct posture and being at rest whenever there is pain or discomfort in the spine.
Spinal arthrosis surgery
Spinal arthrosis surgery is only indicated as a last resort, when pain is disabling, when neurological involvement is involved and when all existing treatments have been tried without success. The surgery options are:
- Fusion of the affected spine segments: fixation of the vertebrae that cause pain through the use of bone graft, nails or metal screws. This will limit the movements of the affected area and decrease the pain; Artificial disc replacement: it is a more recent technique, performed when there is a herniated disc associated with arthrosis. The disc is replaced by a metallic prosthesis so that the joint maintains movement and reduces pain.
The patient with spinal arthrosis should always try conventional treatments before moving on to any type of surgery as not everyone has indications for operating the spine and there are risks and complications such as nerve damage, nerve roots or spinal cord, risk of infections and greater wear of vertebrae that have not been operated on.
