This is an automatically translated article.
The article is professionally consulted by Associate Professor, Doctor, Doctor Luu Hong Hai - Head of General Surgery Department, Vinmec Hai Phong International Hospital.
Over time and age, the vertebrae gradually degenerate causing spina bifida. This is a common disease in the elderly, but with today's busy life, the trend of the disease is gradually being "rejuvenated". So, is spinal stenosis curable and how does it affect the patient's life?
1. What is spina bifida?
Spina bifida, also known as degenerative spondylolisthesis, in which there is the formation of bony growths (bone spurs) on the outside and sides of the spine. This is the extra growth of bone on the vertebrae, cartilage discs, ligaments around the joints due to spinal arthritis, trauma or calcium deposition in the ligaments and tendons at the vertebrae.
Spina bifida can appear at many locations on the body's spine. Usually the most common diseases are cervical spine and lumbar spine.
If not detected and treated early, spina bifida will greatly affect the quality of life, causing discomfort to the patient, pain in the lumbar region, shoulder or neck pain due to thorns pressing on nerves. menstrual cramps, pain can radiate down the arm, numbness in the limbs, even limiting movement.
Therefore, when there are symptoms of spina bifida, patients should quickly go to medical facilities for examination and treatment according to the doctor's protocol.
2. Symptoms of spina bifida
Spina bifida has unclear symptoms, which are difficult to recognize. Patients only know they have spondylolisthesis when the disease has progressed for a long time and has unpleasant pain to go to the doctor or accidentally when going to the hospital for a general examination. Common symptoms are shoulder pain, low back pain, numbness in the limbs... Can include common symptoms such as:
Appears sharp pain in the neck or lower back: Initially, it will be just symptoms. present stiffness, stiffness and fatigue of the back and neck spine. Later, the area with spine spines is more painful, even painful. Especially when the patient is active such as walking or standing. Pain increases with activity and decreases with rest. Pain spreading to the extremities: In severe cases of cervical vertebrae, the pain can spread to the shoulder and even radiate through the hands. In the case of vertebrae, it causes pain in the back, and pain along the legs. Numbness, loss of sensation in the extremities: When spines are affected, muscles also gradually weaken due to the compression of bone spurs with nerves, especially in hands and feet. Disorders, nerve compression: The patient has symptoms such as low blood pressure, increased sweating, imbalance, difficulty breathing... Loss of control of the urinary tract and/or defecation: These are the symptoms. present when the disease is in an advanced stage. The cause is that the canal has been narrowed, the patient cannot control his bowel movements, urinating, or even urinating on his own. In addition, patients with spina bifida also have other symptoms such as: Loss of sensation in the spine with bone spurs, body fatigue, difficulty in movement, weight loss...
3. Causes of spina bifida
The cause of spina bifida is also due to the adaptation of the spine to the damage or degeneration of the joints. Specifically, when the joints are injured like inflammation, making the spine no longer stable. The body will adapt by growing bone spurs or bone spurs to surround that spinal joint for protection. It is this process that creates spine spines.
Or have to lift heavy objects, the movements of walking, walking, exercising, sitting, studying, sleeping ... in the wrong position, it is easy to cause damage to the spine
The following are the most common disease-causing factors:
Age: Along with the aging of the body, the degeneration of the spine over time is also an explanation for the fact that spina bifida is common in the elderly. Living habits: Or having to lift heavy objects, the movements of walking, standing, exercising, studying, sleeping ... in the wrong position, it is easy to cause damage to the spine. Injuries to the spine: Accidents and injuries such as traffic accidents... cause damage to the cartilage of the joints. Calcium deposition: Common in the elderly due to the degeneration of the vertebrae. Chronic spondylitis: The inflammatory process causes abnormalities in the cartilage of the spine. That creates damage that makes movement difficult. At this point, the body will self-correct to overcome the above phenomenon, but the result of the correction process is the formation of bone spurs. Other causes: People who are overweight, exercise vigorously, smoke, drink alcohol and take other stimulants... increase the risk of spina bifida.
4. Can spina bifida be cured?
Spinal stenosis not only causes pain but also directly affects the patient's quality of life. So can spine disease be cured?
Like other musculoskeletal conditions, spina bifida cannot be completely cured. All treatments aim to relieve symptoms as well as limit the growth of bone spurs. To treat spina bifida, patients need to combine many different measures such as using western medicine in combination with oriental medicine, physical therapy methods, and exercise to treat the symptoms of the disease. spine spines.
Western medicine This is considered a conservative treatment for people with spina bifida. With symptoms such as pain, numbness in the hands and feet, discomfort... the use of pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs will give good results. These can include: Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Corticoid group, Vitamin B group (B1, B2, B6...) However, it is necessary to absolutely follow the instructions of the doctor to avoid unwanted effects. caused by drugs.
Folk remedies Beside the treatment of spondylolisthesis with western medicine. Patients can choose benign male remedies with close and easy-to-process herbs that you can apply right at home.
Proper rest Overwork, often having to lift heavy loads, not only damage cartilage joints but also make the disease worse. So give yourself some time to rest properly.
Rehabilitation Exercise is a safe method of impact, helping to stretch the spine, clear meridians and effectively relieve pain. This modality helps restore flexibility and strength to the neck and back, relieves pain and numbness of the extremities, improves posture, and can reduce pressure on nerves.
Surgery is indicated in case there is pressure on the spinal cord, narrowing the canal or compressing the nerve, causing signs of pain, numbness in the legs, arms, and bowel disorders. Surgical removal of spine spines is the method of choice when the above treatments do not bring effective treatment.
However, when surgically removing bone spurs, after a while, bone spurs may reappear in the same position, because bone spur formation is a natural response process of the body to this reaction. inflammatory response.
Periodic health check-up is the best way to detect early bad progress of spina bifida in particular, as well as health diseases in general, thereby taking appropriate treatment measures, helping you to protect yourself. his best health!
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