1 Spondylosis Hospitals In San Francisco, California

Spondylosis (click for worldwide facilities list): Arthritis is inflammation of a joint - the point where two or more bones meet. There are more than 100 different diseases that are classified as arthritis - all of which may cause pain, swelling, and limited movement in joints and connective tissues in the body.

Spondylosis may be referred to as spinal arthritis or spinal osteoarthritis is a degenerative disorder that may cause loss of normal spinal structure and function. Although aging is the primary cause, the location and rate of degeneration is individual. The degenerative process of spondylosis may affect the cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back), or lumbar (low back) regions of the spine. Spondylosis symptoms can range from mild to severe and may become chronic or even disabling depending on where your spine is affected.

The symptoms may include one or more of the following: back pain that comes and goes, spinal stiffness in the morning such as after getting out of bed or after activity, pain, tenderness or numbness in the neck, lower back pain that runs down into the buttocks, thighs, or pelvic area, sciatica, pain or tenderness in the shoulders, hips, knees or heels, a crunching feeling or sound of bone rubbing on bone, weakness, tingling, or numbness in legs or arms, limited range of motion, difficulty bending or walking, or spinal deformity.

Since the symptoms of arthritis, especially in the spine, are similar to other spinal conditions, it is important for your doctor to rule out other, possibly more serious problems. In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for arthritis may include the following:
blood tests and other laboratory tests, as well as x-rays or other imaging procedures.

The goal of treatment for Spondylosis is to relieve pain and prevent permanent injury to the spinal cord and nerves.
Treatments may include conservative treatments such as: non-prescription medications, prescription medications, physical therapy and exercise. Other therapies might include: heat therapy, cold therapy, water therapy, massage, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), and the use of braces or assistive devices to help support the back and/or relieve pain.

Alternative Treatments to find relief for the chronic pain of spinal arititis include: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), yoga, relaxation therapy, and life style modification such as losing weight, establishing a regular (daily) exercise program, eating well-balanced and nutritional meals, and reducing or removing stress in your life.

For more severe cases, nonsurgical treatment may include: hospitalization with bed rest and traction, taking muscle relaxants, and injecting corticosteroid medications into the joints between the vertebrae (facet joints).

If conservative treatment fails or if your neurological signs and symptoms, such as weakness in your arms or legs, are getting worse, you may need surgery. The surgical procedure will depend on your underlying condition, such as bone spurs or spinal stenosis. The most common surgical options include:
Frontal approach (anterior): The operation, called a corpectomy relieves pressure on your spinal cord from bone or from multiple disk protrusions by removing two disks and the bone between them.
Laminoplasty, an alternative to laminectomy for cervical spondylosis, involves cutting and moving pieces of vertebrae to make more room for the spinal cord. Although laminoplasty takes longer, it is less likely to leave the neck unstable.

Back approach (posterior): The operation, called a laminectomy, removes the back part of the bone over the spinal canal through an incision in the back of your neck.
Arthroscopic Laser Cervical Decompression-Posterior Approach is also done from the back of the patient's neck to remove bone spurs and enlarged ligaments that are compressing the spinal cord and nerves leading to the arms.

Although there is no cure for Spondylosis, staying in shape is very important because a healthy body is generally less prone to the degenerative processes.

http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article66.html
http://nyp.org/health/arthritis.html


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cervical-spondylosis/DS00697

Also known as: Spinal Arthritis / Spinal Osteoarthritis