The narrowing of the nerve channels as a result of the deterioration of the discs between the vertebrae located on the spine system, which allows the body to stand upright, is called spondylosis.

What is Spondylosis?

There are 33 vertebrae located on the body spine system and discs that give flexibility to each of these vertebrae. Generally, due to aging, deterioration or abrasions occur on these discs. As a result of these abrasions, the nerve channels between the vertebrae narrow and cause pressure on the nerve roots. These deteriorations on the spinal system are called spondylosis or calcification. 

In Which Regions Does Spondylosis Occur?

Spondylosis is a disorder that occurs as a result of deterioration and abrasions on the spine, and it affects the patient's quality of life negatively by being observed in two different regions. It has been determined that spondylosis is generally encountered in advanced ages, and various external factors trigger this disease, increasing its incidence especially after the age of 30.

Spondylosis is seen as a result of disc and joint abrasions on two different spinal regions, the waist and neck. Neck calcification, called cervical spondylosis, occurs with wear on the neck vertebrae and directly affects the neck movement capacity, reducing the patients' ability to use the neck.

The type of calcification that occurs due to long-term wear of the facet joints and discs that make up the lumbar spine is also called lumbar spondylosis. Lumbar spondylosis, which manifests itself with joint pain, inflammation and limitation of movement, can go to more advanced stages with symptoms such as numbness, muscle cramps, and weakness in the body, if not treated, and cause serious declines in the patient's quality of life.

What Causes Spondylosis?

Spondylosis, which is common especially after the age of 40, may occur when the discs between the vertebrae lose their fluid content and begin to shrink due to age, the erosion of the articular cartilages between the joints and the formation of bone protrusions. Cervical spondylosis in the neck region is seen especially on the C4-C5-C6-C7 vertebrae where the neck is most mobile, while lumbar spondylosis occurs between the L4-L5 and L5-S1 vertebrae, which is the most mobile part of the waist.

Spondylosis may not always be associated with age. Since putting too much load on the spine will cause wear on the discs, lifting heavy loads and uncontrolled weight gain are also shown among the causes of spondylosis. Spondylosis, which occurs as a result of the compression of one or more of the nerves coming out of the spinal cord, can also occur as a result of traumas such as falling from a height and traffic accidents.

Spondylosis, which is caused by the narrowing of nerve channels and nerve compression as a result of wear on the spine, can also be seen in people who work at a desk for a long time or in patients who complain of neck straightening. In addition, the incidence of spondylosis symptoms in patients with scoliosis and posture disorder is of high importance.

What Are the Symptoms of Spondylosis?

Among the most basic symptoms of spondylosis are neck pain, pain in the arm and back, numbness and loss of strength. As the nerve channels narrow, the pressure of the nerve roots increases and this can lead to numbness in the hands, arms and legs. In cervical spondylosis, the pain that radiates from the neck in the later stages causes tension in neck movements and restrictions in mobility.

Low back pain is the most basic symptom in lumbar spondylosis, and low back pain can spread to the leg, causing limitation of movement without walking, standing, bending backwards and turning left and right. Lumbar stiffness is also observed among the symptoms of lumbar spondylosis, and as a result, numbness and tingling in the legs may occur.

When spondylosis on the waist and neck is considered together, the following symptoms can be seen;

– A tense and sore neck and lower back
– Shoulder, arm and lower back pain
Weakness, tingling and numbness in the arms, hands, legs and feet
– loss of coordination
- Difficulty walking, decreased walking distance
- Sounds produced by bending of the joints

How Is Spondylosis Diagnosed?

Patients who come to the Manual Therapy and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation centers with complaints such as low back pain, numbness in the legs and especially low back and neck stiffness in the morning are listened to and included in a detailed technical and evaluation program. Within the program, the factors that cause the limitation of movement are examined in detail and technical scans are made with the help of computerized tomography.

In the light of the findings obtained, it is examined whether the patient's spinal cord and nerve roots are under pressure, and muscle strength and sensory examinations of the arms and legs are performed. A treatment program including physical therapy, manual therapy and medical exercise sessions is prepared for patients diagnosed with spondylosis as a result of examinations and evaluations, taking into account the degree of the disease and the patient's reaction process.

How is Spondylosis Treated?

In the treatment of spondylosis, painkillers are given to the patient as the first intervention, with the aim of relieving body pain. The use of painkillers alone will not be enough. For this reason, a program including physical therapy, manual therapy and medical exercise sessions is prepared for the patient under the control of expert physiotherapists, which will improve the course of the disease in a positive way.

The treatment program is shaped according to the degree of wear on the spine and is supported by some medical exercises such as stretching, strengthening, normal joint movement exercises, pulling-stretching exercises. The physical therapy therapy program controls the pain with electrotherapy applications and reduces the severity of the pressure on the nerve roots.

The physical therapy method, which is generally used in the treatment of both cervical and lumbar spondylosis, plays an active role in relaxing the nerves and strengthening the muscles. Regular medical exercise sessions applied together with physical therapy increase the flexibility of the neck and waist, especially by strengthening the muscles around the neck, and help the body to regain its mobility.