Spondylosis of the thoracic spine, which can be abbreviated as spondylosis, is the medical term used to describe the degenerative process of your spine. Many think this condition only affects older adults and those with arthritis, but that isn’t always true. You can have spondylosis at any point in your life due to lifestyle choices or accidents and injuries that occur during your lifetime. If you develop spondylosis, a spine surgeon nj will help you recover soon.
Introduction
What is spondylosis?
The thoracic spine’s spondylosis is characterized by pain and stiffness in the lower back and neck. The condition occurs when pieces of bone on either side of your spine wear down unevenly, causing pressure on your spinal cord. This can lead to tingling, numbness, and weakness in your arms and legs. When it occurs at or near your neck, pain and stiffness may also occur in your upper chest or shoulders.
The condition typically develops as you age but can also affect younger people involved in accidents or suffer from certain diseases such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.
What is Spondylosis of the Thoracic Spine?
Spondylosis is the medical term for arthritis or degenerative disc disease in the spine. It is more commonly referred to as spinal stenosis, when one’s spinal canal narrows, causing pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. There are four types: cervical spondylosis, lumbar spondylosis, thoracic spondylosis and sacral spondylosis. Thoracic spondylosis typically occurs in people over the age of 40. The most common symptom that someone has this condition is back pain that extends all over to their legs and arms. This pain can be crippling, making it difficult to walk or even get up from a seated position without help from another person.
How is Spondylosis of the Thoracic Spine Treated?
Spondylosis is a general term for any disorder that causes inflammation and irritation at the site where the vertebrae meet. The word comes from two Greek words, spondulos and osis, which both mean spinal cord. In most cases, it’s not known what causes spondylosis. However, there are some risk factors you should be aware of:
- Being overweight or obese.
- Smoking cigarettes (or being exposed to second-hand smoke).
- Sustaining an injury to your neck or back.
Get in touch with your doctor if you exhibit any of these risk factors to find ways to lower your chances of developing spondylosis. Treatments vary depending on how severe your condition is. For example, people who only experience occasional pain might take an over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) as needed. For more severe cases, surgery may be recommended. One such procedure is called a laminectomy, which involves removing portions of bone so the pressure on the spinal canal can be reduced. Another option is fusion surgery; this involves joining together two or more vertebrae to stabilize them and stop pain signals from travelling up and down the spine. To achieve your fitness goal you must have to take balance diet proper exercise.
Conclusion
If you are suffering from this condition, we can help. Contact our team at NJ spine surgery today and schedule your consultation. We will walk you through what to expect and provide you with a treatment plan to get your life back on track again. *Spondylosis refers to an abnormal thickening of the intervertebral discs that could eventually lead to more severe conditions like spondylolisthesis or spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is when there is not enough room for nerves to move through the spinal canal because it has become narrowed. That can lead to symptoms like numbness or tingling in parts of your body. It’s important that if you’re experiencing these symptoms, call us immediately because other more severe conditions might be causing them.