Spondyloarthrosis, or wear and tear of the spine, is a gradual aging process of the vertebral discs that begins around the age of 19 or 20, when growth stops. Although this physiological phenomenon should not cause discomfort, it is a common cause of spinal problems. Dr. Einer Concha, neurosurgeon of our clinic, provides valuable information on this subject.

Causes

Several factors influence this process, which can be divided into two categories:

• Intrinsic factors: These are genetic or hereditary factors that affect the morphology and formation of the spine and its vertebrae. These are factors that cannot be modified.
• Extrinsic factors: These are factors that can be corrected, such as sedentary lifestyle (the main factor), smoking, falls, improper weight bearing, improper exercise, and lack of or inadequate sleep at night.

Symptoms

In the initial stages, symptoms are usually absent. However, they may appear sporadically and gradually, starting with a mild intensity and progressively increasing until they become continuous and permanent pain (such as cervicalgia, lumbalgia or dorsolumbalgia). These pains may be accompanied by irradiation towards the extremities (sciatica, cruralgia, brachialgia) or by deficient neurological symptoms, such as loss of strength or sensibility.

What studies are used to diagnose spinal wear and tear?

The diagnosis is made through the following studies:

• Radiography
• Tomography
• Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine

MRI is the test of choice, as it provides detailed information about soft tissues, such as cartilage, ligaments, muscles, and especially nerves.

What does the treatment involve?

Treatment will depend on the severity of spinal degeneration and the presence or absence of symptoms. Initially, the focus will be on modifying extrinsic factors by means of appropriate exercise and daily activities. If no improvement is observed and the symptoms become disabling, surgical management will be considered, applying the appropriate technique according to the severity of the wear, with the aim of improving the patient’s quality of life.

Dr. Einer Concha
Neurosurgeon at Clínica Ricardo Palma