Cervical Spondylosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Dr. Dhiyanesh Krishnamoorthy
4 Min Read
Sep 21, 2022
Manipal Hospitals' Centre of Excellence in Spine Care is the first dedicated spine care centre in the state offering a comprehensive evaluation and treatment of patients with a wide range of conditions that affect the spine, through an evidence-based, systemic and all-inclusive approach.
Manipal Hospitals' Spine Care specialists are experienced in diagnosing and treating spine disorders, bringing together distinguished specialists in neurosurgery, neurology, orthopaedic surgery and other specialties to design the most effective treatment tailored to the need of every patient. The Spine Care team implements treatments suited to individual patient's needs, including minimal invasive, pain-reducing, recovery-accelerating procedures for a range of orthopaedic and neurological conditions affecting the spine and spinal cord. World-renowned expertise, state-of-the-art technology, scientifically-backed treatment and the precedent of successful complex spine surgery stories makes Manipal Hospitals' Spine Care unit in Delhi NCR is one of the best in the country.
The Spine Care Center implements treatments suited to individual patients' needs, including minimally invasive, pain-reducing, recovery-accelerating procedures for a range of orthopaedic and neurological conditions affecting the spine and spinal cord. Manipal Hospital relies on accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment and methodological management of the broad array of spinal conditions. Skilled in the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques, Manipal Hospitals provide help to thousands of patients with both common and complex conditions of the back and neck.
Conditions treated at Manipal Hospitals' Spine care, but not limited to, are 1. Non-operative treatment of neck and back pain 2. Spinal injections of all types including RFA 3. Microdiscectomy and spinal decompressions 4. Endoscopic surgeries 5. Minimal invasive surgeries – PLIF, TLIF, OLIF 6. Artificial disc replacements 7. 24X7 Treatment of Spinal fractures and trauma 8. Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty Procedures for Osteoporotic fractures 9. Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury 10. Scoliosis and Kyphosis treatment – Bracing to major corrective surgeries 11. Treatment of congenital defects and deformities of spine 12. Management of Spinal infections 13. Treatment of Spinal and spinal cord tumours
You may be in the hospital for 1 to 3 days; longer if you have spinal fusion. Rest is important. But doctors want you out of bed as soon as possible. Most people start physical therapy within 24 hours.
The spine is a very important organ composed of a complex structure of muscles, ligaments, tendons, discs, and bones. It helps our body sit, bend, walk, twist, and stand. Therefore, taking care of the spine is very important for your health and well-being. Spine care focuses on proper care and treatment of the spine to ease conditions such as back pain, headaches, neck pain, and joint conditions.
Keeping your spine healthy is very important. Take proper care of your spine with these tips:
(i) Do regular physical exercises especially stretching and back strengthening training
(ii) Keep your BMI in check
(iii) Avoid smoking
(iv) Avoid or reduce the intake of foods that are known to cause inflammation such as sugary foods, artificial trans fats, vegetable and seed oils, refined carbohydrates, excessive alcohol, and processed meat.
(v) Take caution while lifting heavy weights
(vi) Don’t sit continuously for a long time
(vii) Do yoga and pilates
For good spinal health, you should include foods like green leafy vegetables, fish, beans, seeds, nuts, dairy products, avocados, carrots, sweet potatoes, and bananas in your diet.
Spinal stenosis is a condition characterised by the narrowing of the spaces in your spine. Common symptoms are back and/or neck pain, numbness, tingling and weakness in your arms and legs. It can compress your spinal cord and nerve roots exiting each vertebra.
A spine specialist is an expert who treats various diseases and conditions related to the spine and spinal cord. They can be chiropractors, physiatrists, physical therapists, orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, pain management physicians, anesthesiologists, and many rheumatologists and neurologists.
Some common spine surgeries performed in Manipal Hospitals are:
(i) Microdiscectomy Endoscopic Discectomy
(ii) Artificial Disc Replacement
(iii) Postero Lateral spinal fusion PLF
(iv) Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty
(v) Spinal Osteotomies
(vi) Anterior interbody fusion
Depending on the type of surgery and severity of the condition, it can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks to get back to doing simple activities. However, full recovery can take even longer and patients will be able to do most of the activities after 6 to 12 months.
Not all spine surgeries are major surgeries. Certain spinal surgeries like lumbar spinal stenosis, spinal infections, spinal tumours, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, etc. are minimally invasive and require a few small cuts, rather than large incisions.
Some common side effects of spinal surgery are:
(i) Infection
(ii) Blood clots
(iii) Dural tear
(iv) Nerve injury and paralysis
(v) Leakage of cerebrospinal fluid
Laminectomy is the most common surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis. A surgeon will perform this treatment on your back to remove bone fragments, bone spurs, or ligaments. This reduces pressure on spinal nerves and may alleviate pain or weakness, but the surgery may make your spine less stable.
Conditions affecting the spine are complex, Manipal Hospitals help manage your pain and restore function. Our experts are the leaders in spine surgery, interventional spine therapies, and spine wellness. Together they ensure patient's recovery and improved quality of life with the least invasive, most appropriate, and most advanced treatment available. Contact us to know more about Spine care and book an appointment with one of our Spine care specialists today.
