Spondylitis / Disc Prolapse / Sciatica

Description

Introduction

Spondylitis is the result of chronic spinal issues and misalignments left uncorrected.The term Spondylitis refers to wear and tear in the facet joints at the back of the spine, thinning of the intervertebral discs and narrowing of the ("foramen") holes where the spinal nerves appear from, thus potentially causing nerve irritation/compression (sciatica).

Sciatic pain or sciatic neuritis is a set of symptoms including pain that may be caused by compression and/or irritation of one of five spinal nerve roots that together form what most people know as the sciatic nerve.

A disc becomes prolapsed when the soft, jelly-like material that comprises the centre of the disc pushes through the fibrous shell and into the spinal column. This condition often leads to neck or back pain when the prolapsed disc comes into contact with a nerve or other soft tissue. Most commonly a result of spine degeneration, prolapsed discs are particularly common in the aging population, although they can also be the result of injury or disease in younger patients.

Causes

Spondylitis results from the cumulative effects of ongoing wear and tear on the spine. However, there are a number of risk factors that can increase your likelihood to develop spondylitis. These risk factors include obesity, genetic predisposition, a history of traumatic injuries and participation in high-impact sports.

Specifically, Spondylitis occurs when the soft tissues in the spinal anatomy — the spinal discs, tendons, muscles, ligaments and cartilage that lines the facet joints — naturally deteriorate over time. For instance, the spinal discs, which are normally saturated with water, can become dehydrated and lose their effectiveness as cushions between the vertebrae.

Symptoms:

Localized pain in the affected area of the neck or back.

Numbness or loss of sensation.

Muscle weakness.

Traveling pain, numbness and tingling.

Facet joint warmth and stiffness.

Reduced range of motion in spine.