Do you know what is disc osteophyte complex is? It is the growth of bone spurs in the intervertebral disc or spinal column. Another name for bone spurs is, Osteophytes that are likely to develop in your musculoskeletal system due to regular deterioration. If these spurs develop and show no symptoms, they can be left untreated. However, if it becomes symptomatic, there are several pioneering treatments for disc osteophyte complex. So, if you want to learn about it, you should read this article.
What are the Causes?
If you have osteophytes, your doctor may prefer a non-surgical treatment. However, if the condition gets worse, they might then recommend surgical therapies. So, if you want to know what causes osteophytes, the primary reason is wear and tear due to aging. However, degenerative discs like arthritis, trauma, overuse injuries, and overweight can also cause weakening of your spinal cord. As a result, your body may generate additional bony nodules known as osteophytes or bone spurs. These help support the structure of the spinal column or restrict its movement.
On the contrary, it is even possible that osteophytes might not show any pain or symptoms. Though, when these bodies interfere with your nervous system, it may indicate the disc osteophyte complex condition, and you may suffer from several painful and uncomfortable symptoms.
How Does Osteophytes Interfere with Nervous System?
A shielding spinal canal encapsulates your spinal cord. Your spinal canal features vertebrae detached by spongy and cartilaginous discs. The intervertebral discs are of great importance and play the following role:
- Shields the spinal canal
- Absorbs shocks between your vertebrae
- Control flexion movement of your backbone
- Works as a ligament to connect spinal bodies
So, you may suffer from disc osteophyte complex when a series of osteophytes form on several vertebrae. Hence, this causes squashing of your intervertebral discs, and places stress on your nerve roots or spinal canal. The spur usually develops around the foramen, which may narrow down the foramen leading to spinal stenosis.
What are the Types and Symptoms?
If you suffer from the development of osteophytes in your vertebral column, you might not experience any symptoms initially. However, as the osteophytes grow, they might start touching your vertebrae or bother the nerve roots. Hence, you may develop dorsalgia and a limited range of motion.
So, if your osteophytes have compressed the nerves, it may cause confined pain, pain blazing out to the boundaries, impassiveness, stinging, or pins-and-needles feeling. However, rarely this condition may lead to paralysis.
This condition is associated with a myriad of symptoms. The symptoms are influenced by the region osteophytes develop on.
Cervical Osteophytes
Suppose you suffer from cervical osteophytes or spurs in your neck region. In that case, you are likely to experience headaches, neck discomfort, neck rigidity, intense pain in your limbs and shoulders, emotionlessness or tingling in your limbs, and muscle weakness.
Thoracic Osteophytes
Though thoracic osteophytes or mid-spine osteophytes are uncommon but still occur. However, this condition occurs when osteophytes develop in apparently isolated regions of the body. However, you are likely to experience focal pain, radiculopathy, upper and mid-spine discomfort, and restricted thoracic backbone mobility.
Lumbar Osteophytes
You should know that the development of osteophytes can also impact your lumbar. This condition also features several symptoms like shooting pain in legs and feet, limited backbone flexibility or movement, backbone stiffness, intensified pain after some activity, orbiting pain that travels down to thigh muscles and buttocks, stinging sensation, and muscle weakness.
Is it a Cause of Concern?
So, when we talk about cervical osteophytes, we know that it develops on any of your seven vertebrae in the cervical spinal region or neck. It may range from the basis of the head (C1 vertebrae) to the bottom of the neck (C7 vertebrae).
When you visualize bone spurs, it might provoke pictures of blistering spikes. However, osteophytes are round and scalloped in shape. So, the external edge of the vertebrae having an osteophyte may look like a hem of a tangled dress or oozed wax accumulated at the candle bottom.
So, the development of osteophytes is a typical sign of aging. Degenerative spinal disorder, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and others can be the causes. So, osteophytes are not a cause of concern or require treatment unless symptoms accompany them.
It is a fact that bones are constantly renewing, just like your nails and hair. Though inflamed or impaired tissues can strangely impact adjacent bone growth. So, due to these abnormal influences, osteophytes might develop when new bone cells drop to a region where they should not grow.
What is the Treatment?
When you visit a doctor, they are likely to discuss your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history. If they suspect spinal osteophyte complex, they are likely to recommend imaging tests like x-rays or MRI to confirm the diagnosis.
And if the diagnosis is validated, they are likely to recommend non-surgical treatments.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Below are some of the most effective non-surgical treatments your doctor might recommend.
Lifestyle Modification
If you are getting disturbed by osteophyte symptoms, you should rest for a few days and avoid vigorous activities. Other effective remedies include a change of posture, especially if you have a desk-bound job. You should take breaks, shift positions and adapt yourself to ergonomic positions.
Physical Therapy
A physiotherapist or other competent health professionals can formulate a workout and muscle stretching plan to support your neck strength and mobility. Hence, it can help diminish pain. Most of the treatments for neck disorders demand some physical therapy or low-impact exercises for a swift recovery.
Ice and Heat Therapy
Another great way to improve your condition is to try ice and heat therapy. So, cooling or warming your neck region using an ice or heat pack can be pretty effective. It helps reduce pain and inflammation. You can also try out warm or cold showers or electric blankets.
Medicines
Anti-inflammatory or muscle relaxing medicines can provide relief from disturbing symptoms.
Manual Manipulation
You may visit a chiropractor, osteopathic physician, or other health experts for manual adjustment of your cervical spine.
However, if the condition does not improve from these treatments, they might proceed with a surgical procedure.
