How and why there is a shift of vertebrae

The displacement of the vertebrae (spondylolisthesis) - displacement of the vertebra is acquired in relation to the underlying. The term introduced in 1854, Kilian. Offset vertebrae affected by changes in the intervertebral disc (padding Feminine pads - talk about wings   between the vertebrae) that often develop when there is a defect in the spine interarticular plot arc.

Most often occurs displacement of the vertebrae in the lower part of the lumbar spine. The disease is often bilateral, sometimes changes occur in two vertebrae.

There are five degrees of displacement of the vertebrae (according to X-ray studies):

• when I degree offset rear edge of the vertebral body displaces shifted by a quarter relative to the underlying vertebra;
• at the II degree - the edge of the vertebral body displaces shifted by half in relation to the underlying vertebra;
• at the III degree - the edge of the vertebral body displaces shifted by three-quarters in relation to the underlying vertebra;
• in grade IV - biasing vertebral body edge is shifted by three quarters to the total displacement relative to an underlying vertebra;
• at V degree - there is a full displacement of the vertebral body forward from the underlying.

Offset vertebrae can be unstable and stable. When an unstable relationship between displacement Sweep up and vertebra below it change with the posture of the patient, with a stable that does not happen.

Character spondylolisthesis determined not only by the degree of displacement, but its cause, as well as views of the bias. There are kinds of displacement of the vertebrae:

• dysplastic - caused by a violation of the aitch bone; it develops in children and adolescents, can reach high degrees;
• spondilolizny - due slowly emerging from fatigue fracture interarticular of the arc; It can occur in both children and adolescents, and adults; expressed displacement of the vertebrae is not the case;
• degenerative - dependent metabolic changes in the spine; It occurs in the elderly;
• traumatic - as a result of the fracture of the articular processes or interarticular of the arc;
• abnormal - appearing in the background of some diseases of the skeletal system.

Signs of the displacement of the vertebrae

By moving the vertebrae of patients concerned about pain (from mild to very strong) in the lumbar, sacral, coccyx areas in the lower extremities. Location of pain depends on which level changes occurred in the spine, its degree and age of the patient. Adult patients are increasingly complaining of pain in the lumbar region, back, neck, in the side surfaces of the pelvis. In children and adolescents pain usually occur in the legs.

When I degree of displacement of the vertebrae of patients with disturbed pain Low back pain: the spine signals Which become more intense in the sitting position and the slopes. At the II degree of pain becomes constant, even growing stronger with movement and exercise. Grade III is characterized by visible changes: trunk becomes shorter as slightly sags in the pelvis, thus limiting the range of motion in the art. When IV-V degree of the thorax and abdomen protrude, legs slightly bent at the knees, which is reflected in his gait.

Diagnosis and treatment of vertebral displacement

Recognize the displacement of the vertebrae and evaluate it allows X-ray examination of the spine. For details bias held computer and magnetic resonance imaging (CT and MRI).

Treatment of I degree of displacement of the vertebrae in children and adolescents conservative. Impose a plaster cast, exciting part of the chest, pelvis and lower limbs (to the knees), hips bent at an obtuse angle for a period of 3-4 months. In the future, for at least six months are tight corset. Appointed calm, stay in half-bent position at the back, physiotherapy, massage, corsets of various designs, physiotherapy, spa treatment.

Surgical treatment is indicated for advanced disease in children and adolescents and unstable form, not amenable to conservative treatment. During operation there is an alignment of the spine and locking it in position. After surgery the patient for 8-16 weeks is in a half-bent position at the back, and then uses a rigid corset for a year.

Prevention of heavy displacement of the vertebrae - a possible early detection of them, especially in childhood.

Galina Romanenko

How does the spine

Backbone - a base skeleton and support the whole body, it consists of separate vertebrae interconnected by various compounds which gives it greater stability with sufficient mobility. Between the individual vertebrae are located intervertebral discs - shock absorbing device of the nucleus pulposus surrounded by dense connective tissue. The spinal column is supported on both sides of the powerful muscles of the back, which is the same as the wheels do not allow injured vertebrae.

What extension

Traction - this is one of the main methods of treatment of injuries and diseases of the spine. SUMMARY stretching is that with short or long rods overcome muscle spasm, eliminating the offset vertebral Offset vertebrae: to early detection Deformation of the spinal column. With a permanent extension of the spine lengthening achieved in any particular place and hold it in position.

About two hundred years ago, the methods used in medicine active stretching of the spine, which in those days were special adaptations. But over time, it has been found that such a general prolonged stretch brings not only benefits, how much damage - there were many complications.

Currently Medicine concluded that for the treatment of diseases of the spine is necessary to apply the elements of traction, but then be sure to provide the muscle tension, otherwise the result will not be positive, but it is possible the result is negative. That is why any means of spinal traction have the reins under the supervision of a trained health worker.

All methods are divided spinal traction on dry or underwater.

Dry traction

Dry traction may be horizontal or vertical, it comes under the influence of its own weight of the patient lying on an inclined plane, is sometimes used for additional thrust loads additional or manual traction forces using a doctor conducting the treatment. Produced effects on the muscles at the same time strictly dosed. For dry traction uses special vertical and horizontal tables. The strength of the stretching in this case may be up to tens of kg, while the duration of treatment - from a few minutes to 1-2 hours. In the course of treatment requires 15-18 treatments.

Currently dry traction usually done by a special medical equipment, for example, using various types of traction tables or couches. These devices are relatively harmless and even the ability to stretch all parts of the spine. Some constructions of this kind have additional devices to do a variety of physiotherapy, massage and so on.

Underwater traction

Underwater traction - is a treatment method that combines the physical effects of water (fresh water or mineral) with traction on the body. This is a more gentle method than dry. The action of water at 36-37˚ on the nerve endings of the skin reduces the tone of the striated muscle, which in turn causes an increase in the distance between the vertebrae and intervertebral holes expand, through which the spinal nerves. If the infringement of the nerve (such as osteochondrosis), pain during underwater traction is reduced. In addition, decreased muscle tone at underwater traction helps eliminate spasm of blood vessels and improve blood supply to the damaged area.

Underwater traction is widely used to reduce the protrusion (thinning and protrusion beyond the spine intervertebral disk) drive, at the lumbosacral and cervical-shoulder radiculitis caused by spinal osteochondrosis Osteochondrosis - Causes and symptoms . Underwater traction methods are ineffective in the presence of scar-adhesions, and severe spinal deformity after surgical removal of herniated disc. Underwater traction relatively contraindicated with concomitant diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, liver, gall bladder Gall bladder: structure and function . There are several ways underwater traction. According to the location of the body distinguish between vertical and horizontal underwater traction.

Vertical underwater traction is carried out using a variety of simple tools (such as circles, handrails), and more complex designs in a special pool depth of 2-2 m 2. When the water temperature 36-37˚. With cervical osteochondrosis Cervical osteochondrosis - the lot of office workers   The first procedure is carried out for 5-7 minutes using headholder during the following procedures are beginning to use the growing weight of the cargo.

The horizontal underwater traction with changes in the lumbar spine is carried out by longitudinal stretching or sagging of the body in a large tub (length - 2, 5 m, width - 1 m, depth - 0, 7 m) at a special board.

Spinal traction for all its seeming simplicity is not simple procedure and it should be carried out only in specialized institutions.

T Alina Romanenko