Hypermobility of the cervical and lumbar spine

Hypermobility can be characterized as a separate syndrome, which cannot be called prognostically dangerous. However, it causes a number of inconveniences to the patient and can cause serious complications and injuries.

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Causes spinal hypermobility

The pathology can have various forms of manifestation. The clinical picture is quite diverse. The spine, joints, and internal organs can be subject to excessive mobility. The danger of this syndrome is that it causes rapid wear of the joints, often ending in ruptures. There is still no single view on the etiology and origin of this disease among doctors. Many are inclined to believe that this disease is genetically determined. The pathogenesis is based on a violation of the structural and functional features of the protein that is part of the joints and the synovial fluid surrounding the joint. Many patients have impaired collagen synthesis and metabolism.

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Symptoms spinal hypermobility

The clinical picture is characterized by the fact that a person develops increased mobility and flexibility in the joints.

Characterized by increased mobility of the joints located between the vertebrae. The main symptom is back pain. The main cause is considered to be genetic disorders in the development of the spinal column. Less often, the cause is birth trauma, abnormalities of intrauterine development. There are also acquired forms of this pathology, which occur as a result of trauma, inflammation. With such a pathology, a person is able to make a fairly large amplitude of movements in the spine. The danger is that injuries can develop during the execution of the movement itself. Quite often, against the background of increased mobility, inflammation or swelling of the surrounding soft tissues develops. Often, such a pathology leads to dislocations, subluxations, and displacements of the vertebrae. Excessive pathology does not allow a person to maintain shape, often ending in the inability to perform certain types of movements, complete disability.

The pathogenesis is based on a violation of metabolic processes at the molecular level, in which collagen metabolism is disrupted. In addition, the disease is accompanied by tissue damage and the appearance of inflammation foci. It is also necessary to take into account that the cause of hypermobility can be active gymnastics, various exercises to develop flexibility. Hypermobility is often an occupational disease for ballerinas, gymnasts, and circus performers.

The risk of developing hypermobility increases significantly if a person has a fairly high natural flexibility, which is additionally developed with the help of special exercises. This disease is also common to many men involved in martial arts.

In order to make a diagnosis, it is enough to conduct functional tests. Usually, laboratory and instrumental studies are not required. Treatment is complex and includes a special motor regimen, drug therapy, massage, physiotherapy.

Excessive joint mobility overloads the spine and wears out the discs. Inflammatory processes gradually develop, involving surrounding tissues and nerve fibers. Gradually, the surrounding tissues become swollen and inflamed, as a result of which pain and dysfunction only progress. Pain can gradually radiate, spreading to other areas of the back. The load also falls on the paravertebral muscles located along the spine. Their main function is to maintain the spine in an upright position, ensuring position. Therefore, the load on these muscles increases. This leads to their inflammation, or the development of hypertrophy. The muscles are in constant tension, as a result of which metabolic processes in them are also disrupted and pain appears. This pathology is especially pronounced in tall people. Complications in the form of arthrosis often develop. Osteoporosis develops in old age.

Hypermobility of the cervical spine

This pathology is characterized by increased mobility of the spine in the neck area. The disease is most common in adolescence, since during this period the body undergoes active restructuring, metabolic processes and hormonal regulation are disrupted. The most serious risk factor in this situation is the disruption of collagen synthesis, which is responsible for the flexibility and mobility of the structures it is a part of.

There is no specific therapy for this pathology. Usually, complex treatment is used, which allows to contain the situation, prevent complications and normalize the person's well-being. The most effective method of treatment is special physical exercises (therapeutic physical training). Exercises make it possible to compensate for the weakness of the ligaments, relieve excessive stress from the muscular system. Massage also has a positive effect.

Surgical treatment is ineffective in most cases. It does not eliminate joint mobility, and even more so – does not affect the entire spine as a whole. Operations do not strengthen the spine, but only allow work to be done on a separate segment of the spine. As a result, the load is removed from the segment on which the operation was performed. However, the load on adjacent areas of the spine, as well as on the muscles that support the spine in a stable position, increases significantly.

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Hypermobility of the lumbar spine

This condition is characterized by increased flexibility and mobility of the spine in the lumbar region. At the same time, displacements and dislocations in this area very often occur, and the vertebral discs are damaged and worn out.

The main treatment is reduced to the use of physical exercises. The most effective are compensatory exercises, which reduce the load on weakened ligaments and strengthen the muscles that support the spine, forming a frame. Physical activity is accompanied by the release of hormones, as a result of which metabolic processes are normalized, and the general well-being of a person improves. In addition, some hormones, such as catecholamines, are able to eliminate pain syndrome.

Also, with increased mobility in the lumbar region, it is recommended to practice yoga, qigong, since these practices have a healing effect on the body. The best exercises are those that require active movements, however, are performed at a fairly slow pace, associated with relaxation. Hatha yoga meets all these requirements.

Yoga therapy is of particular interest, as it can normalize pathological processes with the help of special exercises and proper breathing. Swimming, Pilates, and callanetics are also the best options. You should not engage in sports that focus on working with joints and developing flexibility. Drug therapy and surgical treatments are ineffective in this case.

Segmental hypermobility of the spine

The pathology does not involve the entire spine, but only its individual segments. In this case, excessive mobility may be observed in individual areas of the spine. It is characterized by a tendency to persist for life. A person can only maintain the condition in a certain way, preventing the progression of the disease. It is also possible to perform certain procedures aimed at maintaining normal well-being. It most often manifests itself at a young age. It can be a consequence of an injury.

Diagnostics spinal hypermobility

It is characterized by certain difficulties in treatment and diagnosis. Quite often it is confused with increased natural flexibility, as a separate property of the body. It is often discovered completely by accident during the diagnosis of other diseases. In most cases, the doctor himself pays attention to the pathology, since during a short conversation with the doctor, attention is not always paid to the increased flexibility of the joints.

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Treatment spinal hypermobility

The treatment has certain specifics and differs significantly from the treatment of traditional joint problems.