Hypermobility of the cervical and lumbar spine

Hypermobility can be described as a separate syndrome, which can not be called prognostically dangerous. Nevertheless, it causes a number of inconveniences to the patient, can cause serious complications, injuries.

[1], [2]

Causes of the hypermobility of the spine

Pathology can have various forms of manifestation. The clinical picture is quite diverse. Excessive mobility can be subjected to the spine, joints, internal organs. The danger of this syndrome is that it becomes the cause of rapid wear of joints, often ends in tears. A single look at the etiology and the origin of this disease among doctors is still. Many people are inclined to believe that such a disease is genetically conditioned. At the heart of pathogenesis is a violation of the structural and functional characteristics of the protein, which is part of the joints and synovial fluid surrounding the joint. In many patients, the processes of collagen synthesis and metabolism are disrupted.

[3], [4], [5]

Symptoms of the hypermobility of the spine

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

It is characterized by increased mobility of the joints located between the vertebrae. The main symptom is back pain. The main reason is considered to be genetic disorders in the development of the spinal column. Less common cause is birth trauma, anomalies of intrauterine development. There are also acquired forms of this pathology, which arise as a result of trauma, inflammation. With such a pathology, a person is able to perform a fairly large amplitude of movements in the spine. The danger is that injuries can develop in the course of the movement itself. Quite often against the background of increased mobility, inflammation or swelling of surrounding soft tissues develops. Often this pathology leads to dislocations, subluxations, dislocations of the vertebrae. Excess pathology does not allow a person to maintain a form, often ends with the inability to perform certain types of movements, complete disability.

At the heart of pathogenesis is a violation of metabolic processes at the molecular level, at which the collagen metabolism is disturbed. In addition, the disease is accompanied by tissue damage, the appearance of foci of inflammation. It is also necessary to take into account that the cause of hypermobility development can become active exercises in gymnastics, various exercises for the development of flexibility. Hypermobility is often an occupational disease for dancers, gymnasts, circus performers.

The risk of hypermobility increases substantially if the person has a fairly high natural flexibility, which is further developed with the help of special exercises. This disease is typical of many men engaged 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, medication, massage, physiotherapy.

Excessive mobility of the joints overloads the spine, erases the disks. Gradually develop and inflammatory processes, which involve surrounding tissues, nerve fibers. Gradually surrounding tissues are subject to swelling, inflammation, resulting in pain and dysfunction only progresses. Gradually, irradiation of pain can occur, it spreads to other parts of the back. The load also lies on the paravertebral muscles located along the spine. Their main function is to maintain the spine in a vertical position, ensuring the position. Therefore, these muscles increase the load. This leads to their inflammation, or the development of hypertrophy. Muscles are in constant tension, as a result of which the metabolic processes in them are also disturbed and pain appears. Especially bright this pathology is expressed in people with high growth. Often develop complications from the form of arthrosis. In the elderly, osteoporosis develops.

Hypermobility of the cervical spine

For this pathology, there is an increased mobility of the spine in the neck region. The disease is most common in adolescence, because during this period there is an active restructuring of the body, metabolic processes and hormonal regulation are violated. The most serious risk factor in this situation is a violation of collagen synthesis, which is responsible for the flexibility and mobility of those structures in which it is included.

Specific therapy for this pathology does not exist. Usually, complex treatment is used, which allows to restrain the situation, avoid complications and normalize the person's well-being. The most effective method of treatment are special physical exercises (physiotherapy exercises). Exercises make it possible to compensate for the weakness of the ligaments, to remove excessive load from the muscular system. Massage also has a positive effect.

In most cases, surgical treatment is ineffective. It does not provide an opportunity to eliminate the mobility of joints, and even more so - does not affect the entire spine as a whole. Operations do not strengthen the spine, but only allow you to work with a separate segment of the spine. As a result, the load is removed from the segment in which the operation was performed. Nevertheless, the load on adjacent parts of the spine increases significantly, as does the muscles that support the spine in a stable position.

[6], [7]

Hypermobility of the lumbar spine

This condition is characterized by increased flexibility and mobility of the spine in the lumbar region. In this case, very often there are dislocations, dislocations in this area, the vertebral disks are damaged and erased.

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

Also, with increased mobility in the lumbar region, it is recommended to practice yoga, qigong, as these practices have a health-enhancing effect on the body. The best fit for such exercises, which require active movements, however, are performed in a fairly slow rhythm, coupled with relaxation. Hatha Yoga corresponds to all these requirements.

Of particular interest is yogoterapiya, which, with the help of special exercises and proper breathing, can normalize pathological processes. Also the best option will be swimming, pilates, calanetics. Do not engage in sports that focus on joint work and flexibility. Medical therapy and surgical methods of treatment in this case are ineffective.

Segmental hypermobility of the spine

In pathology, the entire vertebral column is not involved, but only its individual segments. In this case, there may be excessive mobility in certain areas of the spine. It has a tendency to lifelong preservation. A person can only maintain a certain state in a certain way, preventing the progression of the disease. You can also perform certain procedures aimed at maintaining normal health. It occurs most often at a young age. May be the result of an injury.

Diagnostics of the hypermobility of the spine

It differs in certain difficulties in the treatment and diagnosis. It is often confused with increased natural flexibility, as a separate property of the organism. It is often found quite accidentally during the diagnosis of other diseases. In most cases, attention is paid to the pathology by the doctor himself, because in the process of brief communication with the doctor, attention is not always paid to the increased flexibility of the joints. 

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Treatment of the hypermobility of the spine

Treatment has a certain specificity and is significantly different from treating traditional problems with joints.