Osteoarthrosis and Osteophytes

Osteophyte is not a disease as such, it is part of a pathology called osteoarthrosis, and in this disease a functional limitation occurs in a joint, which no longer moves or does not have the range of motion that it had before the joint. appearance of the osteophyte, indicates the Dr. Luz Quirós Sinisterra, specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

So, the osteophyte is a protuberance of bone that emerges at the margin of the bone in the joints, it can be in any joint, and it is said that perhaps it is a way to compensate for wear, that the body begins to produce more calcium but erratically, forming these calcifications, forming like a little piece of accessory bone.

In the spine, says the specialist, osteophytes can puncture some of the nerves that come out of the spine and cause impingement of some roots, which prevents good mobility and causes pain when there is friction.

Osteophytes can continue to grow, in fact in the spine, they grow to a size that makes bridges between one vertebra and another. Nobody knows how much it will grow, but it is self-limiting. The more they grow, the greater the discomfort will be.

MORE LIKELY
Those who make repetitive and frequent movements are more likely, for example, with the use of technological devices such as video games, cell phones and computers, which leads to osteoarthritis in the hand.
The same thing also happens at the level of the cervical and lumbar spine when you flex a lot or when you maintain the same posture for a long time.
Genetic factors also influence and just like a diabetic or hypertensive person, there are those who have a greater propensity to develop osteoarticular problems. Those are the ones who are going to develop osteoarthritis and osteophytes.

WHAT TO DO?
Osteophytes can appear at any age, but they are generally seen in young adults and especially between the ages of 30, 40 and 50, although they can appear earlier, explains Dr. Quirós.

The osteophyte is not regressive, once the bone appears, it does not go away. If it is in an accessible place where it can be operated on and does not represent any complications, it is operated on. Otherwise, it stays there and palliative treatments are applied to improve the pain and inflammation in the area. The most advisable thing is to try to reduce inflammation in the area, for the patient to learn postural exercises and to learn to manage the situation.

PREVENTION
In the case of osteoarthritis that occurs due to posture problems or is related to work-related movements, it can be prevented by having good posture.

It is also recommended

• That the person has good posture when sitting
• Use a good chair with good support in the lumbar region
• When working on the computer, take micro breaks every 20 minutes, move your neck in circles, move your joints, stretch your limbs and avoid maintaining the same posture for too long.

According to the Dr. Sinisterra, it is known that many companies do not follow the rules of ergonomics or the recommendations of Occupational Health specialists, because it is expensive for them to make changes to equipment, furniture, etc., but it is necessary, because although osteoarthritis and the appearance of osteophytes It is not lethal, it is uncomfortable and affects daily life.

COMPLICATIONS
Osteoarthritis can coexist with osteoporosis or a herniated disc; the situation would be very difficult and could even require surgery because there is a greater risk that the patient will lose functionality.

TO THE FUTURE
In approximately five years, it is expected that a greater number of people will suffer from these diseases related to the excessive use of cell phones and technology, because apart from involving the use of the thumbs, they also involve poor posture of the cervical spine and back, when when writing messages and you don't take care of your posture or the time you maintain these postures.