Spinal instability is caused by age or chronic overloading of the spine and its supporting structures in everyday life. As a result, the vertebral connections wear out and become weakened. Further back pain and consequences such as spondylolisthesis or curvature of the spine can follow.
Below you will find further information and selected specialists for spinal instability.
Back pain and pathological spinal changes are among the most common diseases in Germany. Low back pain is the largest group, accounting for around 50%.
The consequences of spinal disorders are often
Back problems are therefore also responsible for immense economic damage.
This makes it all the more important to diagnose patients at risk at an early stage and to initiate suitable treatment for spinal instability.
Working together with the muscles
work together throughout our lives to stabilize the spine and keep it in an upright position.
These structures wear out under constant stress, e.g. when repeatedly carrying heavy loads and with increasing age.
If such wear remains untreated, the vertebrae can no longer be held in place properly later on. This spinal instability is in turn the starting point for a number of secondary diseases, e.g.
The main symptom of spinal instability is back pain. They occur with
occur. The vertebrae in the cervical spine and lumbar region are frequently affected.
Pain in the lumbar vertebrae can also
Back pain as a result of spinal instability is particularly severe
The first step is to discuss the patient's medical history, the so-called anamnesis. In this initial consultation, also known as the pain history, the doctor gains an initial impression of the patient and their back condition.
If spinal instability is suspected, an orthopaedic examination and imaging are usually arranged. The imaging procedures include
Imaging provides an impression of the condition of the spine and the structures supporting it. This also allows instabilities and signs of wear and tear to be documented.
The doctor usually classifies the degree of spinal instability as mild, moderate or severe. The degree of severity in turn determines the therapy, among other things.
Mild signs of wear and tear can be treated conventionally using physiotherapy and muscle-building methods. Medication (painkillers) or other procedures, such as acupuncture and massages, are also available to treat back pain.
Severe spinal instability requires surgery as a last resort if conventional therapy does not help. This also applies to chronic back pain patients.
Spondylodesis, also known as spinal fusion, is often used here. In patients with spinal instability, the affected vertebral area is surgically stiffened and thus made immobile. This stiffening is achieved by connecting some vertebral bodies with screws and plates. However, it is then no longer possible to move these vertebrae.
Spondylodesis is a difficult and invasive operation. It is therefore usually only performed on patients who
could not provide relief.
Depending on the duration and extent of the procedure, there are also risks for wound healing or for pain relief after the operation. However, these risks are significantly lower if only a few vertebrae are involved and the operation is minimally invasive.
Depending on the symptoms and severity, the various spinal instabilities also have different prognoses.
The earlier the diagnosis is made, the sooner doctors can alleviate the symptoms for a longer period of time. Long-term use of painkillers, on the other hand, could mask symptoms and thus delay diagnosis and treatment. Experts therefore advise an early visit to the doctor.
Surgery to treat spinal instability is difficult and complex. It is performed by experienced surgeons and specialists in neurosurgery.
When choosing a clinic or surgeon, you should therefore also look for a high level of therapeutic experience in the field of spinal instability.
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