Vertebrologist - Who Is He And What Heals? Appointment

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Vertebrologist

A vertebrologist is a doctor who diagnoses, treats and prevents diseases of the spine and musculoskeletal system.

Vertebral neurology is the science of establishing links between diseases and neurological symptoms. This branch of science also has a close relationship with neurology, orthopedics, rehabilitation, manual therapy, etc. However, each of these branches is independent.

It detects and treats diseases of the spinal column, which have a degenerative-dystrophic nature, including:

• Scoliosis;
• Hernia;
• Osteochondrosis, etc.

It is important to consult a vertebrologist for those patients who are to undergo surgery on the spinal column, as this will allow choosing the most optimal way to perform the neurosurgical technique in each specific case.

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Content:

• What diseases does a vertebrologist treat?
• How is the appointment with the vertebrologist going?
• When should you see a vertebrologist?
• Appointment to a vertebrologist

What diseases does a vertebrologist treat?

Consultation with a specialist is necessary for the following diseases:

• Curvature of the spine - scoliosis, kyphosis, etc.;
• Radicular syndrome;
• Lumbago;
• Osteochondrosis;
• Herniated disc;
• Osteoporosis;
• Lumboishalgia;
• Migraine;
• Insufficient circulation or VBI;
• Narrowing of the spinal canal and protrusion of its discs;
• Any posture disorders;
• Pain in the spine;
• Difficulty in limb mobility;
• Dizziness when turning the head;
• Muscle pain.

Sometimes a gynecologist, gastroenterologist, therapist and other doctors redirect his patient to a consultation with a vertebrologist. This is done when there is a suspicion of the existence of a relationship between the disease of one or another organ and a violation of its nerve connections with the nerves of the spinal cord.

How is the appointment with the vertebrologist going?

To begin with, the doctor will find out from the patient the reason for his visit, interview about existing complaints. It is important not to hide from the specialist about where even minor pains occur, it is imperative to inform him about the existing restrictions in movements, about the facts of pathological muscle tension. The doctor will find out the time of the onset of the first symptoms, study the medical history and the available examination results, if any. Previously received injuries of the spinal column, operations performed on it - all this information must be provided to the vertebrologist.

Examination is the next stage of admission to a vertebrologist. The specialist has a specific technique for diagnosing diseases, which combines a neurological and orthopedic point. The doctor will carefully assess the patient's posture, gait, sitting posture, and give an opinion on the degree of development of the muscular frame of the back.

The next stage of examination is palpation of the spine and areas located around it. To do this, the doctor will press on points along the spinal column to determine the extent of the spread of the pathological process. The patient will need to be in different positions - sitting, lying, standing. The doctor will determine the degree of mobility of all joints, muscle tone and strength, range of motion in various parts of the spine. In addition, the patient will need to make some movements that the vertebrologist asks - bend over, sit down, raise arms and legs, etc.

When the examination is completed, the doctor will make a diagnosis, on the basis of which treatment will be prescribed. However, to clarify it, the vertebrologist may need other data.

Of the additional examination methods, the patient may be recommended:

• X-ray of the spine. To get the maximum information, the procedure is performed in several projections, including the lateral projection.
• Computed tomography, which provides the most detailed information about the state of the bone structures of the spine.
• MRI, which allows you to judge the condition of the discs, joints, ligaments, spinal cord.
• Electromyography, the purpose of which is to study the state of muscles and neuromuscular reactions.
• Less often, vertebrologists refer patients to myelography, discography, lumbar puncture of the spine.

When all the data on the patient's health is collected, he needs to come back to see a specialist. The doctor will get acquainted with them and clarify the diagnosis. After that, the patient will be given recommendations regarding lifestyle, nutrition, imposition of restrictions, and about permissible physical activity.

As for the therapy itself, most often it comes down to the use of methods of treatment from manual therapy in addition to complexes of massage, reflexology and exercise therapy. All recommendations are based on individual data about a specific patient, because the priority task of the treatment of a vertebrologist is to get a person the opportunity to avoid surgery, increase his efficiency, and improve the quality of life without surgery. When the ongoing therapy gives the desired results, then visits to the vertebrologist should be carried out on a regular basis, which allows you to consolidate the effect obtained and monitor the patient's condition over time.

When should you see a vertebrologist?

When a person even occasionally feels anxiety about pain in the spinal column, he should come for a consultation with a vertebrologist. In addition, this must be done in case of dizziness, headaches, (read also: causes, signs and symptoms of headaches, consequences) pain in the neck and back in the thoracic region, in the lower back.

Symptoms that should not be ignored:

• Increased and frequent back pain.
• Irradiation of painful sensations from the spine to other parts of the body and organs.
• The appearance of a feeling of weakness, increased fatigue.
• Tingling sensations in the region of the upper and lower extremities.
• Decrease in motor activity, which is reduced due to pain, a feeling of stiffness in the spinal column.
• Painful sensations arising in the region of the heart. At the same time, the results of examination of this organ are satisfactory and do not reveal any pathology.
• Blood pressure surges, accompanied by dizziness, headaches, and increased heart rate.
• Poor posture and curvature of the spine.