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Osteophyte
Can osteophytes be treated by taking calcium supplements?
Bone hyperplasia should not be treated with calcium supplementation. This is because bone hyperplasia is caused by the hardening of bone tissue near the joints due to degeneration and wear and tear. Therefore, clinically, only patients with osteoporosis need calcium supplementation. How do we treat bone hyperplasia? The main approach is symptomatic treatment, such as using massage, acupuncture, electrotherapy, and magnetotherapy to relieve local pain and symptoms of restricted movement. Additionally, injection therapy can be used to immediately alleviate local pain, but the number of injection treatments is clearly limited to once or twice a month at most. Excessive use can damage local muscles and ligaments.
How to treat osteophyte?
Osteophyte formation can be treated in the following ways. First, if osteophytes do not cause pain, discomfort, or other symptoms in patients, special treatment may not be necessary as osteophyte formation is a physiological phenomenon associated with the normal transformation of joint cartilage. Second, if osteophytes cause local pain, swelling, and limited mobility, treatment can include functional exercise, combined with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications, drugs that nourish joint cartilage, and traditional Chinese medicines that activate blood circulation, relax tendons, and relieve pain. Changes to daily lifestyle should also be made to avoid excessive strain, weight-bearing, and stress on the affected areas. For severe cases of osteophyte formation, surgical intervention may be necessary, especially in cases where there is significant spinal or nerve compression or noticeable narrowing of joint spaces.
What to eat for calcium supplementation for osteophyte growth
It is advisable to use calcium carbonate or calcium lactate containing vitamin D, as vitamin D can promote the absorption of calcium in the body. Additionally, it is appropriate to sunbathe moderately and engage in regular exercise, maintain a balanced diet, and consume foods rich in calcium such as fish, shrimp, eggs, and milk, all of which help supplement calcium and enhance its absorption. If bone hyperplasia is severe, even sufficient calcium supplementation cannot reverse the localized excess bone growth. If bone hyperplasia severely affects mobility, surgical treatment may be necessary.
How to treat osteophyte growth?
After the occurrence of bone hyperplasia, if the patient exhibits clinical symptoms, appropriate treatment can be undertaken. For instance, it is advisable to reduce local load-bearing activities, avoid repeated external forces, keep warm, and avoid exposure to cold. Regular soaking in warm water, or choosing orthopedic medicinal fumigation, and treatment using spectrum instruments, microwave devices, and infrared lamps can be used. These methods can accelerate the circulation of qi and blood within local muscles, clear the meridians, and can delay the progression and aging of bone hyperplasia, preventing the loss of calcium, protein, and other substances from the bone. Additionally, under the guidance of a rehabilitation doctor, correct local exercise can be carried out, such as local muscle tissue contraction and relaxation training, which can increase bone strength and density, all of which aid in symptom relief.
How is osteophyte treated?
Bone hyperplasia is mainly caused by degenerative changes in the joints, chronic strain, trauma, and other reasons. There may be no symptoms when there is no pressure or irritation on the surrounding tissues. However, when the surrounding tissues or nerve roots are stimulated, symptoms such as pain and numbness or weakness in the limbs can occur. For the treatment of bone hyperplasia, if there are no symptoms, treatment is not necessary, and attention to rest is usually sufficient. When the aforementioned symptoms occur, anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs, nerve-nourishing drugs, and cartilage-nourishing drugs can be used, along with heat therapy, physical therapy, block therapy, and traction. These methods can play a positive role in improving symptoms. Surgical treatment can also be considered when conservative treatment is ineffective or functional impairment occurs. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)
Symptoms of lumbar hyperostosis
The symptoms of lumbar spondylosis mainly include localized pain and limited mobility. This condition can be alleviated through conservative treatments such as massage, acupuncture, electrotherapy, and magnetotherapy to relieve localized pain. Alternatively, block therapy can be used for relief. It is important to note that block therapy rapidly reduces pain symptoms, but its duration is limited. Also, the frequency of using this method is strictly limited to a maximum of 1-2 times per month because the injection contains a high concentration of steroids, which can damage local muscles or ligaments and potentially worsen the pain. (For specific medication use, please follow the guidance of a doctor and do not self-medicate.)
How to deal with cervical spondylosis?
Cervical spondylosis is primarily caused by degenerative changes in the cervical spine, chronic strain, and other factors, leading to cartilage damage. After damage, calcium deposition occurs around the bone joints, thus causing bone proliferation. Treatment for cervical bone proliferation is not necessary if there are no symptoms. When bone proliferation causes neurological and vascular irritation symptoms, such as pain, numbness, and weakness, treatment is needed. Treatment recommendations include resting, using anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications, and medications that nourish nerves. Treatments can also be combined with hot compresses, physical therapy, and traction. These methods can help improve symptoms. If the symptoms are severe and significantly impact daily life, surgical treatment may also be considered. (Please follow the guidance of a professional physician when using medications.)
How to exercise with lumbar spondylosis?
For patients with lumbar spondylosis, it is recommended to exercise through swimming. Swimming exercises the muscles in the lower back and since the body is in a non-weight-bearing position during swimming, it does not aggravate the symptoms of lumbar spondylosis. Remember not to engage in exercises that put weight on the waist, such as playing ball, running, or participating in marathons. These activities should be avoided as they can increase the burden on the waist, exacerbating the degree of spondylosis. They may also lead to complications such as lumbar disc herniation and spinal stenosis, causing gradual increase in lower back pain and symptoms of numbness in the lower limbs.
What injection is used for bone hyperplasia?
Patients with bone hyperplasia, especially the middle-aged and elderly, are advised to take nutritional medications for bones annually, including calcium supplements and bone peptides, etc. These can help suppress the abnormal growth of bones and nourish the local bone tissue, while also preventing the progressive worsening of osteoporosis. It is also recommended to get appropriate sunlight exposure, but avoid overexposure to strong sunlight to prevent adverse reactions. Additionally, engaging in appropriate exercise and maintaining a balanced diet, especially consuming calcium-rich foods, can help in the comprehensive treatment of bone hyperplasia and osteoporosis.
Symptoms of the early stage of bone hyperplasia
The early symptoms of osteophyte formation mainly include pain and limited local movement. If these symptoms occur in the early stage of osteophyte formation and there is no further protection of the affected area, or if vigorous exercise or injury occurs, it can lead to a gradual worsening of the symptoms. Patients may develop conditions such as lumbar disc herniation, cervical disc herniation, and osteoarthritis, which can worsen the symptoms. Therefore, it's crucial to take early symptoms of osteophyte growth seriously and manage them carefully. For instance, first and foremost, rest is important to avoid strenuous activity. Secondly, the local application of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications, as well as medications that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, can be used to alleviate local pain.