What is calcium build-up on the spine and how can it be cured?

Answer 1

Calcium buildup is called "Arthritis" and cannot be cured... The worst arthritis involving the spine is when there is enough buildup to cause "impingement" of the spinal cord, otherwise known as "stenosis"... Usually noted in older individuals, it can be as a result of trauma [fall, herniated disc, scoliosis, etc]. The "stenosis" occurs in about 80% of older folks and rarely goes on to cause medical problems such as paraplegia (weakness & loss of sensation) [lower extremities affected] or all extremities, called quadriplegia... resulting in partial to complete paralysis/loss of sensation... Understand this... Arthritis is a normal action by the body to buildup or strengthen a bony joint to prevent wear & tear of that joint... The body is unable to manufacture new cartilage, so what ends up happening is regular bone builds up, narrowing the joint space [in general terms], and spinal cord compression when in the spine.. If there IS impingement of the spinal cord as diagnosed by MRI, additional tests are required: CT milligram to get a better "feel" for how much spinal cord impingement [compression] of the cord, and Electromylography [EMG's and Nerve conduction studies] of the extremities to see if there is actual cord damage... If so, surgery is absolutely necessary to "free up" the bony entrapment of the nerves affected to prevent further nerve damage... Remember... IF there is evidence of increasing weakness,[neck: dropping things, loss of sensitivity in your hands, muscle waisting of the arm(s) & hands... lower spine: increasing weakness of the legs, loss of feeling, muscle waisting on buttocks/legs/feet, etc] then you need to see a neurosurgeon or orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in spinal surgery ASAP... Good answer above, the calcium deposits that occur on the spine are a natural part of the aging process, they are also called bone-spurs. Most people in their 40's and 50's will have some bone-spurs if an X-Ray is taken, most are symptom free, but as noted above can cause nerve root compression or spinal cord compression. Much Back pain in those with arthritis is due to degenerative arthritis of the articular facets (small joints on either side of the spine that allow vertebrae to move against the vertebrae above and below). No cure for bone-spurs, but must be treated surgically if causing compression or impingement on surrounding tissues.

Answer 2

Go to the related link below( Bones, Calcium, Phosphate, and PTH in Kidney Failure) for information on this subject.

Answer 3

Not sure