Introduction
"Man, I get up in the morning, and I'm so stiff. It doesn't last all day. I start moving and it goes away, but getting up in the morning is something!"
Definition
DISH is Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis.
Description
Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis is hardening, calcification of the spinal ligaments where they attach to bone, particularly at the front of the skeletal column.
DISH may cause no pain, but more commonly causes stiffness in the morning when rising and fades away as the day's activities begin.
DISH generally affects at least 2 or more levels of the spine, and most often, 97% of cases, affects the thoracic spine.
Its cause is unknown, but DISH is degenerative in nature and affects more men than women.
DISH Description
Note: A rare, controversial location of DISH is pictured here. It is the ossification of the sacrotuberous or sacrospinous ligaments.
Examination
A thorough, clinical examination of the affected area(s) of the spine that may include imaging which may be important to your recovery.
Treatment
In office, [companyname]] uses Cox Technic Flexion Distraction and Decompression to widen the canal space, drop the intradiscal pressure and increase the disc height to relieve pain and encourage as much mobility into the scoliotic spine as possible.
You will welcome the Cox Technic manipulation that gently "pulls you apart," as many patients describe the treatment or say they need. Depending on the area(s) of the spine affected, the spinal area appropriate Cox Technic Flexion Distraction and Decompression protocols, possibly combined with other forms of care, will be applied appropriately. Depending on the severity of your pain and symptoms, gentler Protocol I Cox Technic may be applied until 50% relief of pain or more restoring Protocol II may be applied to guide your recovery.
In office adjunctive care may hasten your recovery.
At Home Care
At home you may want to avoid sitting for long periods of time, wear a support brace if recommended, take nutritional supplements that help rebuild disc cartilage, do exercises that strengthen your spine, sleep on a supportive mattress, sit in an ergonomically designed chair, and modify your daily activities as needed.
Cases
Contact OrthoIllinois Chiropractic in McHenry for diagnosis and care of DISH.