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Fluorosis

Skeletal fluorosis is a bone disease that is caused by an excessive level of fluoride in the body. This disease can affect any bones or joints, including those in the back and neck.

In the spine, skeletal fluorosis can lead to calcified spinal ligaments or softened vertebrae, which could cause a narrowing or restriction of the spinal canal – a condition called spinal stenosis. It is extremely rare for skeletal florosis to be a cause of spinal stenosis in the United States, but florosis is considered endemic in many heavily populated countries, including China and India.

Fluorosis has been associated with chronically inhaling dust or gas contaminated with fluoride in industries such as coal mining, as is often the case in China. Fluoride-contaminated groundwater has led to high instances of the condition in certain parts of India. The high fluoride content in some instant tea also has been suspected of leading to the condition.

While fluorosis is rarely diagnosed in the U.S., some symptoms of fluorosis can closely resemble those of a much more common condition in this country, osteoarthritis in the back or neck. These shared symptoms include:

• Back and neck pain
• Stiffness in the spinal joints (facet joints)
• Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, or legs
• Pain that radiates through the shoulders, arms, hips, or legs

Because fluorosis is relatively uncommon in this country, the medical community has not established a regular treatment plan for the condition. The only way to know for sure the origin and nature of your back or neck pain is to consult with your doctor.

Most back or neck pain fades and disappears over time, or is successfully treated with physical therapy and medication. In some cases, however, spinal surgery is necessary to help patients regain a better quality of life.

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Fortunately, the surgeons at Laser Spine Institute (LSI) revolutionized a variety of minimally invasive, outpatient procedures that can help you rediscover a life without pain. Contact LSI to learn more about our revolutionary endoscopic techniques for alleviating the symptoms of spinal stenosis and numerous other spine conditions. We can provide you with a free review of your MRI or CT scan to determine if you are a good candidate for our procedures.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.