Osteochondrosisis a disease of the spine, the characteristic of which is the degenerative-dystrophic damage of the intervertebral discs, and then also of the vertebral tissues themselves.
Dystrophic changes in the disc lead to weakening of its outer fibrous ring.Therefore, patients with osteochondrosis often experience such serious complications as protrusion (bulging of part of the disc) and vertebral hernia (hanging of the nucleus pulposus of the disc in the spinal canal).
According to the results of medical research, every second person experiences spine problems after 30 years.In 70% of cases, the cause of pain in the spine is considered to be osteochondrosis, which is a neurological disease that affects the ligaments of the spine.
The first signs of spinal osteochondrosis do not appear immediately, but gradually.
Depending on the location of the pain, there are three types of osteochondrosis:
- Cervical region;
- Chest ward;
- Middle region.
According to many experts who have studied this disease, the main cause of osteochondrosis is an incorrectly distributed load on the spine.As a result, in patients, directly in places where excessive physical pressure is exerted, a change in the structure of cartilage tissue occurs.
Causes of spinal osteochondrosis:
- Inherited predisposition to the disease.
- The presence of diseases of the endocrine system is a metabolic disorder.
- The development of orthopedic diseases, for example, flat feet, bending of the posture, diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
- Various injuries, bruises of the spine.
- Lifestyle: lack of activity, poor diet with a predominance of harmful foods.
- Being overweight.
- Bad habits - smoking, alcoholism.
- Stress, fatigue.
- Pregnancy.
In most cases, the causes of osteochondrosis are related to a person's professional activity.
Stages of development
The development of osteochondrosis occurs in 4 distinct stages:
Stage 1 of osteochondrosis
It is characterized by the beginning of a pathological process in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc - its dehydration (dehydration) occurs, and then the height of the disc decreases.At the same time, cracks begin to appear in the fibrous ring.At this stage, the patient usually does not feel any changes.Discomfort can occur when sitting in a sitting position that is unusual for a person, or when actively exercising.
Phase 2
In the second stage of osteochondrosis, the continuation of degenerative changes leads to disc elongation.The gaps between the vertebrae are reduced, and the fibrous capsule is destroyed.As a result, the roots of the spinal nerves are pressed, which provokes the appearance of point pain, the intensity of which increases with bending, turning and other movements.Potential vulnerability and performance degradation.
Stage 3 of osteochondrosis of the spine
It is characterized by the erosion of the cartilage layer between the discs;the thinning of the tissue is clearly visible if you take an X-ray.Symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis are pronounced, intense, and the pain does not go away, and only strong sedatives can relieve it.drugs.
Phase 4
The fourth stage is the most complex neurological disorder in the spinal system, expressed in partial or complete limitation of joint mobility.With this diagnostic condition, bony growths (osteophytes) are formed in the place of the vertebral joints, which cause microtrauma in the nerve branches and adjacent segments of the spine.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis in adults
As the disease progresses, pathological mobility of the spine develops, in which the soft tissues, nerve fibers and blood vessels located near the lesion are affected - this is how pain appears.
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- pain in the back, cervical region, lower back, shoulders and even ribs;
- discomfort, stiffness of the back during certain movements, lifting something;
- numbness of the extremities (arms and/or legs);
- feeling of pain in the arms and legs, chills;
- muscle spasm;
- disorders in the functioning of the genital organs;
- headache, dizziness;
- pain in the heart area;
- sensory disturbance;
- muscle hypotension;
- increased fatigue, sometimes even in the eyes.
Excessive physical activity, overwork, hypothermia, injuries, body shocks and exposure to vibration can contribute to the appearance of acute symptoms.
Complications
Degenerative processes that mainly affect the intervertebral discs lead to a decrease in their density and the loss of their absorbing functions.The consequence of such changes is excessive mobility of the spine, facial joints, muscles and ligaments are affected.
Paravertebral structures involved in destructive processes cause compression (squeezing) of the spinal cord and its nerve endings.As a result, a patient with osteochondrosis feels pain, which is accompanied by the following symptoms and diseases: severe headache, migraine, reduced visual acuity, autonomic dysfunction (VSD), genitourinary system dysfunction, sciatica (compression of the sciatic nerve), intervertebral hernia, lumbar hernia, spondiosis.
Instrumental methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis:
- X-ray diagnosis plays a key role in this disease.Conventional radiography can reveal signs of disease, such as narrowing of the gap between the vertebrae.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a research method that allows accurate diagnosis of processes occurring in the region of the spine.With its help, in particular, it is possible to determine the presence of a disc herniation and its location.
- Computed tomography (CT) is similar in its diagnostic capabilities to MRI.The disadvantage of CT is the presence of exposure to radiation during the study.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
There is no specific and single correct method for the treatment of osteochondrosis - this process, in any case, requires an integrated approach.
The comprehensive program traditionally includes the following components:
- physiotherapeutic methods of influence;
- special exercises and massages;
- manual therapy methods;
- drug treatment;
- reflexology, electrophoresis, etc.;attraction
When treating this category of patients, specialists prescribe medications that have the following properties: relieve inflammation, restore the functions of the musculoskeletal system, stimulate tissue regeneration of intervertebral discs and cartilage, and prevent the progression of osteochondrosis.
The treatment of osteochondrosis follows the traditional way of treating many diseases of the musculoskeletal system: NSAIDs are prescribed to eliminate the inflammatory process in the tissues, chondroprotectors to restore the level of synovial fluid and corticosteroids if the first two types of drugs are ineffective.
To get rid of osteochondrosis, various therapeutic procedures are used, including massage.It has many useful properties - muscle tone is relieved, blood flow in the spine is stimulated, intervertebral discs become stronger.
Manual therapy relieves acute pain and helps restore posture.One of the most used methods is visceral therapy.During its implementation, quality joint treatment is carried out, blood circulation processes are improved and the immune system is strengthened.It allows you to prevent the aggravation of various chronic diseases.
Physical therapy or exercise therapy for osteochondrosis is very important.Thus, special exercises to strengthen the back muscles contribute to the formation of a muscular corset, which in turn ensures an even distribution of the load on the back.In addition, thanks to regular exercises, blood circulation and tissue nutrition, including the intervertebral discs, improve, the patient develops the correct posture and the range of motion in the spine increases.
Physiotherapy helps to effectively combat painful manifestations in places where the pathological process is localized.There are many types of physical therapy interventions.Most often they use magnetic therapy, ultrasound therapy and exposure to low-frequency currents.
Preventing
If osteochondrosis is prevented in time, its treatment may not be required.The issue should be addressed comprehensively:
- restriction of heavy lifting (less than 10 kg);
- carry loads only symmetrically (distributing the weight in both hands);
- perform simple physical exercises aimed at strengthening the spine, muscles and joints;
- swim regularly;