Degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine, or more simply, osteochondrosis, not only affect the growing population of our planet, but also significantly rejuvenate. Today, more than 80% of the working-age population of our planet suffers from back pain from time to time.
Osteochondrosis- Spinal disease resulting in degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs and underlying bone tissue, accompanied by thickening of the intervertebral processes and loss of elasticity of the ligaments along the spine. This causes aging, dehydration and loss of stability in cartilage tissue.
Osteochondrosis is not only a disease of the spine or a violation of sensitivity in the limbs, but a disease of the whole organism. As many studies have shown, osteochondrosis directly affects virtually all internal organs. For example, disorders of the cervical region affect the functioning of the organs of vision, hearing, mind and mental activity. They disrupt the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract in the thoracic region. Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the lower back cause organ problems in the small pelvis, including the genital area and lower extremities. For example, the same lower extremities are accompanied by various pains, muscle cramps, "creeping reptiles", numbness of the extremities and their subsequent atrophy. Therefore, early detection and qualified treatment of this pathology is very important. Many people who are diagnosed with an intervertebral hernia for the first time are faced with a choice of treatment options. The offer of surgical treatment keeps most in a state of shock and forces them to look for alternative treatments. Some immediately turn to traditional healers, bone grafts, some take various medications, some do nothing at all, sticking to the idea that the disease should be treated when it is very disturbing. In this regard, neurosurgeons have a winged saying - "Walking with a hernia is like walking with a grenade, no one knows when it will explode! " But, unfortunately, whether it is neurosurgical or orthopedic, surgical treatment is not a cure. In many patients, even after surgery, pain in the spine persists, is associated with the development of cicatricial adhesions, and recurrences occur frequently (a new flare-up ("return") of the disease after visible healing) - recurrent hernias.
With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs are most affected. This unique cartilage washer connects only 33 of our vertebrae. Good working conditions, mobility, elasticity, resilience, ability to withstand loads directly depend on the condition of the intervertebral discs. They serve as spring shock absorbers to soften the load.
Osteochondrosis manifests itself in the first decades of life and, according to observations, more often in boys than in girls.
If you do not prevent and treat osteochondrosis, the disease will gradually develop, affecting the entire spinal cord and can result in compression of the herniated disc, nerve endings and parts of the spinal cord. In severe cases, the consequences of osteochondrosis can be eliminated only with surgery with a long recovery and rehabilitation period.
Types of osteochondrosis
The following types of osteochondrosis differ depending on the affected part of the spine:
- Cervical osteochondrosisor cervical lumbar osteochondrosis.
- Chest osteochondrosisor osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
- Lumbar osteochondrosisor osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine.
- General osteochondrosis,when the disease spreads to two or three parts of the spine at the same time.
- First:The main symptom of osteochondrosis at this stage is the instability manifested in the initial disorders of the vertebral discs. I feel bad and anxious.
- Second:The main symptom of the second stage of osteochondrosis is a disc protrusion. The destruction of the annulus fibrosus begins, the gaps between the vertebrae are reduced, and nerve endings are possible with pain syndromes.
- Third:At this stage of osteochondrosis, the destruction of the ring occurs with the appearance of intervertebral hernias. The third stage is characterized by significant deformation of the spine.
- Fourth:the last and most severe stage of osteochondrosis. It's hard to walk. Any movement causes severe pain. Periodically, the condition improves and the pain decreases, but this clearly indicates the formation of bone growths. It connects the vertebrae, restricts mobility and causes disability.
Four stages in the development of osteochondrosis
Symptoms characteristic of osteochondrosis
Patients suffering from osteochondrosis often complain of constant aching back pain accompanied by pain in their limbs and limbs. In the absence of adequate treatment, weight loss and atrophy of the limbs occur. Main symptoms:
- persistent aching back pain, numbness and pain in the limbs;
- increased pain with sudden movements, physical exertion, weight lifting, coughing and sneezing;
- decreased movement, muscle spasms;
- with cervical spine osteochondrosis: arm, shoulder, headache; possible development of the so-called vertebral artery syndrome, which consists of the following complaints: noise in the head, dizziness, flashing "flies", colored spots in front of the eyes, accompanied by a burning throbbing headache. The cause of vertebral artery syndrome can also be spasm in response to direct irritation of the sympathetic plexus due to bone growth, disc herniation, arthrosis of the intervertebral joint, and a reflex reaction to irritation of any receptor in the spinal column. The presence of vertebral artery syndrome, if present, may aggravate the course of coronary or cardiovascular pathology;
- with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: pain in the chest (as a "share" in the chest), in the heart and other internal organs;
- with lumbosacral lumbar osteochondrosis: low back pain, spread to the sacrum, lower extremities, sometimes to the pelvic organs;
- Damage to nerve roots (herniated intervertebral discs, bone growths, spondylolisthesis, spondyloarthritis): shooting pain and impaired sensitivity, hypotrophy, hypotension, weakness in innervated muscles, decreased reflexes.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
The initial diagnosis is made during the initial examination of the patient. The examination is usually performed by a neurologist in connection with the patient's complaints of local changes that may manifest themselves as pain, deformity, or limited mobility. The spinal patient sits and lies on his feet both at rest and in motion. The level of the spinal lesion is determined by calculating the number of vertebrae from certain anatomical features or by a special scheme.
When examining the back, pay attention to posture, structural features of the body, note the line of spinous processes (middle groove of the back), the lower angles of the shoulder blades, the edges of the iliac bones, the lateral. detects the contours of the spine and neck, the position of the shoulder girdle, the vertical deviation of the intergluteal groove, the protrusion, the elongation of spinous processes focuses on the relief of the muscles located near the spine.
Spinal sensation allows to complete the examination data (presence or absence of deformity), to determine the location, degree and nature of pain. On palpation, the tension of the muscles near the spine is also noted. Most spinal injuries and diseases are accompanied by an increase in muscle tone.
Spinal flexion is used to determine the degree of movement in different parts of the spine.
The main role in the development of the spine is assigned to radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which determine the level of the lesion, clarify and specify the diagnosis and reveal hidden pathologies. Diagnostic information allows the attending physician to determine treatment tactics and select the most effective treatment methods.
Osteochondrosis of the spine, treatment with exercise
Complex conservative treatment includes physiotherapy exercises, physiotherapy, massage, manual therapy, spinal traction, reflexology, drug therapy.
Physiotherapy exercises (exercise therapy) - the main method of conservative treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, is the creation of dose loads aimed at decompression of nerve roots, repair and strengthening of the muscle corset, increasing the volume and development of a certain stereotype. movements and proper posture, giving the ligamentous-muscular apparatus the necessary elasticity and preventing complications. This is achieved through regular training with rehabilitation equipment and joint gymnastics. Exercise improves blood circulation, normalizes the metabolism and nutrition of the intervertebral discs, increases the intervertebral space, forms a muscle corset and reduces the load on the spine.
Physiotherapy is a treatment that uses physical factors: low-frequency currents, magnetic fields, ultrasound, laser, and so on. Used for rehabilitation after pain, inflammation, injuries and operations. When physiotherapy methods are used, the duration of treatment for many diseases is shortened, the effectiveness of the drug is reduced and the dose is reduced, there are no side effects specific to drug treatment.
Massage is a set of mechanically measured methods of movement in the form of friction, pressure, vibration, performed directly by hand on the surface of the human body. Effectively relieves muscle tension, muscle pain, improves blood circulation, has a tonic effect.
Manual therapy is an individually designed hand effect on the musculoskeletal system to relieve acute and chronic pain in the back and joints, increase movement rate and posture. One of the directions of hand therapy is Viseral hand therapy, which helps to restore normal mobility of organs, improve blood supply, lymph circulation, normalize metabolism, restore immunity and prevent the exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Spinal traction is an effective method of treating pain syndromes in the spine and joints using a individually selected load with the help of special equipment. The procedure aims to increase the intervertebral space, reduce pain and restore the anatomically correct shape of the spine.
Reflexology - various therapeutic techniques and methods that affect the reflexogenic zones and acupuncture points of the human body. The use of reflexology in combination with other therapeutic methods significantly increases their effectiveness. In most cases, reflex osteochondrosis is accompanied by pain, nervous system diseases, sleep disorders, mental imbalance, as well as overweight and smoking. By following certain points, you can harmonize your body and cure many diseases.
Drug treatment is indicated during the exacerbation of the disease, aims to relieve pain, eliminate the inflammatory process and increase metabolic processes by taking or administering drugs using intramuscular or intravenous injections.
Although each of the above methods is highly effective, a lasting therapeutic effect can only be achieved when combined with exercises on rehabilitation equipment, ie. when creating a full-fledged muscle corset.
Recommendations for the prevention and treatment of osteochondrosis
To prevent osteochondrosis or reduce pain, people suffering from this disease are advised to keep the load on the intervertebral discs to a minimum and at the same time stretch the back muscles as they are. as often as possible to support metabolic processes around the spine. The general recommendations are hot until you follow the rules of a healthy lifestyle, in addition, the doctor involved in each situation prescribes specific recommendations.
The following rules must be followed to prevent:
- Do not overload the spine, do not create favorable conditions for increased pressure on the intervertebral discs:
- limit vertical loads;
- do not make sudden movements during bending, especially the rotation of the body;
- avoid falls and jumps from great heights, injuries and bruises on the spine;
- change your body position more often;
- keep your back straight;
- try to maintain the natural physiological curves of the spine: in a flat position, the load on the spine is minimal, but the bed should be semi-rigid (preferably lying on a firm orthopedic mattress and orthopedic pillow); in a sitting position, keep your back straight due to the muscles or press against the back of a chair or stool (the seat should be firm enough, there should be a curve in the lumbar region), keep your head straight; change the leg on which you lean more in the standing position; to get up from the bed or a chair, and at the same time to lie down, without stretching or bending your hands;
- massage for water and your back before physical activity, it breaks down blood, speeds up metabolic processes and allows the intervertebral discs to absorb enough moisture;
- do not lift or hold heavy objects on the arms that are stretched to lift, bend, and then stand with it to bring the objects as close to the body as possible;
- try to distribute the load evenly when carrying weight, ie do not carry bags in one hand, etc. If you have to carry something in front of you, keep your hands as close to your body as possible and as you pass, and use it to carry heavy loads, carts, bags or suitcases on wheels, backpacks;
- use a wide belt or a special corset when performing heavy work involving lifting, moving or carrying weights;
- Do not lift more than 10 kg;
- when doing any work, try to bend and bend as little as possible, and periodically loosen the spine (hanging on a stick, stretching, stretching with your arms raised);
- wear comfortable shoes; women should limit walking in high heels.
- Exercise regularly to strengthen and protect your corset. Swimming is useful.
- Take a contrast shower, irritate the body.
- Do not overcool.
- Avoid scandals and stressful situations.
- Eat right.
- Do not smoke.