Osteochondrosisis a disease of the spine, its characteristic feature is the degenerative-dystrophic damage of the intervertebral discs, and then the spinal tissues themselves.
Dystrophic changes in the disc lead to weakening of its outer fibrous ring.Therefore, patients with osteochondrosis often experience serious complications such as protrusion (bulging of the disc part) and vertebral hernia (protrusion of the nucleus pulposus of the disc into the spinal canal).
According to the results of medical research, every second person experiences problems with the spine after 30 years.In 70% of cases, the cause of pain in the spine is considered to be osteochondrosis, 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, three types of osteochondrosis are distinguished:
- Cervical region;
- Thoracic department;
- Waist region.
According to many experts who study this disease, the main cause of osteochondrosis is an incorrectly distributed load on the spine.As a result, a change in the structure of the cartilage tissue occurs in patients where direct physical pressure is applied.
Causes of spinal osteochondrosis:
- Hereditary predisposition to the disease.
- The presence of endocrine system diseases is a metabolic disorder.
- The development of orthopedic diseases, for example, flat feet, curvature of the posture, diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
- Various injuries, crushing of the spine.
- Lifestyle: lack of activity, poor diet dominated by unhealthy foods.
- Being overweight.
- Bad habits - smoking, alcoholism.
- Stress, fatigue.
- Pregnancy.
In most cases, the causes of osteochondrosis are associated with a person's professional activity.
Stages of development
The development of osteochondrosis occurs in 4 different stages:
1st stage of osteochondrosis
It is characterized by the beginning of a pathological process in the nuclear pulp of the intervertebral disc - its dehydration (dehydration) occurs, and subsequently 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 notice any changes.Discomfort may occur when sitting in an unusual sitting position for a person or when actively exercising.
Stage 2
In the second stage of osteochondrosis, the continuation of degenerative changes leads to disc protrusion.The spaces between the vertebrae are reduced, the fibrous capsule is destroyed.As a result, the roots of the spinal nerves are compressed, which provokes the appearance of point pain, the intensity of which increases with bending, turning and other movements.Possible weakness and reduced performance.
Stage 3 osteochondrosis of the spine
It is characterized by wear of the cartilage lining between the discs;If you take an X-ray, the thinning of the tissue is clearly visible.The symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis are pronounced, intense, and the pain does not go away, and only strong painkillers can eliminate it.drugs.
Stage 4
The fourth stage is the most complex neurological disorders in the spinal system, expressed by partial or complete limitation of joint mobility.With this diagnostic condition, bone growths (osteophytes) occur at the site of the vertebral joints, which cause microtrauma to the nerve branches and adjacent segments of the spine.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis in adults
As the disease progresses, the pathological mobility of the spine develops, where the soft tissues, nerve fibers and blood vessels located near the lesion are disturbed - this is how the pain occurs.
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);
- a feeling of pain in the arms and legs, trembling;
- muscle spasms;
- disorders in the work of the genital organs;
- headache, dizziness;
- pain in the heart region;
- sensitivity disorder;
- 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 development of acute symptoms.
Complications
First of all, degenerative processes affecting the intervertebral discs lead to a decrease in their density and loss of shock absorbing functions.The result of such changes is excessive mobility of the spine, facet joints, muscles and ligaments are affected.
Paravertebral structures involved in destructive processes cause compression (compression) 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, decreased visual acuity, autonomic dysfunction (VSD), dysfunction of the genitourinary system, sciatica (compression of the sciatic nerve), intervertebral hernia, spiral arthrosis, spiral arthrosis.
Instrumental methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis:
- X-ray diagnostics plays a key role in this disease.Plain X-rays can reveal signs of disease, such as narrowing of the space between the vertebrae.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a research method that allows accurate diagnosis of processes occurring in the spinal region.With its help, in particular, it is possible to determine the presence of a herniated disc and its location.
- Computed tomography (CT) is similar to MRI in its diagnostic capabilities.The disadvantage of CT is radiation exposure during the study.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
There is no specific and only correct method of treating osteochondrosis - this process, in any case, requires an integrated approach.
A comprehensive program traditionally includes the following components:
- physiotherapeutic methods of influence;
- special exercises and massages;
- manual therapy methods;
- drug treatment;
- reflexology, electrophoresis, etc.;traction.
When treating this category of patients, specialists prescribe drugs with the following properties: eliminate inflammation, restore the functions of the musculoskeletal system, stimulate tissue regeneration of intervertebral discs and cartilage, and prevent the development 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 tissues, when the first two types of drugs are ineffective, chondroprotectors and corticosteroids are prescribed to restore the level of synovial fluid.
To get rid of osteochondrosis, various therapeutic procedures are used, including massage.It has many useful properties - muscle tone relaxes, blood flow in the spine is stimulated, intervertebral discs are strengthened.
Manual therapy relieves acute pain and helps restore posture.One of the most commonly used methods is visceral therapy.During its implementation, high-quality treatment of joints is carried out, blood circulation processes are improved, and the immune system is strengthened.It allows to prevent exacerbation of various chronic diseases.
Physical therapy or exercise therapy is very important for osteochondrosis.Thus, special exercises to strengthen the back muscles help to form a muscle corset, which in turn ensures an even distribution of the load on the spine.In addition, thanks to regular exercises, blood circulation and nutrition of tissues, including intervertebral discs, improves, the patient develops a correct posture, and the range of motion in the spine increases.
Physiotherapy helps to effectively deal with painful manifestations where the pathological process is localized.There are many types of physiotherapeutic interventions.Often they resort to magnetic therapy, ultrasound therapy and exposure to low-frequency currents.
Prevention
If osteochondrosis is prevented in time, its treatment may not be required.It is necessary to approach the issue comprehensively:
- limit heavy load (less than 10 kg);
- carrying loads only symmetrically (distributing the weight on both hands);
- perform simple physical exercises aimed at strengthening the spine, muscles and joints;
- swim regularly;