Degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine, or, more simply, osteochondrosis, not only affects an increasing number of the adult population of our planet, but also becomes much younger. Today, more than 80% of the working age population of our planet is periodically disturbed by spinal pain.
Osteochondrosis- a disease of the spine, which leads to degenerative-dystrophic lesions of the intervertebral discs and underlying bone tissue, accompanied by thickening of the processes of the vertebrae and loss of elasticity of the ligaments along the spinevertebral. This leads to aging, dehydration and loss of stability of cartilage tissue.
Osteochondrosis is not just a manifestation of pain in the spine or altered tenderness in the limbs, it is a disease of the whole body. And as numerous studies prove, osteochondrosis has a direct effect on virtually all internal organs. For example, disorders of the cervical spine affect the functioning of the organs of vision, hearing, mental and mental activity. In the thoracic region, they disrupt the work of the cardiovascular system, the gastrointestinal tract. And degenerative-dystrophic changes in the lumbar spine lead toorgan problems in the small pelvis, including in the urogenital region and lower limbs. For example, in the same lower limbs it is accompanied by various pains, muscle cramps, "crawling flows", numbness of the limbs and, subsequently, their atrophy. Therefore, early detection and qualified treatment of this pathology is very important. Many people who are first faced with the diagnosis of intervertebral hernia are faced with the choice of methods of their treatment. The proposed surgical treatment leaves many in a state of shock, forcing them to seek alternative therapies. Some immediately turn to traditional healers, bonesetters, others take various medications, others do nothing at all, adhering to the view that the disease should be treated when it is of great concern. In this regard, there is a winged expression of neurosurgeons - "walking with a hernia is like walking with a grenade, no one knows when it will explode! " But, unfortunately, surgical treatment, whether neurosurgicalor orthopedic, is not a panacea. In many patients, even after the operation, pain in the spine persists, associated with the development of scar adhesions, and relapses often occur (a further exacerbation ("return") of the disease after apparent healing) -repeated hernias.
With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs are most often affected. These unique cartilage patches not only connect our 33 vertebrae to the spine. Its good working condition, mobility, elasticity, elasticity, ability to withstand loads directly depend on the condition of the intervertebral discs. They serve as elastic shock absorbers to cushion the load.
Osteochondrosis is shown already in the first decades of life and, according to supervision, more often in boys than in girls.
If you do not take care of the prevention and treatment of osteochondrosis, the disease will progress, gradually affecting the entire spine, which can eventually lead to a herniated disc, pinching of nerve endings and parts of the spinal cord. In severe cases, the consequences of osteochondrosis can be eliminated only by surgical intervention with a long period of recovery and rehabilitation.
Types of osteochondrosis
Depending on the part of the spine affected by the disease, the following types of osteochondrosis are distinguished:
- Cervical osteochondrosisor osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
- Thoracic osteochondrosisor osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
- Lumbar osteochondrosisor osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine.
- Common osteochondrosis,This is 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 instability, which is manifested by the initial disorders of the vertebral discs. Feeling bad and uncomfortable.
- Second:the main symptom of the second stage of osteochondrosis is disc protrusion. The destruction of the fibrous ring begins, the gaps between the vertebrae decrease, pinching of the nerve endings with pain syndromes is possible.
- The third:at this stage of osteochondrosis, the destruction of the ring occurs with the appearance of intervertebral hernias. The third stage is characterized by a significant deformation of the spine.
- Fourth:the last and most serious stage of osteochondrosis. It becomes difficult to move around. Any movement causes sharp pain. Periodically, the condition improves and the pain subsides, but this clearly indicates the formation of bone growths. They connect the vertebrae, limiting the ability to move and causing disability.
Four stages of development of osteochondrosis
Characteristic symptoms of osteochondrosis
Patients with osteochondrosis complain of constant back pain, which is often accompanied by numbness and pain in the limbs. Without adequate treatment, weight loss and limb atrophy occurs. The main symptoms are:
- constant back pain, numbness and pain in the limbs;
- increased pain with sudden movements, physical exertion, lifting weights, coughing and sneezing;
- decreased range of motion, muscle spasms;
- with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: pain in the arms, shoulders, headaches; 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 associated with a burning and throbbing headache. The cause of vertebral artery syndrome may be its spasm in response to both direct irritation of his sympathetic plexus due to bone growths, herniated disc, osteoarthritis of the intervertebral joint, and a reflex reaction. due to irritation of any receptor in the spine. The presence of vertebral artery syndrome can worsen the course of coronary or cardiomuscular disease, if it is present;
- with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: pain in the chest (like a "sting" in the chest), in the region of the heart and other internal organs;
- with osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine: back pain, radiating to the sacrum, lower limbs, sometimes to the pelvic organs;
- nerve root damage (with herniated disc, bone growths, spondylolisthesis, spondylarthrosis): throbbing pain and altered sensitivity, hypotrophy, hypotension, weakness of innervated muscles, decreased reflexes.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
The establishment of a preliminary diagnosis is carried out during the initial examination of the patient. The examination is usually performed by a neurologist in connection with the patient's complaints about local changes, which may manifest as pain, deformity or limited mobility. The spine is examined with the patient standing, sitting and lying, at rest and in motion. The level of spinal injury is determined by counting the number of vertebrae from certain anatomical landmarks or according to a particular pattern.
When examining the back, pay attention to posture, structural features of the trunk, mark the line of the spinous processes (the median groove of the back), the lower angles of the shoulder blades, the ridges of the iliac bones, the contours of thethe waist and neck, the position of the shoulder girdle, the deviation of the intergluteal groove from the vertical, reveal a protrusion, the protrusion of the spinous processes pays attention to the relief of the muscles located next to the spine.
The sensation of the spine makes it possible to supplement the data of the examination (presence or absence of deformation), to determine the localization, the degree and the nature of the pain. During palpation, the tension of the muscles located next to the spine is also noted. most injuries and diseases of the spine are accompanied by increased muscle tone.
Spinal flexion is used to determine the range of motion in different parts of the spine.
The main role in the study of the spine is assigned to x-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, with the help of which the level of the lesion is determined, the diagnosis is clarified and made concrete, andhidden pathologies are revealed. Diagnostic data allows the attending physician to determine the treatment tactics and choose the most effective methods of treatment.
Osteochondrosis of the spine, treatment with movement
Complex conservative treatment includes exercises in physiotherapy, physiotherapy, massage, manual therapy, traction (traction) of the spine, reflexology, drug therapy.
Physiotherapy exercises (exercise therapy) - the main method of conservative treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system is to create metered loads aimed at decompressing the nerve roots, correcting and strengthening the muscle corset, increasing the volumeand the development of a certain stereotype of movements and a correct posture, giving the ligamento-muscular apparatus the necessary flexibility, as well as to prevent complications. This is achieved through regular exercises with rehabilitation equipment and joint gymnastics. As a result of exercise, blood circulation improves, the metabolism and nutrition of the intervertebral discs is normalized, the intervertebral space increases, the muscle corset is formed, and the load on the spine decreases.
Physiotherapy is a method of treatment that uses physical factors: low frequency currents, magnetic fields, ultrasound, laser, etc. It is used to relieve pain, inflammation, rehabilitation after injuries and operations. When using physiotherapy methods, the duration of treatment of many diseases is shortened, the effectiveness of the use of drugs and a decrease in their dosage is increased, there are no side effects inherent in themedical treatment.
Massage is a set of metered mechanical action methods in the form of friction, pressure, vibration, performed directly on the surface of the human body by the hands. Effectively relieves muscle tension, muscle pain, improves blood circulation, has a tonic effect.
Manual therapy is a personalized manual effect on the musculoskeletal system to relieve acute and chronic pain in the spine and joints, as well as to increase range of motion and correct posture. One of the directions of manual therapy is visceral manual therapy, which helps restore normal organ mobility, improves blood supply, lymph circulation, normalizes metabolism, restores immunity and prevents exacerbations of chronic diseases.
Traction (traction) of the spine is an effective method of treating pain syndromes of the spine and joints using an individually selected load using special equipment. The procedure aims to increase the intervertebral space, relieve pain and restore the anatomically correct shape of the spine.
Reflexotherapy - various therapeutic techniques and methods for influencing the reflexogenic zones of the human body and acupuncture points. The use of reflexology in combination with other therapeutic methods significantly increases their effectiveness. Most often, reflexology is used for osteochondrosis, which is accompanied by pain, diseases of the nervous system, sleep disturbances, mental imbalance, as well as overweight and smoking. By acting on certain points, you can bring the body into harmony and treat many diseases.
Drug therapy is indicated during an exacerbation of the disease, is aimed at relieving pain, relieving the inflammatory process and improving metabolic processes by taking or administering drugs by intramuscular or intravenous injection.
Although each of the above methods is very effective, a long-lasting therapeutic effect can only be achieved when combined with exercises on rehabilitation equipment, that is, when creating a muscle corset. in its own right.
Recommendations for the prevention and prevention of osteochondrosis
To prevent osteochondrosis or reduce pain, people suffering from this disease are advised to be in as long a position as possible in which the load on the intervertebral discs will be minimal, and at the same time it is necessary tostretch the back muscles as often as possible in order to support metabolic processes around the spine. The general recommendations boil down to respecting the rules of a healthy lifestyle. In addition, in each case, the attending physician determines private recommendations.
For prevention, the following rules must be observed:
- Do not overload the spine, do not create conditions conducive to increased pressure in the intervertebral discs:
- limit vertical loads;
- do not make sudden movements, especially body turns when bending;
- avoid falls and jumps from great heights, injuries and bruises to the spine;
- change your body position more often;
- Keep your back straight;
- try to maintain the natural physiological curves of the spine: in the supine position, the load on the spine is minimal, but the bed should be semi-rigid (preferably sleep on a solid orthopedic mattress and an orthopedic pillow); while sitting, keep your back straight due to muscles or pressing it against the back of a chair or chair (the seat should be hard enough and the back should be bent in the lumbar region), keep your headright; when standing, change the leg you lean on most often; getting out of bed or a chair, as well as lying down and sitting down, should be done with the hands without straining or bending the back;
- before physical activity, drink water and massage your back, this will disperse the blood, accelerate metabolic processes and allow the intervertebral discs to absorb a sufficient amount of moisture;
- do not lift or hold heavy objects on the outstretched arms, to lift an object, squat, and then get up with it, while the objects should be as close to the body as possible;
- when carrying weights, try to distribute the load evenly, i. e. do not carry bags in one hand, etc. , if you have to carry an object in front of you, keep it as close to your body as possible and when passing it, do not extend your arms forward, and also use to carry heavy loads, carts, bags orsuitcases with wheels, backpacks;
- when performing heavy work related to lifting, moving or carrying weights, use a wide belt or a special corset;
- do not lift a load exceeding 10 kg;
- when doing any work, try to bend as little as possible and be in a bent state and periodically unload the spine (hang on the bar, stretch with raising your arms, lie down);
- wear comfortable shoes; women should limit walking with high heel shoes.
- Exercise regularly to strengthen and maintain your corset. Swimming is helpful.
- Take a contrasting shower, temper the body.
- Do not overcool.
- Avoid scandals, stressful situations.
- Eat well.
- No smoking.