Osteochondrosisis a disease of the spine, a characteristic feature of which is degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs, and then to the spinal tissues themselves.
Dystrophic changes in the disc lead to a weakening of its outer fibrous ring.Therefore, patients with osteochondrosis often experience such serious complications as protrusion (bulging of part of the disc) and spinal herniation (hanging of the nucleus pulposus of the disc into the spinal canal).
According to the results of medical research, every second person suffers from spinal 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 affecting the spinal ligaments.
The first signs of osteochondrosis of the spine appear not immediately, but gradually.
Depending on the location of the pain, there are three types of osteochondrosis:
- Cervical region;
- Thoracic department;
- Lumbar region.
According to many experts who have studied this disease, the main cause of osteochondrosis is poorly distributed load on the spine.As a result, in patients, directly in those places where excessive physical pressure is applied, a change in the structure of cartilage tissue occurs.
Causes of spinal osteochondrosis:
- Hereditary predisposition to disease.
- The presence of diseases of the endocrine system is a metabolic disorder.
- The development of orthopedic diseases, for example, flat feet, curvature of posture, diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
- Various injuries, spinal contusions.
- 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.
Development stages
The progression of osteochondrosis occurs in 4 distinct stages:
Osteochondrosis stage 1
It is characterized by the appearance of a pathological process in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc - its dehydration (dehydration) occurs, then the height of the disc decreases.At the same time, cracks begin to appear in the annulus fibrosus.At this stage, the patient usually does not feel any changes.Discomfort may occur when sitting in a sitting position unusual for a person or during active exercise.
Step 2
In the second stage of osteochondrosis, continued degenerative changes lead to disc protrusion.The spaces between the vertebrae are reduced and the fibrous capsule is destroyed.As a result, the roots of the spinal nerves are pinched, which causes the appearance of pinpoint pain, the intensity of which increases with flexion, rotation and other movements.Possible weakness and decrease in performance.
Osteochondrosis of the spine stage 3
It is characterized by the abrasion of the cartilaginous mucosa located between the discs;Thinning of tissues is clearly visible if you take an x-ray.The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine are pronounced, intense and the pain does not go away, and only strong pain relievers can relieve it.drugs.
Step 4
The fourth stage concerns the most complex neurological disorders of the spinal system, expressed by partial or complete limitation of joint mobility.With this diagnostic condition, bony growths (osteophytes) form at the spinal joints, which cause microtrauma to 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 soft tissues, nerve fibers and blood vessels located near the lesion are violated - this is how pain appears.
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- pain in the back, cervical region, lower back, shoulders and even ribs;
- discomfort, back stiffness during certain movements, lifting something;
- numbness of the extremities (arms and/or legs);
- painful feeling in arms and legs, chills;
- muscle spasms;
- disorders in the functioning of the genital organs;
- headache, dizziness;
- pain in the heart region;
- sensory disturbance;
- muscle hypotension;
- increased fatigue, sometimes even in the eyes.
Excessive physical activity, overexertion, hypothermia, injuries, concussions and exposure to vibration can contribute to the development of acute symptoms.
Complications
Degenerative processes that mainly affect the intervertebral discs lead to a decrease in their density and a loss of their shock-absorbing functions.The consequence of such changes is excessive mobility of the spine, facet 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 experiences pain that 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, spondyloarthrosis, lumbago, spinal stenosis.
instrumental methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis:
- X-ray diagnosis plays a key role in this disease.Conventional x-ray can reveal signs of the 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, it is possible, in particular, to determine the presence of a herniated disc and its location.
- Computed tomography (CT) is similar in its diagnostic capabilities to MRI.The disadvantage of the scanner is the presence of radiation exposure during the study.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
There is no specific, single method of treating osteochondrosis - this process in no case requires an integrated approach.
The full program traditionally includes the following elements:
- 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 that have the following properties: relieving inflammation, restoring the functions of the musculoskeletal system, stimulating tissue regeneration of intervertebral discs and cartilage, and preventing the progression of osteochondrosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis follows the traditional path of treatment of 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.
In order to get rid of osteochondrosis, various therapeutic procedures are used, including massage.It has many beneficial properties: muscle tone is relieved, blood circulation in the spine is stimulated, intervertebral discs become stronger.
Manual therapy relieves acute pain and helps restore posture.One of the most commonly used methods is visceral therapy.During its implementation, high-quality joint treatment is carried out, blood circulation processes are improved and the immune system is strengthened.Allows you to prevent the exacerbation of various chronic diseases.
Physiotherapy 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 uniform distribution of the load on the spine.In addition, through regular exercises, blood circulation and nutrition of tissues, including intervertebral discs, improve, the patient develops correct posture, and the range of motion of the spine increases.
Physiotherapy helps to effectively combat painful manifestations in places where the pathological process is localized.There are many types of physiotherapeutic interventions.Most 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 necessary.The question must be addressed holistically:
- limit the carrying of heavy loads (less than 10 kg);
- carry loads only symmetrically (distributing the weight on both hands);
- perform simple physical exercises aimed at strengthening the spine, muscles and joints;
- swim regularly;