Osteochondrosis is a disease in which degenerative-dystrophic changes are diagnosed in the cartilage tissues of the spine, also accompanied by disorders of the structure and functionality of the intervertebral discs. Depending on the localization of damaged tissues, osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar are distinguished.
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spinal column in which degenerative and dystrophic lesions of the intervertebral discs occur. With the development of osteochondrosis, degenerative-dystrophic lesions apply to vertebral tissue.
The main feature indicating the development of osteochondrosis is pain in the neck, back, lower back area, with progression, the pain "gives" into the hands, chest, shoulders, upper thigh, etc. With negative dynamics of osteochondrosis, atrophy of muscle tissue, impaired sensitivity, as well as dysfunction of the internal organs, provoked by their suppression, provocative, provoked. displacement. In the absence of timely therapy, osteochondrosis develops to an incurable state.
The causes of osteochondrosis
The main factor in the development of osteochondrosis is an uneven load on the spine. The habit of carrying a bag on one shoulder or in one hand, an incorrect pose in a sitting position, a dream on an excessively soft mattress, a high pillow, wearing anatomically incorrect types of shoes are a common cause of improper distribution of the load.
Additional risk factors include hypodynamia, a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, back injuries, lower extremities, flat feet and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system, as well as age-related degenerative processes in age-related changes in the blood supply of the vertebral column.
In the etiology of osteochondrosis, the following factors can also play a role:
- physical overvoltage of the body;
- neuro-emotional exhaustion;
- metabolic disorders, poisoning, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that prevent the full assimilation of nutrients;
- professional risks, in particular, work on vibration platforms;
- genetic predisposition;
- violations of posture during active growth, scoliosis;
- wearing uncomfortable shoes (cramped, heels);
- prolonged and/or regular dehydration;
- inferior diet, hypovitaminosis;
- smoking;
- Pregnancy, especially multiple, in combination with an undeveloped muscle-ligamentous apparatus (due to the displacement of the center of gravity of the body).
Stages of development of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis in the dynamics of the disease passes four stages:
- Osteochondrosis of the 1st stage (degree) is characterized by the initial stage of the pathology in the pulpos nucleus of the intervertebral disc. Due to the excessive load, the process of dehydration (dehydration) of the nucleus begins, which leads to a decrease in the parameter of the height of the disk and the occurrence of cracks in the fibrous ring. Symptoms at this stage are usually absent, minor discomfort may occur with prolonged stay in an uncomfortable statical pose, active movement, etc. ;
- At 2 stages, a decrease in the height of the discs leads to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae and sagging of the vertebrates and ligaments. This causes increased mobility of the vertebrae with affected discs, which is dangerous with their displacement or slipping. In the second stage of the disease, discomfort, pain occurs, especially with some types of load, movements, positions;
- Osteochondrosis 3 stages (degree) is characterized by the formation of prolapses and protrusions of the intervertebral discs, may be accompanied by subluxis and/or the development of arthrosis of the intervertebral joints. With some types of movement, patients feel stiffness, insufficient mobility, a feeling of tingling, numbness may occur in the limbs. At this stage, osteochondrosis is clearly felt in the back, neck, lumbosacral department or coccyx, depending on the localization of the affected discs;
- At 4 stages of osteochondrosis, the body is trying to adjust the consequences of hypermobility of the vertebrae and adapt to impaired functionality of the spinal column. Osteophytes, new bone formations, which seize the vertebral fixation are formed in the places of contact of the vertebrae. However, in some cases, osteophytes can cause infringement of nerves, injure the vertebrae. Fibrous ankylosis begins in the intervertebral discs and joints. In the absence of microtrauma and infringements of nerve roots, the symptoms of the disease subside.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis are a feeling of discomfort and/or pain in the neck, back. The severity of sensations and the presence of additional symptoms depend on the stage of the disease. When examining the patient and collecting an anamnesis, the specialist conducts the initial diagnosis, assuming the presence of osteochondrosis by visually determined curvature of the spine observed in the transverse or longitudinal plane of the vertebral column. The pathologies of the intervertebral discs of the cervical and lumbar are found much more often than degenerative and dystrophic changes in the area of the sternum.
The signs of osteochondrosis, felt by the patient, include a periodic or permanent feeling of back fatigue, erased or pronounced, depending on the stage of the disease, pain. The pain can be localized in the neck, back, chest, shoulder girdle, complicate, fetter the movements of the upper limbs.
The clinical picture of osteochondrosis largely depends on the localization of the pathology, the degree of development of the process, the individual characteristics of patients. The pathology of the intervertebral discs, displacements, protrusion, hernias and an increase in osteophytes lead to various consequences. Among the most common, violations of normal blood circulation in the tissues, pinching of the nerve endings, dysfunction of the spinal canal, edema, fibrosis of tissues and structures are distinguished.
Such consequences can be accompanied by many different symptoms, leading to an erroneous diagnosis of diseases.
The most common and characteristic symptoms of osteochondrosis include the following:
- pain in the back, neck, lower back, shoulder girdle, areas of the ribs;
- discomfort, stiffness of the body movements that occur at some positions of the body, inclinations, turns, increased muscle tension;
- a feeling of numbness of the upper and lower extremities;
- muscle and joint discomfort, muscle cramps;
- headaches, dizziness, increased fatigue;
- pain in the heart;
- violation of the sensitivity of the hands;
- Muscle hypotension.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis differ depending on the localization of pathology:
- with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, pain in the neck, hands, shoulder girdle, radiating to the shoulder area and shoulder prevail; headaches, dizziness, flickering of "flies" or spots in front of the eyes, noise in the ears are noted;
- With damage to the thoracic spine, the pain is localized in the chest area, heart, the inner surface of the shoulder, the area of armpits, breathing discomfort is also noted, shortness of breath is possible;
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine is manifested by pain in the lower back with irradiation to the legs, the upper thighs or pelvic organs, sexual dysfunction is often joined.
Superficial symptoms - fatigue of the back, pain - can indicate not only the presence of osteochondrosis, but also the addition of other diseases or the development of other pathological processes and disorders that are not associated with dystrophy of intervertebral discs. The diagnosis of osteochondrosis can only be made by a specialist, and self -medication with such symptoms is unacceptable.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
To make a diagnosis, instrumental examination methods are used:
- X -ray examination of the spinal department;
- myelography;
- Neurological survey of sensitivity, reflexes.
Additional methods prescribed for differentiation and clarification of the diagnosis, the stage of pathology include:
- computed tomography of the spine (CT);
- nuclear-magnetic resonance (JAMR);
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Directions of therapy for osteochondrosis
Treatment is based on an integrated approach and, depending on the stage, lasts from 1 to 3 months of intensive care and 1 year supporting measures to consolidate the result and prevention of relapse.
Osteochondrosis is carried out therapy for two directions depending on the degree of osteochondrosis and the patient’s health. Conservative treatment of the disease consists of taking medications, performing a set of exercises. Surgical treatment in almost any situation cannot be the first choice method and is prescribed in the absence of positive dynamics, the progression of the disease against the background of prolonged conservative therapy.
In addition to medical methods of therapy, it is necessary to follow the general recommendations for osteochondrosis: observe a diet, take measures necessary for rehabilitation.
Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis
Conservative therapy is aimed at stopping the pain syndrome, normalizing the functionality of the spinal column and the prevention of negative changes
Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis includes the following types of therapy:
- Drug therapy. Medicines for osteochondrosis are used to stop pain syndromes, inflammatory processes in tissues and normalize the metabolic processes of the body. With pronounced pain syndrome, it is recommended to use drug blockade of nerve endings, which also contribute to a decrease in the severity of the muscle-tonic syndrome. The following types of blockade are distinguished: blockade of trigger points, intraosseous, facet, paravertebral, epidural;
- Physiotherapy methods. Physiotherapeutic procedures help reduce pain, increase the effect of medicines, are also used during the rehabilitation period. The most common use of ultrasound waves, magnetic fields, low frequency currents, laser rays, etc.
- Methods of physiotherapy exercises (exercise therapy) and kinesitherapy. The complex of spices with regular and correct execution contributes to the correction of posture, strengthen the muscle corset, ligamentous apparatus, normalizes muscle function, reduces the compression of nerve fibers and helps the prevention of complications of osteochondrosis. Methods of exercise therapy and kinesitherapeutic procedures are aimed at normalizing metabolic processes, restoring a full nutrition of the intervertebral discs, restoring the arrangement of the vertebrae and discs between them, uniform distribution of load in the musculoskeletal system;
- massage. Manual massage techniques are used to improve blood supply to tissues, relieve muscle cramps and clamps, and generally improve blood circulation. Hydromassage as a direction of therapeutic activity in addition to the listed effects contributes to the normalization of the nervous system of the body;
- Manual therapy. Methods of manual therapy are selected individually. The point effect on the musculoskeletal system of the body helps to improve blood circulation, circulation of lymph, improves metabolism, promotes the mobility of the musculoskeletal system, strengthen the immune system, and serves as a means of preventing complications of osteochondrosis;
- Therapy with the method of traction (traction) of the spine using special equipment. The purpose of manipulations is to increase the intervertebral space to normal parameters, correction of violations of the structure of the spinal column.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
The causes of osteochondrosis are mainly connected in the absence of attention to the requirements of the body, malnutrition, excessive loads on the body. To prevent the onset of pathological changes in the spine and restraining the dynamics of existing osteochondrosis, it is recommended to adhere to the general principles of a healthy lifestyle:
- Exception of the possibility of hypodynamia: moderate sports: charging, running, swimming, bicycle, skis, gymnastics, non -contact types of struggle, etc. ;
- When working or other form of activity related to a long stay in a static position, it is necessary to take breaks for warm -up every 45 minutes to restore blood circulation. If necessary, sitting for a long time, you should choose the right chairs, chairs with ensuring the support of the spine, monitor compliance with the standards for the position of the hands on the table, legs on the floor or a special stand, accustom the posture (even back, relaxed shoulders);
- For night sleep, it is necessary to select an elastic, better orthopedic mattress with a flat surface, avoid high or too flat pillows;
- if necessary, raise and/or wear heavy objects to avoid jerks, lifting severity from the position of semi -precision, use special belts that support the lower back;
- The choice of orthopedically correct shoes: with the corresponding foot with a width, without high heels and its timely replacement will help reduce the load on the spine, this is especially important for women during the period of bearing a child. In the summer, do not neglect the ability to walk barefoot on an uneven surface, this strengthens the muscles of the foot and relieves tension from the musculoskeletal system;
- The correct diet, the drinking mode contribute to overall health and help maintain metabolism normally;
- With a tendency to increased emotionality, anxiety with muscle spasmodic reaction to stress, it is worth studying relaxation methods.