Osteochondrosis is a violation of the structure of the vertebrae and discs between them.The distance between the vertebrae is becoming smaller, their elasticity and form suffer.Muscle tissue is in constant tension.Nerves extending from the spinal cord can be pinched.
Varieties
Depend on the destination.
Cervical osteochondrosis.The vertebrae in the cervical region are thinned, the functions of the thyroid gland are disturbed, the arterial canals are squeezed.The patient suffers from migraine, it is difficult for him to move his hands and head.The fingers are numb.
Thoracic osteochondrosis.Symptoms are similar to diseases of the heart and blood vessels.In the area of the shoulder blade and chest, pain appears.Pain can be intense or even chronic in the place of deformation of the vertebrae.Thoracic osteochondrosis negatively affects the kidneys and pancreas.
Lumbar osteochondrosis.Intensive painful sensations appear in the muscle tissues of the buttocks.Pain can be given to the perineum.The patient is uncomfortable during inclinations.With osteochondrosis of the lumbar department, muscle tissue atrophy, problems with the operation of the reproductive system may arise.
Polysegmented osteochondrosis.This is the development of the disease in several spinal parts at the same time.In the patient, the work of the speech apparatus is disrupted, the nape area becomes insensitive.
Generalized osteochondrosis.This is a defeat of several spine parts along with articular fabrics.The patient suffers from metabolic processes and weakens immunity.The disease is distinguished by frequent exacerbations.
Reasons
The improper load on the spine is the main reason for the appearance of osteochondrosis.The fact is that with large and prolonged stress, the structure of the cartilage changes.
Other reasons:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- slouch;
- long uncomfortable pose;
- curvature of the spine;
- temperature contrast;
- hypothermia of the body;
- intensive physical activity;
- sharp turns with the body;
- Height transportation;
- bearing a child;
- fracture and other damage to the vertebrae;
- inconvenient shoes;
- weakened muscle tissue;
- hormonal disorders;
- improper nutrition;
- metabolic violation;
- lack of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus;
- alcohol, cigarettes and drugs;
- stress;
- heredity.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
In the first stages of osteochondrosis, the patient is worried:
- pain in the back, neck or other parts of the body;
- discomfort when moving and stiffness during inclinations or turns;
- constant tension and muscle spasm;
- migraines and bouts of dizziness;
- pain in the heart;
- muscle hypotension - reduced tone and muscle strength;
- numbness of the limbs;
- aches of arms and legs;
- flies in front of the eyes;
- reduction in the temperature of the limbs;
- Firing painful sensations.
With neglected osteochondrosis, there may be:
- loss of consciousness;
- decrease in the sensitivity of the limbs;
- Vascular circulatory violation;
- lesion or inflammation of the nerves;
- narrowing and blockage of arteries.
Stages of development of osteochondrosis
There are four stages:
- Patients complain of constant fatigue, which is written off to work, and experience discomfort in the area of damage.The first stage of the disease can be diagnosed during a preventive comprehensive examination.
- The patient has painful sensations.The cartilage tissue begins to collapse.In the absence of a course of treatment, squeezing of nerve roots and arterial canals progresses.To get rid of pain, there are enough drugs.
- The structure of the spine is changing.At this stage, lordosis, curvature of posture is diagnosed.A hump may appear.With timely treatment, these consequences can be minimized.
- It is difficult for the patient to move.When the body position changes, sharp painful sensations appear.The vertebrae shift, the cartilage becomes dense.Osteophytes develop.At this stage, irreversible consequences appear that can end in disability.
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis
It can occur after excessive physical activity, hypothermia or trauma of the spine.At this moment, the patient suffers from intense pain, sometimes he cannot fully move.The duration of exacerbation depends on the stage of the disease, the general condition of the patient and is from 1-2 days to several weeks.
With exacerbation of osteochondrosis, you must see a doctor.
In the phase of acute pain, it is very easy to make a mistake and send the patient to an unnecessary operation.Doctors, faced with complications, begin to reinsure.Therefore, before visiting a neurosurgeon, it is proposed to undergo a two -week course of treatment and relieve the severity of symptoms.This reduces the probability of surgery, because when a person does not hurt, the doctor treats the patient much more calm.
Complications
- protrusion,
- hernia,
- salt deposits between vertebrae,
- kyphosis,
- Reducing the muscles of the limbs,
- spinal cord stroke,
- radiculitis,
- paralysis of the limbs.
Diagnostics
To diagnose osteochondrosis, the doctor examines the patient and conducts a hardware examination.
Blood tests for osteochondrosis.Based on the results of a general blood test, the first signs of osteochondrosis can be identified: an increased rate of precipitation of red blood cells and a low level of calcium.To confirm the diagnosis in case of suspicion of osteochondrosis, a biochemical analysis is carried out.Thus evaluate the coagulation indicators, the activity of enzymes, the content of zinc, cobalt, iron and other components.
Radiography.Separately check each spine, take pictures in the straight, lateral and two oblique projections.If necessary, a functional radiography is prescribed and pictures are taken in the flexion position, lateral inclinations or extension.According to special indications in the vertebral artery, the intervertebral canal or a damaged intervertebral disc is introduced by a contrast matter.
Computed tomography (CT).Usually CT is carried out after radiography to clarify the condition of a certain intervertebral disc.For example, see its height, identify the edge growths or instability of the vertebrae.To do this, take pictures of one or two segments of the spine.
Magnetic resonance tomography (MRI).MRI is done instead or in addition to CT.According to the pictures of the tomograph, blood vessels, nerve processes, intervertebral discs are studied.
Which doctor to contact
Osteochondrosis treats a neurologist.He conducts an initial inspection, sends for examinations, makes an accurate diagnosis and prescribes comprehensive treatment.The neurologist also adjusts the course of treatment if it does not bring results.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
It is important to lead the right lifestyle, alternate the modes of work and rest, relax on vacation and take weekends, as well as:
- avoid intense physical exertion;
- walk in the fresh air;
- when sitting work once per hour, make an easy gymnastics of the body and neck;
- to sleep use an orthopedic mattress;
- make a proper diet;
- Timely treat infectious diseases.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Some treatment techniques or even massage or manual therapy can be contraindicated for a particular case, so individual consultation is important.Most often, motor therapy, massage, manual therapy and acupuncture are used as a treatment.They try not to use medicines.
The doctor also gives recommendations on the daily and sleep regimen.The reason for the problem may be an uncomfortable sleeping place or an incorrectly organized workplace.
Motor therapy
Treatment is preferred in all leading countries with a good level of medicine.Also, this method is good as rehabilitation and with a slight curvature of the spine.
These are classical physiotherapy exercises, treatment and physical education classes in water, swimming, gym training and computerized hardware complexes.Styles are selected by a doctor: it happens that one style is contraindicated, but another is allowed.With swimming, you should also be careful: if the patient does not have the right technique, this type of physical activity can be detrimental.
Usually people with osteochondrosis need asymmetric loads.For example, on the right side of the muscles are better developed.Because of this imbalance, distortions occur in the musculoskeletal system and in the bone-ligamentous apparatus.The curvature of the thoracic spine is characteristic of people with a well -developed right hand: reinforcement, boxers.
Manual therapy for osteochondrosis
This type of treatment is used in the early stages of the disease.Manual therapy strengthens the muscle frame and eliminates the block and pinching of nerve roots.This type of treatment is not recommended when the form of vertebrae has changed and bone growths formed.
Proper manual therapy improves the configuration of the spine.There may be persistent functional blocks - areas of stiffness in the spine and in the pelvic sacrum - which the patient is difficult to independently remove with therapeutic exercises.
Modern manual therapy is not what they practiced before.Many doctors no longer use hard techniques that are accompanied by crunch, but use soft techniques.They are based on the knowledge of biomechanics, joints of joints, laws of muscle contraction and relaxation.The risk of side effects of such techniques is lower, and the effectiveness has not changed.
Acupuncture
In certain parts of the body, the doctor introduces special needles.After that, blood circulation, lymph circulation and metabolic processes are accelerated, the condition of the spine and the whole organism improves.The acupuncture with osteochondrosis is carried out at the initial stages of the disease, with intense pain and weak mobility of the vertebrae.
There is also a method of dry needles when a needle without medication is introduced into a spasmodic muscle, usually pear -shaped.The pain in the back and the pelvic area stops.This method is effective even in chronic cases.
Kineseotherapy
This is one of the safest methods.It is actively developing in South Korea and is often used in sports medicine.
Kinesioteype is a cotton patch with a thermoclay.There are special types of therapeutic applications for pain in the neck, thoracic, back and joint problems.Now they conduct many training seminars on taping at home, but you need to be more careful with independent tape - there may be complications.
With kinesioteiing, you need to take into account the restrictions: for girls it is pregnancy and critical days.Some patients may have an allergic reaction to a patch.
Massage for osteochondrosis
There are a lot of contraindications for this type of treatment, so the neurologist prescribes an individual course to the patient.Together with him, you need to choose a competent massage therapist.Massage sessions should be regular.Typically, the doctor prescribes at least 2-3 sessions per week for 1-3 months.
Proper medical massage for osteochondrosis of the spine:
- provides additional loads on the muscles and increases their tone;
- accelerates the accumulations of lactic acid and relieves muscle spasm;
- improves blood circulation in the affected area and adjacent tissues;
- Relieves pain.
Only medical massage is suitable for treatment, Thai is dangerous.Most Thai massage masters use hard manual therapy techniques and are not interested in the physical condition of the patient.
Physiotherapy for spinal osteochondrosis
Depending on the localization and stage of the disease, patients are prescribed:
Magnetotherapy.This is the effect of a magnetic field with a constant frequency that triggers a cellular reaction.
Electrophoresis for osteochondrosis.The effect on the electric field tissue, which accelerates blood circulation and activates the regeneration processes.
Laser therapy.It activates biological processes in nerve fibers, has an anti -inflammatory, wound healing and analgesic effect.
Shock-wave therapy.The impact on the diseased body of the body with acoustic waves improves metabolic processes and microcirculation, relieves swelling and pain.
Hirudotherapy
This treatment with medical leeches.It prevents increased blood coagulation and the formation of blood clots, expands blood vessels, eliminates inflammatory processes and has an analgesic effect.Lying in osteochondrosis is placed to improve the blood supply to the cells and due to this to activate the restoration of damaged intervertebral discs.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis
Modern medicine is trying to get away from medicines.Some drugs are very severe and can negatively affect the health of the patient.
Pain for osteochondrosis often occurs against the background of minor changes in the spine.And if the doctor selects the patient correct treatment without drugs, then the patient is unlikely to encounter pain again.If the patient takes medications for a long time, most likely structural changes in the spine will become worse, and the tablets will cease to act.There are also situations in medicine where medicines are contraindicated.
In modern medicine, kinesiothepe is used as painkillers.This is a long patch that is no more expensive than packaging of drugs.Its effectiveness and safety are higher than that of drug therapy.
Other methods of treatment
Sometimes the following drugs and procedures are prescribed:
Corset.It fixes the spine and additionally supports the back.
Darsonvalization for osteochondrosis.This is the effect of alternating current through a glass electrode with gas.It improves microcirculation and blood supply.
Mustard plasters and compressesThey have a warming effect and activate the bloodstream.
Vitamins for osteochondrosisimprove the condition of bones, joints, muscle tissue and nerve fibers.
Injections and chondroprotectorsPrevent further destruction of cartilage.
In severe cases, surgery is prescribed for the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Diet for osteochondrosis
Power supply for osteochondrosis should be balanced.A sufficient amount of substances for the synthesis of cartilage tissue should enter the body.It is useful to eat fresh fruits, vegetables, protein products, as well as dishes with mucopolysaccharides - for example, fruit jelly, jelly or flooding fish.
Exercises for osteochondrosis
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the spine is prescribed when pain passes.The set of exercises is selected individually depending on the shape, degree, stage of the disease.For example, at the initial stage of the cervical form of the disease, doctors advise:
- perform tilts with your head;
- turn your head to the right and left;
- describe in the air the chin numbers from 0 to 9;
- Move the chin forward-forth in the horizontal plane.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a temperature for osteochondrosis?
Yes.This symptom can be with concomitant diseases, for example, with stenosis of the spinal canal, the syndrome of the vertebral artery, and protrusions of the disks.
How to sleep with osteochondrosis?
In the pose in which the pain is convenient and less concerned for you.If you sleep on your back, select a small pillow and put a soft roller under your knees, on your stomach - a pillow under the lower abdomen.
Also buy an orthopedic mattress and pillow.
Can there be arrhythmia from osteochondrosis?
Yes, in advanced cases of osteochondrosis.One of the possible reasons is to pinch the vertebral artery, which can squeeze the spasmodic muscles or overgrown osteophytes.But it is better to undergo a complete examination and make sure that you have no heart disease.
What are the injections from osteochondrosis?
Now they are trying to leave medical treatment.The doctor prescribes injections only in extreme cases.For osteochondrosis, non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs, analgesics, anesthetics, chondroprotectors are used.
Is it possible to warm osteochondrosis?
Before examining a doctor, it is better not worth it.
How to anesthetize osteochondrosis?
Kinesioteype.This is a cotton patch with a Thermoclay.There are special types of therapeutic applications for pain in the neck, thoracic, back and joint problems.