Osteochondrosis is a disease in which degenerative processes occur in the tissues of the spine.Damage develops to the intervertebral discs, the articular surfaces adjacent to them, the vertebral bodies and ligaments.As a rule, initially with osteochondrosis, pathological changes occur in the bones and ligaments.In addition, a person becomes aware of the onset of the disease only when he begins to suffer from the complications of this condition: back pain, impaired sensitivity, muscle atrophy, dysfunction of internal organs.
This disease is widespread among modern people: according to various sources, up to 90% of the world's population suffers from osteochondrosis.The disease mainly affects people over 30 years of age.Today, lumbar osteochondrosis is detected more often (about half of cases).
Stages of osteochondrosis
The disease develops in humans in stages.In the first stage of disease progression, the process of dehydration of the nucleus pulposus begins.As a result, the height of the disc descent decreases and cracks form in the annulus fibrosus.However, pathological changes do not occur outside the intervertebral disc.
In the second stage, a convergence of two adjacent vertebrae is observed as a result of a decrease in the height of the disc, the point of attachment of muscles and ligaments.Due to sagging ligaments and muscles, excessive mobility of the vertebrae appears, which provokes the development of instability of the vertebral movement segment.During this period, the vertebrae can slip or shift, causing spondylolisthesis.
The third stage of the development of osteochondrosis is characterized by pronounced morphological changes in the intervertebral discs.The formation of prolapses and protrusions of discs occurs, subluxations develop in the intervertebral and uncovertebral joints.
When the fourth stage occurs, adaptive changes are observed in the affected vertebrae.In this case, the human body adapts to too much mobility of the vertebrae, overcoming it.As a result of immobilization of the spine, osteophytes appear - marginal bone growths on the adjacent surfaces of the vertebral bodies.The osteophyte can damage the nerve root.Fibrous changes occur gradually in the intervertebral discs and joints.As a result, a kind of armor is formed in the vertebral motor segment and the manifestations gradually disappear.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Experts make different assumptions about the reasons that contribute to the development of osteochondrosis.Such reasons include mechanical injuries to the spine, disturbances in the body's metabolic processes and a predisposition to a disease of a hereditary nature.But it is difficult to determine a clear cause of the development of the disease due to the prevalence of the disease.It often occurs in young and old people;in the physically strong and in the less trained.
Sometimes you can hear the opinion that the symptoms of osteochondrosis arise due to the deposition of salts in the human spine.Patients often talk about salt deposits if they hear creaking and popping sounds in the joints.In fact, the disease develops as a result of tissue malnutrition.As a result, its structure is gradually degenerating.Bone and cartilage tissues are in a constant process of renewal.If a person carries out adequate and regular physical activity, the tissue becomes more elastic.But for people who lead a mostly sedentary lifestyle, this fabric is less durable.
Also, the cause of the development of osteochondrosis can be excess weight, poor posture, negative environmental conditions, peculiarities of the body position during work, unevenly developed musculoskeletal system, pregnancy, stress, hypothermia and infections.
Therefore, the range of factors that cause the development of the disease is very wide.An important role in this process is played by the characteristics of blood flow and nutrition of cartilage and bone tissue.There are no blood vessels in the spinal discs of adults, so the discs receive oxygen and all necessary nutrients from neighboring tissues.Therefore, for normal nutrition of the intervertebral discs, blood circulation in the surrounding tissues must be constantly activated.This process can be accelerated by ensuring active muscle work.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The manifestations of the disease can be varied and directly depend on what stage of development the disease is in.The most pronounced symptoms of the disease appear when the pathological process spreads to the posterior part of the annulus fibrosus and the posterior longitudinal ligament.In the process of activation of the pathological process, the patient develops reflex and compression neurological syndromes.
Osteochondrosis can manifest itself in various parts of the body, so the symptoms of the disease are very diverse.A patient with osteochondrosis may experience pain in the extremities or numbness, sometimes chest pain, dysfunction of the genital organs and headache.At the same time, a person does not even realize that the cause of such manifestations is osteochondrosis.
If a patient develops osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the symptoms may resemble the manifestations of heart disease: angina pectoris, myocardial infarction.That is why sometimes the wrong treatment is practiced, which leads to further progression of osteochondrosis.Therefore, if the development of this disease is suspected, a person should immediately consult a doctor and undergo the necessary tests.
Osteochondrosis is mainly manifested by pain and a strong feeling of discomfort in the back.In some cases, the pain appears periodically, not constantly.It may disappear for a while.But for all people, the appearance of pain should be a very alarming symptom and cause for concern.It is important to think about and determine what exactly caused the pain.For example, it could be intense physical activity, lifting weights.
The next symptom indicative of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is numbness in the arms and legs, as well as pain in them.Similar symptoms are characteristic of other types of osteochondrosis.Most often, the pain develops in the left leg or arm, and sometimes radiates to the heart, under the ribs.If such symptoms appear, you should not immediately rush to take medications for heart or other diseases, but you should listen carefully and evaluate the nature of the pain, its changes depend on what exactly the person is doing at the moment.All your observations must be told in detail to the doctor, after which massage, gymnastics and other methods of treatment are prescribed to the patient.Contacting a specialist in the early stages of the disease will ensure more effective treatment.
So, most often, patients diagnosed with osteochondrosis complain of a feeling of discomfort in the spine in different places, pain of different intensity and nature.They have a higher level of fatigue, which manifests itself during both physical and mental work.Sensitivity can be affected in different areas of the body, most often in the extremities.Patients may also notice coldness in their arms and legs.Dizziness and headache are often manifestations of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Visual acuity may also decrease noticeably.
If a patient has osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, in this case a variety of disorders of the human reproductive system may appear.After treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region, men often notice an improvement in potency.At the same time, if a woman develops osteochondrosis of the sacral spine, this can complicate the conception process, as well as pregnancy.In addition to these symptoms, other manifestations are possible with osteochondrosis: muscle spasms, difficulty moving, shooting pains, etc.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis.
The most important point in the process of diagnosing osteochondrosis is collecting a history, and the most important point in this process is interviewing the patient, who must describe in detail all complaints to the doctor.If some symptoms of the disease are characteristic manifestations of osteochondrosis, there are also many signs that are important to differentiate from the manifestations of other diseases.Dysfunctions of many organs that manifest themselves in osteochondrosis are often similar to the symptoms of gastritis, angina pectoris and gastric ulcers.That is why each symptom of osteochondrosis undergoes detailed study and analysis.
During the diagnosis, the doctor takes into account the patient's age and the development of symptoms.To clarify the diagnosis, additional research methods are used.In most cases, an X-ray examination is performed in this case. To determine the patient's condition, a study x-ray of the spine is performed.If there are more specific complaints, an x-ray directed at the site of the injury is performed.
Myelography is considered a relatively complex diagnostic method.This test involves injecting contrast liquid into the spinal canal.In this case, there is a risk of damage to the spinal cord, as well as an allergic reaction.But at the same time, this method is considered informative if it is necessary to determine the presence of a spinal hernia.
Additionally, the use of computed tomography and magnetic nuclear resonance is practiced.However, they are relatively expensive, so they are mainly practiced when it is necessary to make a differential diagnosis, as well as determine the presence of a spinal tumor.
Osteochondrosis treatment
In order for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine to be effective, it is necessary to provide not only an accurate diagnosis, but also an integrated approach to the problem.The doctor, as a rule, prescribes treatment methods depending on the affected part of the spine.The main methods of therapy for the cervical spine, as well as the thoracic and lumbar spine, are massage, manual therapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, therapeutic exercises, vacuum therapy, traction and other methods.You can also practice a parallel treatment with home remedies.
The doctor prescribes treatment in such a way as to ensure the elimination of the symptoms that bother the patient, as well as the cause that provokes the pathology of the spine.Relieve pain by using physical therapy methods and medications.Special exercises for spinal osteochondrosis are also practiced.
One of the main methods of treating spinal osteochondrosis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system is the use of physiotherapy.For this, special rehabilitation equipment is used.By regularly performing exercises individually selected by a specialist, you can improve blood circulation and activate metabolism.As a result, the nutrition of the intervertebral discs improves and the load on the spine decreases.
The physiotherapy method involves the impact on the body of various physical factors.With the help of low-frequency current, magnetic field and laser, pain is effectively relieved, inflammation is reduced, and parallel drug treatment is more effective.With the help of massage you can relieve muscle tension and pain and activate blood circulation.Manual therapy allows you to relieve acute and persistent chronic pain in the joints and spine, increase the range of motion, and also has a general positive effect on the body.The spinal traction procedure is used to relieve severe pain.It is carried out on special equipment.In the process, the intervertebral space increases and the shape of the spine is restored.Drug treatment is practiced mainly during the exacerbation period.
But in most cases, even effective treatment can only slow down the progression of the disease and prevent its exacerbation.Complete healing is possible only at the initial stage of osteochondrosis.It is important to keep in mind that the duration of treatment depends on how advanced the disease is, the methods of therapy, and also how carefully the patient follows all the doctor's prescriptions and recommendations.Typically, the active treatment period lasts one to three months.After the operation, a person recovers for about a year.If conservative therapy does not bring the expected results and there are special indications, the doctor prescribes surgical treatment.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
People who already suffer from manifestations of osteochondrosis should try not to overload the spine and minimize pressure on the intervertebral discs.It is advisable to always try to keep your back straight and avoid spinal injuries.A comfortable bed for sleeping at night is important - you should choose a single orthopedic mattress.You should not lift weights that weigh more than 10 kg, and in order to lift an object you must first sit down, grab the object and then stand up with it.Women should not wear shoes with heels that are too high.Additionally, people who complain of back pain should do exercises every day to strengthen their core muscles.It is recommended to go swimming whenever possible.