Osteochondrosis is a disease in which degenerative processes occur in the tissues of the spine.Damage to the intervertebral discs, adjacent joint surfaces, vertebral bodies and ligaments develops.As a rule, initially with osteochondrosis, pathological changes occur in bones and ligaments.In addition, a person realizes the onset of the disease only when he begins to suffer from complications of this disease - back pain, impaired sensitivity, muscle atrophy, dysfunction of internal organs.
This disease is widespread among modern man: according to various sources, up to 90% of the world's population suffers from osteochondrosis.The disease mainly affects people over 30 years old.Today, lumbar osteochondrosis is most often detected (in about half of cases).
Stages of osteochondrosis
The disease develops in humans in stages.At the first stage of progression of the disease, the process of dehydration of the nucleus pulposus begins.As a result, the height of the disc decline decreases and cracks form in the annulus fibrosus.However, pathological changes do not occur outside the intervertebral disc.
In the second stage, we observe a convergence of two adjacent vertebrae following a reduction in the height of the disc, the point of attachment of the muscles and ligaments.Due to the sagging of ligaments and muscles, excessive mobility of the vertebrae appears, which causes the development of instability of the vertebral movement segment.During this time, the vertebrae may slip or move, resulting in spondylolisthesis.
The third stage of development of osteochondrosis is characterized by pronounced morphological changes in the intervertebral discs.The formation of disc prolapses and protrusions occurs, subluxations develop in the intervertebral joints and non-vertebral 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 and overcomes it.As a result of immobilization of the spine, osteophytes appear - marginal bony growths on the adjacent surfaces of the vertebral bodies.The osteophyte can injure the nerve root.Fibrous changes gradually occur in the intervertebral discs and joints.As a result, a kind of armor is formed on the vertebral-motor segment and the manifestations gradually disappear.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Experts make different hypotheses regarding the reasons that contribute to the development of osteochondrosis.These reasons include mechanical injuries to the spine, disruptions 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 for the development of the disease due to the prevalence of the disease.This often occurs in young and old people;among the physically strongest and the least trained.
Sometimes you can hear the opinion that the symptoms of osteochondrosis are due to the deposition of salts in the human spine.Patients often talk about salt deposits if they hear popping and cracking sounds in the joints.In fact, the disease develops as a result of tissue malnutrition.As a result, their structure gradually degenerates.Bone and cartilage tissues undergo a constant renewal process.If a person regularly engages in adequate physical activity, the tissues become 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.
Thus, the range of factors provoking the development of the disease is very wide.The characteristics of blood flow and nutrition of cartilage and bone tissue play an important role in this process.There are no blood vessels in the intervertebral discs of adults, so the discs receive oxygen and all necessary nutrients from nearby 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 providing active muscle work.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Manifestations of the disease can be varied and directly depend on the stage of development of the disease.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 compressive neurological syndromes.
Osteochondrosis can manifest itself in various parts of the body, so the symptoms of the disease are very wide.A patient with osteochondrosis may experience pain in the limbs or numbness, sometimes pain in the chest area, dysfunction of the genitals and headaches.At the same time, the 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 manifestations of heart disease: angina, myocardial infarction.That is why erroneous treatment is sometimes carried out, which leads to further progression of osteochondrosis.Therefore, if you suspect the development of this disease, a person should immediately consult a doctor and undergo the necessary tests.
Osteochondrosis mainly manifests itself as pain and a strong feeling of discomfort in the back.In some cases, the pain occurs periodically and not constantly.This may disappear for a while.But for every person, the appearance of pain should be a very alarming symptom and cause for concern.It is important to think and determine the exact cause of 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, sometimes radiating 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 assess the nature of the pain, its changes depending on what exactly the person is doing at the moment.All your observations should be told in detail to the doctor, after which the patient is prescribed massage, gymnastics and other methods of treatment.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 varying intensity and nature.They have a higher level of fatigue, which manifests itself during physical and mental work.Sensation can be altered in different areas of the body, most often in the limbs.Patients may also notice a cold feeling in their arms and legs.Dizziness and headaches are often manifestations of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Visual acuity may also decrease noticeably.
If a patient suffers from osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, then various disorders of the human reproductive system may appear.After treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region, men often note an improvement in potency.At the same time, if osteochondrosis of the sacral spine develops in a woman, this can complicate the conception process as well as pregnancy.In addition to these symptoms, other manifestations are possible with osteochondrosis: muscle spasms, difficulty in movement, shooting pain, etc.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
The most important point in the process of diagnosing osteochondrosis is collecting anamnesis, and the most important point in this process is the interview with 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.The dysfunctions of many organs that manifest themselves as osteochondrosis are often similar to the symptoms of gastritis, angina and gastric ulcers.That is why each symptom of osteochondrosis is subject to detailed study and analysis.
When making a diagnosis, the doctor takes into account the patient's age and the evolution of symptoms.To clarify the diagnosis, additional methods are used for research.Most often in this case, an X-ray examination is performed.To determine the patient's condition, an examination x-ray of the spine is performed.In case of more specific complaints, a targeted x-ray is performed, aimed at the site of the lesion.
Myelography is considered a relatively complex diagnostic method.This exam involves injecting a contrast liquid into the spinal canal.In this case, there is a risk of spinal cord injury, 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 nuclear magnetic resonance is practiced.However, they are relatively expensive, and therefore are performed mainly when it is necessary to carry out a differential diagnosis, as well as to determine the presence of a spinal tumor.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
In order for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine to have an effect, it is necessary to provide not only an accurate diagnosis, but also an integrated approach to the problem.Typically, the doctor prescribes treatment methods depending on which part of the spine is affected.The main methods of therapy of 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.Parallel treatment with folk remedies can also be practiced.
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 causing the pathology of the spine.Relieve pain through the use of physiotherapy methods and medications.Special exercises are also performed for osteochondrosis of the spine.
The use of physical therapy is one of the main methods of treating osteochondrosis of the spine and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system.For this purpose, 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 method of physiotherapy involves the impact on the body of various physical factors.With the help of low-frequency current, a magnetic field and a laser, pain is effectively relieved, inflammation is reduced, and parallel drug treatment is more effective.Through massage you can relieve muscle tension and pain and activate blood circulation.Manual therapy helps relieve acute and persistent chronic pain in the joints and spine, increases the range of motion and also has a generally positive effect on the body.The spinal traction procedure is used to relieve severe pain.It is carried out on special equipment.In doing so, the intervertebral space increases and the shape of the spine is restored.Drug treatment is practiced mainly during the period of exacerbation.
But in most cases, even effective treatment can only slow down the progression of the disease and prevent its exacerbation.It is possible to completely cure only at the initial stage of osteochondrosis.It is important to keep in mind that the duration of treatment depends on the progress of the disease, therapeutic methods, as well as how carefully the patient follows all the doctor's prescriptions and recommendations.Typically, the active treatment period lasts from one to three months.After the operation, a person recovers for about a year.If conservative treatment 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 in the intervertebral discs.It is advisable to always try to keep your back straight and avoid spinal injuries.A comfortable bed for a night's sleep is important: you must choose an individual orthopedic mattress.You should not lift any weight exceeding 10 kg and to lift an object you must first sit down, pick up 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 daily to strengthen their core muscles.It is recommended to go swimming as much as possible.