Osteochondrosis is a disease in which degenerative-dystrophic processes occur in the tissues of the spine.The damage to the intervertebral discs, the joint surfaces that adapt to them develop, the bodies of the vertebrae, the ligamentary apparatus.As a rule, initially with osteochondrosis, pathological changes in the bones and ligaments occur.In addition, one is supposed to occur the disease only when it begins to suffer from the complications of such a condition - back pain, impaired sensitivity, muscle atrophy, impaired function of the internal organs.
This disease is widespread among modern people: according to various sources, up to 90% of the world's population suffers from osteochondrosis.In general, the disease affects people who are already 30 years old.To date, lumbar osteochondrosis (approximately half of cases) is most commonly detected.
Stages of osteochondrosis
The disease develops in a person in stages.In the first stage of the progression of the disease, the process of dehydration of the pulpulated nucleus begins.As a result, the height of the disco decrease is reduced and cracks are formed in the fibrous ring.However, pathological changes do not occur outside the intervertebral disc.
In the second stage there is a rapprochement of two adjacent vertebrae as a result of reducing the height of the disk, the point of attachment of the muscles and connections.Due to the sagging of connections and muscles, excessive vertebral mobility is manifested, which provokes the development of the instability of the vertebrae and the motor segment.During this period, the vertebrae may slide or displace until a spondylolist is formed.
The third stage in the development of osteochondrosis is characterized by pronounced morphological changes in the intervertebral discs.The formation of prolapse and the convexity of the discs occurs, subluxation develops in the intervertebral joints and incinental joints.
When the fourth stage appears, adaptive changes are observed in the affected vertebrae.In this case, the human body adapts to too strong vertebrae mobility, overcoming it.Due to the immobilization of the spine, osteophytes appear - regional bone growths on adjacent surfaces of the vertebrae bodies.Osteophyte can injure a nerve spine.Gradually, fibrous changes occur in intervertebral discs and joints.As a result, a type of sheath is formed on the vertebrae segment and the manifestations gradually disappear.
The causes of osteochondrosis
Experts express different assumptions about the causes that contribute to the development of osteochondrosis.Similar causes are called mechanical trauma to the spine, disorders in the metabolic processes of the body, the arrangement of the disease that is hereditary.But a clear reason for the development of the disease is difficult to determine due to the spread of the disease.It is common in young and elderly;Physically strong and slightly trained.
Sometimes you can hear the opinion that the symptoms of osteochondrosis occur due to the deposition of salts in the human spine.Patients often talk about salts if they hear squeaks and breaks in the joints.In fact, the disease develops due to impaired tissue nutrition.As a result, their structure is gradually reborn.The bone and cartilage tissues are constantly implemented by the process of renewal.If a person has regular adequate physical activity, then the tissue becomes more elastic.But in people who lead mainly a sedentary lifestyle, such tissue is less durable.
In addition, the cause of the development of osteochondrosis may be excess weight, disorder of the posture, negative environmental conditions, characteristics of the body position during operation, unevenly developed muscle system, pregnancy, stress, hypothermia, infection.
In this way, the scope of the factors provoking the development of the disease is very wide.The characteristics of blood flow and the nutrition of cartilage and bone tissue play an unlicenous role in this process.There are no vessels in the vertebrate animals of adults, therefore oxygen and all necessary nutrients are obtained from adjacent tissues.Therefore, for normal nutrition of the spine, blood circulation is constantly activated in the surrounding tissues.You can speed up this process by guaranteeing the active functioning of the muscles.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The manifestations of the disease can be diverse and directly depend on the stage of development of the disease.The most pronounced symptoms of the disease occur when the pathological process spreads to the back of the fibrous ring and the posterior longitudinal ligament.In the process of activating the pathological process, the patient develops reflex and compression neurological syndromes.
Osteochondrosis can occur in different areas of the body, so the symptoms of the disease are very broad.In the patient, osteochondrosis can occur in the limbs or numbness, sometimes pain pains in the chest, disorders of the function of the genital organs and headache.At the same time, one does not even realize that the cause of such manifestations is osteochondrosis.
If the patient develops osteochondrosis of the chest spine, then the symptoms may resemble manifestations of heart disease: angina, myocardial infarction.Therefore, the wrong treatment is sometimes practiced, which leads to the increasing progression of osteochondrosis.Therefore, if a person suspected of the development of this disease, one should consult a doctor immediately and go through the necessary studies.
Osteochondrosis is mainly manifested by pain and a strong feeling of discomfort in the back.In some cases, the pain occurs periodically, unstable.It may disappear for a while.But for each person, the onset of pain should be a very disturbing symptom and cause concern.It is important to think and determine exactly what caused the pain.For example, it can be a strong physical activity, weight of lifting.
The next indicative symptom that manifests osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is numbness of the arms and legs, as well as pain in them.Similar symptoms are also characteristic of other types of osteochondrosis.Most often, the pain develops in the left leg or arm, sometimes gives the heart, under the ribs.In the case of such symptoms, you do not need to hurry to drink heart medicines or other diseases immediately, but you should carefully listen and evaluate the nature of the pain, their changes depending on what one is doing right now.All your observations should be canceled in detail to the doctor, after which the patient is prescribed massage, gymnastics, other treatments are practiced.The call to a specialist in the early stages of the disease will guarantee his or her more effective treatment.
So most often patients who are diagnosed with osteochondrosis complain about the feeling of discomfort in the spine in different places, from pain of varying intensity and character.They have a higher level of fatigue, which manifests itself in both physical and mental work.Sensitivity in different areas of the body can be disturbed, most often in the limbs.Patients can also mark the cold in their hands and feet.The manifestation of osteochondrosis of the cervical region is often dizziness and headache.Visual acuity can also decrease significantly.
If the patient has osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, then in this case various disorders of the human reproductive system may occur.Following the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral department, men often have an improvement in potency.At the same time, if osteochondrosis of the sacral spine develops in a woman, then this can complicate the conception process as well as pregnancy.In addition to these symptoms, other manifestations are possible with osteochondrosis: muscle cramps, movement difficulties, firing, etc.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
The most important point in the process of diagnosing osteochondrosis is the collection of anamnesis and, the most important moment in this process is the patient's study, in which they should indicate in detail the doctor all complaints.If some symptoms of the disease determine the characteristic manifestations of osteochondrosis, then there are many signs that it is important to distinguish it from the manifestations of other diseases.The disorders of the functions of many organs manifested in osteochondrosis are often similar to the symptoms of gastritis, angina pectoris, gastric ulcers.Therefore, any symptom in osteochondrosis is subjected to a detailed examination and analysis.
During the diagnosis, the doctor takes into account the age of the patient, the development of symptoms.Additional methods are used to clarify the diagnosis.Most often in this case, X -ray examination is practiced.To determine the patient's condition, a radiography of the spine is performed.If there are more terrible complaints, a directional radiography is practiced aimed at the site of the lesion.
A relatively complex diagnostic method is considered to be myelography.This study provides for the introduction of contrast fluid into the cerebrospinal canal.In this case, there is a risk of damage to the spinal cord as well as the occurrence of an allergic reaction.But at the same time, this method is considered informative if necessary to determine the presence of dorsal hernia.
In addition, the use of computed tomography, magnetic nuclear resonance, is practiced.However, they are relatively expensive, therefore they are mainly practiced if necessary to make a differential diagnosis, as well as to determine the presence of a spine.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
In order to be close to the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis, 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 which part of the spine is affected.The main methods of therapy for the cervical region, as well as the thoracic region and lumbar spine are massage, manual therapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, therapeutic gymnastics, vacuum therapy, grip, and other methods.Parallel treatment with folk remedies can also be practiced.
The doctor prescribes treatment in such a way as to guarantee the elimination of impaired patient symptoms, as well as the causes that cause the pathology of the spine.Stop the pain by applying physiotherapy methods, medicines.Special exercises for osteochondrosis of the spine are also practiced.
One of the main methods of treating osteochondrosis of the spine and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system is the use of physiotherapy exercises.Special rehabilitation equipment is used for this.With the help of regular exercise, selected individually by a specialist, you can improve blood circulation, activate metabolism.As a result, the strength of the intervertebral discs improves and the load on the spine decreases.
The method of physiotherapy involves the effect on the body of various physical factors.Using low frequency current, magnetic field, laser, pain is effectively relieved, inflammation is reduced and parallel treatment with drugs is more effective.With the help of a massage, you can relieve tension and muscle pain, activate blood circulation.Manual therapy makes it possible to relieve acute and constant chronic pain in the joints and spine, increase the volume of movements, and also has a common positive effect on the body.The procedure for extending the spine is used to relieve severe pain.It is performed on special equipment.In the process, the intervertebral space increases, the shape of the spine is restored.Medicine treatment is mainly practiced during exacerbation.
But in most cases, even effective treatment only allows to slow down the progression of the disease to prevent exacerbation.You can only fully recover at the initial stage of osteochondrosis.It is important to take into account that the duration of treatment depends on how the disease started, the methods of therapy, and how carefully the patient performs all appointments and recommendations of the doctor.As a rule, the period of active treatment lasts from one to three months.After the operation, one recovers in about a year.If conservative therapy does not carry expected results and there are also special indications, then 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 the pressure in the intervertebral discs.It is advisable to always try to keep your back evenly to avoid spinal injury.The comfortable night's sleep bed is important: you need to choose an individual orthopedic mattress.You should not lift weights weighing more than 10 kg, and in order to lift the object, you must initially sit, take an object and then get with it.Women should not wear shoes with too high heels.In addition, people who complain of back pain should do exercises every day that strengthen the muscle corset.It is recommended that you participate in swimming if possible.