Degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine or, more simply, osteochondrosis, not only affect an increasing number of adults on our planet, but also become much younger. Today, over 80% of the working age population on our planet is periodically troubled by back pain.
Osteochondrosis- disease of the spine, which leads to degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs and the underlying bone tissue, accompanied by thickening of the vertebral processes and loss of elasticity of the ligaments of the spine. This leads to aging, dehydration and loss of stability in the cartilage tissue.
Osteochondrosis is not only a manifestation of pain in the spine or impaired sensitivity in the extremities, it is a disease of the whole organism. And as many studies have shown, osteochondrosis has a direct effect on almost all internal organs. For example, disorders of the cervical spine affect the functioning of the organs of vision, hearing, mental and intellectual activity. In the chest area, they disrupt the work of the cardiovascular system, the gastrointestinal tract. And degenerative-dystrophic changes in the lumbar spinelead to problems with the pelvic organs, including the urogenital area and lower extremities. For example, in the same lower limbs is accompanied by various pains, muscle cramps, "creeping creeping", numbness of the limbs and subsequently their atrophy. That is why early detection and qualified treatment of this pathology is very important. Many people who are first diagnosed with an intervertebral hernia are faced with the choice of methods for their treatment. The proposal for surgical treatment leaves many in a state of shock, forcing them to seek alternative therapies. Some immediately turn to traditional healers, bonfires, others take various medications, others do nothing at all, adhering to the view that the disease should be treated when it is very anxious. In this regard, there is a winged expression of neurosurgeons - "walking with a hernia is like walking with a grenade, no one knows when it will explode! " But, unfortunately, surgical treatment, be it neurosurgical or orthopedic, is not a panacea. In many patients, even after surgery, the pain in the spine continues, associated with the development of scar adhesions and recurrences often occur (new exacerbation ("return") of the disease after apparent recovery) - recurrent hernias.
Osteochondrosis most commonly affects the intervertebral discs. These unique cartilage washers not only connect our 33 vertebrae to the spine. Its good working condition, mobility, elasticity, resilience, ability to withstand loads directly depend on the condition of the intervertebral discs. They serve as spring shock absorbers to reduce the load.
Osteochondrosis occurs in the first decades of life and, according to observations, in boys more often than in girls.
If you do not deal with the prevention and treatment of osteochondrosis, the disease will progress, gradually affecting the entire spine, which can eventually lead to a herniated disc, pinching of nerve endings and parts of the spinal cord. In severe cases, the effects of osteochondrosis can be eliminated only through surgery with a long period of recovery and rehabilitation.
Types of osteochondrosis
Depending on the part of the spine that has been affected by the disease, the following types of osteochondrosis are distinguished:
- Cervical osteochondrosisor osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
- Osteochondrosis of the chestor osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
- Lumbar osteochondrosisor osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine.
- Frequent osteochondrosis,this is when the disease spreads simultaneously to two or three parts of the spine.
- First:the main symptom of osteochondrosis at this stage is the instability manifested in the initial disorders of the spinal discs. Illness and discomfort.
- Second:the main symptom of the second stage of osteochondrosis is the protrusion of the disc. The destruction of the annular fibrosis begins, the gaps between the vertebrae decrease, it is possible to pinch the nerve endings with pain syndromes.
- Third:at this stage of osteochondrosis the destruction of the ring occurs with the appearance of intervertebral hernias. The third stage is characterized by significant deformation of the spine.
- Fourth:the last and most severe stage of osteochondrosis. It becomes difficult to move. Every movement leads to sharp pain. Periodically there are improvements in the condition and the pain subsides, but this clearly shows the formation of bone growths. They connect the vertebrae, limiting the ability to move and leading to injury.
Four stages of osteochondrosis development
Symptoms characteristic of osteochondrosis
Patients suffering from osteochondrosis complain of constant back pain, which is often accompanied by tingling and pain in the extremities. In the absence of adequate treatment, weight loss and atrophy of the limbs occur. The main symptoms are:
- constant back pain, numbness and pain in the limbs;
- increased pain with sudden movements, exercise, weight lifting, coughing and sneezing;
- reduced range of motion, muscle spasms;
- with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: pain in the arms, shoulders, headache; possible development of the so-called vertebral artery syndrome, which consists of the following complaints: noise in the head, dizziness, blinking "flies", colored spots in front of the eyes in combination with a burning throbbing headache. The cause of vertebral artery syndrome can be its spasm in response to direct irritation of its sympathetic plexus due to bone growths, disc herniation, osteoarthritis of the intervertebral joint, and a reflex reaction due to irritation of any receptors on the spine. The presence of vertebral artery syndrome may worsen the course of coronary or cardiomuscular pathology, if present;
- with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: chest pain (as a "stake" in the chest), in the heart and other internal organs;
- with osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine: back pain radiating to the sacrum, lower extremities, sometimes in the pelvic organs;
- nerve root damage (with intervertebral disc herniation, bone growths, spondylolisthesis, spondyloarthritis): shooting pain and impaired sensitivity, malnutrition, hypotension, weakness in the innervated muscles, decreased reflexes.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
Preliminary diagnosis is made during the initial examination of the patient. The examination is usually performed by a neurologist in connection with the patient's complaints of local changes, which may manifest as pain, deformity or limited mobility. The spine is examined by the patient standing, sitting and lying down, both at rest and in motion. The level of spinal cord injury is determined by counting the number of vertebrae from certain anatomical landmarks or by a special scheme.
When examining the back, pay attention to the posture, the structural features of the trunk, mark the line of the spinous processes (middle groove of the back), the lower corners of the shoulders, the iliac crests, the lateral contours of the waist and neckintergluteal groove of the vertical, reveal a protrusion, a protrusion of the vertebral processes pay attention to the relief of the muscles located next to the spine.
The sensation of the spine allows you to supplement the test data (presence or absence of deformity) to determine the location, extent and nature of the pain. On palpation, the tension of the muscles located next to the spine is also noted. most injuries and diseases of the spine are accompanied by increased muscle tone.
Spinal flexion is used to determine the range of motion in different parts of the spine.
The main role in the examination of the spine is assigned to radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which determine the level of the lesion, the diagnosis is clarified and specified and hidden pathologies are revealed. The diagnostic data allow the attending physician to determine the tactics of treatment and to choose the most effective methods of treatment.
Osteochondrosis of the spine, treatment with movement
Complex conservative treatment includes physiotherapy exercises, physiotherapy, massage, manual therapy, traction (traction) of the spine, reflexology, drug therapy.
Physiotherapeutic exercises (TP) - the main method for conservative treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, is the creation of dosed loads aimed at decompression of nerve roots, correction and strengthening of the muscular corset, increasing the volume and developing a stereotype of movements andproper posture, giving the tendon-muscle apparatus the necessary flexibility, as well as to prevent complications. This is achieved through regular exercises with rehabilitation equipment and joint gymnastics. As a result of the exercise, the blood circulation is improved, the metabolism and nutrition of the intervertebral discs are normalized, the intervertebral space is increased, the muscular corset is formed and the load on the spine is reduced.
Physiotherapy is a method of treatment that uses physical factors: low frequency currents, magnetic fields, ultrasound, laser and more. Used to relieve pain, inflammation, rehabilitation after injuries and surgeries. When using physiotherapeutic methods, the time for treatment of many diseases is shortened, the effectiveness of the use of drugs and their dose reduction are increased, there are no side effects inherent in drug treatment.
Massage is a set of methods for mechanically measured action in the form of friction, pressure, vibration, performed directly on the surface of the human body with his hands. Effectively relieves muscle tension, muscle pain, improves blood circulation, has a tonic effect.
Manual therapy is an individually tailored manual effect on the musculoskeletal system to relieve acute and chronic pain in the spine and joints, as well as increase range of motion and correct posture. One of the directions of manual therapy is visceral manual therapy, which helps to restore normal organ mobility, improves blood supply, lymphatic circulation, normalizes metabolism, restores immunity and prevents exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Traction (pulling) of the spine is an effective method for the treatment of pain syndromes in the spine and joints, using an individually selected load with the help of special equipment. The procedure is aimed at increasing the intervertebral space, relieving pain and restoring the anatomically correct shape of the spine.
Reflexology - various therapeutic techniques and methods for influencing the reflexogenic zones of the human body and acupuncture points. The use of reflexology in combination with other therapeutic methods significantly increases their effectiveness. Most often, reflexology is used for osteochondrosis, accompanied by pain, diseases of the nervous system, sleep disorders, mental imbalance, as well as overweight and smoking. By acting on certain points, you can bring the body into harmony and cure many diseases.
Drug therapy is indicated during the exacerbation of the disease, aimed at relieving pain, relieving the inflammatory process and enhancing metabolic processes by taking or administering drugs using intramuscular or intravenous injections.
Although each of the above methods is highly effective, a lasting therapeutic effect can be obtained only when combined with exercises on rehabilitation equipment, ie when creating a full-fledged muscular corset.
Recommendations for prevention and prophylaxis of osteochondrosis
To prevent osteochondrosis or reduce pain, people suffering from this disease are advised to be as long as possible in a position where the load on the intervertebral discs will be minimal, and at the same time it is necessary to stretch the muscles. on the back as often as possible to support metabolic processes around the spine. The general recommendations are limited to the observance of the rules for a healthy lifestyle, in addition, in each case the attending physician determines private recommendations.
The following rules must be observed for prevention:
- Do not overload the spine, do not create conditions conducive to increased pressure in the intervertebral discs:
- limit vertical loads;
- do not make sudden movements, especially rotations of the body when bending;
- avoid falls and jumps from great heights, injuries and bruises on the spine;
- change the position of your body more often;
- keep your back straight;
- try to maintain the natural physiological curves of the spine: in the supine position the load on the spine is minimal, but the bed should be semi-firm (preferably sleeping on a sturdy orthopedic mattress and orthopedic pillow); in a sitting position keep your back straight because of the muscles or press it to the back of a chair or stool (the seat should be firm enough and the back should have a bend in the lumbar region), keep your head straight; in an upright position, change the leg you are leaning on more often; getting up from the bed or chair, as well as lying down and sitting, should be done with the hands without straining or bending the back;
- before physical activity drink water and massage your back, this will disperse the blood, speed up metabolic processes and allow the intervertebral discs to absorb enough moisture;
- do not lift or hold heavy objects with outstretched arms to lift an object, squat, and then stand with it until the objects are as close to the body as possible;
- when carrying weights, try to distribute the load evenly, ie do not carry bags in one hand, etc. , if you have to carry an object in front of you, keep it as close to your body as possible and do not stretch your arms while passing. your forward, and also use to carry heavy loads, strollers, bags or suitcases on wheels, backpacks;
- when performing heavy work involving lifting, moving or carrying weights, use a wide belt or a special corset;
- do not lift loads over 10 kg;
- when doing any work, try to bend as little as possible and be bent and periodically unload the spine (hanging on the bar, stretching with arms raised, lying down);
- wear comfortable shoes; women should limit walking in high heels.
- Exercise regularly to strengthen and maintain your corset. Swimming is useful.
- Take a contrast shower, harden the body.
- Do not overcool.
- Avoid scandals, stressful situations.
- Eat right.
- No smoking.