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Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine

Osteochondrosisis a disease of the spine characterized by degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs, and then to the spinal tissues themselves.

Dystrophic changes in the disc lead to weakening of its outer fibrous ring.Therefore, patients with osteochondrosis often experience such serious complications as protrusion (protrusion of a part of the disc) and spinal hernia (hanging of the nucleus pulposus of the disc in the spinal canal).

According to the results of medical research, every second person experiences spine problems after 30 years.In 70% of cases, the cause of pain in the spine is considered to be osteochondrosis, which is a neurological disease affecting the ligaments of the spine.

The first signs of osteochondrosis of the spine do not appear immediately, but gradually.

Depending on the localization of the pain, there are three types of osteochondrosis:

  • Cervical region;
  • Thoracic department;
  • Lumbar region.

According to many experts who have studied this disease, the main cause of osteochondrosis is the incorrectly distributed load on the spine.As a result, in patients, directly in places where excessive physical pressure is applied, a change in the structure of cartilage tissue occurs.

Causes of osteochondrosis of the spine:

  • Hereditary predisposition to the disease.
  • The presence of diseases of the endocrine system is a metabolic disorder.
  • The development of orthopedic diseases, such as flat feet, distortion of the posture, diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
  • Various injuries, bruises on the spine.
  • Lifestyle: lack of activity, improper diet with a predominance of harmful foods.
  • Overweight.
  • Bad habits - smoking, alcoholism.
  • Stress, fatigue.
  • Pregnancy

In most cases, the causes of osteochondrosis are related to a person's professional activity.

Stages of development

The development of osteochondrosis occurs in 4 different stages:

Osteochondrosis 1 stage

It is characterized by the occurrence of a pathological process in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc - its dehydration (dehydration) occurs, and subsequently the height of the disc decreases.At the same time, cracks begin to appear in the fibrous ring.At this stage, the patient usually does not feel any changes.Discomfort can occur when sitting in an unusual sitting position or during vigorous exercise.

Stage 2

In the second stage of osteochondrosis, the continuation of degenerative changes leads to disc protrusion.The differences between the vertebrae are reduced and the fibrous capsule is destroyed.As a result, the roots of the spinal nerves are pressed, which provokes the appearance of point pain, the intensity of which increases when bending, turning and other movements.Possible weakness and reduced performance.

3 stage osteochondrosis of the spine

It is characterized by abrasion of the cartilaginous sheath between the discs;the thinning of the tissue is clearly visible if you take an X-ray.The symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis are pronounced, intense, the pain does not go away, and only strong painkillers can relieve it.medicines.

Stage 4

The fourth stage is the most complex neurological disorders in the spine, resulting in partial or complete limitation of joint mobility.In this diagnostic condition, bone growths (osteophytes) are formed at the site of the spinal joints, which cause microtraumas to the nerve branches and adjacent segments of the spine.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis in adults

As the disease progresses, pathological mobility of the spine develops, in which the soft tissues, nerve fibers and blood vessels located near the lesion are disturbed - this is how the pain appears.

The main symptoms of osteochondrosis:

  • pain in the back, cervical region, lower back, shoulders and even ribs;
  • discomfort, stiffness of the back during certain movements, lifting something;
  • numbness of the extremities (hands and/or feet);
  • painful feeling in the hands and feet, chills;
  • muscle spasms;
  • disturbances in the functioning of the genital organs;
  • headache, dizziness;
  • pain in the region of the heart;
  • sensory disturbances;
  • muscle hypotension;
  • increased fatigue, sometimes even in the eyes.

Excessive physical activity, overexertion, hypothermia, injury, body shock, and exposure to vibration may contribute to the onset of acute symptoms.

Complications

Degenerative processes, mainly affecting the intervertebral discs, lead to a decrease in their density and loss of their shock-absorbing functions.The consequence of such changes is the excessive mobility of the spine, facet joints, muscles and ligaments are affected.

The paravertebral structures involved in the destructive processes cause compression (squeezing) of the spinal cord and its nerve endings.As a result, the patient with osteochondrosis experiences pain, which is accompanied by the following symptoms and diseases: severe headache, migraine, reduced visual acuity, autonomic dysfunction (VSD), dysfunction of the genitourinary system, sciatica (compression of the sciatic nerve), intervertebral hernia, spondyloarthrosis, lumbago, spinal stenosis.

Instrumental methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis:

  • X-ray diagnostics play a key role in this disease.Conventional radiography can reveal signs of the disease, such as narrowing of the space between the vertebrae.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a research method that allows accurate diagnosis of the processes taking place in the spinal region.With its help, in particular, it is possible to determine the presence of a disc herniation and its location.
  • Computed tomography (CT) is similar in its diagnostic capabilities to MRI.The disadvantage of CT is the presence of radiation during the examination.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

There is no specific and only correct method of treating osteochondrosis - this process in any circumstances requires an integrated approach.

A comprehensive program traditionally includes the following components:

  • physiotherapeutic methods of impact;
  • special exercises and massages;
  • manual therapy methods;
  • drug treatment;
  • reflexotherapy, electrophoresis, etc.;traction.

In the treatment of this category of patients, specialists prescribe drugs that have the following properties: relieve inflammation, restore the functions of the musculoskeletal system, stimulate tissue regeneration of the intervertebral discs and cartilage, prevent the progression of osteochondrosis.

The treatment of osteochondrosis follows the traditional path of treatment of many diseases of the musculoskeletal system: NSAIDs are prescribed to eliminate the inflammatory process in the tissues, chondroprotectors to restore the synovial fluid level, and corticosteroids if the first two types of drugs are ineffective.

To get rid of osteochondrosis, various therapeutic procedures are used, including massage.It has many useful properties - it relieves muscle tone, stimulates blood flow in the spine, strengthens the intervertebral discs.

Manual therapy relieves acute pain and helps restore posture.One of the most commonly used methods is visceral therapy.During its implementation, high-quality treatment of the joints is carried out, blood circulation processes are improved and the immune system is strengthened.It allows you to prevent exacerbation of various chronic diseases.

Physical therapy or exercise therapy for osteochondrosis is very important.In this way, special exercises to strengthen the back muscles contribute to the formation of a muscle corset, which in turn ensures an even distribution of the load on the spine.In addition, thanks to regular exercises, blood circulation and tissue nutrition, including the intervertebral discs, improve, the patient develops a correct posture and the range of motion in the spine increases.

Physiotherapy helps to effectively combat painful manifestations in places where the pathological process is localized.There are many types of physical therapy interventions.Most often they resort to the use of magnetic therapy, ultrasound therapy and exposure to low-frequency currents.

Prevention

If osteochondrosis is prevented in time, treatment may not be necessary.The issue should be approached comprehensively:

  • restriction of weight lifting (less than 10 kg);
  • carry loads only symmetrically (distributing the weight on both hands);
  • perform simple physical exercises aimed at strengthening the spine, muscles and joints;
  • swim regularly;