osteochondrosisis a disease of the spine characterized by degenerative dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs and then to the vertebral body tissue itself.
Dystrophic changes in the disc cause its outer annulus to weaken.Therefore, patients with osteochondrosis often suffer from serious complications such as herniation (partial bulging of the intervertebral disc) and vertebral hernia (the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc is suspended into the spinal canal).
According to medical research, every 2 people will develop spinal problems after 30 years.In 70% of cases, the cause of spinal pain is thought to be osteochondrosis, a neurological disorder that affects the ligaments of the spine.
The first symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis do not appear immediately but appear gradually.
Depending on the location of the pain, osteochondrosis can be divided into three types:
- cervical area;
- Chest;
- Waist area.
According to many experts who study this disease, the main cause of osteochondrosis is incorrect load distribution on the spine.As a result, in patients, the structure of the cartilage tissue changes directly at the point where excessive physical pressure is exerted.
Causes of spinal osteochondrosis:
- The disease has a hereditary predisposition.
- The presence of diseases of the endocrine system is a metabolic disorder.
- Development of orthopedic disorders such as flat feet, postural curvature, disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
- Various injuries, spinal contusions.
- Lifestyle: lack of activity, poor diet, mainly harmful foods.
- Being overweight.
- Bad habits – smoking, drinking.
- Stress, fatigue.
- Pregnant.
In most cases, the cause of osteochondrosis is related to a person's occupational activities.
Development stage
The development of osteochondrosis is divided into 4 distinct stages:
Osteochondrosis stage 1
It is characterized by the onset of a pathological process in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc - dehydration occurs, followed by a decrease in disc height.At the same time, cracks begin to appear in the annulus fibrosus.During this stage, patients usually feel no changes.Discomfort may occur when sitting in unusual positions or actively exercising.
second stage
In the second stage of osteochondrosis, persistence of degenerative changes leads to disc herniation.The spaces between the vertebrae narrow and the fibrous capsule is destroyed.As a result, the spinal nerve roots become compressed, causing point pain that increases in intensity with bending, turning, and other movements.Weaknesses and performance degradation may exist.
Spinal Osteochondrosis Stage 3
It is characterized by wear and tear of the cartilage lining between the discs; thinning of the tissue can be clearly seen if an X-ray is taken.The symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis are obvious and severe, and the pain does not go away and can only be relieved by powerful analgesics.drug.
Stage 4
Stage IV is the most complex neurological disease of the spinal system, characterized by partial or complete limitation of joint movement.In this diagnostic condition, bony growths (osteophytes) form at the joints of the vertebrae, causing microtrauma to nerve branches and adjacent segments of the spine.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis in adults
As the disease progresses, pathological mobility of the spine develops, and soft tissues, nerve fibers and blood vessels near the lesion are violated - this is how pain occurs.
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- Pain in the back, neck, waist, shoulders and even ribs;
- Discomfort during certain movements, lifting things, back stiffness;
- numbness in the extremities (arms and/or legs);
- Pain and chills in arms and legs;
- muscle spasms;
- Reproductive organ dysfunction;
- Headache, dizziness;
- Pain in the heart area;
- sensory impairment;
- Muscular hypotension;
- Increased fatigue and sometimes eye strain.
Excessive physical activity, overexertion, hypothermia, injury, body shock and vibration may lead to the development of acute symptoms.
complication
Degenerative processes that primarily affect the intervertebral discs result in a decrease in disc density and loss of shock-absorbing function.The consequence of this change is hypermobility of the spine, with the facet joints, muscles, and ligaments affected.
Paravertebral structures involved in the destructive process can cause compression (crush) of the spinal cord and its nerve endings.Therefore, patients with osteochondrosis experience pain accompanied by the following symptoms and disorders: severe headaches, migraines, decreased vision, autonomic dysfunction (VSD), genitourinary dysfunction, sciatica (sciatic nerve compression), intervertebral hernia, spondyloarthropathy, low back pain, spinal stenosis.
Instrumental methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis:
- X-ray diagnosis plays a key role in this disease.Traditional radiographs can reveal signs of disease, such as a narrowing of the spaces between vertebrae.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a research method that can accurately diagnose processes occurring in areas of the spine.In particular, with its help, the presence and location of a herniated disc can be determined.
- The diagnostic capabilities of computed tomography (CT) are similar to MRI.The disadvantage of CT is the radiation exposure during the study.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
There is no specific and only correct way to treat osteochondrosis - in any case, this process requires a comprehensive approach.
Comprehensive plans traditionally include the following components:
- The impact of physical therapy methods;
- Special exercises and massages;
- Manual therapy methods;
- drug treatment;
- Reflexology, electrophoresis, etc.; traction.
When treating such patients, specialists prescribe drugs that have the following properties: relieve inflammation, restore function of the musculoskeletal system, stimulate tissue regeneration of intervertebral discs and cartilage, and prevent the progression of osteochondrosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis follows the traditional path of treating many diseases of the musculoskeletal system: NSAIDs are used to eliminate the inflammatory process in the tissues, chondroprotectants are used to restore the levels of synovial fluid, and if the first two drugs are ineffective, corticosteroids are used.
To eliminate osteochondrosis, various treatments are available, including massage.It has many beneficial properties - muscle tension is relieved, blood flow in the spine is stimulated, the intervertebral discs become stronger.
Manual therapy can relieve acute pain and help restore posture.One of the most common methods is visceral therapy.During its implementation, high-quality treatment of joints is carried out, blood circulation processes are improved, and the immune system is strengthened.It allows you to prevent the progression of various chronic diseases.
Physical therapy or exercise therapy is very important for osteochondrosis.Therefore, special exercises to strengthen the back muscles help to form a muscular corset, thus ensuring an even distribution of the load on the spine.In addition, due to regular exercise, blood circulation and tissue nutrition (including the intervertebral discs) are improved, the patient develops correct posture, and the range of motion of the spine increases.
Physical therapy helps effectively combat the painful manifestations of localized pathological processes.There are many types of physical therapy interventions.They most commonly use magnetic therapy, ultrasound therapy, and low-frequency current therapy.
prevention
If osteochondrosis is prevented promptly, treatment may not be needed.This issue needs to be considered comprehensively:
- Lifting heavy objects (less than 10 kg) is restricted;
- Carry the load only symmetrically (distribute the weight over the hands);
- Perform simple physical exercises designed to strengthen the spine, muscles, and joints;
- swim regularly;