What it is: Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which the intervertebral discs (and later the vertebral bodies, joints, and ligaments) lose their ability to function normally. Until recently, the disease was considered age-related, but in recent decades it has become noticeably younger, mercilessly affecting young people between the ages of 18 and 30.
Osteochondrosis is generally classified according to the place of its location: lumbar, cervical, thoracic, sacral, and generalized. More than 50% of the cases of the disease explain the osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine; The symptoms, treatment and diagnosis of this type of osteochondrosis are widely described in the works of medical luminaries. A quarter of diagnoses are due to cervical osteochondrosis, a disease that affects office workers and people who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Most often, the pathological processes in this disease first affect the bones and ligaments. Usually we discover that the disease has already begun when complications appear: pain, sensory disturbances, muscle atrophy, alteration of internal organs.
Today we will talk about osteochondrosis, the symptoms and treatment of this disease is a very topical topic in our time. After all, 40 to 90% of the world's population suffers from the disease. Most often, the disease affects people over the age of 30.
Causes of occurrence
There is no single reason for the development of osteochondrosis. Some believe that an ailment occurs due to the deposition of unabsorbed calcium compounds by bone tissue due to impaired bone blood supply caused by weakness, curvature of the spine, and a decrease in the distance between individual vertebrae.
There are many predisposing causal factors. The main ones are the following:
- spinal injuries (fractures, bruises, dislocations);
- hereditary predisposition;
- Foot diseases causing strain on the spine, including flat feet, clubfoot (varus deformity of the foot), hallux valgus;
- wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes for a long time (it also causes strain on the spine);
- overweight and obesity;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- metabolic disorders;
- curvature of the spine (kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis);
- professional features: weight lifting, frequent turns and shaking of the body, work in an awkward position of the body.
The development of the disease is facilitated by a hereditary predisposition, spinal overload (being overweight, lifting heavy objects), trauma and microtrauma.
Stages of osteochondrosis.
Depending on the level of development of osteochondrosis and its symptoms, there are four stages.
- First stage- preclinical, which is rarely diagnosed due to mild (or completely absent) signs of the disease. At this stage, the changes in the spine are minimal. Patients are concerned about limited pain in the spine and there is tension in the back muscles.
- In the second stagePains appear, as the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc is destroyed, the fixation of the vertebrae to each other is disturbed, their pathological mobility arises in the form of displacements. The intervertebral distance decreases, with compression of the neurovascular endings, blood vessels and lymphatics.
- Third stage. . . A rupture is formed in the cartilaginous tissues of the fibrous annulus, through which a more liquid part of the nucleus leaks - a herniated intervertebral disc is formed. These changes are most often found in the lumbar and cervical spine. To a lesser extent, the occurrence of intervertebral hernias is susceptible to the thoracic region because, as a result of disc pathology, a certain part of the load is absorbed by the ribs and sternum. As a result of the bulging (herniation) of the intervertebral disc, there is an effect on the roots of the spinal nerves, which manifests itself in the form of pain, inflammation, impaired conduction of nerve fibers, and inflammation.
- Fourth stage- final, in which the scar tissue is replaced by the fibers of the intervertebral disc, as well as by the fibrous cartilage and the fibrous tissue of the nucleus pulposus.
To prevent the development of the last stage, it is necessary to decide how to treat osteochondrosis in a timely manner.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease characterized by alternating periods of exacerbation of symptoms and remission. Excessive exercise, fatigue, hypothermia, injury, tremors, and vibrations can contribute to acute symptoms.
The disease manifests itself in a series of typical symptoms. Spinal osteochondrosis is characterized by: back pain, feeling of numbness in the affected spine, decreased range of motion, increased pain when lifting weights, sudden movements, tension when coughing or sneezing.
Chronic pain, as one of the symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis, causes increased fatigue. When nerve roots are compressed by spinal discs, pain can be more intense and sharp and "stabbing" in nature. Its location in this case is not limited to the back area, but is felt by a person in the area of the extremities.
With osteochondrosis, patients describe symptoms such as:
- paroxysmal or stabbing pain in the spine affected by osteochondrosis;
- increased pain after physical exertion, as well as in the morning;
- pain can radiate to the neck, arm or leg, as well as to the chest;
- crunching sensation when turning.
The disease begins and develops gradually, so how to treat osteochondrosis will depend on the stage and location of the spinal injury.
Treatment of osteochondrosis.
In the case of osteochondrosis, treatment requires complex measures.
In the acute stage, strict bed rest is shown, rigid fixation of the damaged vertebrae by means of a corset or a special collar. A firm bed, use of a shield, limitation of movement is recommended.
To reduce pain, pain relievers, B vitamins, novocaine blockers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, rubbing ointments, mustard plasters, ultraviolet irradiation, acupuncture and reflexology, thermal procedures, wool belt, etc. are shown.
The next stage of treatment aims to improve local blood circulation and strengthen the muscles that support the spine. To cure osteochondrosis, you need to adhere to complex therapy, which includes:
- medical massage (traditional, hardware store, vacuum);
- physiotherapy exercises, swimming;
- physiotherapy (treatment with laser, ultrasound, low-frequency currents, magnetic field; shock wave therapy, cryotherapy);
- reflexology (acupuncture, acupressure);
- spinal traction (dry or water);
- non-traditional therapy methods (treatment with bee stings);
- treatment with folk remedies (herbs, honey, mustard, red pepper, bath).
If conservative therapy does not produce results or changes in the intervertebral discs require external intervention, modern minimally invasive surgical methods are used: laser reconstruction, intradiscal electrothermal therapy, microsurgical hernia removal.
In case of irreversible changes, an artificial intervertebral disc made of metal or metal and plastic can be installed. So, now let's take a closer look at how to treat osteochondrosis without the use of drugs.
Massage
Back massage with osteochondrosis has a much more pronounced effect than, for example, exercise therapy. First of all, any method of treatment must aim to relieve pain.
When the pain can be relieved or relieved, the actual treatment can begin. But its main task can be called the prevention of the progression of the disease, as well as its possible subsequent relapses. It is for these purposes that two key methods are used: recovery gymnastics and massage. It should be noted that in neck cases, exercise does not have the same effect as massage.
Judge for yourself: massage improves blood circulation in the affected area, eliminates spasms of the neck and back muscles, weakens or eliminates pain, strengthens the neck muscles.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is widely used in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Acupuncture helps relieve pain, relaxes the back muscles, and helps restore damaged tissues by stimulating metabolic processes.
In some cases, acupuncture can replace traditional drug therapy, the disadvantages of which are well known (side effects of drugs, addiction to them). Acupuncture is contraindicated for skin conditions affecting the back and during pregnancy.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis.
Corrective gymnastics for people suffering from diseases such as osteochondrosis should become a necessary part of life. It is an exercise therapy that is capable of breaking the vicious circle, which consists of the following components: physical inactivity, weakened back and neck muscles, destruction of the vertebral discs, bed rest.
Before you start exercising, you need to know the main principles of therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis:
- Exercises should not be performed at the stage of exacerbation of the disease, when there is a severe pain syndrome.
- Exercise should not increase pain.
- Complexes with tension in the back muscles should be alternated with relaxation complexes.
- All exercises are performed smoothly, without sudden movements, maintaining the correct body posture.
For each type of osteochondrosis, their own complexes of exercises have been developed. However, to prevent the spread of the disease, it is recommended to train the muscular system of the entire spine.