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Symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis.

Osteochondrosis of the spine in a man.

Osteochondrosis is a disease based on degenerative changes that occur in the intervertebral discs, vertebrae and small joints of the spine.Osteochondrosis is a faithful companion of old age.But increasingly the diagnosis is being made among young people, which is probably due to a predominantly sedentary job, an unhealthy lifestyle and little physical activity.We can safely assume that the majority of the adult population exhibits signs of osteochondrosis.




Reasons

The elasticity of the spine, its mobility and its ability to withstand physical activity depend mainly on the state of the intervertebral discs.The basis of the pathological process in osteochondrosis is malnutrition of the structures of the spine, in particular the intervertebral disc.This causes changes in the normal structure of the tissues, the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity and changes its shape.These metamorphoses cause a narrowing of the intervertebral discs and, as a result, compression of the nerve roots.Actually, these changes explain the appearance of neurological symptoms, in particular, back pain due to osteochondrosis.

Subsequently, degenerative processes occur in the small joints of the spine and bone growths form on the surface of the vertebrae.All of these changes lead to a decrease in the flexibility of the spine.

These transformations of cartilage and bone tissue are the result of physiological aging of the body.But when exposed to certain unfavorable factors, dystrophic changes in the intervertebral joints occur earlier than expected.These factors include:

Osteochondrosis arising from unfavorable factors.
  • Obesity;
  • Sedentary lifestyle;
  • Heavy physical work;
  • Occupations that involve prolonged standing or sitting during work hours;
  • Flat feet, hallux valgus;
  • Spinal deformities;
  • Autoimmune connective tissue diseases;
  • Fluctuations in hormonal levels (pregnancy, menopause);
  • Sports exercise;
  • Stress;
  • Spinal injuries, etc.

Types of osteochondrosis

The characteristics of the clinical picture of the disease depend on which segment of the spine the pathological process occurs.The following types of osteochondrosis are distinguished:

  1. cervical;
  2. Chest;
  3. Lumbar.

Cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is common.The muscular structure of the neck is rather poorly developed, therefore, against the background of osteochondrosis, even with a negligible load, displacement of the vertebrae occurs and, as a result, compression of the vessels and nerves of the neck.This explains the specificity of the clinical picture in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

So, the main signs of cervical osteochondrosis include:

  • Constant pain in the neck and occipital region, aggravated by neck movement;
  • Hemicranial type pain - in one hemisphere;
  • Dizziness, tinnitus;
  • Pain in the arms;
  • Sensation of numbness and tingling in the hands.

Thoracic osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is quite rare.The main prerequisite for the development of the disease is the presence of spinal deformities.

Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:

  1. Dull, aching pain in the chest area, which often has a tightening character;
  2. Increased pain when turning the body, sneezing, coughing, laughing;
  3. Visceral pain in the heart, right upper quadrant, abdomen;
  4. Numbness, paresthesia in the skin of the chest.

Lumbar osteochondrosis

The most common type of osteochondrosis.This is probably due to the fact that the greatest load falls directly on the lumbar region.Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis:

  • Aching pain, less often acute, in the lower back, which increases with movement or prolonged stay in a static position;
  • Feeling of stiffness in the lumbar area;
  • To reduce pain, a person takes a forced position;
  • Aching or sharp pain (like low back pain) in the buttock, thigh, or lower leg;
  • Tingling, paresthesia in the legs.
Acute (stabbing) pain in lumbar osteochondrosis.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis.

To detect osteochondrosis, radiological research methods are used: x-ray, computer and MRI of the spine.The most characteristic and, above all, early sign of osteochondrosis is a decrease in the height of the intervertebral space.

In later stages of the degenerative process, marginal growths (osteophytes) appear on the surface of the vertebrae.They are easier to detect on lateral x-rays because osteophytes are found in front and behind the vertebrae.

In addition, with osteochondrosis, a displacement of the bodies of adjacent vertebrae occurs, which can also be determined by x-ray.

Osteochondrosis treatment

Treatment of osteochondrosis is more effective the sooner it is started.As already mentioned, osteochondrosis is a change in the structure of the intervertebral discs and vertebrae.Unfortunately, many people ignore back pain for a long time and do not consult a doctor in a timely manner, missing the moment when it is still possible to stop the pathological process.

Treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out with the help of medications, physiotherapy, massage and surgery.

Drug therapy:

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, ointments, injections for pain relief;
  • muscle relaxants;
  • Chondroprotectors: promote the regeneration of damaged cartilage;
  • Vitamin and mineral complexes;
  • Vasodilators;
  • Medicines that normalize metabolism in tissues.

After eliminating the exacerbation of the disease, you should proceed to rehabilitation.Therefore, physiotherapy is a very important aspect in the fight against osteochondrosis.Performing certain exercises contributes to the formation of a muscular corset.This is extremely important, since it is thanks to the strong muscular corset that the physical load is evenly distributed along the spine.With regular performance of a series of exercises, spinal stiffness will disappear and the range of motion will increase.Massage, physiotherapy, reflexology and spinal traction will help improve the effect of physiotherapy.

If complications arise in the form of an intervertebral hernia, radiculitis and if conservative treatment is unsuccessful, surgical intervention is resorted to.The goal of surgical treatment is to eliminate compression of nerve roots and blood vessels, as well as stabilize the structure of the intervertebral disc or vertebra.

Treatment of osteochondrosis at home.

Home remedies will help relieve the symptoms of osteochondrosis, but in no case can they replace the main treatment.You can find a lot of traditional treatment methods on the Internet, but not all of them are safe, so be sure to consult your doctor.

traditional medicine

For osteochondrosis, you can rub your back with a traditional warm massage.

The general principle of folk treatment of osteochondrosis is the use of substances that have an irritating effect.The result is an improvement in blood supply to a certain area of the body, as well as a reduction in pain.

In folk medicine, the following recipe for rubbing is known: mix 0.25 cups of vodka with 0.5 cups of honey, add 0.75 cups of grated radish and two tablespoons of salt.The resulting mixture should be rubbed into the worried area of the back twice a day.The procedure must be repeated within a week.

To relieve pain, you can apply a potato compress to your back.Grated raw potatoes should be mixed with honey in equal proportions.Then wrap the resulting mixture in gauze, apply it to your back and wrap it with a scarf.You can also use a compress with burdock.To prepare it, pour a glass of boiling water on a tablespoon of finely crushed burdock leaves.Wrap the mixture in cheesecloth and apply it to your back for half an hour.After removing the compress, be sure to wrap a warm scarf around your back.

You can make it even simpler: grate the radish, put it in a cotton stocking, and then lie on your back.

Please note: It is important to be careful when using home remedies and not touch your face with your hands.Radish and other plants, if they come into contact with the eyes, can cause corneal burns.

therapeutic gymnastics

Physical exercises can only be performed outside of exacerbation periods.In case of acute pain, you should refrain from performing gymnastics, as this will only lead to increased pain.

An approximate set of exercises might look like this:

  1. Lie on your back and stretch your legs.Pull your right foot toward you and the ball of your left foot outward.This must be done one by one.
  2. While on your back, place your hands behind your neck.The legs should be together and bent at the knees.Your knees should be tilted to the left and your head should be turned in the opposite direction.Hold for just a few seconds.Then move your knees to the right and your head to the left.
  3. Lie on your back, with your arms along your body.You must bend your knees and raise your pelvis.Remain in this position for a few seconds.As you exhale, lower your pelvis.
  4. Turn on your side.Straighten your top leg and move it back and forth.
  5. Starting position on all fours.Arch your back, hold the position for a few seconds, and then arch your waist.
  6. Roll on your back.Pull your bent left knee toward your right elbow and then vice versa.