What it is: Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which the intervertebral discs (and subsequently 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 and ruthlessly affects young people between the ages of 18 and 30.
Osteochondrosis is usually classified according to the place of its localization - lumbar, cervical, thoracic, sacral and generalized. More than 50% of cases of the disease represent osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine; the symptoms, treatment and diagnosis of this type of osteochondrosis are widely described in the work of medical authorities. A quarter of diagnoses are due to cervical osteochondrosis - a disease of office workers and people leading sedentary lives.
Most often, the pathological processes of this disease first affect the bones and ligaments. We usually find out that the disease has already started when complications appear - pain, sensory disturbances, muscle atrophy, disruption of internal organs.
Today we are going to 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 30 years of age.
Causes of occurrence
There is no single reason for the development of osteochondrosis. Some believe that a disease occurs due to the deposition of calcium compounds not absorbed by the bone tissue due to the deterioration of the bone blood supply caused by the weakness, curvature of the spine and a decrease in the distance betweenthe individual vertebrae.
There are many predisposing causal factors. The main ones are as follows:
- spinal injuries (fractures, bruises, dislocations);
- hereditary predisposition;
- diseases of the feet that cause overloading of the spine - these include flat feet, clubfoot (varus deformity of the foot), hallux valgus;
- wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes for a long time (also causes an overload of the spine);
- overweight and obesity;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- Metabolic disorders;
- curvature of the spine (kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis);
- professional characteristics - lifting weights, frequently turning and shaking by the body, working in an uncomfortable position of the body.
The development of the disease is facilitated by a hereditary predisposition, an overload of the spine (overweight, carrying heavy loads), 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 extremely rarely diagnosed due to mild (or completely absent) signs of the disease. At this point, the changes in the spine are minimal. Patients worry about limited pain in the spine and tension in the back muscles.
- In the second stagepain appears, because the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc is destroyed, the attachment of the vertebrae to each other is disturbed, their pathological mobility is in the form of displacements. The intervertebral distance decreases, with compression of neurovascular endings, blood vessels and lymphatics.
- Third step. . . A rupture is formed in the cartilaginous tissues of the fibrous ring, through which part of the more liquid nucleus seeps - an intervertebral herniated disc is formed. Such changes are most often found in the lumbar and cervical spine. To a lesser extent, the appearance of intervertebral hernias is sensitive to the thoracic region due to the fact that as a result of disc pathology some of the load is taken by the ribs and the breastbone. As a result of the protrusion (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 andinflammation.
- Fourth step- final, in which the scar tissue is replaced by the fibers of the intervertebral disc, as well as the fibrous cartilage and the fibrous tissue of the nucleus pulposus.
In order to prevent the development of the last stage, it is necessary to quickly decide how to treat osteochondrosis.
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 vibration can contribute to acute symptoms.
The disease manifests itself with a number of typical symptoms. Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by: painful back pain, a feeling of numbness in the affected spine, decreased range of motion, increased pain when lifting weights, sudden movement, tension when coughing or sneezing.
Chronic pain, one of the symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis, causes increased fatigue. When the nerve roots are squeezed by the discs of the spine, the pain may be more intense and be sharp and "pulling" in nature. Its localization in this case is not limited to the back area, but is felt by a person in the limb area.
With osteochondrosis, patients describe symptoms such as:
- paroxysmal or throbbing pain in the spine affected by osteochondrosis;
- increased pain after physical exertion, as well as in the morning;
- the pain may radiate to the neck, arm or leg, as well as to the chest;
- creaking sensation when twisting.
The disease begins and develops gradually, so the way to treat osteochondrosis will depend on the stage, as well as the 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 damaged vertebrae with the help of a corset or special collar. A firm bed, the use of a shield, limitation of movement are recommended.
To reduce pain, analgesics, B vitamins, novocaine blockages are indicated, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, friction ointments, mustard dressings, ultraviolet irradiation, acupuncture and reflexology, thermal procedures, a woolen belt, etc. can be used.
The next step in treatment is aimed at improving local blood circulation and strengthening the muscles that support the spine. To cure osteochondrosis, you need to adhere to complex therapy, which includes:
- medical massage (traditional, hardware, vacuum cleaner);
- physiotherapy exercises, swimming;
- physiotherapy (laser treatment, ultrasound, low frequency currents, magnetic field; shock wave therapy, cryotherapy);
- reflexology (acupuncture, acupressure);
- spinal traction (dry or wet);
- methods of non-traditional therapy (treatment with bee stings);
- treatment with folk remedies (herbs, honey, mustard, red pepper, bath).
If conservative therapy does not bring results or changes in the intervertebral discs require external intervention, modern minimally invasive surgical methods are used: laser reconstruction, intradiscal electrothermal therapy, microsurgical removal of a hernia.
In case of irreversible changes, an artificial intervertebral disc made of metal or metal and plastic can be installed. 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, say, exercise therapy. First and foremost, any treatment method should aim to relieve pain.
When the pain can be relieved or relieved, then real 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 - corrective gymnastics and massage. It should be noted that in the case of the neck, exercise does not have the same effect as massage.
Judge for yourself: massage improves blood circulation in the affected area, eliminates spasms of the muscles of the neck and back, weakens or eliminates pain, strengthens the muscles of the neck.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is widely used in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Acupuncture helps relieve pain, relaxes back muscles, and helps restore damaged tissue by stimulating metabolic processes.
In some cases, acupuncture can replace traditional pharmacotherapy, the drawbacks of which are well known (side effects of drugs, addiction to them). Acupuncture is contraindicated for skin diseases affecting the back and during pregnancy.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis
Remedial gymnastics for people with diseases such as osteochondrosis should become a necessary part of life. It is an exercise therapy that is able to break the vicious circle, which consists of the following elements: sedentary lifestyle, weakened muscles of the back and neck, destruction of the spinal discs, bed rest.
Before you start exercising, you should know the main principles of therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis:
- Exercises should not be performed at the stage of exacerbation of the disease, in case of severe pain syndrome.
- Exercise should not increase the pain.
- The complexes with tension of the back muscles should alternate with the complexes of relaxation.
- All exercises are performed smoothly, without sudden movements, maintaining correct body posture.
For each type of osteochondrosis, its own exercise complexes have been developed. Nevertheless, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, it is recommended to train the muscular system of the entire spine.