Osteochondrosis is a destructive degenerative lesion of the spine, which includes the defeat of the bodies of the vertebrae, joint devices, ligament devices and intervertebral discs. This disease is sufficiently common in all countries - from 45 to 85% of the population suffers from this disease. The beginning of osteochondrosis occurs in patients over 30 to 35, however, early cases earlier are known. Men and women fall sick with approximately the same frequency.
CausesThere is no unified cause for the development of osteochondrosis. There are a large number of predisposing causal factors. The main ones are as follows:Vertebral injuries (fractures, bruises, dislocations);Hereditary predisposition;Feet diseases causing an overload of the spine - this includes flat feet, the varnelle deformation of the foot, the deformation valgus of the foot;Wear close and uncomfortable shoes for a long time (also causes overload of the spine);Overweight and obesity;Age -related changes;Sedentary lifestyle;Athletes who suddenly abandon their training and their courses;Metabolic disorders;Vertebral curvature (cyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis);Professional characteristics - weight lifting, frequent turns and body shades work in an uncomfortable body position;Frequent and prolonged hypothermia;Stress;A specific climate, both instead of the residence and at the workplace - low air temperatures and high humidity.When exposed to one or more causal factors, the development of the disease begins. It is usual to divide it into four main steps:The first step. There is a decrease in the amount of humidity in the heart of the intervertebral disc, it becomes flatte, the distance between the vertebrae decreases. The cartilage is covered with minor cracks.The second step. Due to the reduction in the distance between the vertebrae, the muscle and ligament apparatus of the vertebrae occurs. This leads to the pathological mobility of vertebral bodies, to their movements.The third step. Due to progressive processes in the spine, the compression (projection) of the intervertebral discs, the subluxation of the vertebrae occurs.The fourth step. Between the vertebrae, the bone point (osteophytes) appear, which aim to eliminate the mobility of the vertebrae, the prevention of dislocations. Over time, there are so many that the affected vertebrae completely lose their mobility. In this case, there is a trauma of blood vessels and nerves which pass near the vertebrae and leaving the spine.At the first and last stages of clinical manifestations (pain), the patient does not.
ClassificationThere are many classifications of osteochondrosis. Each doctor chooses the most acceptable for himself. The following classifications are most often used:Classification on the defeat of the spine:Cervical osteochondosis;Thoracic osteochondrosis;Lumbar osteochondosis;Crown osteochondrosis;Extended osteochondrosis (commune) - Assignment 2 spine or more.Classification by the degree of change in the intervertebral disc (radiological stages):0 step - there is no disc change;1st step - minor changes, including maximum internal tears; 2 steps - serious changes of the disc while retaining the outer surface;Step 3 - The entire disc is completely affected (cracks with propagation to the outer surface, tightening the disc under the bodies of the vertebrae, etc. ).Classification by clinical manifestations and degree of altered vertebral operation:1st step - The functioning of the spine is not changed, the patient feels slight pain in the lesion;2 steps - The functioning of the spine is disturbed (subluxus vertebral bodies occur, disc protrusion, pinching of the nerves), the pain in the destruction site is intensifying;Step 3 - The spine is distorted, the hernias of the intervertebral discs occur, significant pain;Step 4 - The patient is difficult to move, the mobility of the spine decreases, the pain during the slightest movement. The patient receives a handicap.
Symptoms of osteochondrosisThe symptoms of osteochondrosis depend on the zone of damage to the spine and the degree of disorders that occur there.For the extended clinical image of osteochondrosis of the cervical column, the following signs are characteristic:Violation of visual acuity;Dizziness;Tinnitus;"Flies" that sparkle before the eyes and the appearance of colored spots;Hearing loss;Headache in the nape, temporal and parietal region, intensifying when moving the cervical column;Loss of consciousness;Snore;Raucous of the voice or its weakening;Numbness and loss of sensitivity on the skin of the face, neck and hands;Dental destruction;Blood pressure advice.For osteochondrosis of the chest spine, the following symptoms are characteristic:Pain in the heart, duration for a long time, painful or pressing, often clear, sewing, sharp, patients can show a specific point of pain;Numbness of the skin in the chest, the abdomen and the back;Pain in the spine, in particular between the shoulder blades, strongly expressed;Pain during the rise of hands;Pain with clear and deep breathing, then join later when expiration;Pain, discomfort and difficulties during the inclinations of the body in all directions.The following symptoms are characteristic of osteochondrosis of the lumbar column and the sacred spine:Pain in the area of the lumbar and sacred column (low back pain), which can give legs or both, intensifying with any movement of the spine in the affected area;The legs freeze at a comfortable temperature for other parts of the body;Almost constant tension in back muscles, in particular the lumbar region;A feeling of numbness, creeping goosebumps and tingling on the skin of the legs and buttocks;Varicose veins on the legs;Violation of power in men;Increase in perspiration;Pallor of the skin on the legs;Irregular menstruation in women.With prolonged and neglected osteochondosis, when the affected vertebrae merge with each other, the patient is only concerned by the impossibility of movements in a particular spine, pain, as a rule, decreases or completely leaves.
DiagnosisFirst, the doctor conducts an investigation and an examination of the patient, establishing a preliminary diagnosis. For confirmation, additional examination methods are allocated. With osteochondrosis, they are only instrumental, because the laboratory (tests) will not show any change in confirmation.The main diagnostic methods include the following elements:X-ray exam. Allows you to determine the degree of damage to the vertebrae, their location, bone formations. By indirect methods, you can determine the condition of bone channels and intervertebral discs;Tomodensitometry (CT). Allows you to determine the state of the intervertebral discs, their structure and their shape, the deformation of the vertebrae and the compression of the endings and nerve roots;Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Allows you to determine smaller violations in the spine and is prescribed in cases where controversial problems remain the CT position;Ultrasound procedure. Allows you to identify the degree of blood flow in the vessels that feed the spinal cord and other organs; Myelography. The radiography method of the spine using a contrast matter. Allows you to identify intervertebral hernias.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
PreservativeIn the treatment of osteochondrosis, conservative treatment methods are mainly used. In this case, the approach of each patient must be individual and complex. Conservative treatment methods can be divided into 4 main groups:Drug treatment;Physiotherapy;Spa treatment;Diet (bases of good nutrition).
Drug treatment of osteochondrosisMedicines used in the treatment of osteochondrosis should be used during periods of exacerbations. They contribute to a decrease in symptoms and also affect certain causal factors in the development of the disease. The main groups of drugs used in the treatment of osteochondrosis: NSAIDs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have anesthetic and anti-inflammatory effects and also reduce the high temperature of the affected tissues of the spine and its structures. With pronounced symptoms, the first days of exacerbation of the disease are prescribed in the form of injections. The use of use is 1 to 2 times a day. After that, they go to medication forms with a treatment rate of 10 to 30 days, if necessary. The admission frequency is 1 to 4 times a day. In addition, as well as tablets and injections, ointments or creams are represented, which are applied to the skin in the spine area 1 to 3 times a day.Musorelaxants. The preparations of this group make a large face of an increase in muscle tone, the relaxation of transverse broken muscle fibers and the facilitation of the patient's condition. On average, the processing price is approximately 1 month. With serious symptoms, treatment begins with forms of injection of drugs. The dosage must start with a minimum, gradually increasing until the therapeutic effect is obtained, after which is also gradually reducing to complete cancellation.Several other groups are used as additional drugs:Vitamins. Accelerate tissue restoration processes, normalize nerve conductivity, speed up metabolism, etc. Almost always, these drugs for osteochondosis are prescribed in the form of injections, lessons for 10 days. These are vitamins B1, B2, B6, E.Blood preparations. These drugs standardize blood flow in veins and arteries, restore the muscular tone of blood vessels and restore metabolism. Most often, forms of tablet of tablets are used. The duration of treatment with these agents is 1 to 3 months. In addition, in extreme cases, the injection of the drug is possible for the first 5 to 10 days, with the subsequent transition to the tablets. Glucocorticosteroids. They have anti-inflammatory and decongestant effects, improve the work of NSAIDs and muscle relaxants. Depending on the severity of the patient's condition, they are prescribed in the form of intramuscular or intra-rapid injections, or in the form of tablets for oral administration. The course of treatment is individually selected, from several days to several weeks. The abolition of the drug should take place with a gradual decrease in the dosage.Biogenic stimulants. Accelerate metabolism, stimulate the restoration of tissues, reduce inflammation and swelling of the tissues and much more. Most often used in the form of injection and slightly less common in the form of tablets or other forms for oral administration. The course of treatment can range from 1 week to 2 to 3 months, depending on the severity of the disease.
Physiotherapeutic treatment of osteochondrosisPhysiotherapeutic measures, combined with drugs, allow you to speed up recovery processes and also extend the period of remission when used outside the exacerbations. There are many physiotherapy methods and most of them are well practiced in the treatment of osteochondrosis:Electrophoresis. According to the drug used in this procedure, an analgesic effect is obtained. Metabolism has improved and standardization of blood flow in affected tissues.Acupuncture (acupuncture). Using more beautiful special needles and their effects on the active points on the patient's skin, an analgesic effect is obtained, recovery and metabolic processes are stimulated and inflammation decreases.Magnetotherapy. Reduces the pain, swelling and inflammation of tissues, accelerates nervous conductivity, normalizes metabolic processesManual therapy. Mobility is restored in the joints of the spine, pain syndrome is reduced.Massage. Normalized muscle tone, eliminates back pain, restores nervous conductivity.Exercise therapy. Restoration of the mobility of the spine, a decrease in pain, the restoration of the usual lifestyle, the strengthening of the muscle framework of the back, the relaxation of the back muscles, the acceleration of metabolism.Traction of the spine. The mobility of the spine is restored, prevents the progression of the disease and the development of complications and anesthesities.Laser therapy. Improves blood supply stimulates the regeneration of tissues, reduces pain and inflammation, reduces swelling of the spine.Thermotherapy. Anesthetic effect, normalization of blood flow and lymph through blood vessels, a decrease in tissue inflammation, acceleration of cartilage restoration.Massacre (Péloid therapy). Reduces pain in the spine, reduces muscle spasms, slightly reduces inflammation processes, improves blood supply and metabolism.A patient can be prescribed for 1 physiotherapeutic event and their complex. It depends on the severity of the osteochondrosis process and the pathologies that accompany it. The duration of the processing price on average is 10 to 15 days. It is recommended to repeat 3-4 times during the year. Thus, it is possible to reduce the frequency of exacerbations and the rate of progression of osteochondrosis several times.
