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Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine

Osteochondrosisa disease of the spine characterized by degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs and then to the vertebral tissues themselves.

Dystrophic changes in the disc lead to a weakening of the outer fibrous ring.Therefore, patients with osteochondrosis often experience such serious complications as protrusion (bulging of a part of the disc) and vertebral hernia (protrusion of the nucleus pulposus of the disc into the spinal canal).

According to the results of medical research, every second person after 30 years has problems with the spine.In 70% of cases, the cause of spinal pain is considered to be osteochondrosis, which is a neurological disease affecting the ligaments of the spinal column.

The first signs of osteochondrosis of the spine do not appear immediately, but gradually.

Depending on the location of the pain, there are three types of osteochondrosis:

  • neck region;
  • Thoracic department;
  • Lumbar region.

According to many experts who have studied this disease, the main cause of osteochondrosis is improperly distributed load on the spinal column.As a result, in patients, directly in the places where excessive physical pressure is applied, the structure of the cartilage tissue changes.

Causes of osteochondrosis of the spine:

  • Hereditary tendency to the disease.
  • The presence of diseases of the endocrine system is a metabolic disorder.
  • The development of orthopedic diseases, such as flat feet, posture curvature, musculoskeletal diseases.
  • Various injuries, spinal bruises.
  • Lifestyle: lack of exercise, improper diet, predominantly harmful foods.
  • Because of being overweight.
  • Bad habits - smoking, alcoholism.
  • Stress, fatigue.
  • Pregnancy.

In most cases, the causes of osteochondrosis are related to a person's professional activity.

Stages of development

The development of osteochondrosis occurs in 4 different stages:

Osteochondrosis 1 stage

It is characterized by the fact that a pathological process begins in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc - it dries out (dehydration) and then the height of the disc decreases.At the same time, cracks appear in the fibrous ring.At this stage, the patient usually does not feel any changes.Unpleasant sensations may occur when a person sits in an unusual sitting position or actively exercises.

Section 2

In the second stage of osteochondrosis, the continuation of degenerative changes leads to the protrusion of the disc.The gaps between the vertebrae are reduced and the fibrous capsule is destroyed.As a result, the roots of the spinal nerves are compressed, which causes the appearance of point pain, the intensity of which increases with bending, turning and other movements.Possible weakness and reduced performance.

Stage 3 in osteochondrosis of the spine

It is characterized by wear and tear of the linings between the discs;the thinning of the tissue is clearly visible if you take an X-ray.The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine are pronounced and intense, the pain does not go away and can only be alleviated with strong painkillers.drugs.

Section 4

The fourth stage is the most complex neurological disorders of the spinal system, which are expressed in partial or complete limitation of joint mobility.With this diagnostic condition, bone growths (osteophytes) form at the site of the vertebral joints, which cause microtrauma in the nerve branches and adjacent segments of the spine.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis in adults

As the disease progresses, abnormal mobility of the spinal column develops, in which the soft tissues, nerve fibers and blood vessels located near the lesion are damaged - this is how the pain appears.

The main symptoms of osteochondrosis:

  • pain in the back, neck region, lower back, shoulders and even ribs;
  • discomfort, back stiffness during certain movements, lifting something;
  • numbness of the limbs (arms and/or legs);
  • painful feeling in the arms and legs, chills;
  • muscle spasms;
  • disorders in the functioning of the genital organs;
  • headache, dizziness;
  • pain in the area of the heart;
  • sensory disturbance;
  • muscle hypotension;
  • increased fatigue, sometimes even in the eyes.

Excessive physical activity, overexertion, hypothermia, injuries, body shocks and exposure to vibration can contribute to the development of acute symptoms.

Complications

Degenerative processes that mainly affect the intervertebral discs lead to a decrease in their density and loss of their shock-absorbing functions.The consequence of such changes is excessive mobility of the spine, joints, muscles and ligaments are affected.

The paravertebral structures involved in destructive processes cause the spinal cord and its nerve endings to be compressed.As a result, a patient suffering from osteochondrosis feels pain accompanied by the following symptoms and diseases: severe headache, migraine, reduced visual acuity, autonomic dysfunction (VSD), dysfunction of the urogenital system, sciatica (compression of the sciatic nerve), intervertebral hernia, spondyloarthrosis, lumbago, spinal stenosis.

instrumental methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis:

  • X-ray diagnostics play a key role in this disease.Conventional radiography can reveal signs of disease, such as narrowing of the space between the vertebrae.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a research method that allows accurate diagnosis of processes occurring in the spinal region.In particular, it can be used to determine the presence and location of a herniated disc.
  • Computed tomography (CT) is similar to MRI in its diagnostic capabilities.The disadvantage of CT is the presence of radiation exposure during the examination.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

There is no specific and only correct method for the treatment of osteochondrosis - this process requires an integrated approach in all circumstances.

A comprehensive program traditionally includes the following components:

  • physiotherapy influencing methods;
  • special exercises and massages;
  • manual therapy methods;
  • medication;
  • reflexology, electrophoresis, etc.;traction.

When treating this category of patients, specialists prescribe drugs that have the following properties: relieve inflammation, restore the functions of the musculoskeletal system, stimulate tissue regeneration of intervertebral discs and cartilage, and prevent the progression of osteochondrosis.

The treatment of osteochondrosis follows the traditional way of treating many diseases of the skeletal and muscular system: NSAIDs are prescribed to eliminate the inflammatory process of the tissues, chondroprotectors to restore the synovial fluid level, and corticosteroids if the first two types of drugs are ineffective.

In order to get rid of osteochondrosis, various therapeutic procedures are used, including massage.It has many beneficial properties - muscle tone is relieved, the blood flow of the spine is stimulated, and the intervertebral discs are strengthened.

Manual therapy relieves acute pain and helps restore posture.One of the most commonly used methods is visceral therapy.During its implementation, quality joint treatment is performed, blood circulation processes are improved, and the immune system is strengthened.It makes it possible to prevent the aggravation of various chronic diseases.

Physical therapy or exercise therapy for osteochondrosis is very important.Thus, special exercises for strengthening the back muscles contribute to the formation of the muscle ligament, which in turn ensures an even distribution of the load on the spine.In addition, thanks to regular exercises, blood circulation and nutrition of the tissues, including the intervertebral discs, improves, the patient develops a correct posture, and the range of motion of the spine increases.

Physiotherapy helps to effectively overcome painful manifestations in the places where the pathological process is localized.There are many types of physiotherapy interventions.Most often, magnetic therapy, ultrasound therapy and exposure to low-frequency currents are used.

Prevention

If osteochondrosis can be prevented in time, it may not be necessary to treat it.The question must be approached comprehensively:

  • limit heavy lifting (less than 10 kg);
  • only carry load symmetrically (weight distributed on both hands);
  • do simple physical exercises to strengthen the spine, muscles and joints;
  • swim regularly;