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Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine

Osteochondrosisis a disease of the spine, the characteristic feature of which is degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral disc, and then to the vertebral tissue itself.

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

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

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:

  • Cervical area;
  • thoracic department;
  • Lumbar region.

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

Causes of osteochondrosis of the spine:

  • Hereditary tendency to this disease.
  • The presence of diseases of the endocrine system is a metabolic disorder.
  • The development of orthopedic diseases, for example, flat feet, posture curvature, diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
  • Various injuries, bruised spine.
  • Lifestyle: lack of activity, poor diet with a predominance of harmful foods.
  • Being overweight.
  • Bad habits - smoking, alcoholism.
  • Stress, fatigue.
  • Pregnancy.

In most cases, the cause of osteochondrosis is associated with a person's professional activity.

Stage of development

The development of osteochondrosis occurs in 4 different stages:

Osteochondrosis stage 1

It is characterized by the beginning of the pathological process in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc - dehydration (dehydration) occurs, and subsequently the height of the disc decreases.At the same time, cracks begin to appear in the fibrous ring.At this stage, the patient usually does not feel any changes.Discomfort may occur when sitting in an unusual sitting position for a person, or when actively exercising.

Stage 2

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

Stage 3 osteochondrosis of the spine

It is characterized by the erosion of the cartilage layer between the discs;tissue thinning is clearly visible if you take an x-ray.The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine are pronounced, intense, and the pain does not go away, and only strong painkillers can relieve it.drugs.

Stage 4

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

Symptoms of osteochondrosis in adults

As the disease progresses, pathological mobility of the spine develops, where the soft tissue, nerve fibers and blood vessels located near the lesion are violated - this is how the pain occurs.

The main symptoms of osteochondrosis:

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

Excessive physical activity, overwork, hypothermia, injury, concussion and exposure to vibration can contribute to the occurrence of acute symptoms.

Complications

Degenerative processes that primarily affect the intervertebral disc lead to a decrease in its density and loss of its shock-absorbing function.The result of these changes is excessive mobility of the spine, facet joints, muscles and ligaments are affected.

The paravertebral structures involved in the destructive process cause compression (squeezing) of the spinal cord and its nerve endings.As a result, patients with osteochondrosis feel pain, which is accompanied by the following symptoms and diseases: severe headache, migraine, decreased visual acuity, autonomic dysfunction (VSD), dysfunction of the genitourinary system, sciatica (compression of the sciatic nerve), intervertebral hernia, spondyloarthrosis, lumbago, spinal stenosis.

instrumental methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis:

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

Treatment of osteochondrosis

There is no specific and only correct method to treat osteochondrosis - this process, in any case, requires an integrated approach.

A comprehensive program traditionally includes the following components:

  • methods of physiotherapeutic influence;
  • special exercises and massages;
  • manual therapy methods;
  • drug treatment;
  • reflexology, electrophoresis, etc.;attraction.

When treating this category of patients, experts prescribe drugs that have the following properties: relieve inflammation, restore the function of the musculoskeletal system, stimulate the regeneration of intervertebral disc tissue and cartilage, and prevent the development of osteochondrosis.

Treatment of osteochondrosis follows the traditional path to treat many diseases of the musculoskeletal system: NSAIDs are prescribed to eliminate the inflammatory process in the tissue, chondroprotectors to restore the level of synovial fluid and corticosteroids if the first two types of drugs are ineffective.

To get rid of osteochondrosis, various therapeutic procedures are used, including massage.It has many beneficial properties - muscle tone is relieved, blood flow in the spine is stimulated, the intervertebral disc becomes stronger.

Manual therapy relieves acute pain and helps restore posture.One of the most commonly used methods is visceral therapy.During its implementation, high-quality joint treatment is carried out, blood circulation processes improve, and the immune system is strengthened.Allows you to avoid aggravation of various chronic diseases.

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

Physiotherapy helps to effectively combat painful manifestations in places where the pathological process is localized.There are many types of physiotherapeutic interventions.Often they use magnetic therapy, ultrasound therapy, and exposure to low-frequency currents.

Prevention

If osteochondrosis is prevented in time, treatment may not be necessary.The issue needs to be approached holistically:

  • limit weight lifting (less than 10 kg);
  • carry the load only symmetrically (distribute the weight over both hands);
  • perform simple physical exercises aimed at strengthening the spine, muscles and joints;
  • swim regularly;