What it is: Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which the intervertebral discs (and then 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 significantly younger and mercilessly affects young people aged 18 to 30 years.
Osteochondrosis is usually classified according to the place of its localization - lumbar, cervical, thoracic, sacral and diffuse. More than 50% of cases of the disease constitute osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine; The symptoms, treatment and diagnosis of this type of osteochondrosis are widely described in the works of medical illuminators. A quarter of diagnoses are due to osteochondrosis of the cervix - a disease of office workers and people who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Most often, the pathological processes in this disease initially affect the bones and ligaments. We usually find that the disease has already started when complications appear - pain, sensory disturbances, muscle atrophy, breakdown of internal organs.
Today we will talk about osteochondrosis, the symptoms and treatment of this disease is a very topical issue 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 old.
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 that are not absorbed by the bone tissue due to the deterioration of the blood supply to the bones caused by weakness, curvature of the spine and reduction of the distance between individual vertebrae.
There are many predisposing causative factors. The main ones are as follows:
- spinal cord injuries (fractures, bruises, dislocations);
- hereditary predisposition;
- foot diseases that cause spinal overload - these include flat feet, crooked toe (varus deformity of the foot), hallux valgus;
- wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes for a long time (also cause spinal overload);
- overweight and obesity;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- metabolic disorders;
- curvature of the spine (kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis);
- professional characteristics - lifting weights, frequent turns and vibrations of the body, work in an uncomfortable body position.
The development of the disease is facilitated by an inherited predisposition, spinal overload (overweight, heavy lifting), trauma and microtrauma.
Stages of osteochondrosis
According to the level of development of osteochondrosis and its symptoms, four stages are distinguished.
- The first phase- preclinical, which is extremely rarely diagnosed due to mild (or completely absent) signs of the disease. At this stage, changes in the spine are minimal. Patients are concerned about limited pain in the spine and there is tension in the back muscles.
- In the second stagepain appears, since the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc is destroyed, the fixation of the vertebrae between them is disturbed, their pathological mobility arises in the form of displacements. The intervertebral distance decreases, with compression of the neurovascular, blood, and lymphatic endings.
- The third stage. . . A rupture forms in the cartilaginous tissue of the annulus fibrosus, through which a portion of the more fluid nucleus penetrates - a herniated intervertebral disc forms. Such changes are most often found in the lumbar and cervical spine. To a lesser extent, the occurrence of intervertebral hernias is sensitive to the thoracic region for the fact that, as a result of disc pathology, a certain portion of the load is taken from the ribs and sternum. As a result of elongation (herniation) of the intervertebral disc, there is an effect on the roots of the spinal nerves, manifested in the form of pain, inflammation, impaired conduction of nerve fibers and inflammation.
- The fourth stage- terminal, in which scar tissue is replaced by intervertebral disc fibers, as well as fibrous cartilage and fibrous tissue of the pulposus nucleus.
To prevent the development of the last stage, it is necessary to decide how to treat osteochondrosis in a timely manner.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease characterized by alternating periods of symptom worsening and remission. Excessive exercise, fatigue, hypothermia, injury, tremors and tremors can all contribute to acute symptoms.
The disease manifests itself in a range of typical symptoms. Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by: back pain, numbness in the affected spine, decreased range of motion, increased pain when lifting weights, sudden movement, tension during coughing or sneezing.
Chronic pain, as one of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine, causes increased fatigue. When the nerve roots are squeezed out of the spinal discs, the pain can be more intense and be of a sharp, "firing" 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 pain or shooting in the spine affected by osteochondrosis;
- increased pain after exercise as well as in the morning;
- pain may radiate to the neck, arm or leg, as well as to the chest;
- crackling sensation when making turns.
The disease begins and develops gradually, so the way osteochondrosis is treated will depend on the stage as well as the location of the vertebral lesion.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
In the case of osteochondrosis, treatment requires complex measures.
In the acute phase, a strict bed rest, rigid fixation of the damaged vertebrae using a corset or a special collar is indicated. A strong bed is recommended, the use of shield, restriction of movement.
To reduce pain, analgesics, B vitamins, novocaine blockers are indicated, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, rubbing with ointments, mustard plaster, ultraviolet radiation, acupuncture and reflexology, thermal procedures, wool belt, etc. can be used.
The next phase of treatment aims to improve local blood circulation and strengthen the muscles that support the spine. To cure osteochondrosis, you must adhere to complex therapy, which includes:
- medical massage (traditional, hardware, vacuum);
- physiotherapy exercises, swimming;
- physiotherapy (laser treatment, ultrasound, low frequency current, magnetic field; shock wave therapy, cryotherapy);
- reflexology (acupuncture, acupressure);
- spinal traction (dry or watery);
- non-traditional therapy methods (treatment with bee stings);
- treatment with folk remedies (herb, 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 the hernia.
In case of irreversible changes, an artificial intervertebral disc made of metal or metal and plastic can be installed. So now let's take a closer look at how to treat osteochondrosis without the use of medication.
Massage
Back massage with osteochondrosis has a much more pronounced effect than, say, exercise therapy. First of all, any treatment method should aim at relieving the pain.
When the pain can be relieved or alleviated, then true treatment can begin. But its main task can be called preventing the progression of the disease, as well as its possible subsequent recurrences. It is for these purposes that two main methods are used - remedial gymnastics and massage. It is worth noting that in cases with the neck, exercises do not have the same effect as massage.
Judge for yourself: massage improves blood circulation to the affected area, eliminates neck and back muscle spasms, weakens or eliminates pain, strengthens neck muscles.
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 therapy with medication, the disadvantages of which are known (side effects of the drug, dependence on them). Acupuncture is contraindicated for skin diseases that affect the back and during pregnancy.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis
Improving gymnastics for people suffering from diseases such as osteochondrosis should become an indispensable part of life. It is exercise therapy that is able to break the vicious circle, consisting of the following components: physical inactivity, weakened muscles of the back and neck, destruction of vertebral 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 disease exacerbation, when there is intense pain syndrome.
- Exercise should not cause added pain.
- Tension complexes in the back muscles should be alternated with relaxation complexes.
- All exercises are performed smoothly, without sudden movements, while maintaining proper posture.
For each type of osteochondrosis, its own set of exercises have been developed. However, to prevent the spread of the disease, it is recommended to train the muscular system of the entire spine.