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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 discs and then to the vertebral tissue itself.

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

According to medical research, every second person has problems with their spine after 30 years.In 70% of cases, the cause of pain in the spine is osteochondrosis, a neurological disease of the ligaments of the spine.

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

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

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

According to many experts who have studied this disease, the main cause of osteochondrosis is incorrectly distributed load on the spine.This results in a change in the structure of the cartilage tissue in patients directly in areas where excessive physical pressure is exerted.

Causes of spinal osteochondrosis:

  • Hereditary predisposition to the disease.
  • The presence of diseases of the endocrine system is a metabolic disorder.
  • The development of orthopedic diseases, for example flat feet, poor posture, and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
  • Various injuries, bruises of the spine.
  • Lifestyle: lack of exercise, poor diet with predominantly harmful foods.
  • have excess weight.
  • Bad habits – smoking, alcoholism.
  • Stress, fatigue.
  • Pregnancy.

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

Stages of development

The development of osteochondrosis occurs in four different stages:

Osteochondrosis stage 1

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

Stage 2

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

Stage 3 osteochondrosis of the spine

It is characterized by the abrasion of the cartilage lining between the intervertebral discs;The thinning of the tissue can be clearly seen on the x-ray.The symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis are pronounced, intense and the pain does not go away and can only be relieved by strong painkillers.Drugs.

Stage 4

The fourth stage is the most complex neurological disorders of the spinal system, manifested by partial or complete limitation of joint mobility.In this diagnostic condition, bone growths (osteophytes) form 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, in which soft tissues, nerve fibers and blood vessels in the vicinity of the lesion are injured - this results in pain.

The main symptoms of osteochondrosis:

  • Pain in the back, neck, lower back, shoulders and even ribs;
  • Malaise, stiffness of the back during certain movements, when lifting objects;
  • numbness of the extremities (arms and/or legs);
  • pain in arms and legs, chills;
  • muscle cramps;
  • dysfunction of the sexual organs;
  • headache, dizziness;
  • pain in the heart area;
  • sensory disorder;
  • hypotonia;
  • increased fatigue, sometimes even in the eyes.

Excessive physical activity, overload, hypothermia, injuries, body shock and vibration exposure can contribute to the onset of acute symptoms.

Complications

Degenerative processes, which primarily affect the intervertebral discs, lead to a reduction in their density and the loss of their shock-absorbing functions.The result of such changes is excessive mobility of the spine, facet joints, muscles and ligaments are affected.

The paravertebral structures involved in destructive processes cause compression (crushing) of the spinal cord and its nerve endings.As a result, a patient with osteochondrosis feels pain associated with the following symptoms and diseases: severe headaches, migraines, reduced 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 a key role in this disease.Conventional x-rays can be used to detect signs of illness, such as a narrowing of the gap between the vertebrae.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a research method that allows accurate diagnosis of processes in the spinal area.With their help it is possible, in particular, to determine the presence of a herniated disc and its location.
  • Computed tomography (CT) is similar to MRI in its diagnostic capabilities.The disadvantage of CT is the radiation exposure during the examination.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

There is no specific and only correct method for treating osteochondrosis - this process definitely requires an integrated approach.

The comprehensive program traditionally includes the following components:

  • physiotherapeutic influence methods;
  • special exercises and massages;
  • manual therapy methods;
  • drug treatment;
  • 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.

Treatment of osteochondrosis follows the traditional path of treating many diseases of the musculoskeletal system: NSAIDs are prescribed to eliminate the inflammatory process in the tissues, chondroprotectors to restore the level of synovial fluid, and corticosteroids when 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 relaxed, blood circulation in 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.When performing it, high-quality joint treatment is carried out, blood circulation is improved and the immune system is strengthened.Allows you to prevent aggravation of various chronic complaints.

Physiotherapy or exercise therapy for osteochondrosis is very important.Special exercises to strengthen the back muscles help to form a muscle corset, which in turn ensures an even distribution of the load on the spine.In addition, with regular exercises, blood circulation and nutrition of tissues, including intervertebral discs, improve, the patient develops correct posture, and the range of motion of the spine increases.

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

Prevention

If osteochondrosis is prevented in a timely manner, its treatment may not be necessary.The problem needs to be addressed comprehensively:

  • Limit lifting heavy loads (less than 10 kg);
  • Only carry loads symmetrically (distribute the weight between both hands);
  • Perform simple physical exercises aimed at strengthening the spine, muscles and joints.
  • swim regularly;