What it is: Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which the intervertebral discs (and then the vertebral bodies, joints and ligaments) lose the ability to function normally. Until recently, the disease was considered old age, but in recent decades it has significantly rejuvenated and relentlessly affects young people aged 18 to 30.
Osteochondrosis is usually classified according to the site of localization - lumbar, cervical, thoracic, sacral and widespread. More than 50% of cases of the disease are related to osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms, treatment and diagnosis of this type of osteochondrosis are widely described in the works of medical luminaries. A quarter of the diagnoses are due to cervical osteochondrosis - a disease of office workers and people who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Most often, the pathological processes in this disease first affect the bones and ligaments. We usually find out that the disease has already started when complications appear - pain, sensory disorders, muscle atrophy, disorders 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 this disease. The disease most often affects people older than 30 years.
Causes
There is no single reason for the development of osteochondrosis. Some believe that the 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 reduced distance between individual vertebrae.
There are many predisposing causal factors. The main ones are the following:
- spinal injuries (fractures, bruises, dislocations);
- hereditary predisposition;
- foot diseases that cause overload of the spine - this includes flat feet, ball of the foot (varus deformity of the foot), hallux valgus;
- long wearing of narrow and uncomfortable shoes (also causes overload of the spine);
- overweight and obesity;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- metabolic disorders;
- curvature of the spine (kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis);
- professional characteristics - lifting weights, frequent turns and twitches next to the body, work in an uncomfortable body position.
Hereditary predisposition, overload of the spine (overweight, lifting heavy loads), trauma and microtrauma contribute to the development of the disease.
Stages of osteochondrosis
According to the degree of development of osteochondrosis and its symptoms, there are four phases.
- 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 back pain, and there is tension in the back muscles.
- In the second phasepain occurs, since the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc is destroyed, the fixation of the vertebrae among themselves is disturbed, their pathological mobility occurs in the form of displacement. Intervertebral distance decreases, with compression of neurovascular endings, blood and lymph vessels.
- The third phase. . . A rupture occurs in the cartilaginous tissues of the annulus fibrosus, through which a part of the fluid nucleus penetrates - an intervertebral disc herniation is formed. Such changes are most commonly found in the lumbar and cervical spine. To a lesser extent, the occurrence of intervertebral hernias is sensitive to the thoracic region due to the fact that, as a result of disc pathology, a certain part of the load is taken over by the ribs and sternum. As a result of protrusion (hernia) of the intervertebral disc, there is an effect on the roots of the spinal nerves, which manifests itself in the form of pain, inflammation, impaired conduction of nerve fibers and inflammation.
- Fourth phase- final, in which the scar tissue is replaced by fibers of the intervertebral disc, as well as fibrous cartilage and fibrous tissue of the nucleus pulposus.
To prevent the development of the last stage, it is necessary to decide how to treat osteochondrosis in time.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease characterized by alternating periods of worsening symptoms and remission. Excessive exercise, fatigue, hypothermia, injuries, tremors, and vibration can all contribute to acute symptoms.
The disease is manifested by a series 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 movements, tension when coughing or sneezing.
Chronic pain, as one of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine, causes increased fatigue. When nerve roots are compressed by spinal discs, the pain can be more intense and sharp, "shooting" in nature. Its localization in this case is not limited to the back area, but the person feels it in the limb area.
In osteochondrosis, patients describe symptoms such as:
- paroxysmal or shooting pain in the spine affected by osteochondrosis;
- increased pain after physical exertion, as in the morning;
- pain may radiate to the neck, arm, or leg, as well as to the chest;
- a feeling of creaking when performing a turn.
The disease begins and develops gradually, so the treatment of osteochondrosis 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, strict rest in bed, rigid fixation of damaged vertebrae by means of a corset or a special collar are shown. A firm bed, use of a visor, restriction of movement are recommended.
Analgesics, B vitamins, novocaine blockade, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, fat rubbing, mustard patches, ultraviolet radiation, acupuncture and reflexology, thermal procedures, woolen belt, etc. can be used to reduce pain.
The next phase of treatment is aimed at improving local blood circulation and strengthening the muscles that support the spine. To cure osteochondrosis, you must adhere to a complex therapy, which includes:
- medical massage (traditional, hardware, vacuum);
- physiotherapy exercises, swimming;
- physiotherapy (laser treatment, ultrasound, low frequency currents, magnetic field; shock wave therapy, cryotherapy);
- reflexology (acupuncture, acupressure);
- spinal traction (dry or watery);
- methods of non-traditional therapy (treatment by bee stings);
- treatment with folk remedies (herbs, honey, mustard, red pepper, bath).
If conservative therapy does not give results or changes in the intervertebral discs require external intervention, modern minimally invasive surgical methods are used: laser reconstruction, intradiscal electrothermal therapy, microsurgical hernia removal.
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 drugs.
Massage
Back massage for osteochondrosis has a much more pronounced effect than, say, exercise therapy. First of all, any method of treatment should be aimed at relieving pain.
When the pain can be alleviated or alleviated, then the right treatment can begin. But its main task can be called the prevention of disease progression, as well as its later possible recurrences. For these purposes, two key methods are used - therapeutic gymnastics and massage. It is worth noting that in cases with neck exercise does not have the same effect as massage.
Judge for yourself: massage improves blood circulation in the affected area, eliminates cramps in the muscles of the neck and back, weakens or eliminates pain, strengthens the muscles of the neck.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is widely used in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Acupuncture helps relieve pain, relaxes back muscles and helps repair damaged tissues by stimulating metabolic processes.
In some cases, acupuncture can replace traditional drug therapy whose shortcomings are well known (drug side effects, dependence on them). Acupuncture is contraindicated in skin diseases that affect the back and during pregnancy.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis
Therapeutic gymnastics for people suffering from diseases like osteochondrosis should become a necessary part of life. It is an exercise therapy that is able to break the vicious circle consisting of the following components: physical inactivity, weakened back and neck muscles, destruction of vertebral discs, resting in bed.
Before you start exercising, you should know the main principles of therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis:
- Exercises should not be performed in the exacerbation phase of the disease, when there is an intense pain syndrome.
- Exercise should not cause increased pain.
- Complexes with tension in the back muscles should alternate with relaxation complexes.
- All exercises are performed smoothly, without sudden movements, while maintaining proper posture.
Each type of osteochondrosis has its own exercise complexes. However, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, it is recommended to exercise the muscular system of the entire spine.