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Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine

Osteochondrosisit is a disease of the spine, the characteristic of which is the degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs and therefore to the vertebral tissues themselves.

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

According to the results of medical research, one in two people experiences spinal problems after 30 years.In 70% of cases, the cause of spinal pain is osteochondrosis, a neurological disease that affects the ligaments of the spine.

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

Depending on the localization of pain, three types of osteochondrosis are distinguished:

  • Cervical region;
  • Thoracic Department;
  • Lumbar region.

According to many experts who have studied this disease, the main cause of osteochondrosis is an incorrectly distributed load on the spine.As a result, in patients, directly in places where excessive physical pressure is applied, a change in the structure of cartilage tissue occurs.

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, curvature of posture, diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
  • Various injuries, bruises to the spine.
  • Lifestyle: lack of activity, poor diet with a predominance of harmful foods.
  • Having excess weight.
  • Bad habits: smoking, alcoholism.
  • Stress, tiredness.
  • Pregnancy.

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

Development phases

The development of osteochondrosis occurs in 4 distinct phases:

Osteochondrosis stage 1

It is characterized by the onset of a pathological process in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc: its 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 can occur when sitting in an unusual position for a person or during physical activity.

Phase 2

In the second stage of osteochondrosis, the continuation of degenerative changes leads to disc protrusion.The spaces between the vertebrae are reduced and the fibrous capsule is destroyed.As a result, the roots of the spinal nerves are pinched, causing the appearance of pinpoint pains, the intensity of which increases with flexion, rotation and other movements.Possible weakness and decreased performance.

Stage 3 osteochondrosis of the spine

It is characterized by abrasion of the cartilaginous lining between the discs;the thinning of the tissue is clearly visible if an x-ray is taken.The symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis are pronounced, intense, and the pain does not go away and only strong painkillers can relieve it.drugs.

Phase 4

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

Symptoms of osteochondrosis in adults

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

The main symptoms of osteochondrosis:

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

Excessive physical activity, overwork, hypothermia, injuries, body trauma and exposure to vibrations can contribute to the onset of acute symptoms.

Complications

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

The paravertebral structures involved in destructive processes cause compression (squeezing) of the spinal cord and its nerve endings.As a result, a patient with osteochondrosis experiences 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 plays a key role in this disease.Conventional x-rays can reveal signs of the 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.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 magnetic resonance imaging.The disadvantage of CT is the presence of radiation exposure during the study.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

There is no specific and single correct method of treating osteochondrosis: this process, in any circumstance, requires an integrated approach.

The complete program traditionally includes the following components:

  • physiotherapeutic methods of influence;
  • special exercises and massages;
  • manual therapy methods;
  • pharmacological 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 treatment of 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 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, intervertebral discs become 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 are improved and the immune system is strengthened.It allows you to prevent the exacerbation of various chronic ailments.

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

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

Prevention

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

  • limit lifting of heavy loads (less than 10 kg);
  • carry loads only symmetrically (distributing the weight on both hands);
  • perform simple physical exercises aimed at strengthening the spine, muscles and joints;
  • swim regularly;