What it is: osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which the intervertebral discs (and subsequently the vertebral body, joints and ligaments) lose the ability to function normally. Until recently, the disease was thought to be age-related, but over the past few decades it has become younger and mercilessly affecting young people aged 18 to 30 years.
Osteochondrosis is usually classified according to its place of localization - lumbar, cervical, thoracic, sacral and extensive. More than 50% of cases of this disease contribute to osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine; the symptoms, treatment and diagnosis of this type of osteochondrosis are described extensively in the works of medical figures. A quarter of diagnoses are due to cervical osteochondrosis - a disease of office workers and people who lead sedentary lifestyles.
Often, the pathological process in this disease first affects the bones and ligaments. We usually know that the disease has already started when complications appear - pain, sensory disturbances, 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, from 40 to 90% of the world’s population suffers from this disease. Most often, the disease affects people over 30 years of age.
Cause of incident
There is no single cause for the development of osteochondrosis. Some believe that the disease occurs due to the deposition of calcium compounds not absorbed by bone tissue as a result of deterioration of bone blood supply caused by weakness, curvature of the spine, and decreased distance between individual vertebrae.
There are many predisposing factors. The main ones are as follows:
- spinal injuries (fractures, bruises, dislocations);
- hereditary tendencies;
- foot diseases that cause spinal strain - these include flat feet, club feet (foot varus deformity), hallux valgus;
- wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes for long periods of time (also causing spinal strain);
- overweight and obesity;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- metabolic disorders;
- curvature of the spine (kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis);
- professional characteristics - lifting weights, frequent turning and jerking by the body, working in uncomfortable body positions.
The development of the disease is facilitated by hereditary predisposition, spinal load (overweight, weight lifting), trauma and microtrauma.
The degree of osteochondrosis
According to the stage of development of osteochondrosis and its symptoms, there are four stages.
- First stage- preclinical, which is very rarely diagnosed due to mild (or no symptoms at all) of the disease. At this stage, changes in the spine are minimal. The patient is concerned about limited pain in the spine, and there is tension in the back muscles.
- In the second stagepain appears, because the fibrous annulus of the intervertebral disc is destroyed, the fixation of the vertebrae between themselves is disturbed, their pathological mobility arises in the form of displacement. The intervertebral distance decreases, with compression of the neurovascular ends, blood and lymphatic vessels.
- The third level. . . A rupture forms in the cartilaginous tissue of the annulus fibrosus, where part of the more fluid core permeates - the intervertebral disc from which the hernia forms. Such changes are most often found in the lumbar and cervical spine. At a lower level, the appearance of an intervertebral hernia is prone to the thoracic region due to the fact that, as a result of disc pathology, a certain part of the load is taken up by the ribs and sternum. As a result of the protrusion (hernia) of the intervertebral disc, there is an effect on the nerve roots of the spine, which is manifested in the form of pain, inflammation, impaired nerve fiber conduction, and inflammation.
- Fourth rank- end, in which scar tissue is replaced by intervertebral disc fibers, 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 a timely manner.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease characterized by alternating periods of symptom worsening and remission. Excessive exercise, fatigue, hypothermia, injuries, tremors, and vibrations can contribute to acute symptoms.
The disease manifests itself in some typical symptoms. Spinal osteochondrosis is characterized by: aching back pain, numbness in the affected spine, a decrease in range of motion, increased pain when lifting weights, sudden movements, tension during coughing or sneezing.
Chronic pain, as one of the symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis, causes increased fatigue. When a nerve root is squeezed by a spinal disc, the pain can become stronger and be sharp, "shooting". 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 or shooting pain in the spine affected by osteochondrosis;
- increased pain after physical exercise, as well as in the morning;
- pain can radiate to the neck, arms or legs, as well as to the chest;
- a throbbing feeling when doing a round.
The disease begins and develops gradually, so how to treat osteochondrosis will depend on the stage, as well as the location of the vertebral lesions.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
In the case of osteochondrosis, treatment requires complex steps.
In the acute stage, tight bed rest is indicated, rigid fixation of the damaged vertebra using a special corset or collar. Solid beds, use of shields, movement limits are recommended.
To reduce pain, analgesics, B vitamins, novocaine blockade are indicated, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, rubbing in ointments, mustard plasters, ultraviolet irradiation, acupuncture and reflexology, thermal procedures, fur belts, etc. can be used.
The next stage of treatment is aimed at improving local blood circulation and strengthening the muscles that support the spine. To cure osteochondrosis, you must adhere to complex therapies, which include:
- medical massage (traditional, hardware, vacuum);
- physiotherapy exercises, swimming;
- physiotherapy (treatment with laser, ultrasound, low frequency currents, magnetic fields; shock wave therapy, cryotherapy);
- reflexology (acupuncture, acupressure);
- spinal traction (dry or water);
- non -traditional methods of therapy (treatment with bee stings);
- treatment with folk remedies (herbs, honey, mustard, red pepper, bath).
If conservative therapy does not bring results or changes in the intervertebral disc require external intervention, modern minimally invasive surgical methods are used: laser reconstruction, intradiscal electrothermal therapy, microsurgical hernia removal.
In the event of irreversible changes, an artificial intervertebral disc made of metal or metal and plastic can be fitted. So, now let’s take a closer look at how to treat osteochondrosis without the use of medications.
massage
Back massage with osteochondrosis has a 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 relieved or relieved, then actual treatment can begin. But its main task can be called the prevention of disease progression, as well as the possibility of subsequent relapse. For this purpose two main methods are used - rehabilitation gymnastics and massage. Keep in mind that in the case with the neck, exercise does not have the same effect as massage.
Evaluate yourself: massage improves blood circulation in the affected area, relieves neck and back muscle spasms, weakens or relieves pain, strengthens neck muscles.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is widely used in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Acupuncture helps relieve pain, relax the back muscles, and helps restore damaged tissue by stimulating metabolic processes.
In some cases, acupuncture can replace traditional medicine therapy, the well -known disadvantages (side effects of drugs, addiction to them). Acupuncture is contraindicated for skin diseases that affect the back and during pregnancy.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis
Rehabilitation gymnastics for people suffering from diseases such as osteochondrosis should be an important part of life. It is an exercise therapy capable of breaking the vicious circle, which consists of the following components: physical inactivity, weak back and neck muscles, destruction of vertebral discs, sleep rest.
Before you start exercising, you should know the main principles of therapeutic exercise for osteochondrosis:
- Exercise should not be done at the stage of exacerbation of the disease, when there is an intense pain syndrome.
- Exercise should not cause an increase in pain.
- Complexes with tension in the back muscles should alternate with relaxation complexes.
- All exercises are performed smoothly, without sudden movements, maintaining proper body posture.
For each type of osteochondrosis, its own exercise complex has been developed. However, to prevent the spread of the disease, it is recommended to train the muscular system of the entire spine.