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In today's article we will look at such a disease of the spine as osteochondrosis, as well as its symptoms, causes, types, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.So...
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis– a disease of the spine, the characteristic of which is degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs and therefore to the vertebral tissues themselves.
The main symptom of osteochondrosis is pain in the neck or back.Other symptoms include muscle atrophy, sensory disturbances and disturbances in the functioning of internal organs.Depending on the location of the pathological process, they distinguish between cervical, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis.If this disease and its treatment are not given the necessary attention, the process of damaging the spine will become irreversible.
In English-language literature, the term “osteochondrosis” refers to a group of diseases of the musculoskeletal system such as osteochondropathy.
The main factor or reason leading to the development of osteochondrosis is uneven distribution of the load on the spine, which occurs when carrying heavy objects in one hand or shoulder (for example, a bag, backpack), prolonged sitting in an incorrect position, night rest on an uneven mattress or pillow.Additional factors may also include a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, injuries and flat feet.
All these situations lead over the years to frequent pain in the cervical, thoracic or sacral spine.
According to statistics, osteochondrosis affects 40-90% of the world's population, especially in the age group between 30 and 35 years.Under unfavorable conditions, this disease develops in adolescents, which is often facilitated by wearing a heavy and uncomfortable backpack, especially on one shoulder, uncomfortable shoes and injuries.
Development of osteochondrosis
The development of osteochondrosis occurs in 4 distinct stages (grades):
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.
Osteochondrosis stage 2.As the height of the discs decreases, the distance between adjacent vertebrae also decreases, and the spinal muscles and ligaments begin to sag slightly.This process causes hypermobility of two adjacent vertebrae, which can lead to their slipping and/or displacement.Spondylolisthesis is formed.Due to the displacement of the vertebrae, the patient, under a certain load, feels real discomfort and sometimes pain in the area of pathology.
Osteochondrosis stage 3.It is characterized by the formation of prolapses and protrusions of the discs, sometimes subluxations and arthrosis occur in the intervertebral joints.The patient may feel stiffness in some movements, tingling in the limbs and sometimes numbness appears.With the 3rd degree of osteochondrosis, pain is already felt in the back, neck and coccyx, depending on the localization of the disease.
Osteochondrosis stage 4.The body is trying to correct the excessive mobility of the vertebrae and normalize the functioning of the spine.At the junction of the vertebrae with pathology, new bone formations grow on each of them - osteophytes, which, if formed in an unnecessary place, can cause microtraumas to the nerve root and sometimes to the neighboring vertebra.Fibrous ankylosis can start in the discs and joints.The vertebral-motor segment grows too much and becomes, so to speak, walled off.In this case, the main signs of osteochondrosis are minimized and sometimes even practically invisible.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis are discomfort and pain in the back or neck.The severity of pain and other signs associated with this disease depend on the degree (stage) of osteochondrosis.
Naturally, due to the pathology of the intervertebral discs, their herniation, growths on the vertebrae (osteophytes), numerous disorders occur, such as circulatory disorders, pinching of nerves, irritation and disturbances in the normal functioning of the spinal cord, swelling and even fibrosis of the structures surrounding the vertebrae.All these disorders can cause a broad clinical picture of the disease and be expressed by a large number of different symptoms, therefore, without a thorough diagnosis of osteochondrosis, it is very difficult to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.
However, let's consider 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.
Furthermore, depending on the area of the spine affected by osteochondrosis, the following symptoms are distinguished:
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Pain in the arms and shoulders, headache, dizziness, spots or spots before the eyes, and noise in the head predominate.These signs may also indicate the presence of vertebral artery syndrome, which can also cause complications in the functioning of the heart muscle and myocardial vessels if other diseases are present in them.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.Pain in the chest, in the heart area and respiratory discomfort predominate.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine.Lower back pain predominates, radiating to the legs or pelvic organs.Sexual dysfunction.
Complications of osteochondrosis
If osteochondrosis is not treated and left to chance, it can lead to the development of the following diseases and pathologies:
- intervertebral disc herniation (spinal hernia);
- protrusion;
- kyphosis;
- radiculitis;
- deposition of salts in the intervertebral space;
- spinal cord stroke;
- weight loss of the limbs and their atrophy;
- paralysis of the legs
Causes of osteochondrosis
The causes of osteochondrosis are not fully understood, so let's consider the most popular:
- mechanical injury to the back (spine);
- physical overload of the body, hard work;
- nervous exhaustion, stress;
- metabolic disorders, poisoning;
- frequent stay in places with increased vibrations;
- hereditary predisposition;
- sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work;
- bad posture at an early age;
- overweight, obesity;
- flat feet;
- wearing uncomfortable shoes (narrow, heels);
- night's rest on an uncomfortable bed: mattress, pillow;
- frequent dehydration;
- malnutrition, hypovitaminosis;
- smoking;
- pregnancy.
Classification of osteochondrosis
The classification of osteochondrosis is very diverse, because the disease itself is not fully understood.
We highlight the most popular methods of dividing this disease.
I distinguish osteochondrosis:
By location:
- Cervical region ©
- Thoracic (Th or D)
- Lumbar (L)
- Sacral region (S)
According to clinical manifestations:
1. Cervical level ©.
1.1.Reflex syndromes.
- cervical pain;
- cervicocranialgia;
- cervicobrachialgia with vegetative-vascular, neurodystrophic or muscular-tonal manifestations.
1.2.Radicular syndromes.
- Discogenic lesion of the roots of the cervical spine.
1.3.Radiculovascular syndromes.
2. Thoracic level (Th or D).
2.1.Reflex syndromes.
- thoracalgia with vegetative-visceral, neurodystrophic or muscular-tonal manifestations.
2.2.Radicular syndromes.
- Discogenic lesion of the thoracic roots.
3. Lumbosacral level (L, S).
3.1.Reflex syndromes.
- lumbago (low back pain);
- low back pain;
- lumboischialgia with vegetative-vascular, neurodystrophic or muscular-tonal manifestations.
3.2.Radicular syndromes.
- Discogenic damage to the roots of the lumbosacral region.
3.3.Radicular vascular syndromes - radiculoischemia.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis includes the following examination methods:
- medical history;
- X-ray examination (radiography);
- myelography;
- neurological examination.
Additionally, they can assign:
- computed tomography (CT);
- nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR);
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis involves the use of a set of measures that must be carried out for a fairly long period of time (from 1-3 months + about 1 year for rehabilitation), to which many patients react very ambiguously.Therefore, it should be noted that, indirectly following the recommendations of the attending physician, the prognosis for the patient's recovery is minimal.
Self-medication often becomes an additional problem in the treatment of osteochondrosis.The fact is that, as already written earlier in the article, with this disease the clinical picture is rather ambiguous and broad.The patient, without diagnosis, begins to select drugs for what hurts and, eliminating the pain, continues to carry out his daily life, while the disease continues to progress.
Important!Timely consultation with a doctor, thorough health diagnosis and strict adherence to all recommendations of the attending physician increase a positive prognosis for recovery!
Treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out by two main methods: conservative and surgical treatment.In addition, there are general recommendations for the treatment of osteochondrosis, such as diet and rehabilitation.
Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis
Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis is aimed at relieving pain, normalizing the functioning of the spine and its components, as well as preventing further degenerative changes in the human axis.
Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis includes:
Drug therapy.It is used to relieve pain and inflammation of the tissues that make up the spine, as well as to normalize metabolic processes.
Various therapeutic blocks are also used to relieve pain and inflammation.Furthermore, they help reduce muscle tonic syndrome.Therapeutic blocks include: trigger point blocks, as well as intraosseous, facet, paravertebral and epidural blocks.
Physiotherapy.It is used to relieve pain, improve the effectiveness of drug therapy and during the rehabilitation period.The treatment is carried out using ultrasound, laser, magnetic fields, low-frequency currents, etc.
Physiotherapy (physical therapy), kinesitherapy.Specially selected and dosed exercises aimed at correcting the muscle corset, strengthening it, correcting posture, normalizing the functioning of muscle tissues and their flexibility, decompressing nerve roots and preventing possible complications of the disease.All this is achieved by normalizing the metabolism and nutrition of the intervertebral discs, blood circulation, restoring the distance between the discs and vertebrae and distributing the load over the entire musculoskeletal system.
Massage.Used to improve blood circulation, relieve stiffness and tension in muscle tissue, and improve overall health.
Hydromassage.It helps to normalize blood circulation, metabolism, increase the tone of muscle tissue and normalize the functioning of the nervous system.It involves massaging the body using a targeted jet of water with a certain pressure.It's true, in recent years hydromassage has prevailed with the help of air bubbles applied to the body in specially equipped tubs or swimming pools.
Manual therapy.It is used according to an individually selected program, aimed at the musculoskeletal system.It helps improve blood and lymphatic circulation, metabolism, mobility of the musculoskeletal system, strengthen the immune system and prevent possible complications.
Extension (traction) of the spine.It is used with the help of special equipment to increase the intervertebral space and correct the structure of the spine, which usually leads to the minimization or complete elimination of pain.
The combined use of the above methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis has a good effect.
Medicines for osteochondrosis
Among the remedies for osteochondrosis are:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Antispasmodics.
- Antioxidants:vitamin C, vitamin E.
- Stimulants of blood microcirculation.
- Means to prevent further degeneration of cartilaginous tissue.
Diet for osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis it is necessary to eat 6 times a day, in small portions, drinking at least 1.5 liters of water per day.
What you can eat with osteochondrosis:dairy products, lean meats (chicken, beef), gelatin, jellied fish, jellied meat, fresh vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, carrots, beets, peppers, cabbage, celery, broccoli), fruits, avocado, nuts, sunflower seeds, spinach, mushrooms, cereals.
What should be minimized in food for osteochondrosis:grapes, legumes (peas, beans, etc.), flour products, hot condiments, sugar, salty foods, meat broths and smoked meats.
It is better to steam food, because... With this method of preparation, products retain the maximum amount of vitamins and microelements.
Try dressing salads with olive oil.
Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis
Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis is used when the conservative method is ineffective.Prescribed by your doctor or medical advice.It can also be used for severe damage to the spine and its components.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies
Important!Before treating osteochondrosis at home with folk remedies, be sure to consult your doctor!
Treatment of osteochondrosis with ready-made herbal preparations
Commentary by herbalist A.A.Malgin: Herbal treatment (phytotherapy) has some wonderful benefits, for example:
- phytotherapy eliminates the causes of the disease,
- herbs have a minimum number of contraindications (usually individual intolerance),
- herbal treatment has minimal side effects,
- herbs contain a large number of vitamins and other useful substances, which, in addition to curing the disease, also contribute to the health of the body as a whole,
- convenience.
Herbalists offer ready-made solutions that already take into account the specific composition of the collection, dosage, sequence, etc.The courses are developed by medical specialists based on their many years of experience.
Other folk remedies against osteochondrosis
Dough.Prepare a dough with rye flour, 300 grams, and let it rest at room temperature for a couple of days.Drink a glass of milk and rub the area where your back hurts with turpentine.Then wrap the mixture in gauze and apply it to the sore spot.Wrap it on top with cellophane and then with a scarf or towel.After a while you may feel a burning and tingling sensation in that area, but bear with it for as long as you can.Perform the procedure every other day.Use each batch of dough no more than 3 times.
Sabelnik.Make a cinquefoil tincture.Before going to bed, massage the area where your back hurts with the prepared tincture and tie a scarf around it.Also, you can take cinquefoil tincture a few drops before going to bed.
Ointment for osteochondrosis.Add 1 tablespoon to the container.a spoonful of flour, 1 egg, 100 g of butter and 1 tbsp.a spoonful of vinegar, mix everything well and place in a dark place to infuse for 2 days.Then remove any foam that may have formed from the mixture.Mix the mixture well again and rub the resulting ointment into the sore spot.
Radish.Mix 300 ml of radish juice, 200 g of honey and 100 ml of vodka.Rub the resulting mixture on your back.This folk remedy also helps in case of radiculitis and rheumatism.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
To prevent pathological changes in the spine, follow these recommendations:
- lead an active lifestyle: swimming, running, doing morning exercises, cycling;
- observe your posture during sedentary work: keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed;
- carry out sedentary work only in comfortable chairs, armchairs that can provide support to the spine;
- when working in a sedentary manner, periodically perform exercises and warm-ups;
- sleep on a comfortable mattress (orthopedic), pillow;
- try to avoid carrying heavy objects and, if you do, lift them slowly;
- do exercises to maintain excellent condition and pump up the abdominal muscles;
- wear comfortable shoes, avoid wearing heels, especially during pregnancy;
- try to eat foods enriched with vitamins and microelements.
Which doctor should I see for osteochondrosis?
- Vertebrologist;
- Neurologist;
- Osteopath;
- Orthopedic.