What it is: Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which the intervertebral discs (and subsequently the bodies of the vertebrae, joints and ligaments) lose their ability to function normally. Until recently, the disease was thought to be age-related, but in recent decades it has become noticeably younger and relentlessly affects young people between the ages of 18 and 30.
Osteochondrosis is usually classified according to its location - lumbar, cervical, thoracic, sacral and widespread. More than 50% of cases of the disease are 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 leading a sedentary lifestyle.
Most often, the pathological processes in this disease affect the bones and ligaments first. We usually find that the disease has already begun when complications occur - 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 the disease. The disease most often affects people over the age of 30.
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 bone tissue due to impaired blood supply to the bones caused by weakness, curvature of the spine and reducing the distance between the individual vertebrae.
There are many predisposing causal factors. The main ones are as follows:
- spinal injuries (fractures, bruises, sprains);
- hereditary predisposition;
- diseases of the foot that cause congestion of the spine - they include flat feet, strabismus (varus deformity of the foot), hallux valgus;
- wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes for a long time (also causes congestion of the spine);
- overweight and obesity;
- sedentary way of life;
- metabolic disorders;
- curvature of the spine (kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis);
- professional characteristics - lifting weights, frequent twists and twitches of the body, working in an awkward position of the body.
The development of the disease is facilitated by hereditary predisposition, overload of the spine (overweight, weight lifting), trauma and microtrauma.
Stages of osteochondrosis
According to the level of development of osteochondrosis and its symptoms, there are four stages.
- First stage- 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 worry about limited pain in the spine and there is tension in the back muscles.
- In the second stagepain occurs because the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc is destroyed, the fixation of the vertebrae with each other is impaired, their pathological mobility occurs in the form of displacements. The intervertebral distance is reduced by squeezing the nerve endings, blood and lymph vessels.
- Third stage. . . A rupture is formed in the cartilaginous tissues of the fibrous ring, through which part of the more fluid nucleus seeps - a hernia is formed between the vertebrae. Such changes are most often found in the lumbar and cervical spine. To a lesser extent, the occurrence of intervertebral hernias is susceptible to the thoracic region due to the fact that as a result of disc pathology a certain part of the load is borne by the ribs and sternum. As a result of protrusion (hernia) of the intervertebral disc has an effect on the roots of the spinal nerves, manifested in the form of pain, inflammation, impaired conduction of nerve fibers and inflammation.
- Fourth stage- final, in which the scar tissue is replaced by the fibers of the intervertebral disc, as well as by the 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 exacerbation and remission. Excessive exercise, fatigue, hypothermia, injury, tremors and vibration can contribute to acute symptoms.
The disease manifests itself in a number of typical symptoms. Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by: back pain, tingling sensation in the affected spine, decreased range of motion, increased pain when lifting weights, sudden movement, 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 have a sharp, "shooting" character. Its localization in this case is not limited to the back, but is felt by a person in the limbs.
In osteochondrosis, patients describe symptoms such as:
- paroxysmal or shooting pain in the spine affected by osteochondrosis;
- increased pain after exercise, as well as in the morning;
- the pain may radiate to the neck, arm or leg, as well as to the chest;
- feeling of crunch when making turns.
The disease begins and develops gradually, so how to treat osteochondrosis will depend on the stage as well as the location of the spinal lesion.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
In the case of osteochondrosis, treatment requires comprehensive measures.
In the acute stage, strict bed rest is shown, firm fixation of the damaged vertebrae with the help of a corset or a special collar. It is recommended a firm bed, use of a shield, restriction of movement.
Analgesics, B vitamins, novocaine blockades, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, rubbing in ointments, mustard patches, ultraviolet radiation, acupuncture, acupuncture and reflexology, thermal procedures, woolen belt, etc. can be used to reduce pain.
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 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);
- tightening of the spine (dry or water);
- methods of non-traditional therapy (treatment with bee stings);
- treatment with folk remedies (herbs, honey, mustard, paprika, bath).
If conservative therapy does not work or changes in the intervertebral discs require external intervention, modern minimally invasive surgical methods are used: laser reconstruction, intradiscal electrothermal therapy, microsurgical removal of the hernia.
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 with 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 relieved or alleviated, then real healing can begin. But its main task can be called preventing the progression of the disease, as well as subsequent possible relapses. It is for these purposes that two key methods are used - therapeutic gymnastics and massage. It is worth noting that in the case of the neck exercises do not have the same effect as massage.
Judge for yourself: the massage improves blood circulation in the affected area, eliminates spasms of 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, the disadvantages of which are well known (side effects of drugs, addiction to them). Acupuncture is contraindicated in skin diseases affecting the back and during pregnancy.
Exercise for the treatment of osteochondrosis
Therapeutic gymnastics for people suffering from diseases such as osteochondrosis should become a necessary part of life. Exercise is able to break the vicious circle, consisting of the following components: physical inactivity, weakened muscles of the back and neck, destruction of spinal discs, bed rest.
Before you start exercising, you need to know the basic principles of therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis:
- Exercise should not be performed at the stage of exacerbation of the disease, when there is a strong pain syndrome.
- Exercise should not cause increased pain.
- Complexes with tension in the muscles of the back should alternate with relaxation complexes.
- All exercises are performed smoothly, without sudden movements, while maintaining proper posture.
For each type of osteochondrosis, own sets of exercises have been developed. However, to prevent the spread of the disease, it is recommended to train the muscular system of the entire spine.