Intervertebral osteochondrosis- pathology, from which the elderly mainly suffered before. Today, the disease also occurs in young patients. This is due to the fact that an increasing number of people lead a sedentary lifestyle, spend a lot of time in front of the computer and do not pay due attention to physical activity. Osteochondrosis develops with an unnatural position of the spine and weakness of the back muscles. Pathology is successfully treated, but it is important to consult a specialist as soon as possible!
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, characterized by lesions of the intervertebral discs, as well as the tissues of the vertebrae themselves. The pathology is dangerous for a number of complications, the most serious of which are vertebral hernias and protrusions. It is very important to prevent the situation from worsening and to quickly start treatment for back osteochondrosis.
Causes
The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis.,according to many experts, the load is incorrectly distributed on the column. The result of excess pressure is a change in the structure of the cartilage.
The development of osteochondrosis is also facilitated by factors such as:
- Hereditary predisposition
- Spinal injury
- Metabolic disease
- Lack of physical activity
- The pregnancy
- Stress
- Overwork
- Over weight
- Bad habits
The risk group for morbidity includes office workers, drivers, cashiers and athletes.
Development phases
There are 4 stages of the development of the disease:
- First stage. . . It is characterized by dehydration of the disc nucleus between the vertebrae. Subsequently, the height of the disc is reduced. At this stage, the patient does not experience significant discomfort. Sometimes unpleasant sensations can occur during active exercise or in an unusual position.
- Second stage. . . It is characterized by the protrusion of the discs, in which the spaces between the vertebrae are reduced. As a result, the nerve endings are pinched, causing local pain with greater intensity with sudden movements.
- Third stage. . . It is characterized by the abrasion of the cartilage between the vertebral tissues. The symptoms of this stage are pronounced. Patients complain of severe pain that can only be relieved by powerful drugs.
- Stage four. . . It is characterized by limited total or partial mobility.
It is better to start the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine at the first symptoms! In this case, the chances of a full recovery are quite high.
Types of osteochondrosis
Depending on the place of origin of the pathological process, several types of osteochondrosis are distinguished:
- Cervical. . . Such osteochondrosis occurs when there are disorders in the cervical vertebrae. The most common symptoms of the pathology are sharp pain when turning the head, sneezing and coughing, and lumbago.
- Pectoral. . . Such osteochondrosis is less common than other forms. Sharp pains are not characteristic of the pathology. Osteochondrosis is characterized by symptoms of other diseases. Pain in the sternum, for example, makes the patient suspect angina.
- Lumbar. . . Such osteochondrosis occurs more often than other forms. This is due to the fact that it is the lumbar spine that experiences the greatest stress. Patients complain not only of severe pain, but also of a feeling of numbness (even in the legs)
In some cases, osteochondrosis of the coccyx is diagnosed. There is also the concept of mixed pathology, in which 2 parts of the spine are involved in the pathological process. With diffuse osteochondrosis, all segments of the spine are affected.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis in adults.
The main symptoms of pathological changes in the spine in adult patients include:
- Pain that can occur in the neck, shoulders, lower back, and even the ribs.
- Feeling of stiffness in the back and lower back.
- Numbness in the extremities
- Muscle spasms or a feeling of weakness in them
- Chills and body aches
- Increased fatigue
- Dizziness and headaches caused by pinched nerve endings
In advanced stages, patients complain of sensory disturbances in the back, legs and arms, pain in the heart area, disturbances in the functioning of the genitourinary system (difficulty urinating, for example).
Symptoms of pathology often intensify after hard work, intense sports, exposure to low temperatures in the body.
Complications
Destructive processes that affect the discs between the vertebrae, reduce their density and cause a loss of shock absorption capacity. This causes damage to muscles, joints, and ligaments. With a long course of osteochondrosis, not only individual nerve endings are compressed, but also the spinal cord as a whole, which leads to complications of the nervous system.
The deterioration of the blood supply to the whole body leads to an increase in the manifestations of chronic diseases.
Osteochondrosis can also cause pathologies such as:
- Lumbago(sharp pain in the lumbar region)
- Spondylosis(destruction of vertebrae)
- Spinal stenosis, in which the work of the entire central nervous system is significantly affected
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is carried out by various instrumental methods. The primary diagnosis is made on the basis of examination and collection of anamnesis.
The doctor interviews the patient and clarifies:
- Moment of appearance of the first symptoms.
- Duration of pain
- Characteristics of the signs of a pathological condition.
During the inspection:
- The position of the patient's body is assessed while he is standing and sitting.
- The amount of movement is determined
- Gait and changes in it are evaluated.
- The condition of the skin is examined to identify areas of flaking and redness.
- Areas where the patient experiences painful sensations are explored.
- The general condition of the body is evaluated.
- The areas where the muscles have spasms are determined
The main instrumental methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis include:
- X-ray examination. . . It allows you to determine the narrowing of the spaces between individual vertebrae.
- Computed tomography. . . During this study, the vertebrae that have suffered during the pathological process are determined.
- Magnetic resonance(Magnetic resonance imaging). This study is the most accurate and allows you to evaluate all destructive processes in the spine.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis is always carried out comprehensively.
The therapy includes:
- Taking medicines
- Massage
- Performing special exercises
- Physiotherapy
- Traction (even underwater)
- Manual therapy
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine largely depends on the symptoms.
Massage, for example, it is prescribed when the patient does not have severe pain. Sessions allow you to reduce muscle tone, improve blood flow, and strengthen intervertebral discs.
Physiotherapyallows you to strengthen the muscles of the back, to form a reliable corset that ensures the correct distribution of the load on the spine. During the lesson, the nutrition of tissues improves, blood circulation increases. Physiotherapy helps even with reduced mobility. To achieve the desired results, you must exercise regularly, slowly and gently, and monitor your breathing and heart rate. Before starting classes, be sure to consult a doctor. All exercises are supervised by an experienced instructor. Only in this case, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine or other spine will alleviate the symptoms of the disease and eliminate its causes.
Physiotherapyeffective in fighting pain. Typically, patients are referred for ultrasound therapy, magnetotherapy, and exposure to low-frequency currents. Physiotherapy allows you to normalize metabolic processes, reduce inflammation, improve joint mobility, and relieve swelling.
Rehabilitation treatment
Rehabilitation treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine is also carried out under the close supervision of a doctor. It aims to restore health after a pathology. Therapy is carried out only when the pain disappears and the patient no longer experiences serious discomfort.
The most popular restoration techniques include:
- Regular swimming
- Manual therapy
- Massage
- Electrophoresis and magnetotherapy
- Treatment by exposing the affected area to laser rays.
- Nutritional correction
- Working with a psychologist
- Visit to the sauna
- Hydromassage
- Healing mud application
Patients are advised to undergo spa treatments in specialized institutions. Also, therapy can be done on an outpatient basis. Rehabilitation treatment of osteochondrosis of the lower back and other departments is carried out in a complex in the same way as the main one. In this case, its high performance is noticeable.
Prophylaxis
If the prevention of osteochondrosis is carried out in a timely manner, you will not have to deal with the treatment of the pathology.
Specialists have developed a wide range of preventive measures.
Consists in:
- Restrict lifting of heavy items
- Proper nutrition
- Maintain a daily routine and rest regularly.
- Swimming
- Taking special food supplementscontaining valuable elements for cartilage tissue (mucopolysaccharides)
- Doing simple exercise
If at work or at home you have to spend a lot of time sitting, you need to take regular breaks, get up, walk, relieve tension from your back.
All recommendations for the prevention of osteochondrosis will be given by a doctor. By contacting him, you can prevent the development of a dangerous pathological process.
Benefits of treatment in a professional clinic:
- Employs highly qualified physicians. They carry out both a comprehensive diagnosis of osteochondrosis and the treatment of this disease using modern techniques and the latest achievements.
- Treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out by a single injection method. It allows you to permanently and quickly eliminate pain and reduce inflammation in the tissues.
- The clinic employs doctors who skillfully perform blockages and perform other specialized treatments, eliminate the symptoms of the disease, even in advanced stages.
- Specialists have successfully implemented rehabilitation techniques that consolidate the results of therapy and prevent the development of the pathological process. Thanks to this, patients, even in advanced stages of the disease, maintain physical activity.
- Doctors prevent numerous complications of osteochondrosis, including curvature of the spine, hernia, and paralysis of the extremities.
- Examinations, therapy and disease prevention are always carried out in a comfortable environment for the patient. Attention is paid to all who turn to professionals for help.
- Participation in therapy not only of orthopedists, but also of other specialists.