Most cases of unpleasant pain in the lower back and spine are associated with a disease such as osteochondrosis. It affects approximately 40% of men and women between the ages of 30 and 40 and approximately 90% of the elderly. Therefore, the earlier the disease is diagnosed, the more thoroughly the patient is examined, the greater the likelihood of stopping the progression of osteochondrosis and maintaining activity at a later age.
Definition of the disease, the cause of the disease.
So what is osteochondrosis, where does it develop, what structures does it affect, what is the method of treatment? The disease affects the spine and the tissues between the vertebrae and is expressed in a violation of their shape, density, elasticity, and sometimes even integrity. As a result, the distance between the vertebrae is reduced, the spine gradually loses its stability, nerves can be pinched, and hernia formation can develop, which is accompanied by back pain and discomfort during movement.
If we briefly describe the essence of osteochondrosis, then it is about a gradual abrasion of the tissues of the intervertebral discs (cartilage), which leads to instability of the spine. If left untreated, ligament and joint degradation develops, osteophytes appear, posture is altered, and movements are accompanied by pain.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the spine:
- an inactive lifestyle with a deficit in muscle load;
- spinal injury;
- systematic intense stress on the spine;
- inheritance;
- over weight;
- hypothermia;
- hormonal and autoimmune diseases;
- toxic poisoning;
- congenital insufficiency of connective tissue;
- Psychosomatic reasons (stress, depression, etc. ).
Symptoms of osteochondrosis.
The disease is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation with varying degrees of severity of symptoms. The main symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis, characteristic of the main types of disease, lumbar, cervical and thoracic:
- pain localized to a specific area of the spine;
- pain syndrome of the reflected type associated with damage to nearby musculoskeletal tissues;
- myelopathy and radiculopathy resulting from compression of the nerve endings of the spinal cord and blood vessels.
Depending on the part of the spine affected by the disease, the list of symptoms of osteochondrosis can vary. Namely: patients notice tingling in the muscles, numbness in the extremities, other sensory disorders, decreased strength in the arms and legs, headaches and pain in the heart, low back pain.
The pathogenesis of osteochondrosis.
Before the elastic fibrous nucleus of the intervertebral disc begins to lose elasticity and deform, a series of processes involving osteochondrosis take place in the human body:
- spasms, dystonia, inflammation;
- decreased blood circulation;
- Damage to nerve cell processes.
In addition, cracks appear in the deformed ring, a bulge of the discs develops, and a hernia is formed. These factors suggestive of spinal disease typically develop during childhood or adolescence and are often the result of poor posture, scoliosis, sports injuries, infectious diseases, or congenital vascular disorders.
Stages of osteochondrosis.
There are three stages in the development of spinal osteochondrosis:
- the first, in which the intervertebral disc begins to decrease in height, acquiring a flattened shape, loses moisture, elasticity, can protrude;
- the second develops in the absence of treatment and is manifested by a violation of the structure of the fibrous ring of the vertebral disc, the appearance of cracks and the development of instability in a certain area of the spine;
- characterized by breaks of the intervertebral cartilage, the development of a hernia, the formation of bone processes of osteophytes.
Symptoms of the development of osteochondrosis of the spine become more intense from the first to the third stage.
Classification of osteochondrosis.
The classification of osteochondrosis is based on several signs, the main of which is the localization zone. Distinguish:
- lumbar osteochondrosis;
- osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
- osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Osteochondrosis in the lumbar spine is manifested by pain in the lumbar region, which increases when turning the body and lifting weights. The pain can occur in the leg or both legs, and is characterized by being painful. With an acute syndrome, a hernia is suspected. With lumbar osteochondrosis, spasms of the leg muscles and peeling of the skin often occur.
With the development of osteochondrosis of the spine in the cervical spine, vertebrae 1-7 are affected. The disease is accompanied by a headache in the back of the head, pain in the neck, clavicles, shoulders. A creaking noise is possible during the rotation of the head, numbness of the upper extremities, a feeling of a lump in the throat.
With osteochondrosis of the spine in the thoracic region, the patient is concerned about pain in the chest, shoulders, armpits and heart. Perhaps a feeling of shortness of breath, the development of attacks of intercostal neuralgia.
Osteochondrosis in the lumbar spine is the most common, in the thoracic it is the rarest.
Complications of osteochondrosis.
If the patient thought about the treatment of osteochondrosis too late, when the symptoms of the disease are pronounced, the following complications may develop:
- intervertebral hernia;
- stroke of the spinal cord;
- kyphosis of the spine;
- outgoing;
- radiculitis;
- paralysis of the lower extremities.
In the absence of treatment, the patient begins to suffer regular exacerbations of the condition, which are characterized by increased pain, restricting movements, and a sharp worsening of general well-being. The most terrible complication of spinal osteochondrosis is disability. Therefore, in order to prevent such serious changes in the work of the musculoskeletal system, timely and high-quality treatment of osteochondrosis is needed.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis.
A disease like osteochondrosis is mainly pain in the spine. But it is important to distinguish it from pain caused by problems other than intervertebral disc degeneration. To do this, doctors conduct a step-by-step diagnosis, which includes:
- Taking anamnesis, which involves a conversation between a specialist and a patient to identify the exact area of pain location, factors that cause a deterioration in the condition. It is important to know the occupation of the patient, the period in which the problems with the spine began, when there was an exacerbation, what kind of pain in the lumbar region and others occurs, what methods of treatment the patient used.
- Physiological examinationallows you to determine the proportions of the body, the quality of movements and actions performed, the condition of the skin, the degree of sensitivity to pain. The doctor, by palpation, determines the state of muscle tissue, the presence of seals, edema, etc.
- X-ray of the spine in two planes.for a visual assessment of the condition. It allows you to determine the displacement of the vertebrae, the presence of osteophytes, the deposition of salt.
If the data collected to prescribe treatment is not enough, or there is a suspicion of a serious pathology of the spine, the patient is prescribed a CT scan and MRI, thanks to which it is possible to examine the vertebrae in detail, vessels, soft tissues, nervous processes and create a complete picture of the state of the spine affected by osteochondrosis to determine the treatment tactic.
Treatment of osteochondrosis.
Like any disease, osteochondrosis requires identifying the cause that triggered its development. Reducing the severity of symptoms is not the main stage, but an important stage of treatment, the outcome of which depends on several factors. In some cases it is a complete cure, in others it is the prevention of complications and disability.
In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, a group of measures is used:
- change the patient's daily regimen;
- prescribe medications to reduce symptoms;
- physiotherapy procedures (massage, acupuncture, electrophoresis, exercise therapy, etc. ).
Changing the daily regimen in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine implies a decrease in the intensity of physical activity, bed rest with severe pain, the exclusion of sharp turns and bends.
Drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine.
They can be divided into several groups:
- muscle relaxants for pain relief, including tablets, injectable anesthetics, and anti-inflammatory injections for osteochondrosis. The homeopathic preparation normalizes the functionality of the thyroid gland, improves lymphatic drainage, has anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and immunomodulating effects.
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. When used in patients with osteoarthritis, there is a decrease in the progression of inflammatory and destructive changes in the joints, an improvement in the integrity, thickness and other characteristics of cartilage, and a stimulation of bone tissue repair.
- Alternative topical anti-inflammatory ointments and transdermal patches. These drugs have analgesic, antirheumatic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. The working mechanism consists of reducing the production of inflammatory mediators, lowering body temperature and pain.
- chondroprotectors;
- remedies for therapeutic analgesic blockages;
- Vitamins B.
Complementary treatments
Of the additional funds that can be used to treat, alleviate the general condition and improve the function of the spine and intervertebral discs, the most effective are shown:
- acupuncture;
- magnetotherapy;
- professional massage and self-massage;
- physical education courses;
- manual therapy.
Forecasting, prevention
If the disease of the spine is not neglected, it proceeds without serious complications, in 1, 5-2 months of competent treatment, the condition can be significantly improved, and the transition of the disease to a chronic form can be prevented. In difficult cases, doctors recommend surgical treatment.
Prevention of spinal osteochondrosis includes:
- adherence to the correct daily regimen, with change in body position and moderate physical activity;
- regular visits to the pool;
- control of body weight;
- wear comfortable shoes;
- balance diet;
- sleep on an orthopedic pillow and mattress;
- taking missing nutrients or preventative homeopathic medicines to boost immunity, improve overall health, and eliminate dystonia.
It is necessary to undergo medical examinations annually and consult a doctor for treatment immediately after the appearance of any pain in the spine.
No matter what type of osteochondrosis we are talking about, lumbar, cervical or thoracic, attention to one's own health should become a good habit, especially when it comes to the basis of the entire musculoskeletal system: the spine.