Intervertebral osteochondrosis- pathology, from which the elderly mainly suffered earlier. 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 at 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 early as possible!
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, which is characterized by lesions of the intervertebral discs, as well as the tissues of the vertebrae themselves. Pathology is dangerous by a number of complications, the most serious of which are vertebral hernias and protrusions. It is very important to prevent the aggravation of the situation and promptly begin treatment for back osteochondrosis.
Causes
The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis,according to many experts, the load is incorrectly distributed on the spine. The result of excess pressure is a change in the structure of the cartilage.
The development of osteochondrosis is also facilitated by such factors as:
- Hereditary predisposition
- Spine injury
- Metabolic disease
- Lack of physical activity
- Pregnancy
- Stress
- Overwork
- Overweight
- Bad habits
The risk group for morbidity includes office workers, drivers, cashiers and athletes.
Development stages
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 disc height 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 protrusion of the discs, in which the gaps between the vertebrae are reduced. As a result, nerve endings are pinched, which causes local pain with increasing 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 with potent drugs
- Stage four. . . It is characterized by complete or partial limited mobility.
It is better to start 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 acute pain when turning the head, sneezing and coughing, and lumbago
- Pectoral. . . Such osteochondrosis is less common than other forms. Acute pains are uncharacteristic for pathology. Osteochondrosis is characterized by symptoms of a number of other diseases. Pain in the sternum, for example, causes the patient to 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 increased stress. Patients complain not only of severe pain, but also a feeling of numbness (including in the legs)
In some cases, coccyx osteochondrosis 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 spinal column 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 in the ribs
- Feeling of stiffness in the back and lower back
- Numbness in the limbs
- Muscle spasms or a feeling of weakness in them
- Chills and body aches
- Increased fatigue
- Dizziness and headaches provoked by pinched nerve endings
In advanced stages, patients complain of sensitivity disorders 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 are often intensified after hard work, intense sports, exposure to low temperatures on 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 squeezed, but also the spinal cord as a whole, which leads to complications from the nervous system.
Deterioration of the blood supply to the whole body leads to an increase in the manifestations of chronic diseases.
Osteochondrosis can also provoke such pathologies as:
- Lumbago(acute pain in the lumbar region)
- Spondylosis(destruction of the vertebrae)
- Spinal stenosis, in which the work of the entire central nervous system significantly deteriorates
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is carried out using a number of instrumental methods. The primary diagnosis is based on examination and history taking.
The doctor interviews the patient and clarifies:
- Time of onset of the first symptoms
- Duration of pain
- Features of signs of a pathological condition
During the inspection:
- The patient's body position is assessed while standing and sitting
- The amount of movement is determined
- The gait and changes in it are assessed
- The condition of the skin is examined in order to identify areas of peeling and redness
- Areas are probed where the patient is experiencing painful sensations
- The general condition of the body is assessed
- Areas where muscles are spasmed are determined
The main instrumental methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis include:
- X-ray examination. . . It allows you to determine the narrowing of the gaps between the individual vertebrae
- Computed tomography. . . During such a study, the vertebrae that have suffered during the pathological process are determined.
- MRI(Magnetic resonance imaging). This study is the most accurate and allows you to assess all the destructive processes in the spine.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis is always carried out in a comprehensive manner.
Therapy includes:
- Taking medications
- Massage
- Performing special exercises
- Physiotherapy
- Traction (including underwater)
- Manual therapy
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine largely depends on the symptoms.
Massage, for example, is prescribed when the patient does not have severe pain. The sessions allow you to reduce muscle tone, improve blood flow, and strengthen the intervertebral discs.
Physiotherapyallows you to strengthen the muscles of the back, to form a reliable corset, which ensures the correct distribution of the load on the spinal column. During the lesson, tissue nutrition improves, blood circulation increases. Physical therapy helps even with reduced mobility. To achieve the desired results, exercise should be done regularly, slowly and smoothly, 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 or other spine will relieve the symptoms of the disease and eliminate its causes.
Physiotherapyeffective in combating 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 is aimed at restoring health after pathology. Therapy is carried out only when the pain subsides and the patient no longer experiences severe discomfort.
The most popular restorative techniques include:
- Regular swimming
- Manual therapy
- Massage
- Electrophoresis and magnetotherapy
- Treatment by exposing the affected area to laser beams
- Nutrition correction
- Working with a psychologist
- Sauna visit
- Hydromassage
- Application of curative mud
Patients are advised to undergo spa treatment in specialized institutions. Also, therapy can be carried out on an outpatient basis. Rehabilitation treatment of osteochondrosis of the lower back and other departments is carried out in the complex in the same way as the main one. In this case, its high performance is noted.
Prevention
If the prevention of osteochondrosis is carried out in a timely manner, you will not have to deal with the treatment of pathology.
Specialists have developed a whole range of preventive measures.
It consists in:
- Restricting the lifting of heavy items
- Proper nutrition
- Maintaining a daily routine and regular rest
- Swimming
- Taking special food supplementscontaining elements valuable 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:
- It employs highly qualified doctors. They carry out both a comprehensive diagnosis of osteochondrosis and treatment of this disease using modern techniques and the latest achievements.
- Treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out using a unique injection method. It allows you to permanently and quickly eliminate pain and reduce inflammation in the tissues.
- The clinic employs doctors who skillfully carry out blockades and perform other specialized treatment, 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 with advanced stages of the disease, maintain physical activity.
- Doctors prevent numerous complications of osteochondrosis, which include curvature of the spine, hernia and paralysis of the limbs.
- Examinations, therapy and disease prevention are always carried out in a comfortable environment for the patient. Attention is paid to everyone who turns to professionals for help.
- Involvement in therapy not only of orthopedists, but also of other specialists.