Intervertebral osteochondrosis- pathology, from which the elderly mostly suffered earlier. Today the disease also occurs in young patients. This is due to the fact that an increasing number of people lead sedentary lives, spend a lot of time in front of the computer, and do not pay attention to physical activity. Osteochondrosis develops with an unnatural position of the spine and weakness of the back muscles. The 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, which is characterized by damage to the intervertebral discs, as well as the tissues of the vertebrae themselves. The pathology is dangerous by a number of complications, the most serious of which are vertebral hernias and protuberances. It is very important to prevent the situation from getting worse and to start treatment for osteochondrosis of the back quickly.
Causes
The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis,according to many experts, the load is unevenly distributed on the spine. The result of overpressure 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
- Pregnancy
- Stress
- Overwork
- Overweight
- Bad habits
The morbidity risk group includes office workers, drivers, cashiers and athletes.
Stages of development
There are 4 stages in the development of the disease:
- First stage. . . It is characterized by dehydration of the nucleus of the disc between the vertebrae. Subsequently, the height of the disc is reduced. At this stage, the patient does not feel significant discomfort. Sometimes unpleasant sensations can occur during active exercise or in an unusual position.
- Second step. . . It is characterized by a protrusion of the discs, in which the spaces between the vertebrae are reduced. As a result, the nerve endings are pinched, causing local pain of increasing intensity with sudden movements
- Third step. . . 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 strong drugs
- Fourth step. . . It is characterized by complete or partial limited mobility.
It is better to start treatment for 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 your 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 the symptoms of a number of other diseases. Sternum pain, for example, makes the patient suspect angina
- Lumbar. . . Such osteochondrosis occurs more often than other forms. This is because it is the lumbar spine that is under increased stress. Patients complain not only of severe pain, but also of a feeling of numbness (including 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 in the ribs
- Feeling of stiffness in the back and lower back
- Numbness in the limbs
- Muscle spasms or feeling weak
- Chills and body aches
- Increased fatigue
- Dizziness and headache caused by pinched nerve endings
In advanced stages, patients complain of sensory disturbances in the back, legs and arms, pain in the heart region, disturbances in the functioning of the genitourinary system (difficulty urinating, for example).
Symptoms of the pathology often intensify 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 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 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 impaired
Diagnostic
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is carried out using a number of instrumental methods. The main diagnosis is made on the basis of the examination and the taking of the history.
The doctor questions the patient and specifies:
- Time of onset of first symptoms
- Duration of pain
- Features of signs of a pathological condition
During the check:
- The patient's body position is assessed while standing and sitting
- The amount of movement is determined
- The process and its changes are evaluated
- The condition of the skin is examined to identify areas of flaking and redness
- Areas are probed where the patient experiences painful sensations
- The general condition of the body is assessed
- The areas where the 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 spaces between individual vertebrae
- CT scan. . . During such a study, the vertebrae that suffered during the pathological process are determined.
- MRI(Magnetic resonance imaging). This study is the most precise and makes it possible to evaluate all the destructive processes of the spine.
Processing
Treatment of osteochondrosis is always carried out comprehensively.
Therapy includes:
- To take pills
- Massage
- Do special exercises
- Physiotherapy
- Traction (including underwater)
- Manual therapy
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine largely depends on the symptoms.
Massage, for example, is prescribed when the patient does not have severe pain. The sessions reduce muscle tone, improve blood circulation and strengthen the 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, tissue nutrition improves, blood circulation increases. Physiotherapy even helps with reduced mobility. To get 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 spine or other spine will relieve the symptoms of the disease and eliminate its causes.
Physiotherapyeffective in the fight against 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 pathology. Treatment is only carried out when the pain subsides and the patient no longer experiences severe discomfort.
The most popular restoration techniques include:
- Regular swimming
- Manual therapy
- Massage
- Electrophoresis and magnetotherapy
- Treatment by exposing the affected area to laser beams
- Nutritional correction
- Work with a psychologist
- Sauna visit
- Hydromassage
- Curative mud application
Patients are advised to undergo a spa treatment in specialized establishments. In addition, therapy can be performed 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 noted.
Prophylaxis
If the prevention of osteochondrosis is carried out in a timely manner, then you will not have to deal with the treatment of pathology.
Specialists have developed a whole range of preventive measures.
It consists of :
- Restrict lifting of heavy objects
- Adequate nutrition
- Maintain a daily routine and get regular rest
- To swim
- Take special food supplementscontaining elements valuable for cartilage tissue (mucopolysaccharides)
- Do simple exercises
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 in 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 single injection method. It eliminates pain permanently and quickly and reduces tissue inflammation.
- The clinic employs doctors who skillfully perform blockages and carry out other specialized treatments, eliminate the symptoms of the disease, even at an advanced stage.
- 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 at advanced stages of the disease maintain physical activity.
- Doctors prevent many complications of osteochondrosis, including curvature of the spine, hernia, and limb paralysis.
- Examinations, therapy and disease prevention are always carried out in a comfortable environment for the patient. Attention is paid to anyone who turns to professionals for help.
- Participation in therapy not only orthopedists, but also other specialists.