Intervertebral osteochondrosis- pathology, from which the elderly mainly suffered previously. 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 on 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. 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, characterized by lesions of the intervertebral discs and the tissues of the vertebrae themselves. The pathology is dangerous for a number of complications, the most serious of which are hernias and vertebral protrusions. It is very important to prevent aggravation of the situation and to start treatment for osteochondrosis of the back promptly.
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
- Fatigue
- overwork
- Overweight
- Bad habits
The morbidity risk group includes office workers, drivers, cashiers and athletes.
Stages of development
There are 4 stages of the development of the disease:
- First stage. . . It is characterized by dehydration of the disc core between the vertebrae. Subsequently, the height of the disc is reduced. At this stage, the patient experiences no significant discomfort. Sometimes unpleasant sensations can occur during active exercise or in an unusual position.
- Second phase. . . 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 increasing intensity with sudden movements
- Third phase. . . It is characterized by the abrasion of the cartilage between the vertebral tissues. Symptoms of this stage are pronounced. Patients complain of severe pain that can only be relieved with powerful drugs
- Step four. . . It is characterized by complete or partial limited 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 condition are acute pain when turning the head, sneezing and coughing and low back pain
- Pectoral. . . Such osteochondrosis is less common than other forms. Sharp pains are unusual for the pathology. Osteochondrosis is characterized by symptoms of a number 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 increased stress. Patients complain of not only severe pain, but also 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 ribs
- Sensation 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 headache 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 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.
The deterioration of the blood supply to the whole body leads to an increase in the manifestations of chronic diseases.
Osteochondrosis can also cause conditions such as:
- Lumbago(sharp pain in the lower back)
- spondylosis(destruction of the vertebrae)
- Spinal stenosis, in which the work of the entire central nervous system is significantly impaired
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is carried out using a number of instrumental methods. The primary diagnosis is made on the basis of the examination and collection of the anamnesis.
The doctor interviews the patient and clarifies:
- Time of onset of the first symptoms
- Duration of pain
- Features of the signs of a pathological condition
During the inspection:
- The position of the patient's body is evaluated while standing and sitting
- The amount of movement is determined
- The gait and changes in it are evaluated
- The skin condition is examined to identify areas of peeling and redness
- The areas where the patient feels painful sensations are probed
- The general condition of the body is evaluated
- The areas where the muscles are spasms are determined
The main instrumental methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis include:
- X-ray examination. . . Allows you to determine the narrowing of the spaces between individual vertebrae
- Computed tomography. . . During such a study, the vertebrae that suffered during the pathological process are determined.
- magnetic resonance(MRI). 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.
Therapy includes:
- Taking medications
- 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. The sessions allow you to reduce muscle tone, improve blood flow and strengthen the intervertebral discs.
Physiotherapyallows you to strengthen the back muscles, 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. Physical therapy also helps with reduced mobility. To get the desired results, exercise should be done regularly, slowly and smoothly and monitor 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 lumbar or other spine osteochondrosis will relieve 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 strict supervision of a doctor. It is aimed at restoring health after pathology. Therapy is performed only when the pain subsides and the patient no longer feels severe 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
- Application of healing mud
Patients are advised to undergo spa treatments in specialized institutions. Also, the 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 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.
Consists of:
- Restricting Lifting of Heavy Objects
- Proper nutrition
- Maintain a daily routine and take regular rest
- I swim
- Taking special dietary supplementscontaining valuable elements for the cartilage tissue (mucopolysaccharides)
- Do a 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 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 complete diagnosis of osteochondrosis and the treatment of this disease using modern techniques and the latest results.
- 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 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 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 all those who turn to professionals for help.
- Involvement in therapy not only of orthopedists, but also of other specialists.