What is it: osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which the intervertebral discs (and subsequently the vertebral bodies, joints and ligaments) lose their ability to function normally. Until recently, the disease was considered age-related, but over the past decades it has become noticeably younger and mercilessly affects young people aged 18 to 30 years.
Osteochondrosis is usually classified according to the place of its localization - lumbar, cervical, thoracic, sacral and widespread. More than 50% of cases of the disease account for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine; symptoms, treatment and diagnosis of this type of osteochondrosis are widely described in the works of medical luminaries. A quarter of diagnoses are due to cervical osteochondrosis - a disease of office workers and people leading a sedentary lifestyle.
Most often, pathological processes in this disease first affect the bones and ligaments. We usually find out that the disease has already begun when complications appear - pain, sensory disturbances, muscle atrophy, disruption of the internal organs.
Today we will talk about osteochondrosis, the symptoms and treatment of this disease is a very topical issue in our time. After all, from 40 to 90% of the world's population suffer from the disease. Most often, the disease affects people over the age of 30.
Causes of occurrence
There is no single reason for the development of osteochondrosis. Some believe that an ailment occurs due to the deposition of calcium compounds not absorbed by the bone tissue due to deterioration of bone blood supply caused by weakness, curvature of the spine, and a decrease in the distance between individual vertebrae.
There are many predisposing causal factors. The main ones are as follows:
- spinal injuries (fractures, bruises, dislocations);
- hereditary predisposition;
- foot diseases that cause overload of the spine - these include flat feet, clubfoot (varus deformity of the foot), hallux valgus;
- wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes for a long time (also cause overload of the spine);
- overweight and obesity;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- metabolic disorders;
- curvature of the spine (kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis);
- professional features - lifting weights, frequent turns and jerking by the body, working in an uncomfortable position of the body.
The development of the disease is facilitated by a hereditary predisposition, overload of the spine (overweight, heavy lifting), trauma and microtrauma.
Stages of osteochondrosis
According to the level of development of osteochondrosis and its symptoms, there are four stages.
- First stage- preclinical, which is extremely rarely diagnosed due to weak (or completely absent) signs of the disease. At this stage, changes in the spine are minimal. Patients are worried about limited pain in the spine, and there is tension in the muscles of the back.
- In the second stagepains appear, as the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc is destroyed, the fixation of the vertebrae among themselves is disturbed, and their pathological mobility occurs in the form of displacements. The intervertebral distance decreases, with compression of the neurovascular endings, blood and lymphatic vessels.
- Third stage. . . A rupture is formed in the cartilaginous tissues of the annulus fibrosus, through which a part of the more liquid core seeps - a herniated disc is formed. Such changes are most often found in the lumbar and cervical spine. To a lesser extent, the appearance of intervertebral hernias is susceptible to the thoracic region due to the fact that as a result of the pathology of the discs, a certain part of the load is taken on by the ribs and sternum. As a result of protrusion (hernia) of the intervertebral disc, there is an effect on the roots of the spinal nerves, manifested in the form of pain, inflammation, impaired conduction of nerve fibers, and inflammation.
- Fourth stage- final, in which the scar tissue is replaced by the fibers of the intervertebral disc, as well as fibrous cartilage and fibrous tissue of the nucleus pulposus.
In order to prevent the development of the last stage, it is necessary to decide how to treat osteochondrosis in a timely manner.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic ailment characterized by alternating periods of exacerbation of symptoms and remission. Excessive exercise, fatigue, hypothermia, injury, shaking, and vibration can contribute to acute symptoms.
The disease manifests itself in a number of typical symptoms. Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by: aching back pain, a feeling of numbness in the affected spine, a decrease in the range of motion, increased pain when lifting weights, sudden movement, tension while coughing or sneezing.
Chronic pain, as one of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine, becomes the cause of increased fatigue. When the nerve roots are squeezed by the discs of the spine, the pain can be more intense and be of a sharp, "shooting" nature. Its localization in this case is not limited to the area of the back, but is felt by a person in the area of the limbs.
With osteochondrosis, patients describe symptoms such as:
- paroxysmal or shooting pain in the spine affected by osteochondrosis;
- increased pain after physical exertion, as well as in the morning;
- pain can radiate to the neck, arm or leg, as well as to the chest;
- crunching sensation when doing twists.
The disease begins and develops gradually, so how to treat osteochondrosis will depend on the stage, as well as the location of the vertebral lesion.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
In the case of osteochondrosis, treatment requires complex measures.
In the acute stage, strict bed rest is shown, rigid fixation of the damaged vertebrae with a corset or a special collar. A firm bed, use of a shield, limitation of movement is recommended.
To reduce pain, analgesics, B vitamins, novocaine blockade are shown, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, rubbing in ointments, mustard plasters, ultraviolet irradiation, acupuncture and reflexology, thermal procedures, a woolen belt, etc. can be used.
The next stage of treatment is aimed at improving local blood circulation and strengthening the muscles that support the spine. To cure osteochondrosis, you must adhere to complex therapy, which includes:
- medical massage (traditional, hardware, vacuum);
- physiotherapy exercises, swimming;
- physiotherapy (treatment with laser, ultrasound, low frequency currents, magnetic field; shock wave therapy, cryotherapy);
- reflexology (acupuncture, acupressure);
- spinal traction (dry or water);
- methods of non-traditional therapy (treatment with bee stings);
- treatment with folk remedies (herbs, honey, mustard, red pepper, bath).
If conservative therapy does not bring results or changes in the intervertebral discs require external intervention, modern minimally invasive surgical methods are used: laser reconstruction, intradiscal electrothermal therapy, microsurgical hernia removal.
In case of irreversible changes, an artificial intervertebral disc made of metal or metal and plastic can be installed. So, now let's take a closer look at how to treat osteochondrosis without the use of medications.
Massage
Back massage with osteochondrosis has a much more pronounced effect than, say, exercise therapy. First of all, any method of treatment should be aimed at relieving pain.
When the pain can be relieved or relieved, then real treatment can begin. But its main task can be called the prevention of the progression of the disease, as well as its subsequent possible relapses. It is for these purposes that two key methods are used - remedial gymnastics and massage. It is worth noting that in cases with the neck, exercise does not have the same effect as massage.
Judge for yourself: massage improves blood circulation in the affected area, eliminates spasms of the muscles of the neck and back, weakens or eliminates pain, strengthens the neck muscles.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is widely used in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Acupuncture helps to relieve pain, relaxes the back muscles, and helps to restore damaged tissues by stimulating metabolic processes.
In some cases, acupuncture can replace traditional drug therapy, the disadvantages of which are well known (side effects of drugs, addiction to them). Acupuncture is contraindicated for skin diseases affecting the back and during pregnancy.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis
Therapeutic exercises for people suffering from diseases such as osteochondrosis should become a necessary part of life. It is exercise therapy that is able to break the vicious circle, consisting of the following components: physical inactivity, weakened muscles of the back and neck, destruction of the vertebral discs, bed rest.
Before you start doing exercises, you should know the main principles of therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis:
- Exercises should not be performed at the stage of exacerbation of the disease, when there is intense pain syndrome.
- Exercise should not cause increased pain.
- Complexes with tension in the back muscles should alternate with relaxation complexes.
- All exercises are performed smoothly, without sudden movements, maintaining the correct body posture.
For each type of osteochondrosis, its own exercise complexes have been developed. Nevertheless, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, it is recommended to train the muscular system of the entire spine.