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Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine

Osteochondrosisis a disease of the spine, a characteristic feature of which is degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs, and then to the vertebral tissues themselves.

Dystrophic changes in the disc lead to weakening of its outer fibrous ring.Therefore, patients with osteochondrosis often experience such serious complications as protrusion (bulging of part of the disc) and vertebral hernia (dangling of the nucleus pulposus of the disc into the spinal canal).

According to the results of medical research, every second person experiences problems with the spine after 30 years.In 70% of cases, the cause of pain in the spine is considered to be osteochondrosis, which is a neurological disease affecting the ligaments of the spinal column.

The first signs of spinal osteochondrosis do not appear immediately, but gradually.

Depending on the location of pain, there are three types of osteochondrosis:

  • Cervical region;
  • Thoracic department;
  • Lumbar region.

According to many experts who have studied this disease, the main cause of osteochondrosis is an incorrectly distributed load on the spinal column.As a result, in patients, directly in places where excessive physical pressure is applied, a change in the structure of cartilaginous tissue occurs.

Causes of spinal osteochondrosis:

  • Hereditary predisposition to the disease.
  • The presence of diseases of the endocrine system is a metabolic disorder.
  • The development of orthopedic diseases, for example, flat feet, curvature of posture, diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
  • Various injuries, bruises of the spine.
  • Lifestyle: lack of activity, poor diet with a predominance of harmful foods.
  • Having excess weight.
  • Bad habits – smoking, alcoholism.
  • Stress, fatigue.
  • Pregnancy.

In most cases, the causes of osteochondrosis are associated with a person’s professional activity.

Stages of development

The development of osteochondrosis occurs in 4 distinct stages:

Osteochondrosis stage 1

It is characterized by the onset of a pathological process in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc - its dehydration (dehydration) occurs, and subsequently the height of the disc decreases.At the same time, cracks begin to appear in the fibrous ring.At this stage, the patient usually does not feel any changes.Discomfort may occur when sitting in a sitting position that is unusual for a person, or when actively exercising.

Stage 2

At the second stage of osteochondrosis, continuation of degenerative changes leads to disc protrusion.The gaps between the vertebrae are reduced, and the fibrous capsule is destroyed.As a result, the roots of the spinal nerves are pinched, which provokes the appearance of point pain, the intensity of which increases with bending, turning, and other movements.Possible weakness and decreased performance.

Stage 3 osteochondrosis of the spine

It is characterized by the abrasion of the cartilage lining between the discs; the thinning of the tissue is clearly visible if you take an x-ray.The symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis are pronounced, intense, and the pain does not go away, and only strong painkillers can relieve it.drugs.

Stage 4

The fourth stage is the most complex neurological disorders in the spinal system, expressed in partial or complete limitation of joint mobility.With this diagnostic condition, bone growths (osteophytes) form at the site of the vertebral joints, which cause microtrauma to the nerve branches and adjacent segments of the spine.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis in adults

As the disease progresses, pathological mobility of the spinal column develops, in which soft tissues, nerve fibers and blood vessels located near the lesion are infringed - this is how pain occurs.

The main symptoms of osteochondrosis:

  • pain in the back, cervical region, lower back, shoulders and even ribs;
  • discomfort, stiffness of the back during certain movements, lifting something;
  • numbness of the extremities (arms and/or legs);
  • aching sensation in the arms and legs, chills;
  • muscle spasms;
  • disturbances in the functioning of the genital organs;
  • headaches, dizziness;
  • pain in the heart area;
  • sensory disturbance;
  • muscle hypotension;
  • increased fatigue, sometimes even in the eyes.

Excessive physical activity, overwork, hypothermia, injuries, body concussions and exposure to vibration can contribute to the occurrence of acute symptoms.

Complications

Degenerative processes that primarily affect intervertebral discs lead to a decrease in their density and loss of their shock-absorbing functions.The consequence of such changes is excessive mobility of the spine, facet joints, muscles and ligaments are affected.

The paravertebral structures involved in destructive processes cause compression (squeezing) of the spinal cord and its nerve endings.As a result, a patient with osteochondrosis feels pain, which is accompanied by the following symptoms and diseases: severe headache, migraine, decreased visual acuity, autonomic dysfunction (VSD), dysfunction of the genitourinary system, sciatica (compression of the sciatic nerve), intervertebral hernia, spondyloarthrosis, lumbago, spinal stenosis.

instrumental methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis:

  • X-ray diagnostics plays a key role in this disease.Conventional radiography can reveal signs of the disease, such as narrowing of the gap between the vertebrae.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a research method that allows for accurate diagnosis of processes occurring in the spinal region.With its help, in particular, it is possible to determine the presence of a herniated disc and its location.
  • Computed tomography (CT) is similar in its diagnostic capabilities to MRI.The disadvantage of CT is the presence of radiation exposure during the study.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

There is no specific and only correct method of treating osteochondrosis - this process, under any circumstances, requires an integrated approach.

The comprehensive program traditionally includes the following components:

  • physiotherapeutic methods of influence;
  • special exercises and massages;
  • manual therapy methods;
  • drug treatment;
  • reflexology, electrophoresis, etc.; traction.

When treating this category of patients, specialists prescribe medications that have the following properties: relieve inflammation, restore the functions of the musculoskeletal system, stimulate tissue regeneration of intervertebral discs and cartilage, and prevent the progression of osteochondrosis.

Treatment of osteochondrosis follows the traditional path of treating many diseases of the musculoskeletal system: NSAIDs are prescribed to eliminate the inflammatory process in tissues, chondroprotectors to restore the level of synovial fluid and corticosteroids if the first two types of drugs are ineffective.

In order to get rid of osteochondrosis, various therapeutic procedures are used, including massage.It has many beneficial properties - muscle tone is relieved, blood flow in the spine is stimulated, intervertebral discs become stronger.

Manual therapy relieves acute pain and helps restore posture.One of the most commonly used methods is visceral therapy.During its implementation, high-quality treatment of joints is carried out, blood circulation processes are improved, and the immune system is strengthened.Allows you to prevent exacerbation of various chronic ailments.

Physical therapy or exercise therapy for osteochondrosis is very important.Thus, special exercises to strengthen the back muscles contribute to the formation of a muscle corset, which in turn ensures an even distribution of the load on the spine.In addition, thanks to regular exercises, blood circulation and tissue nutrition, including intervertebral discs, improve, the patient develops correct posture, and the range of movements in the spine increases.

Physiotherapy helps to effectively combat painful manifestations in places where the pathological process is localized.There are many types of physiotherapeutic interventions.Most often they resort to the use of magnetic therapy, ultrasound therapy, and exposure to low-frequency currents.

Prevention

If osteochondrosis is prevented in a timely manner, its treatment may not be required.The issue needs to be approached comprehensively:

  • limit heavy lifting (less than 10 kg);
  • carry loads only symmetrically (distributing the weight over both hands);
  • perform simple physical exercises aimed at strengthening the spine, muscles and joints;
  • swim regularly;