What it is: Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which the intervertebral discs (and later the vertebral bodies, joints and ligaments) lose their ability to function normally. Until recently, the disease was considered age-related, but in recent decades it has become significantly younger and affects young people between the ages of 18 and 30.
Osteochondrosis is usually classified according to the location - local, spinal, thoracic, sacral and widespread. More than 50% of cases are osteochondrosis of the spine, the symptoms, treatment and diagnosis of this type of osteochondrosis are widely described in the works of medical luminaries. A quarter of diagnoses are related to cervical osteochondrosis - a disease of office workers and people living a sedentary lifestyle.
Often, the pathological processes in this disease primarily affect the bones and ligaments. We usually learn that the disease begins when there are complications - pain, sensory disorders, muscle atrophy, disorders of the internal organs.
Today we will talk about osteochondrosis, the symptoms and treatment of this disease is a very important issue today. After all, 40-90% of the world's population suffers from this disease. The disease most often affects people over 30 years of age.
Causes
There is no single reason for the development of osteochondrosis. Some believe that the disease is caused by the deposition of calcium compounds that are not absorbed by the bone tissue as a result of weakness, curvature of the spine and a decrease in the distance between individual vertebrae.
There are many predisposing causative factors. The main ones are:
- spinal injuries (fractures, bruises, dislocations);
- hereditary predisposition;
- foot diseases that cause overuse of the spine - these include flat feet, clubfoot (varus deformity of the foot), hallux valgus;
- wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes for a long time (it also causes overloading of the spine);
- overweight and obesity;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- metabolic disorders;
- curvature of the spine (kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis);
- professional features - lifting weights, frequent turns and concussions by the body, working in an uncomfortable position of the body.
The development of the disease is facilitated by hereditary predisposition, overload of the spine (overweight, weight lifting), trauma and microtrauma.
Stages of osteochondrosis
There are four stages in the development of osteochondrosis and its symptoms.
- The first stage- Preclinical, rarely diagnosed due to mild (or no) symptoms of the disease. Changes in the spine at this stage are minimal. Patients are concerned about limited pain in the spine, there is tension in the back muscles.
- In the second stagepain is visible, as the annulus fibrosis of the intervertebral disc is destroyed, the fixation of the vertebrae is disturbed, their pathological mobility occurs in the form of displacement. Intervertebral distance decreases with compression of neurovascular ends, blood and lymph vessels.
- The third stage. . . In the cartilaginous tissue of the annulus fibrosus, a rupture occurs, through which more fluid leaks part of the nucleus - forming a herniated intervertebral disc. Such changes are most common in the lumbar and cervical spine. To a lesser extent, the appearance of intervertebral hernias is sensitive to the thoracic region because a certain portion of the load is received by the ribs and sternum as a result of disc pathology. As a result of rupture of the intervertebral disc, it affects the roots of the spinal nerves, manifests itself in the form of pain, inflammation, impaired conduction of nerve fibers, inflammation.
- The fourth stage- final, where the scar tissue is replaced by fibers of the intervertebral disc, as well as fibrous cartilage and fibrous tissue of the pulposus nucleus.
To prevent the development of the final stage, it is necessary to decide how to treat osteochondrosis in time.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease characterized by exacerbation of symptoms and changes in remission periods. Excessive exercise, fatigue, hypothermia, injury, tremors and vibration can contribute to acute symptoms.
The disease manifests itself with a number of typical symptoms. Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by: aching back pain, numbness in the affected spine, decreased range of motion, increased pain when lifting weights, sudden movements, tension during coughing or sneezing.
Chronic pain, as one of the symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis, causes increased fatigue. When the nerve roots are compressed by the discs of the spine, the pain may be more intense and may be of a sharp, "shooting" nature. In this case, its localization is not limited to the posterior region, but is felt by a person in the area of the limbs.
Patients with osteochondrosis describe the following symptoms:
- paroxysmal or shooting pain in the spine affected by osteochondrosis;
- increased pain after physical exertion, as well as in the morning;
- pain can spread to the neck, arms or legs, as well as the chest;
- feeling of crunching while twisting.
The disease begins and develops gradually, so how to treat osteochondrosis will depend on the stage, as well as the location of the vertebral injury.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis requires complex measures.
In the acute phase, severe bed rest is indicated, and rigid fixation of the damaged vertebrae using a corset or a special collar is indicated. It is recommended to use a firm bed, shield, restrict movement.
Analgesics, B vitamins, novocaine blockers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ointments, mustard plasters, ultraviolet radiation, acupuncture and reflexology, thermal procedures, wool belts, etc. are indicated to reduce pain.
The next phase of treatment aims to improve local blood circulation and strengthen the muscles that support the spine. To treat osteochondrosis, you need to follow a complex therapy, which includes:
- medical massage (traditional, apparatus, vacuum);
- physiotherapy exercises, swimming;
- physiotherapy (laser, ultrasound, low-frequency currents, magnetic fields; shock wave therapy, treatment with cryotherapy);
- reflexology (acupuncture, acupressure);
- spinal traction (dry or water);
- non-traditional therapies (treatment with bee stings);
- treatment with folk remedies (herbs, honey, mustard, red pepper, bath).
If conservative therapy does not work or changes in the intervertebral discs require external intervention, modern minimally invasive surgical methods are used: laser reconstruction, intradiscal electrothermal therapy, microsurgical removal of hernias.
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 drugs.
Massage
Back massage with osteochondrosis, for example, is more effective than exercise therapy. First of all, any treatment should be aimed at relieving pain.
Real treatment can be started when the pain can be relieved or eliminated. However, its main task can be called the prevention of the development of the disease, as well as subsequent relapses. Two main methods are used for this purpose - therapeutic gymnastics and massage. It should be noted that in the case of the neck, exercise does not have the same effect as massage.
Judge for yourself: massage improves blood circulation in the affected area, relieves spasms of the neck and back muscles, relieves or eliminates pain, strengthens neck muscles.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is widely used in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Acupuncture helps relieve pain, relaxes back muscles and helps repair damaged tissues by stimulating metabolic processes.
In some cases, acupuncture can replace traditional drug treatment, the disadvantages of which are well known (side effects of drugs, their dependence). Acupuncture is contraindicated for skin diseases affecting the back and during pregnancy.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis
Therapeutic gymnastics should become a necessary part of life for people suffering from diseases such as osteochondrosis. Exercise therapy is able to break the vicious circle of the following components: physical inactivity, weakening of the back and neck muscles, destruction of vertebral discs, bed rest.
Before starting training, you should know the basic principles of therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis:
- In the presence of severe pain syndrome, exercise should not be performed during the exacerbation of the disease.
- Exercise should not increase pain.
- Complexes with tension in the back muscles should be replaced by relaxation complexes.
- All exercises are performed smoothly, without sudden movements, maintaining proper posture.
Each type of osteochondrosis has its own training complexes. However, it is recommended to train the entire musculoskeletal system to prevent the spread of the disease.