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Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine

Osteochondrosisis a disease of the spine, the hallmark 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 serious complications such as protrusion (protrusion 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 has back problems after 30 years.In 70% of cases, the cause of back pain is considered to be osteochondrosis, which is a neurological disease that affects the spinal ligaments.

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

Depending on the location of the 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 a poorly distributed load on the spine.As a result, in patients, directly in those 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 on the spine.
  • Lifestyle: lack of activity, inadequate diet with a predominance of harmful foods.
  • Being overweight.
  • Bad habits – smoking, alcoholism.
  • Stress, fatigue.
  • Pregnancy.

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

Development stages

The development of osteochondrosis occurs in 4 distinct phases:

Stage 1 osteochondrosis

It is characterized by the appearance 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 generally does not feel any changes.Discomfort may occur when sitting in an unusual position for a person or when actively exercising.

Stage 2

In the second stage of osteochondrosis, continued degenerative changes lead 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 compressed, which causes the appearance of pinpoint 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 abrasion of the cartilaginous lining between the discs;tissue thinning 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 analgesics can relieve it.drugs.

Stage 4

The fourth stage is the most complex neurological disorders of 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 spine 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 in the back during certain movements, lifting something;
  • numbness in the extremities (arms and/or legs);
  • feeling of pain in the arms and legs, chills;
  • muscle spasms;
  • disturbances in the functioning of the genital organs;
  • headaches, dizziness;
  • pain in the heart region;
  • sensory disturbance;
  • muscular hypotension;
  • increased fatigue, sometimes even in the eyes.

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

Complications

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

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 diagnosis plays a key role in this disease.Conventional radiography can reveal signs of the disease, such as narrowing of the space between the vertebrae.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a research method that allows 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, single 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, experts prescribe drugs that have the following properties: relieve inflammation, restore the functions of the musculoskeletal system, stimulate the regeneration of tissues of intervertebral discs and cartilage, and prevent the progression of osteochondrosis.

Treatment of osteochondrosis follows the traditional path of treatment for 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.

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 joint treatment is carried out, blood circulation processes are improved and the immune system is strengthened.It allows you to prevent the exacerbation of various chronic diseases.

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

Physiotherapy helps to effectively combat painful manifestations in those places where the pathological process is located.There are many types of physiotherapeutic interventions.Most often 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 necessary.The issue needs to be addressed comprehensively:

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