Intervertebral osteochondrosis- pathology, from which the elderly suffered mainly earlier. Today, the disease also occurs in young patients. This is due to the fact that more and more people lead a sedentary lifestyle, spend a lot of time on the computer and do not pay proper attention to physical activity. Osteochondrosis develops with an unnatural position of the spine and weakness of the back muscles. The condition is successfully treated, but it is important to see a specialist as soon as possible!
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, which is characterized by injuries to the intervertebral discs, as well as to the vertebrae's own tissues. The pathology is dangerous due to a number of complications, the most serious of which are vertebral hernias and protrusions. It is very important to prevent the situation from worsening and start the treatment of dorsal osteochondrosis immediately.
Causes
The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis,according to many experts, the load is incorrectly distributed in the spine. The result of excess pressure is a change in the cartilage structure.
The development of osteochondrosis is also facilitated by factors such as:
- hereditary predisposition
- Spinal Injury
- metabolic disease
- lack of physical activity
- Pregnancy
- Stress
- Excess of work
- Overweight
- Bad habits
The risk group for morbidity includes office workers, drivers, cashiers and athletes.
stages of development
There are 4 stages of disease development:
- First step. . . It is characterized by dehydration of the disc nucleus between the vertebrae. Thereafter, the height of the disc is reduced. At this stage, the patient does not experience significant discomfort. Sometimes unpleasant sensations can occur during active exercise or in an unusual position.
- second stage. . . It is characterized by disc protrusion, in which the gaps between the vertebrae are reduced. As a result, the nerve endings are pinched, which causes local pain with increasing intensity with sudden movements.
- third stage. . . It is characterized by the abrasion of cartilage between the vertebral tissues. The symptoms of this phase are pronounced. Patients complain of intense pain that can only be relieved with potent medications
- stage four. . . It is characterized by limited complete or partial mobility.
It is better to start treatment for spinal osteochondrosis at the first symptoms! In that 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. . . This osteochondrosis occurs when there are disturbances in the cervical vertebrae. The most common symptoms of the pathology are acute pain when turning the head, sneezing and coughing and lumbago
- Breastplate. . . This osteochondrosis is less common than other forms. Acute pains are not characteristic of the pathology. Osteochondrosis is characterized by symptoms of a number of other diseases. Pain in the sternum, for example, makes the patient suspect angina
- Low back. . . This osteochondrosis occurs more often than other forms. This is because it is the lumbar spine that is most stressed. Patients complain not only of severe pain, but also of a numb feeling (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
- Feeling of stiffness in the back and lower back
- Numbness in limbs
- Muscle spasms or a feeling of weakness in them
- Chills and body aches
- Increased fatigue
- Dizziness and headaches caused by compressed nerve endings
In advanced stages, patients complain of sensory disturbances in the back, legs and arms, pain in the heart region, 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 body temperatures.
complications
Destructive processes that affect the discs between the vertebrae, reduce their density and cause loss of shock absorption capacity. This causes damage to muscles, joints and ligaments. With a long course of osteochondrosis, not only the individual nerve endings are compressed, but also the spinal cord as a whole, which leads to nervous system complications.
The deterioration of the blood supply to the whole body leads to an increase in the manifestations of chronic diseases.
Osteochondrosis can also cause pathologies such as:
- Lumbago(sharp pain in the lower back)
- Spondylosis(destruction of vertebrae)
- spinal stenosis, in which the work of the entire central nervous system is significantly impaired
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is performed by several instrumental methods. The main diagnosis is based on the examination and collection of anamnesis.
The doctor interviews the patient and clarifies:
- Time of onset of first symptoms
- duration of pain
- Characteristics of signs of a pathological condition
During inspection:
- The patient's body position is assessed while standing and sitting
- The amount of movement is determined
- The gait and changes in it are evaluated
- Skin condition is examined to identify areas of peeling and redness.
- Areas are probed where the patient is experiencing painful sensations
- The general condition of the body is evaluated
- The areas where the muscles spasm are determined
The main instrumental methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis include:
- x-ray exam. . . It allows you to determine the narrowing of gaps between individual vertebrae
- Computed tomography. . . During this study, the vertebrae that suffered during the pathological process are determined.
- magnetic resonance(Magnetic resonance imaging). This study is the most accurate and allows us to assess all destructive processes in the spine.
Treatment
The treatment of osteochondrosis is always carried out comprehensively.
Therapy includes:
- taking medications
- Massage
- Performing special exercises
- Physiotherapy
- Traction (including underwater)
- Manual therapy
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine is highly dependent on the symptoms.
Massage, for example, is prescribed when the patient does not feel 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 class, tissue nutrition improves, blood circulation increases. Physiotherapy helps even with reduced mobility. To achieve the desired results, exercise should be done regularly, slowly and gently, and monitor your breathing and heart rate. Before starting classes, consult a doctor. All exercises are supervised by an experienced instructor. Only in this case, treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine or other spine will alleviate the symptoms of the disease and eliminate its causes.
Physiotherapyeffective in combating pain. Typically, patients are referred for ultrasound therapy, magnetotherapy, and exposure to low-frequency currents. Physical therapy can normalize metabolic processes, reduce inflammation, improve joint mobility and relieve swelling.
rehabilitation treatment
Rehabilitation treatment for osteochondrosis of the spine is also carried out under the supervision of a physician. It is intended to restore health after pathology. Therapy is only performed 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 beams
- nutritional correction
- working with a psychologist
- visit to the sauna
- Whirlpool
- Application of curative mud
Patients are advised to undergo spa treatments at specialist institutions. In addition, therapy can be performed on an outpatient basis. Rehabilitation treatment for osteochondrosis of the lower back and other departments is complexly carried out in the same way as the main one. In this case, its high performance stands out.
Prophylaxis
If osteochondrosis prevention is done in a timely manner, you will not have to deal with treating the condition.
Experts have developed a series of preventive measures.
Consisting of:
- Restricting the lifting of heavy items
- proper nutrition
- Maintain a daily routine and rest regularly
- Swimming
- Take special food supplementscontaining elements valuable to cartilage tissue (mucopolysaccharides)
- doing simple exercises
If at work or at home you have to sit for a long time, you need to take regular breaks, get up, walk, relieve back strain.
All recommendations for the prevention of osteochondrosis will be given by a physician. By contacting him, you can prevent the development of a dangerous pathological process.
Benefits of treatment in a professional clinic:
- Employ highly qualified doctors. They carry out a comprehensive diagnosis of osteochondrosis and the treatment of this disease using modern techniques and the latest achievements.
- Osteochondrosis is treated with a unique injection method. It allows you to permanently and quickly eliminate pain and reduce tissue inflammation.
- The clinic has doctors who skillfully perform blocks and perform other specialized treatments, eliminating the symptoms of the disease, even in advanced stages.
- Experts have successfully implemented rehabilitation techniques that consolidate therapy outcomes and prevent the development of the pathological process. Thanks to this, patients, even in advanced stages of the disease, maintain physical activity.
- Doctors prevent numerous complications of osteochondrosis, including spinal curvature, hernia, and limb paralysis.
- Testing, therapy and disease prevention are always carried out in a comfortable environment for the patient. Attention is given to all who turn to professionals for help.
- Involvement in therapy not only of orthopedists, but also of other specialists.