Intervertebral osteochondrosis- pathology, which the elderly mainly suffered in the past. Today, the disease also occurs in young patients. This is due to the fact that an increasing number of people lead a sedentary lifestyle, spend a lot of time at the computer and do not take proper account of physical activity. Osteochondrosis develops with an unnatural position in the spine and weakness in the back muscles. Pathology is treated successfully, but it is important to consult a specialist as early as possible!
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, which is characterized by lesions of the intervertebral discs as well as tissue in the vertebrae themselves. Pathology is dangerous by a number of complications, the most serious of which are vertebral hernias and protrusions. It is very important to prevent the situation from getting worse and to start treatment for osteochondrosis in the back immediately.
Causes
The main cause of the development of osteochondrosis,according to many experts, the load is incorrectly distributed on the spine. The result of overpressure is a change in the structure of the cartilage.
The development of osteochondrosis is also facilitated by factors such as:
- Hereditary disposition
- Injuries to the spine
- Metabolic disease
- Lack of physical activity
- Pregnancy
- Stress
- Overtime
- Overweight
- Bad habits
The morbidity risk group includes office workers, drivers, cashiers, and athletes.
Stages of development
There are 4 stages of the development of the disease:
- First stage. . . It is characterized by dehydration of the disc nucleus between the vertebrae. Subsequently, the disc height is reduced. At this stage, the patient does not experience significant discomfort. Sometimes unpleasant sensations can occur during active training or in an unusual position.
- Second stage. . . It is characterized by protrusions of discs, where the gaps between the vertebrae are reduced. As a result, nerve endings become pinched, causing local pain of increasing intensity with sudden movements
- Third stage. . . It is characterized by wear on cartilage between the vertebral tissues. The symptoms at this stage are pronounced. Patients complain of severe pain that can only be relieved with powerful drugs
- Phase four. . . It is characterized by complete or partial limited mobility.
It is better to start treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine at the first symptoms! In this case, the chances of a complete recovery are quite high.
Types of osteochondrosis
Depending on the place of origin of the pathological process, several types of osteochondrosis are distinguished:
- Cervical. . . Such osteochondrosis occurs when there are disorders in the cervical vertebrae. The most common symptoms of the pathology are acute pain when turning the head, sneezing and coughing and lumbago
- Breast. . . Such osteochondrosis is less common than other forms. Acute pain is uncharacteristic of pathology. Osteochondrosis is characterized by symptoms of a number of other diseases. Pain in the sternum, for example, causes the patient to suspect angina
- Loin. . . Such osteochondrosis occurs more often than other forms. This is because it is the lower back that experiences increased stress. Patients complain not only of severe pain but also feeling of numbness (including in the legs)
In some cases, coccyx osteochondrosis is diagnosed. There is also the concept of mixed pathology, where 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 in the ribs
- Feeling of stiffness in the back and lower back
- Numbness in the limbs
- Muscle spasms or a feeling of weakness in them
- Chills and pain in the body
- Increased fatigue
- Dizziness and headache caused by pinched nerve endings
In advanced stages, patients complain of sensory disturbances in the back, legs and arms, pain in the heart area, disturbances in the function of the genitals (eg difficulty urinating).
Symptoms of pathology often intensify after hard work, intense sports, exposure to low body temperatures.
Complications
Destructive processes affecting 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 individual nerve endings are pressed, but also the spinal cord as a whole, leading to complications from the nervous system.
Deterioration of blood supply to the whole body leads to an increase in the manifestations of chronic diseases.
Osteochondrosis can also cause such pathologies as:
- Lumbago(acute low back pain)
- Spondylosis(destruction of the vertebrae)
- Spinal stenosis, where the work of the entire central nervous system is significantly impaired
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is performed using a number of instrumental methods. The primary diagnosis is made on the basis of examination and collection of anamnesis.
The doctor interviews the patient and clarifies:
- Time of onset of the first symptoms
- Duration of pain
- Functions of signs of a pathological condition
During the 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 assessed
- The condition of the skin is examined to identify areas of peeling and redness
- Areas are examined where the patient experiences painful sensations
- The general condition of the body is assessed
- Areas where the muscles cramp are determined
The main instrumental methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis include:
- X-ray examination. . . It allows you to determine the narrowing of the gaps between the individual vertebrae
- Computed tomography. . . During such an examination, the vertebrae that have suffered during the pathological process are determined.
- MR(MRI scanning). This study is the most accurate and allows you to assess all the destructive processes in the spine.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis is always performed in a comprehensive manner.
The therapy includes:
- Taking medicine
- Massage
- Performing special exercises
- Physiotherapy
- Traction (including underwater)
- Manual therapy
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervix, thorax, lumbar spine largely depends on the symptoms.
Massagefor example, is prescribed when the patient does not have severe pain. The sessions allow you to reduce muscle tone, improve blood flow and strengthen intervertebral discs.
Physiotherapyallows you to strengthen the muscles of the back, to form a reliable corset that ensures the correct distribution of the load on the spine. During the lesson, tissue nutrition improves, blood circulation increases. Physiotherapy helps even with reduced mobility. To achieve the desired results, exercise should be performed regularly, slowly and smoothly, and monitor your breathing and heart rate. Before starting the course, consult a doctor. All exercises are supervised by an experienced instructor. Only in this case, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lower back or other spine will relieve the symptoms of the disease and eliminate its causes.
Physiotherapyeffective in combating pain. Patients are usually referred for ultrasound treatment, magnetotherapy, and exposure to low-frequency currents. Physiotherapy allows you to normalize metabolic processes, reduce inflammation, improve joint mobility and relieve swelling.
Rehabilitation treatment
Rehabilitation treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine is also performed under the close supervision of a physician. It aims to restore health after pathology. Therapy is performed only when the pain subsides and the patient no longer experiences severe discomfort.
The most popular recovery techniques include:
- Regular swimming
- Manual therapy
- Massage
- Electrophoresis and magnetotherapy
- Treatment by exposing the affected area to laser beams
- Nutrition correction
- Working with a psychologist
- Sauna visit
- Hydromassage
- Use of healing mud
Patients are advised to undergo spa treatment at specialized institutions. The therapy can also be performed on an outpatient basis. Rehabilitation treatment of osteochondrosis of the lower back and other wards is performed in a complex in the same way as the main one. In this case, its high performance is noted.
Prophylaxis
If the prevention of osteochondrosis is carried out in a timely manner, you do not need to deal with the treatment of pathology.
Specialists have developed a whole range of preventive measures.
It consists of:
- Restriction of lifting heavy objects
- Proper nutrition
- Maintain a daily routine and get regular rest
- Swimming
- Take special supplementscontaining elements valuable for cartilage tissue (mucopolysaccharides)
- Do simple exercise
If you have to spend a lot of time sitting or working at home, take regular breaks, get up, walk, relieve tension from your back.
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:
- It employs highly qualified doctors. They perform both a comprehensive diagnosis of osteochondrosis and treatment of this disease using modern techniques and the latest results.
- Treatment of osteochondrosis is performed using a unique injection method. It allows you to permanently and quickly remove pain and reduce inflammation in the tissues.
- The clinic employs physicians who skillfully perform blockades and perform other specialized treatments, eliminating the symptoms of the disease, even in advanced stages.
- Specialists have successfully implemented rehabilitation techniques that consolidate the results of therapy and prevent the development of the pathological process. Thanks to this, patients, even with advanced stages of the disease, maintain physical activity.
- Doctors prevent many complications of osteochondrosis, which include curvature of the spine, hernia and paralysis of the limbs.
- Examinations, therapy and disease prevention are always performed in a comfortable environment for the patient. Emphasis is placed on anyone who turns to professionals for help.
- Involvement in therapy not only by orthopedists but also by other specialists.