Osteochondrosis is a disease characterized by degenerative changes in the cartilaginous tissues of the spine. Lack of proper therapy leads to a violation of the structure and dysfunction of the intervertebral discs, spinal deformation. Depending on the location of the pathological process, there are the following types of osteochondrosis: cervical, thoracic, lumbar. As statistics show, this disease is observed in more than half of the world population in people over 35 years. The main reasons for its development are injuries, systematic unequal loads on the spine and legs.
What is it
Talking about what is osteochondrosis, it is necessary to say that this disease causes a violation of the tissue structure of the intervertebral discs, reducing their elasticity and changing their shape. At the same time, there is a reduction in the distance between them, which ends up leading to a loss of spinal stability.
As a result of the contraction of the intervertebral space, the nerve endings coming from the spinal cord are compressed. This causes an increase in muscle tone and pain.
A decrease in elasticity causes the formation of intervertebral hernias and the development of protrusion (a condition in which the vertebrae begin to protrude into the spinal canal without rupturing the annulus fibrosus). And if the treatment is performed incorrectly or completely absent, this will lead to the degradation of the spinal joints and ligaments, with the subsequent formation of osteophytes (bone processes).
The development of osteochondrosis causes a violation of motor functions. The person becomes bothered by constant pain in the area of the pathological focus, which intensifies during flexion/extension of the back. There is a high probability of subluxation, back curvature.
As a rule, the first symptoms of the disease appear in people during the period of physiological aging of the body. But there are situations where the pathology starts to develop much earlier. And the reason for this is usually the wrong way of life.
In medicine, there is also chondrosis, and it has similar symptoms and aetiology. What is the difference between chondrosis and osteochondrosis? It's simple. Chondrosis is the initial stage in the development of osteochondrosis, when the processes of replacement of tissues damaged by fibrosis and formation of osteophytes in the spine have not yet started. When there is marked deformation of the spine and the formation of new processes, we are talking about osteochondrosis.
provocative factors
What is chondrosis and osteochondrosis - I found out. Now we must talk about the reasons for its development. After all, if you don't eliminate them, the treatment of the disease will not allow you to achieve a positive dynamic. As noted earlier, the main reason for the onset of the pathology is an uneven load on the spine. It can be caused by:
- carrying heavy bags on one shoulder or in one hand;
- inadequate posture when sitting;
- sleep on a soft mattress, pillow top;
- wear uncomfortable and anatomically incorrect shoes.
And osteochondrosis of the spine can also develop against the background:
- hypodynamic (accompanied by decreased blood circulation, decreased muscle tone, shortness of breath);
- passive lifestyle;
- obesity;
- injuries (fractures, sprains, bruises);
- flat foot;
- other degenerative diseases that lead to poor circulation in the spine.
Highlighting the causes of osteochondrosis of the spine, it should also be noted:
- frequent physical stress;
- neuroemotional exhaustion;
- metabolic disorders;
- intoxication (drug, chemical);
- digestive tract pathology;
- genetic predisposition;
- scoliosis;
- hypovitaminosis;
- pregnancy;
- smoke;
- drink alcoholic drinks;
- prolonged / frequent dehydration.
There are many reasons for the development of dorsal osteochondrosis. Most of the time, its occurrence occurs immediately in the context of the influence of several factors (eg trauma, passive lifestyle, smoking, prolonged stay in incorrect posture). It can only be established through a complete diagnosis, anamnesis study.
stages of development
Before talking about what to do if chondrosis starts to develop, it is also necessary to talk about its stages of development, as not only the severity of symptoms, but also treatment tactics depend directly on them. There are 4 degrees in total:
- First step. At this stage, pathological processes occur in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc. It shows dehydration (dehydration), which ends up contributing to the reduction of its height and the formation of fissures in the fibrous annulus. There is no symptomatic picture at this stage of the disease. A person may experience only slight discomfort in the back area after intense physical exertion, being in an uncomfortable position for a long time, etc.
- Second stage. It is accompanied by a narrowing of the intervertebral space, flaccidity of the vertebral muscles and ligaments. These changes lead to increased mobility of the vertebrae. And any provocative factor can cause them to shift or slip. As for the symptoms, at this stage patients already have back discomfort and pain that occur with certain types of loads, pos.
- Third stage. It is characterized by the appearance of prolapses and bumps, subluxations, arthrosis of the intervertebral joints. At this stage, the disease usually causes rigidity of movement, tingling sensation in the pathological area and numbness. The painful syndrome has a pronounced character, it occurs periodically even at rest, in the absence of heavy loads.
- Stage four. At this stage, the body is trying to adapt to the disturbances that have arisen. Your task is to do everything possible to improve the fixation of the spine. To do this, it begins to form osteophytes - bony formations that replace voids in the spine. However, in this way, the body not only helps itself, but also harms. After all, osteophytes lead to pinched nerves, injuries to healthy vertebrae. And this becomes the reason for the development of fibrous ankylosis in the joints and intervertebral discs (increase in the volume of fibrous tissue with its simultaneous fusion with the cartilage debris). If a person has microtrauma and infraction at the same time, the severity of the pain syndrome increases. In its absence, the clinical picture disappears.
Symptoms
Talking about what osteochondrosis is and how to get rid of it, one cannot fail to mention the symptoms with which it can manifest itself. The main sign of its development is the presence of discomfort or pain in the neck, chest and lower back. The severity of the sensations depends directly on the degree of development of the disease.
A visual examination of the patient reveals a curvature of the spine in the transverse or longitudinal plane. They are most often seen in the lower back or neck, less frequently in the chest.
If we talk about the patient's own feelings, then among them there is periodic or constant fatigue in the back region, as well as pain, which can be both eroding and pronounced, depending on the severity of the pathological processes. Can be found at:
- neck,
- shoulder girdle;
- chest;
- lumbar region;
- perineum.
In this case, rigidity of movements is possible, which makes it difficult to perform household tasks. It usually occurs in the upper limbs. The symptomatic image can be complemented by other signs. It all depends on the location of the focus, its severity and the characteristics of the organism. If a patient has disc displacement, protrusion, hernia, osteophytes, it usually leads to impaired blood circulation, spinal canal dysfunction, edema, fibrosis, pinching. All of this causes the appearance of symptoms that can complicate the diagnosis and lead to a wrong diagnosis.
Talking about how osteochondrosis manifests itself, it is necessary to highlight the most common symptoms that patients complain about. These include:
- pain arising in the neck, lower back, shoulder girdle, ribs;
- stiffness of movement, discomfort in the morning on waking, bending, turning;
- numbness in arms, legs, neck;
- discomfort in joints and back muscles;
- frequent dizziness, migraines;
- quick fatigability;
- hurt;
- violation of the sensitivity of the upper limbs;
- decreased muscle tone.
The signs of osteochondrosis depend directly on the location of the pathological focus:
- Cervical department. In this case, the pain is located in the neck, arms, shoulder girdle. It can hit shoulder blades and shoulders. Cervical osteochondrosis can also manifest as headaches, tinnitus, "shivering" before the eyes, and dizziness.
- Chest section. With this pathology, pain occurs in the chest. May sag at the top of the shoulder, underarms. It often causes discomfort and pain in the heart region. May cause respiratory system dysfunction, shortness of breath.
- Lumbosacral region. Pain syndrome predominates in the lumbar spine. It also manifests as discomfort in the legs, hips and pelvic organs. Often causes sexual dysfunction.
Any spinal discomfort is a serious reason to see a doctor.
The presence of signs such as tiredness in the back, pain can also indicate not only the appearance of the disease in question, but also the addition of other diseases that have nothing to do with dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs. The diagnosis of osteochondrosis or chondrosis can only be made by an experienced doctor after a complete diagnosis.
Diagnosis
What causes osteochondrosis and how it can manifest, we talked about. But I must say that it will not work to make the correct diagnosis based on a visual examination and the patient's own feelings alone. To do this, you must pass a complete exam, which necessarily includes:
- Cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine x-ray (depending on the area of discomfort);
- myelography;
- neurological examination of sensitivity, reflexes.
As additional diagnostic methods are used:
- CT;
- Magnetic resonance;
- NMR.
To exclude the presence of inflammatory or infectious diseases, laboratory tests are also prescribed:
- THE AM;
- YOU ACCEPTED;
- blood chemistry.
If necessary, a consultation with specialists with a more restricted profile is indicated.
treatment methods
Unlike chondrosis, with osteochondrosis in the crest region, there is a chronic process that cannot be eliminated by conservative methods. But that doesn't mean there's no need to fight him. The lack of proper therapy can lead to serious consequences - the spine is deformed, fibrous tissue will appear in place of the bone structures, which is not able to perform the necessary functions, the person will be incapacitated.
conservative therapy
What to do about osteochondrosis, your doctor will tell you. As a rule, with this disease, the following methods are used:
- Drug therapy. In this case, medications are used to eliminate the painful sensations, relieve inflammation, and restore metabolism. If the patient has severe pain, drug blocks are used, which, in addition to the analgesic effect, help to reduce the severity of the musculoskeletal syndrome. There are the following types of blocks used in osteochondrosis: trigger point, intraosseous, facet, paravertebral, epidural block.
- Physiotherapy activities. They are also used to reduce pain and improve the effectiveness of medications. Most often for osteochondrosis, ultrasound therapy, magnetic fields, low frequency currents, laser beams, etc. they're used.
- Physiotherapy and kinesiotherapy. All patients, without exception, are prescribed exercise therapy. It is carried out under the supervision of experts. Provides posture correction, increasing muscle tone, relieving nervous tension. Systematic performance of special exercises also helps to increase disc clearances to distribute the load evenly over the musculoskeletal system.
- Massage. Manual massage helps to normalize blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms and pinching. If the patient has nervous system disorders, hydromassage is prescribed.
- Manual therapy. It is individually selected for each patient. Provides normalization of lymphatic flow, blood circulation, metabolism, spinal mobility. Prevents the development of complications, strengthens the immune system.
- Spinal traction. This method involves stretching the spine with special equipment. Thus, it is possible to obtain an increase in the intervertebral space and reduce the manifestation of osteochondrosis.
surgical treatment
If conservative treatment does not help to eliminate the signs of osteochondrosis and does not provide any positive dynamics, they resort to surgical intervention. Indications for this are:
- cauda equina syndrome, which develops in the presence of a massive hernia;
- spinal canal stenosis with compression of the brain and neurovascular bundles;
- combination of osteochondrosis with significant spondylolisthesis with severe segment instability;
- root compression at the level of the L5 lumbar segment;
- cervical osteochondrosis, occurring with discogenic syndrome of the vertebral arteries.
The treatment of osteochondrosis by surgery can be performed in several ways:
- Laminotomy. This type of operation involves removing a fragment of the bone structure and ligamentum flavum.
- Laminectomy. During this, most of the spine that borders the spinal canal is removed.
- Foraminotamia. The purpose of the operation is to expand the root canal.
- Dysectomy. In this operation, partial or complete removal of the intervertebral disc is performed.
- Laser vaporization of the disk core. It is carried out with the participation of a special LED, which guarantees the partial destruction of the disc, which leads to the reverse development of the hernia.
How to get rid of osteochondrosis, only the doctor decides. It is necessary to understand that each case is individual, and the choice of one or another surgical intervention method depends on the location of the pathology, its severity, the patient has other diseases.
traditional methods
At home, you can treat an illness of the spine. But this should only be done in cases where symptoms of chondrosis still exist (early stages of disease development) and after previous consultation with a doctor.
Talking about what helps with chondrosis, the following alternative medicine recipes should be highlighted:
- You need to take 1 kg of coarse salt, mix with 3 tbsp. I. dry mustard, add 100 ml of water, mix everything well. The resulting porridge should be placed on a low heat and heated to a temperature of 50 degrees. The mixture is applied to the painful area, a film is placed over the top and a warm handkerchief. With this compress, the patient has to lie down until it cools completely. After the procedure, it is necessary to remain warm for another 2 hours.
- Pour 1. 5 liters of water into a pan, add 3 handfuls of sawdust and bring the resulting mixture to a boil, then strain. The sawdust is placed on a plastic film, previously covered with a sheet on the bed. A gauze napkin is placed on top of the sawdust, then they lie on top of it and cover it with a warm blanket. So lie for 30 to 40 minutes.
- Take 200g of cinquefoil roots, 100g of Potentilla roots, 100g of elecampane. The herbs are placed in a 3-liter jar, filled to the brim with vodka. The resulting composition is placed in a dark place for 3 weeks and then filtered. Take 3 times a day before meals, 1 tablespoon. I. throughout the month. Then take a 10-day break and repeat the course.
It is difficult to treat osteochondrosis. It is difficult to respond to conservative methods of therapy. But if you combine them with proper nutrition, home treatment, exercise therapy, and all the doctor's recommendations, the patient will have every chance of getting rid of the pains that plague him and preventing the development of complications.