Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease in which the intervertebral disc, types of diseases, symptoms and methods of treatment suffer.
The central part (pulse nucleus) of the intervertebral disc first swells and then shrinks, losing its absorbent properties. And the annular fibrosis, located on the periphery of the disc, becomes thin and cracks form in it.
When the nucleus pulposus penetrates this crack, a bulge appears and if the ring breaks, the gelatinous body falls, forming a disc herniation. With age, the risk of developing osteochondrosis increases significantly.
Important
Osteochondrosis can have different localization. The most common type is lumbosacral (in 50% of cases). Cervical osteochondrosis is often found (in 25% of cases), less often thoracic osteochondrosis. In 12% of cases, the damage to the intervertebral discs affects several parts of the spine at the same time - this is the most severe form of the disease.
Regardless of its location, the disease has several stages.
1st stagecharacterized by instability of the segments of the spine, which manifests itself in a violation of the disc.
2nd stageis expressed in the fact that the vertebrae are less fixed to each other due to the protrusion of the intervertebral disc. The gap between the vertebrae decreases.
On3rd stagethere are already serious deformities of the spine, such as destruction of the annular fibrosis and the formation of an intervertebral hernia. Pain syndromes and other symptoms largely depend on the location of the hernia, its shape and size.
On4th stageit is difficult for the patient to move, and sudden movements lead to sharp pain. Sometimes the pain decreases and the person's condition improves, but this is only an obvious progress due to the fact that between the vertebrae grows bone tissue that connects two vertebrae together.
Check yourself out
In cervical osteochondrosis there are:
- neck or lumbago pain radiating to the shoulder blades, back of the head or arms;
- tension in the muscles of the neck, to the touch - painful sensations;
- feeling of tingling of the tongue, its swelling;
- tingling and tingling sensation in the neck and arm;
- weakness of the muscles of the neck and shoulders.
With osteochondrosis of the chest:
- periodically there is sharp pain, as if a stake in the chest;
- there is a feeling that the chest is pressing the hoop;
- there is intercostal pain when walking. The pain increases with breathing and does not disappear after taking nitroglycerin, but is usually short-lived.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is characterized by:
- pain in the lumbar region, sometimes due to them it is impossible to straighten the back;
- pain radiating to the legs, sacrum, groin;
- loss of sensitivity of the legs, impaired mobility;
- cold feet, tingling and numbness.
On a note
Many people believe that sciatica is an independent disease. In fact, it is one of the manifestations of osteochondrosis. Damage to the intervertebral disc leads to the fact that the adjacent vertebrae are close to each other and can disrupt the bundles of nerve fibers extending from the spinal cord. Disc herniation can also compress nerve roots. In this case, pain occurs, which spreads along certain nerve fibers and, accordingly, gives it to one or another part of the body, most often to the waist and one of the legs, less often to the neck or arm.
There is also the term "lumbago". This is the name of a sharp pain in the lower back. It can occur during sudden movements, lifting weights, unsuccessful turns, long stays in an awkward position. During an attack a person often takes a forced position, any attempt to move increases the pain, often develops spasm of the muscles of the lumbar region. Lumbago is most often caused by osteochondrosis of the spine.
Risk factors
Tall people with poor posture or weakness of the back and abdominal muscles are prone to osteochondrosis; obesity; office workers leading a mostly sedentary lifestyle, as well as movers, construction workers who often carry heavy loads. It is also common in professional drivers with prolonged exposure to vibration.
Sports injuries with improper training lead to osteochondrosis. The disease often precedes former professional athletes who have abruptly stopped intense training.
Osteochondrosis is much more dangerous than it seems. It often causes dysfunction of many organs and systems. Sometimes the disease leads to severe unbearable pain, and pinching of the nerve roots - to partial or complete paralysis of the arm or leg.
If left untreated, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can cause dizziness, headaches and insomnia. Launched osteochondrosis of the chest is fraught with such complications as intercostal neuralgia. Lumbar osteochondrosis is dangerous with consequences such as progression of curvature of the spine and even greater destruction of the intervertebral discs, inflammation of the sciatic nerve (sciatica), serious disorders of the genitourinary system.
Patient note
For the treatment of exacerbations of osteochondrosis, conservative treatment is used in most cases. Its main purpose is to suppress pain and eliminate the pain-induced reflex muscle tension, stiffness of movements. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants are used for this.
In addition, drugs are used to accelerate recovery: B vitamins, agents that improve the blood supply to the spine and nutrition of nerve roots, biostimulants, as well as sedatives that support the nervous system, exhausted by prolonged pain.
Physiotherapeutic methods are used to improve blood circulation and relieve tissue swelling, muscle stimulation: magnetic and ultrasound therapy, phono- and electrophoresis, darsonvalization, electromyostimulation. Acupuncture, manual therapy, massage, mud applications are also used.
Traction treatment is used to unload the spine, increase the distance between the vertebrae. Successful prognosis for recovery is impossible without physiotherapy exercises that actively involve the patient in the treatment process.
Surgical treatment is used in severe, advanced cases.