Osteochondrosis is a disease, caused by destruction of the bone and cartilage of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine.
In the first place, where disease progression has been changed to the Central part of the spinal disc called the nucleus pulposus. Therefore, the vertebrae loses some of its shock absorbing properties and the fibrous ring at the periphery of the plate and formed a few expansion cracks.
Further progression osteochondrosis lead to complications – bulging disc or rupture of annulus fibrosus and intervertebral hernia as a result. Instability of the spine in the affected area causes pain and limited mobility of the head of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, as well as limited frame osteochondrosis mobility and thoracic spine the lumbar spine.
75% of the cases, osteochondrosis back pain is the reason. With age, the table, the degeneration of the tissues of the spine significantly more, so on average symptoms of spinal osteoarthritis detected a resident of that other planet over the age of 30.
Osteoarthritis Causes
Aggravating factors in the development of osteochondrosis is considered a back injury or persistent back strain when heavy physical Work or professional employment in conditions of vibration. If you have a lot to do with the loading of demolition and job, get the raise the car.
Early onset symptoms of osteoarthritis of the spine is called a weak physical development, flat feet, or excess weight. There is also a genetic tendency to loose the intervertebral discs abnormal structure and structure of the spine. Harmful for the health of the spine are also an intense workout at the gym violates the rules of distribution of load on the back, lack of exercise and poor diet.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The disease occurs in several typical symptoms. Degenerative disc disease of the spine characterized by: aching pain in back, numbness in the affected area of the spine, reducing range of motion, increased pain when lifting weights, sudden movements, coughing, straining during or sneezing.
Chronic pain as one of the causes the symptoms of osteochondrosis fatigue. When compressed nerve roots, discs, spine pain can be more intense sharp and carry the "shooting" nature. Its localization is in this case not back to the restricted area and feel the limb in the region.
Phase of osteochondrosis
The severity of symptoms of osteochondrosis depends on the stage of the disease. In the first stage of osteochondrosis of the spine the pain is almost not felt, if for nothing little bad and malaise resistance spinal injuries. The destruction of the fibrous ring, the entire spine reducing the cracks and the pain of different intensity – the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the second stage.
In the third stage of the disease is characterized by a significant deformation of the spinal bone and tissues, until the appearance of herniated discs. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the most severe fourth stage include mass bone growth, limited mobility, severe pain and complete or partial paralysis of the limbs caused by compression of the nerve roots.
Symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine often leads to violations of blood circulation, due to compression of blood vessels. This leads to severe headaches, dizziness and fainting. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the vertebral artery syndrome. It is characterized by a ringing sensation in the head, flashing "flies" or colored spots before my eyes. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine possible peripheral pain in the shoulders or arms.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can be added during different heart diseases. The disease causes the progression of neuralgia (compression of intercostal nerves). Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine occur with chest pain and a feeling of "Cola" close to the chest.
Symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine leads to the development of the following diseases: sciatica, lumbago so-called lumbar spine and sciatica.
Sciatica as one of the complications of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is characterized by lesions of the sciatic nerve pain in the buttocks, hypotonia (low tone) and calf gluteal muscles.
In lumbago symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar works a sharp pain in the lower back caused by the displacement of the vertebrae or a prolapsed spinal disc.
Lumbar sciatica, the second plate of a complication of degenerative disease of the lumbar spine herniated discs, lower back. It is accompanied by pain in the buttock radiating to the back, the thigh, popliteal fossa, lower leg and foot.
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis
A preliminary diagnosis of "osteochondrosis" is set to the neurologist after the first released revision of the complaints and the patient's back pain limited mobility. Stage osteoarthritis of the States, depending on the degree of deformation of the spine, posture of the patient and the number of affected discs.
All of the above symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the spine diagnosed using the feeling back to the patient. The doctor also draws attention to the state of muscle tone. Because in most cases the disease is accompanied by hypertonicity of the muscles.
With the help of the test bending of the spine is determined by the amplitude of the movements of the patient. Using x-ray, CT and MRI, the diagnosis is defined by defining the strategy and the future of treatment of osteochondrosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis apply conservative and surgical methods. The objective is to remove pain on and prevent the progression of spinal deformity.
Surgical treatment of degenerative disc disease of the spine applied in vain, if conservative treatment of the disease has been ineffective.
The active phase of the application of conservative methods lasts 2 months, on average. In the beginning it is possible some short-term pain syndrome, caused by a reaction to medications, occupational therapy (occupational therapy) and occupational therapy. Conservative treatment of osteoarthritis is also used massage, chiropractic, extractor fan and reflexology. The effectiveness of treatment of osteoarthritis depends on harmonised procedures for the perseverance of the patient and perform occupational therapy complexes.
Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis is performed when the hernia of the intervertebral discs, whose age is more than 6 months. Label use is also to reduce the gap between the vertebrae up to 1/3 of the original size of the compression of the spine and roots.
A leading method of surgical treatment of degenerative disc disease of the spine ct scan, that is, removing the deformed disk. Training can be invasive, full using endoscopic equipment the method of microdiscectomy B-Twin systems as well as the puncture laser vaporization of the core of the deformed plate.
After the surgical treatment of osteoarthritis of the expected rehabilitation period of 6 months. During it the patient is sent to a Spa during treatment, occupational therapy, manual therapy, acupuncture, etc.
Osteoarthritis treatment drugs
Currently, the degenerative disc disease that he is suffering from a huge number of people. Many of them even want to guess the problem. At the same time, if time does not start treatment, there will be complications, that feel the rest of my life. Osteochondrosis, as well as many other diseases, "younger", and affects largely the quality of life, beating out of normal rhythm.
Our article I will look at the disease, also in medical science and focuses on the method of treatment.
Low back pain and its types
Osteochondrosis is a deformation of the articular cartilage, the bone tissue of the spine and intervertebral discs.
Osteochondrosis paid:
- lumbar (lumbosacral),
- the cervix,
- breast.
Causes of osteoarthritis:
- bipedalism,
- curvature of the spine,
- injuries of the spine,
- flat feet,
- the use of camera lift,
- frequent changes of the torso
- long-term stay in uncomfortable positions
- overload of the spine,
- low physical activity and obesity,
- malnutrition
- stress.
The stages of development of osteochondrosis
- Because the comes to certain changes in the intervertebral disc, instability of the vertebrae. The back is very prone to injuries.
- Paid at the beginning of the destruction of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc. To reduce the intervertebral gap.
- There is rupture of the fibrous ring. The Nucleus pulposus is the intervertebral disc bulges. Due to the formation of a herniated disc is triggered by deformation of the spine.
- Paid severe pain syndrome. Due to the formation of bone tumors and ossification of the ligaments of the spine movements will be restricted.
Symptoms of degenerative disc disease
Lumbar (lumbosacral) Department:
- Constant back aching.
- The ache Sensation and numbness in the extremities.
- Decrease in motor activity.
- Increased pain when all the sudden movements, weight lifting, physical exertion sneezing during and coughing.
- Pain in the arm and the shoulders, headaches.
- Vertebral artery syndrome (burning, throbbing headache, dizziness, noise in the head, spots of colour "fly" in front of the eyes).
- Pain in internal organs, especially the chest ("count" in the chest) and heart.
Determination of the diagnosis
The diagnosis is confirmed access to a neurologist based on the patient's complaints (pain, limited mobility, etc.). He checked the spine with the patient standing, sitting and lying (at rest and in motion). Kun back check pay attention to your posture, features of the structure of the body, the lower corners of the blades, the lateral contours and the neck to the waist, the position of the shoulder girdle, etc. the doctor then typically refers the patient to x-rays, or CT, MRI, clarifying the focus and the diagnosis, is determined by the degree of the damage and identify the hidden deviations from the norm. Based on these data, the neurologist will determine the proper treatment. Typically, this is a complex treatment, including the use of drugs, massage therapy, occupational therapy and other methods.
Osteoarthritis treatment drugs
First, the central role of the environment, that the initial stage of the development of osteoarthritis in certain cases it is possible to do without drugs. It is enough for the application of medical gymnastics, various applicators (roll "Lyapko", that on top of the massage device), as well as reduce stress and eliminate other causes of the disease. If the symptoms are getting stronger, and studies have shown characteristic changes, man should be connected to the drug, which can help effect and cause the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
For the treatment of degenerative disc disease of the drugs have shown, in the period of exacerbation and the purpose is to remove the inflammatory process, pain and strengthens exchange processes, due to internal ingestion or medicinal products, using injections.
Due to the fact that osteoarthritis is a systemic disease that affects and different organ systems, the treatment should be comprehensive. Drugs for the treatment of degenerative disc disease perform the following tasks:
- pain relief,
- elimination of inflammation,
- improves blood circulation to the affected tissues,
- the regeneration of cartilage tissue,
- return joint mobility,
- the elimination of depression caused by constant pain.
Symptoms of degenerative disc disease
The disease affects different parts of the back. The vertebrae beginning, can change the shape of the neck, chest or waist. Generally manifest such symptoms immediately, lower back pain can be for a time uncomfortable. Gradually the pain, especially in the evening hours, weakness in the hands and feet, dizziness. However, every appearance of degenerative spine disease, this has its own characteristic features.
The first symptoms of this disease, such as cervical osteochondrosis as follows:
- headache, which doesn't help the tablets;
- paralysis of the arms;
- ringing in the ears;
- loss of consciousness;
- hiccups shortness of breath and during the day.
Osteochondrosis of the Thoracic Signs are:
- pain in the intercostal region;
- frequent cough;
- the feeling of a lump in the throat;
- cardialgia, with high blood pressure;
- pain such as appendicitis.
Lumbar degenerative disc disease is symptoms, such as:
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- numbness of the lower extremities;
- "shooting" back;
- paralysis of the legs;
- tingling sensation in the extremities.
The characters are all of These are osteoarthritis nun a manifestation of seeking medical attention. It is very important not to ignore pain in the neck, chest and waist. He symptoms can include heart and lung disease.