Degenerative-destructive lesion of the spine, otherwise:osteochondrosis- a disease involving damage to the human ligamentous and articular apparatus, intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies.
Osteochondrosis mainly affects older people, regardless of gender, although it should be noted that the disease has recently become younger. This rejuvenation of osteochondrosis is directly related to poor physical development in children and overweight in many adolescents. In addition, modern youths avoid sports and enjoy sitting in front of a TV or computer. The combination of these factors leads to weakening of the back muscles, posture disorders and other negative consequences for the spine.
Osteochondrosis and its causes
At the heart of the disease with osteochondrosis is a violation of the trophism of the vertebral and intervertebral discs, which changes the normal structure of tissues. As a result, the cartilage disc loses its normal elasticity and shape, reducing the width of the gaps between the vertebrae. Disruption of the intervertebral ratio leads to compression of the nerve endings of the spinal cord, as well as significant overload of the spinal muscles, which explains the manifestation of pain in osteochondrosis. In addition, with osteochondrosis, there are very serious complications, such as swelling of part of the intervertebral disc, as well as a vertebral hernia.
Degenerative-destructive changes in osteochondrosis in the future can spread to the intervertebral discs and small joints of the spine, causing the formation of bone protrusions in the vertebrae. People suffering from osteochondrosis find it difficult to perform flexion-extensor movements, and over time they may develop pathologies - scoliosis or kyphosis.
All of these degenerative-destructive lesions of the spine are usually the result of the inevitable physiological aging of the human body, but the process of osteochondrosis can be significantly accelerated for a number of reasons discussed later in this publication.
It should be noted immediately that there is no single cause for osteochondrosis, but there are many predisposing factors, and the main ones are:
- bruises, fractures, dislocations and other injuries of the spine;
- hereditary predisposition;
- various diseases of the foot that cause overload of the spine, such as sticks, flat feet, etc. , as well as prolonged wear of uncomfortable and tight shoes;
- obesity or overweight;
- natural age-related changes in the body;
- disruption of metabolic processes in the body;
- maintain a sedentary lifestyle;
- sudden cessation of professional sports;
- characteristics of professional activity, for example, frequent bending and turning of the body, lifting weights, restless body position during work;
- prolonged and frequent hypothermia aggravated by high humidity;
- the presence of frequent and prolonged stressful situations.
The presence of several or even one of the above factors can lead to the development of osteochondrosis, which is conventionally divided into four stages:
- The first stage- Decrease in the amount of moisture in the intervertebral disc with a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae. At this time, small cracks appear in the cartilage.
- The second stage- Due to the reduction of intervertebral spaces, the ligamentous and muscular apparatus sags, which leads to abnormal movement, displacement and sliding of vertebral bodies.
- The third stage- For progressive degenerative-destructive lesions of the spine, there is extrusion of intervertebral discs, as well as vertebral subluxations.
- The fourth stage- To prevent subluxations and abnormal vertebral mobility, bone osteophytes grow between the vertebrae, in folk medicine they are called "salt deposits", and over time the vertebrae lose mobility. With such bone growths, damage to the nerves and blood vessels near these vertebrae inevitably occurs.
It should be noted that patients do not feel pain in the first and fourth stages of osteoarthritis.
Osteochondrosis and its classification
Although there are many different classifications of osteochondrosis, the most common is the classification of osteochondrosis, which takes into account the location of the spinal cord injury:
- cervical lumbar osteochondrosis;
- osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine;
- lumbar osteochondrosis;
- sacral lumbar osteochondrosis;
- common osteochondrosis involving a disease of two or more vertebral units.
Osteochondrosis and its symptoms
Osteochondrosis, as a disease, is chronic and is characterized by changes in the remission and exacerbation stages, which are particularly characteristic of the symptoms of osteochondrosis, depending on the location and presence of spinal disease. about possible complications.
Thus, osteochondrosis of the cervical region will be characterized by pain in the direct neck, hands, a certain stiffness of movements, headaches and numbness of the fingers. Well, in the case of compression of the vertebral artery, the patient has a pulsating headache in nature, it is also possible to reduce the function of the hearing aid, dizziness and fainting.
The symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are slightly different. The patient is worried about back pain, which can be acute in nature, difficulty breathing with full breasts, pain in the heart, as well as a so-called sensation in folk medicine - "cola in the chest. "
In the case of lumbar injury, the symptoms of osteochondrosis manifest themselves with pain in the lower back, legs, sacrum, and intensify with movement. In addition, numbness of the legs is visible and various dysfunctions of the genitourinary organs may develop.
In remission, a sick person may also experience pain that is not pronounced and occurs only in the presence of stimuli, such as an uncomfortable position of the patient's body.
Osteochondrosis and its diagnosis
First of all, patients should take into account that a neurologist treats osteochondrosis. The diagnosis of osteochondrosis, as a rule, includes the following steps:
- to interrogate the patient;
- external examination and palpation of the patient's spine in different positions of the body, as well as the establishment of a range of possible movements;
- special studies for the diagnosis of osteochondrosis through magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, as well as X-ray examination of the patient;
- special studies of peripheral nerves and blood vessels, but only if necessary for the correct diagnosis of osteochondrosis.
If you do not treat osteochondrosis in a timely and proper manner, preferably not in folk medicine, then there is a risk of developing various complications in the form of diseases such as sciatica, disc herniation, migraine, vegetovascular dystonia. , and with lumbar osteochondrosis - both spinal strokes. Therefore, the diagnosis and treatment of osteochondrosis should be given due consideration, avoiding independent alternative therapies to prevent the development of the disease.
Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis
In the treatment of osteochondrosis in medical institutions, unlike traditional medicine, classical methods of its treatment are used. At the same time, the attending physician takes a strictly individual approach to the patient. To achieve effectiveness, the treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out in a comprehensive manner. Conservative methods of treatment of osteochondrosis are divided into the following groups:
- Drug treatment of osteochondrosis.
- Physiotherapeutic treatment of osteochondrosis with the use of special medical devices, especially magnetotherapy.
- Sanatorium treatment of osteochondrosis.
- Organization of proper nutrition with the help of a special diet.
Surgical intervention in the treatment of osteochondrosis
Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out only in cases where the above conservative methods do not give the desired effect. The most common surgical incision is the removal of an intervertebral hernia no larger than one centimeter, and the patient may be able to stand up the next day after such an operation. Well, the patient's full course of rehabilitation is completed within six months after surgery.
There is also a method of surgical treatment of osteochondrosis, in which the affected intervertebral disc is removed and replaced with a silicone implant or prosthesis, which restores the required distance between the vertebrae and, consequently, eliminates the symptoms of osteochondrosis.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
To prevent osteochondrosis, you must first do the following:
- Avoid increased stress on the spine by wearing comfortable shoes;
- try not to stay in an uncomfortable position of the body for a long time;
- manage your weight regularly to avoid excess yoke;
- maintain a correct posture at all times;
- when lifting weights, use both hands equally;
- do daily general strengthening exercises, as well as pay attention to regular yoga classes or the pool;
- follow a diet that includes foods such as fish, leafy vegetables and greens, dairy products, jellies and jellies, broths, eggs, butter and olive oil;
- Avoid alcohol, fizzy drinks, excessive coffee, salty foods and fatty meats.