Intervertebral osteochondrosis- pathology, from which the elderly have mostly suffered before. 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 pay due attention to physical activity. Osteochondrosis develops with an unnatural position of the spine and weakness of the back muscles. The pathology is successfully treated, but it is important to consult a specialist as soon as possible!
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine characterized by lesions of the intervertebral discs as well as the vertebral tissues themselves. The pathology is dangerous with numerous complications, the most serious of which are spinal hernias and protrusions. It is very important to prevent the situation from getting worse and start treatment for osteochondrosis of the back immediately.
Causes
The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis, ,according to many experts, the load is irregularly distributed on the spine. Excessive pressure results in a change in cartilage structure.
The development of osteochondrosis is facilitated by factors such as:
- Hereditary predisposition
- Spinal cord injury
- Metabolic disease
- Lack of physical activity
- Pregnancy
- Stress
- Overwork
- Overweight
- Bad habits
The risk group for morbidity are office workers, drivers, cashiers and athletes.
Stages of development
There are 4 stages of disease development:
- The first phase. . . It is characterized by dehydration of the disc nucleus between the vertebrae. After that, the height of the disc decreases. At this stage, the patient does not feel significant discomfort. Sometimes uncomfortable feelings can occur during active exercise or in an unusual position.
- Second phase. . . It is characterized by a protrusion of the discs in which the gaps between the vertebrae are reduced. As a result, the nerve endings are pinched, causing local pain with increasing intensity with sudden movements
- The third phase. . . It is characterized by wear of cartilage between vertebral tissues. The symptoms of this phase are pronounced. Patients complain of severe pain that can only be relieved with strong medications
- The fourth phase. . . It is characterized by complete or partial limited mobility.
It is better to start treatment for osteochondrosis of the spine at the first symptoms! In this case, the chances of a full recovery are quite high.
Types of osteochondrosis
Depending on the place of origin of the pathological process, there are several types of osteochondrosis:
- Cervical. . . Such osteochondrosis occurs when there are disorders in the cervical spine. The most common symptoms of the pathology are acute pain when turning the head, sneezing and coughing and lumbago
- Pectoral. . . Such osteochondrosis is less common than other forms. Acute pain is not characteristic of the pathology. Osteochondrosis is characterized by the symptoms of a number of other diseases. For example, chest pain causes a patient to suspect angina
- Lumbar. . . Such osteochondrosis occurs more often than other forms. This is due to the fact that the lumbar spine experiences increased stress. Patients complain not only of severe pain, but also of feeling numb (including legs)
In some cases, osteochondrosis of the coccyx is diagnosed. There is also the concept of mixed pathology in which 2 parts of the spine are involved in the pathological process. In 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 are:
- 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 cramps or a feeling of weakness in them
- Horror and pain in the body
- Increased fatigue
- Dizziness and headaches caused by pinched nerve endings
In the advanced stages, patients complain of sensory disturbances in the back, legs and arms, pain in the heart area, disturbances in the functioning of the genitourinary system (for example, difficulty urinating).
The symptoms of the 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 a loss of shock-absorbing ability. This causes damage to muscles, joints and ligaments. With a long course of osteochondrosis, not only individual nerve endings are compressed, but also the spinal cord as a whole, leading to complications by the nervous system.
Deterioration of blood flow to the whole body leads to an increase in the manifestations of chronic diseases.
Osteochondrosis can also cause such pathologies as:
- Lumbago(acute pain in the lumbar region)
- Spondylosis(destruction of vertebrae)
- Spinal stenosis, in which the work of the entire central nervous system is significantly impaired
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is made by 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 explains:
- Time of onset of first symptoms
- Duration of pain
- Characteristics of signs of a pathological condition
During the examination:
- The position of the patient's body is assessed while standing and sitting
- The amount of movement is determined
- Gait and changes in it are assessed
- The condition of the skin is examined to identify areas of peeling and redness
- Areas where the patient feels painful sensations are examined
- The general condition of the organism is assessed
- The areas where the muscles contract are determined
The main instrumental methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis include:
- X-ray examination. . . It allows you to determine the narrowing of the gaps between individual vertebrae
- Computed tomography. . . During such research, vertebrae that have suffered during the pathological process are identified.
- MRI(Magnetic resonance imaging). This study is the most accurate and allows you to assess all the destructive processes in the spine.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis is always carried out in a comprehensive manner.
Therapy includes:
- Taking medication
- Massage
- Performing special exercises
- Physiotherapy
- Towing (including underwater)
- Manual therapy
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine depends largely on the symptoms.
Massage, for example, is prescribed when the patient has no severe pain. Sessions allow you to reduce muscle tone, improve blood flow and strengthen intervertebral discs.
Physiotherapyallows you to strengthen your back muscles, forming a reliable corset that ensures proper load distribution on the spine. During the lesson, tissue nutrition improves, blood circulation increases. Physical therapy helps even with reduced mobility. To achieve the desired results, the exercises should be done regularly, slowly and smoothly, and the breathing and heart rate should be monitored. Be sure to consult a doctor before starting classes. All exercises are supervised by an experienced instructor. Only in this case, treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar or other spine will alleviate the symptoms of the disease and eliminate its causes.
Physiotherapyeffective in combating pain. Patients are usually referred for ultrasound therapy, 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 carried out under the strict supervision of a physician. It is intended to restore health after pathology. Therapy is carried out only when the pain subsides and the patient no longer feels strong discomfort.
The most popular restoration techniques include:
- Regular swimming
- Manual therapy
- Massage
- Electrophoresis and magnetotherapy
- Treatment by exposing the affected area to laser beams
- Diet correction
- Work with a psychologist
- Visit to the sauna
- Hydromassage
- Application of medicinal mud
Patients are recommended spa treatment in specialized institutions. Also, the therapy can be performed on an outpatient basis. Rehabilitation treatment of osteochondrosis of the lower back and other departments is carried out in the same way as the main one. In this case, its high performance is noticed.
Prophylaxis
If the prevention of osteochondrosis is carried out on time, you will not have to deal with the treatment of the pathology.
Experts have developed a whole range of preventive measures.
It consists of:
- Restricting the lifting of heavy objects
- Proper nutrition
- Maintaining a daily routine and regular rest
- Swimming
- Taking special dietary supplementscontains elements valuable for cartilage tissue (mucopolysaccharides)
- Performing simple exercises
If you have to spend a lot of time sitting at work or at home, you need to take regular breaks, get up, walk, relieve tension from your back.
All recommendations for the prevention of osteochondrosis will be given by a doctor. By contacting him, you can prevent the development of a dangerous pathological process.
Advantages of treatment in a professional clinic:
- It employs highly qualified doctors. They also conduct a comprehensive diagnosis of osteochondrosis and treatment of this disease using modern techniques and the latest developments.
- Treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out by a unique method of injection. It allows you to permanently and quickly remove pain and reduce inflammation in the tissues.
- The clinic employs doctors who skillfully perform blockades and perform other specialized treatments, removing the symptoms of the disease, even in the advanced stages.
- Specialists have successfully implemented rehabilitation techniques that consolidate the results of therapy and prevent the development of a pathological process. Thanks to this, patients, even in the advanced stages of the disease, maintain physical activity.
- Doctors prevent a number of complications of osteochondrosis, including curvature of the spine, hernias, and paralysis of the limbs.
- Examinations, therapy and disease prevention are always carried out in a comfortable environment for the patient. Attention is paid to everyone who turns to professionals for help.
- Involvement in therapy not only of orthopedists, but also of other specialists.