Osteochondrosis is a disease in which degenerative stretching processes occur in the fabrics of the spine.The defeat of the intervertebral discs, the joint surfaces that adapt to them are developing, the bodies of the vertebrae, the binding apparatus.As a rule, initially, with osteochondrosis, pathological changes occur in the bones and ligaments.In addition, a person is guessed on the onset of the disease only when he begins to suffer from the complications of this state: back pain, compromised sensitivity, muscle atrophy, compromised functions of the internal organs.
This disorder is widespread among modern people: according to various sources, up to 90% of the world population suffers from osteochondrosis.Basically, the disease affects people who are already 30 years old.To date, lumbar osteochondrosis (about half of the cases is often revealed.
Osteochondrosis phase
The disease develops in a person in phases.In the first phase of the progression of the disease, the process of dehydration of the octopous nucleus begins.Consequently, the height of the decrease in the disc is reduced and cracks are formed in the fibrous ring.However, pathological changes do not occur outside the intervertebral disc.
In the second phase, there is a rapprochement of two vertebrae closely following a decrease in the height of the disc, the attack point of muscles and ligaments.Due to the relaxation of ligaments and muscles, excessive mobility of the vertebrae is manifested, which causes the development of the instability of the vertebral and motor segment.During this period, the vertebrae can slide or change, while spondylolistz is formed.
The third stage in the development of osteocondrosis is characterized by pronounced morphological changes in the intervertebral discs.The formation of prolapse and protrusion of the discs occurs, the subluxation develops in the intervertebral joints and in the unko-nungebral joints.
When the fourth stadium occurs, adaptive changes are observed in the affected vertebrae.In this case, the human body adapts to the too strong mobility of the vertebrae, overcoming it.Due to the immobilization of the spine, osteophytes appear - regional bone excrements on adjacent surfaces of the vertebral bodies.Osteofita can hurt a nervous vertebral column.Gradually, fibrous changes occur in intervertebral discs and joints.Consequently, a sort of shell is formed on the vertebral segment and the events gradually disappear.
The causes of osteochondosis
Experts express various hypotheses on the reasons that contribute to the development of osteochondrosis.These reasons are called mechanical trauma of the spine, disorders in the metabolic processes of the body, the arrangement of the disease, which is hereditary.But a clear cause of the development of the disease is difficult to determine due to the prevalence of the disease.It is often found in young and old;Physically strong and few trained.
Sometimes you can hear the opinion that symptoms of osteochondosis occur due to the deposit of salts in the human spine.Patients often speak of the excretion of the salts if they feel a crunch and a crunch in the joints.In fact, the disease develops due to the power supply of compromised tissues.As a result, their structure is gradually reborn.In bone and cartilage tissues, the renewal process is constantly underway.If a person has adequate regular physical activity, the fabric becomes more elastic.But in people who mainly lead a sedentary lifestyle, such a fabric is less resistant.
In addition, the cause of the development of osteochdrosis can be an excess weight, violation of posture, negative environmental conditions, characteristics of the body's position during work, a non-uniform bone-muscular system, pregnancy, stress, hypothermia, infection.
Therefore, the range of factors that cause the development of the disease is very wide.The characteristics of the blood flow and the nutrition of cartilage and bone tissue play a non -elastic role in this process.In adult vertebrates there are no vases, so oxygen and all the necessary nutrients are obtained from nearby tissues.Therefore, for the normal diet of the spine, the blood circulation is constantly activated in the surrounding tissues.You can accelerate this process by guaranteeing the active functioning of the muscles.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The manifestations of the disease can be different and depend directly on the stage of development of the disease.The most pronounced symptoms of the disease occur when the pathological process is widespread in the back of the fibrous ring and the rear longitudinal ligament.In the process of activating the pathological process, the patient develops neurological syndromes of reflection and compression.
Osteocondrosis may appear in a variety of areas of the body, therefore the symptoms of the disease are very wide.In the patient, osteochondrosis can occur in the limbs or numbness, sometimes pain in the chest, disorders of the functions of the genital organs and headache.At the same time, a person does not even realize that the cause of these manifestations is osteochondrosis.
If the patient develops osteochondosis of the thoracic column, the symptoms can resemble the manifestations of heart disease: angina pectis, myocardial infarction.That's why sometimes an incorrect treatment is practiced, which leads to the further progression of the osteocondrosis.Therefore, if a person suspected of developing this disease, a person should immediately consult a doctor and cross the necessary studies.
Osteocondrosis is mainly manifested by pain and a strong feeling of discomfort in the back.In some cases, pain occurs periodically, unstable.For a while it can disappear.But for each person, the occurrence of pain should be a very disturbing symptom and a source of concern.It is important to think and determine what exactly caused the pain.For example, it could be a strong physical activity, raise gravity.
The next indicative symptom to which the osteochondosis of the cervical column occurs is numbness of the arms and legs, as well as pain in them.Similar symptoms are also characteristic of other types of osteochondrosis.Very often, the pain develops in the leg or left hand, sometimes it gives the heart, under the ribs.In the case of these symptoms, you don't have to immediately hurry to drink medicines from the heart or other diseases, but you should listen and carefully evaluate the nature of pain, its changes depending on what the person is doing at the moment.All observations must be told in detail the doctor, after which the patient is prescribed massage, gymnastics, other treatment methods.An appeal to a specialist in the early stages of the disease will guarantee its most effective treatment.
So, very often, patients who are diagnosed with osteochondrosis complain of the feeling of discomfort in the spine in different places, of pain of different intensity and character.They have a higher level of fatigue, which manifests itself both in physical and mental work.Sensitivity in different areas of the body can be disturbed, very often in the limbs.Patients can also mark the cold in their hands and legs.A manifestation of osteochondosis of the cervical region is often dizziness and headache.Visual acuity can also decrease significantly.
If the patient has osteochondosis of the lumbar column, in this case a variety of disorders of the human reproductive system may appear.After the treatment of osteochondosis of the lumbosacral department, men often notice an improvement in power.At the same time, if the osteochondosis of the sacral column develops in a woman, this can complicate the process of conception and gestation.In addition to these symptoms, other manifestations are possible with osteochondrosis: muscle cramps, difficulties in movements, shooting pains, etc.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
The most important point in the process of diagnosis of osteochondrosis is the collection of an anamnesis and, the most important moment in this process is the patient's investigation, which should indicate the doctor of all the complaints in detail.If some symptoms of the disease determine characteristic manifestations in the osteocondrosis, then there are also many signs that it is important to differentiate from the manifestations of other diseases.The disorders of the functions of many organs, manifested in osteochondrosis, are often similar to symptoms of gastritis, angina pectis, stomach ulcers.That's why every symptom in osteocondrosis is subject to detailed studies and analyzes.
During the diagnosis, the doctor takes into account the age of the patient, the development of symptoms.To clarify the diagnosis, further research methods are used.Very often in this case, a radiological examination is practiced.To determine the patient's condition, a visual column display is performed.If there are more specific complaints, targeted radiography is practiced, aimed at the injury scene.
A relatively complex diagnostic method is considered myelography.This examination provides for the introduction of a contrast fluid in the cerebrospinal channel.In this case, there is a risk of damage to the spinal cord, as well as the occurrence of an allergic reaction.But at the same time, this method is considered information if necessary to determine the presence of a dorsal hernia.
In addition, the use of computerized tomography, magnetic nuclear resonance is practiced.However, they are relatively expensive, therefore, they are mainly practiced if necessary to conduct a differential diagnosis, as well as determining the presence of a vertebral column.
Treatment of osteocondrosis
In order for the treatment of spinal osteocondrosis to approach, it is necessary to provide not only an accurate diagnosis, but also an integrated approach to the problem.The doctor, as a rule, prescribes treatment methods, depending on which part of the spine has been affected.The main methods of therapy for the cervical region, as well as the thoracic region and the lumbar column are massage, manual therapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, therapeutic gymnastics, emptiness, traction and other methods.Parallel treatment with popular remedies can also be practiced.
The doctor prescribes the treatment in such a way as to guarantee the elimination of disturbing the symptoms of the sick, as well as the causes that cause the pathology of the spine.Stop pain by applying physiotherapy methods, drugs.Special exercises are also practiced for the osteochondosis of the spine.
One of the main methods of treatment of the osteocondrosis of the spine and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system is the use of physiotherapy exercises.For this, special rehabilitation equipment are used.With the help of the regular execution of exercises selected individually by a specialist, it is possible to improve blood circulation, activate the metabolism.Consequently, the power of the intervertebral discs improves and the load on the spine decreases.
The physiotherapy method involves the impact on the body of various physical factors.Using a low frequency current, the magnetic field, the laser, the pain is actually relieved, inflammation is reduced and parallel pharmacological treatment is more effective.With the help of the massage, you can relieve tension and muscle pain, activate blood circulation.Manual therapy allows you to relieve acute and constant chronic pain in the joints and in the spine, increase the volume of movements and also has a general positive effect on the body.The spinal extension procedure is used to relieve severe pain.It is performed on special equipment.In the process, the intervertebral space increases, the shape of the spine is restored.Pharmacological treatment is practiced mainly during exacerbation.
But in most cases, even effective treatment only allows you to slow down the progression of the disease, to prevent exacerbation.You can completely recover only in the initial phase of the osteochondrosis.It is important to take into account the fact that the duration of the treatment depends on how the disease has launched, the therapy methods, as well as on how carefully the patient satisfies all the appointments and recommendations of the doctor.As a rule, the active treatment period lasts one to three months.After the operation, a person is restored for about a year.If conservative therapy does not bring expected results and there are also special indications, the doctor prescribes surgical treatment.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
People who already suffer from osteochondrosis events must try not to overload the spine and minimize the pressure in the intervertebral discs.It is advisable to always try to keep your back uniformly, to avoid the trauma of the spine.A comfortable bed for night sleep is important: it is necessary to choose an orthopedic mattress individually.You shouldn't raise weight weights more than 10 kg and, to increase the object, you need to sit initially, take an object and then raise it.Women should not wear shoes with too high heels.In addition, people who complain of back pain should perform exercises every day that strengthen muscle corset.It is recommended to engage in swimming if possible.