Many patients ask the question: "is it possible to completely cure osteochondrosis? ". In fact, this is almost impossible if the disease has reached a serious stage. With this diagnosis, the intervertebral disc gradually begins to deform and can no longer withstand the load and finally collapses completely, where the only way out is a prosthesis. Thus, whether osteochondrosis is treated depends on the degree of the disease, in the initial stage of which, a person can still be saved. So, how is the treatment of osteochondrosis - we will talk about it.
Characteristics of the disease
To understand what osteochondrosis is and how to treat it, you must first understand what the spine itself is. This is the basis of the skeleton, where all the vertebrae are interconnected, but remain mobile due to the presence of intervertebral discs. If osteochondrosis is not treated, then gradually they begin to break down, leading to friction between the bones, limited mobility and disability. To find out if it is possible to cure osteochondrosis, you must first neutralize the causes of the diagnosis.
To date, the causes of the occurrence have not been accurately identified, but experts note, due to which the disease can begin and progress:
- injury;
- hereditary factor;
- curvature of the spine, leg and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- obesity, which increases the load on the back;
- age;
- passive lifestyle;
- professional sports without proper attention to safety;
- psychological factor, stress and nerves.
To start an effective treatment, it is necessary to neutralize the causes. Start leading a healthy lifestyle and try to get rid of excess weight by strengthening the muscles of the spine with the help of back exercises.
Symptoms of the disease
In the treatment of the disease, first of all, a complete examination is done, they are sent for an X-ray and an MRI image to accurately recognize the condition of the spine. After all, the symptoms and treatment of the disease may be different depending on the stage of diagnosis:
- In the first stage, there are usually no symptoms. There may be slight discomfort during movement. The intervertebral disc is only slightly displaced laterally.
- Osteochondrosis of the second degree is already reported to the patient in the form of back pain. Elongation of the disk begins. In addition to pain, the patient constantly experiences fatigue. For treatment, conservative methods are sufficient.
- The third degree is a ruptured disc. This process is now considered irreversible and it is impossible to completely cure the disease. Often there is a hernia. The deformed disc presses on the nerves and blood vessels, which, depending on the location, can cause headaches, discomfort in the limbs and also suffer internal organs.
- In the last stage, the intervertebral disc is already destroyed and the destruction of blood vessels and spinal cord continues. The patient is assigned a disability, there is a severe limitation in movement.
How is the treatment performed?
Many do not even know which doctor treats osteochondrosis of the spine and determines the effective methods for each specific case. This is a vertebrologist who studies in detail the spine and the musculoskeletal system as a whole, deals with all related diagnoses. Now everyone knows who treats osteochondrosis. In addition, this specialist correctly selects the treatment and highlights possible contraindications for the diagnosis of osteochondrosis:
- This is mainly the use of certain foods, especially if you are overweight. Diets must be strictly observed. Therefore, if you want to know how to get rid of osteochondrosis, the right food is your best medicine.
- The second point is the load. It is not necessary to provide complete rest in the initial stages. However, to determine how to cure osteochondrosis, it is necessary to identify its stage and prescribe specific exercises. Professional sports are a clear contraindication.
After patients have decided which doctor to contact for osteochondrosis, they should visit this specialist as soon as possible. After a complete examination, he prescribes treatment: either conservative methods or surgical intervention.
Conservative methods
There are many options for what to do with osteochondrosis. Modern techniques include various back procedures, surgeries and medications. Depending on how long the disease lasts and what symptoms are present, help for osteochondrosis is selected. In the first two stages, conservative treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, which includes:
- Medicines can be tablets, injections or droppers for osteochondrosis.
- Physiotherapy courses. In particular, Bernard currents.
- Strict adherence to diet.
- Certain physical therapy.
The composition of the dropper includes pain relievers. They also take muscle relaxants, which relax the muscles and help them cope with excessive strain. Additionally, be sure to include chondroprotectors that can stop the destruction of cartilage tissue. Courses of these drugs provide effective treatment for osteochondrosis of the back. Help begins with the removal of pain, and only after the removal of the acute syndrome, they begin the main treatment.
The second point that needs to be clarified in order to find out how to treat osteochondrosis of the back is the causes of the appearance of the disease. It is important to neutralize them by starting to lead a healthy lifestyle (proper nutrition, diet), choosing vitamins for the general strengthening of the body. Physiotherapy also helps tissues recover faster, promotes normal circulation and healing. It works great together with physiotherapy exercises, which strengthen the back muscles. Most often Bernard currents are used, which bring excellent results.
Unfortunately, conservative advice for the treatment of osteochondrosis helps only in the first two stages of the disease.
Surgically
Surgery helps to cope with any serious diagnosis. Even in the case where one vertebra has grown into another, the disc is seriously deformed or a hernia has appeared. Modern medical experience and the latest technology help to heal even the most difficult situations. For the treatment of osteochondrosis, two types of operations are used:
- Hernia removal. This is a fairly simple intervention. An incision is made no more than one centimeter. The patient can already move independently on the second day and recovers quickly.
- Surgical treatment of late-stage osteochondrosis consists only of complete removal of the intervertebral disc. A new special prosthesis is placed in its place, which ensures the separation and cushioning of the vertebrae.
Patients should not be afraid of this technique. It is thanks to the operation that the flexibility and mobility of the spine is often returned. Modern silicone prostheses easily cope with the loads on the musculoskeletal system. This is a relatively new technique in the treatment of osteochondrosis, but it has practically no contraindications and does not have a long recovery period.
Complex treatment
Comprehensive treatment of osteochondrosis includes several procedures at once. Some of them are performed in the hospital, while others must be performed responsibly by the patient himself. The course of treatment in the hospital during the day stay includes Bernard currents. A special apparatus of diadynamic currents is ideal for deciding how to defeat osteochondrosis. This procedure is completely safe and has practically no contraindications.
The treatment regimen is applied when the acute phase passes. Therefore, the best physiotherapy method in this situation is Bernard currents. In addition, massage can be applied to it. Physiotherapy exercises are a mandatory part of osteochondrosis treatment at home. You study various exercises under the guidance of a doctor and then regularly repeat them at home on your own.
An important part of solving the question of how to deal with osteochondrosis is self-treatment at home. Here, in addition to exercise therapy, you can turn to traditional medicine, but again under the supervision of a doctor. Consider some recipes for folk remedies that can be used as oils:
- A spoonful of flour, half a pack of butter, an egg and a spoonful of vinegar should be mixed until smooth and then put in a warm place. After that, you can rub the mixture on the affected area of the back.
- Honey, radish juice and vodka are mixed with each other in proportions 1: 1. 5: 0. 1, the application is similar.
- The last recipe is rather spring: a glass of lilac flowers is infused with half a liter of vodka for 10 days, and then an excellent mixture is obtained for rubbing.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine outside the home? The fight against the disease can be much more effective if you go on vacation to a spa treatment. So you can not only heal your back, but also restore your body after a long illness.
Rehabilitation and prevention
Rehabilitation is a set of measures after which a person who has overcome osteochondrosis can return to a full normal life. The elderly can regain mobility only with the help of long-term rehabilitation procedures. The attending physician carefully selects a complex, in which there must be exercises, a certain daily routine, a specific food system. Rehabilitation for osteochondrosis of the spine includes ongoing treatment, as well as methods for disease prevention.
The first symptom of the disease is pain. Therefore, in case there is the slightest discomfort in the back or there is a hereditary predisposition, it is necessary to pay sufficient attention to prevention. If you are overweight and have other possible causes of the diagnosis, the situation is the same.
To prevent the occurrence of the disease, it is necessary:
- keep the right attitude;
- engage in special exercises to strengthen the back;
- monitor food;
- avoid obesity;
- get a corset if there is a curvature of the back
In the treatment of osteochondrosis, all these measures together will help you keep your back healthy and strong at any age. Take care of the spine, because it is the basis of the entire musculoskeletal system.