Osteochondrosis is a disease in which degenerative-district changes are diagnosed in the spine cartilage tissue, also associated with disorders of the structure and functionality of the intervertebral discs. Depending on the localization of the damaged tissue, cervical, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis is distinguished.
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spinal column in which degenerative and dystrophic lesions of the intervertebral discs occur. With the development of osteochondrosis, degenerative-district lesions apply to vertebral tissue.
The main characteristic that indicates the development of osteochondrosis is the pain in the neck, spine, spine area, with progress, pain "gives" to the hands, chest, shoulders, upper thighs, etc. With negative dynamics of osteochondrosis, their atrophy of muscle tissue, damaged, as well as dysfunction of internal orfunction, provoked by suppression, provocation, muscle provision. displacement. In the absence of timely therapy, osteochondrosis develops in an incurable state.
Causes of osteochondrosis
The main factor in the development of osteochondrosis is an uneven load on the back. The habit of holding a bag on one shoulder or on one side, an incorrect position in a sitting position, a dream on a very soft mattress, a high pillow, lined with incorrect anatomical shoe types are a common cause of improper load distribution.
Additional risk factors include hypodynamine, a decreased lifestyle, excess weight, back damage, lower extremities, flat legs and other disorders of the muscular system, as well as age -related degenerative processes in age changes in the blood supply of the vertebral column.
In osteochondrosis etiology, the following factors can also play a role:
physical overlap of the body;
neuro-emotional exhaustion;
Disordishes metabolic disorders, poisoning, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that prevent complete assimilation of nutrients;
Professional risks, in particular, work on vibration platforms;
genetic predisposition;
violations of attitude during active growth, scoliosis;
wearing unpleasant shoes (cramps, heel);
prolonged and/or regular dehydration;
inferior diet, hypovitaminosis;
smoking;
Pregnancy, especially multiple, in combination with an underdeveloped muscular-ligamentous apparatus (due to the shift of the center of the body's gravity).
Stages of development of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis in the dynamics of the disease exceeds four stages:
The first phase osteochondrosis is characterized by the initial phase of the pathology in the pulpo core of the intervertebral disc. Due to the excess load, the process of dehydration (dehydration) of the nucleus begins, which leads to a decrease in the parameter of disk height and the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring. Symptoms at this stage are usually absent, little discomfort can occur with prolonged stay in an unpleasant static position, active movement, etc. ;
In 2 stages, a decrease in discs leads to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae and the sagging of vertebrates and ligaments. This causes increased mobility of vertebrae with affected discs, which is dangerous with their displacement or slipping. In the second stage of the disease, discomfort, pain occurs, especially with some types of load, movements, positions;
The stages of osteochondrosis 3 (scale) are characterized by the formation of prolapse and extensions of the intervertebral discs, may be accompanied by subluxis and/or development of arthrosis of the intervertebral joints. With some types of movement, patients feel stiffness, insufficient mobility, a feeling of tingling, numbness can occur in the limbs. At this stage, osteochondrosis is clearly felt in the back, neck, lumbosakral or coccyx department, depending on the localization of the affected discs;
In 4 stages of osteochondrosis, the body is trying to adjust the consequences of hypermobility of the vertebrae and adapt to the damaged functionality of the spinal column. Osteophytes, new bone formations, which capture vertebral fixation are formed at the vertebra contact sites. However, in some cases, osteophytes can cause nerve violations, damage the vertebrae. Fibrous ankilosis begins in the discs and intervertebral joints. In the absence of microtrauma and nerve root violations, the symptoms of the disease are immersed.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis are a feeling of disturbance and/or pain in the neck, back. The severity of the sensations and the presence of additional symptoms depend on the stage of the disease. When examining the patient and collects an anamnesis, the specialist performs the initial diagnosis, assuming the presence of osteochondrosis by visually defined spine observed in the transverse or longitudinal plane of the vertebral column. The pathologies of the intervertebral discs of the cervix and lumbar are found much more often than degenerative and dystrophic changes in the sternum area.
Signs of osteochondrosis, felt by the patient, include a periodic or permanent feeling of spine fatigue, erased or pronounced, depending on the stage of illness, pain. The pain can be located in the neck, spine, chest, shoulder band, complicated, support the movements of the upper extremities.
The clinical photography of osteochondrosis depends largely on the localization of the pathology, the degree of process development, the individual characteristics of the patients. The pathology of intervertebral discs, displacements, extension, hernia and an increase in osteophytes lead to various consequences. Among the most common, violations of normal blood circulation in the tissues, nerve ending points, distinguish dysfunction of the spinal canal, edema, tissue fibrosis and structures.
Such consequences can be associated with many different symptoms, leading to a wrong diagnosis of diseases.
The most common and characteristic symptoms of osteochondrosis include the following:
pain in the back, neck, lower spine, shoulder band, rib areas;
discomfort, stiffness of body movements that occur in some body positions, tendencies, curves, increased muscle tension;
a feeling of numbness of the upper and lower extremities;
muscle and joint discomfort, muscle cramps;
headaches, dizziness, increased fatigue;
heart pain;
violation of hands sensitivity;
Muscle hypotension.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis vary depending on the localization of the pathology:
With osteochondrosis of the cervical pole, neck pain, hands, shoulder band, radiating in the shoulder area and shoulders prevail; Headaches, dizziness, shots of "flies" or stains in front of the eyes, noise in the ears are observed;
With damage to the spine of the chest, the pain is localized to the chest area, the heart, the inner surface of the shoulder, the armpit area, the breathing discomfort is also observed, the shortness of breath is possible;
Lumbosacral spine osteochondrosis is manifested by pain in the lower back with radiation in the legs, upper thighs or pelvic organs, sexual dysfunction is often joined.
Surface symptoms - back fatigue, pain - can indicate not only the presence of osteochondrosis, but also the increase of other diseases or the development of other pathological processes and disorders that are not associated with the dystrophy of intervertebral discs. Diagnosis of osteochondrosis can only be done by a specialist, and self -medication with such symptoms is unacceptable.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
To make a diagnosis, instrumental methods of examination are used:
X -Examination of the spinal department;
myelography;
Neurological observation of sensitivity, reflexes.
The additional methods described for differentiation and clarification of the diagnosis, the pathology phase include:
Calculated spine tomography (CT);
Nuclear-magnetic resonance (JAMR);
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images.
The therapy guidelines for osteochondrosis
The treatment is based on an integrated approach and, depending on the phase, lasts from 1 to 3 months intensive care and 1 year support measures to consolidate the result and prevention of relap.
Osteochondrosis is performed two -way therapy depending on the degree of osteochondrosis and patient health. Conservative treatment of the disease consists of taking medication, performing a set of exercises. Surgical treatment in almost any situation may not be the first method of choice and is prescribed in the absence of positive dynamics, the progression of the disease against the background of prolonged conservative therapy.
In addition to the medical methods of therapy, it is necessary to follow the general recommendations for osteochondrosis: observe a diet, take the necessary measures for rehabilitation.
Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis
Conservative therapy is aimed at stopping pain syndrome, normalizing spinal column functionality and preventing negative changes
Conservative osteochondrosis treatment includes the following types of therapy:
Medication therapy. Medications for osteochondrosis are used to stop pain syndromes, inflammatory processes in the tissue and to normalize the body's metabolic processes. With pronounced pain syndrome, it is recommended to use the blockage of the nerve endings drugs, which also contribute to a decrease in the severity of muscle syndrome. The following types of blockade are distinguished: blockage of causing points, intraosseous, aspect, preverstebral, epidural;
Methods of physiotherapy. Physiotherapeutic procedures help reduce pain, increase the effect of medication, are also used during the rehabilitation period. The most common use of ultrasound waves, magnetic fields, low -frequency currents, laser rays, etc.
Methods of physiotherapy exercises (exercise therapy) and China or Kinesapy. The spice complex with regular and accurate execution contributes to the correction of behavior, strengthening muscle lane, ligamentous apparatus, normalizes muscle function, reduces compression of nerve fibers and helps prevent osteochondrosis complications. Exercise therapy methods and kinea orpeutic procedures are aimed at normalizing metabolic processes, restoring a complete nourishment of intervertebral discs, restoring the arrangement of beads and discs between them, uniform load distribution in the muscular system;
Massage Manual massage techniques are used to improve blood supply to the tissue, relieve muscle cramps and clasps, and generally improve blood circulation. Hydromassage as a direction of therapeutic activity in addition to the effects listed contributes to the normalization of the body's nervous system;
Manual therapy. Manual therapy methods are individually selected. The effect of the point on the body's skeletal system helps improve blood circulation, lymph circulation, improve metabolism, promotes muscle system mobility, strengthens the immune system and serves as a means to prevent complications of osteochondrosis;
Therapy with the withdrawal method (withdrawal) of the spine using special equipment. The purpose of manipulation is to increase the intervertebral space in normal parameters, correction of spinal column structure violations.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
The causes of osteochondrosis are mainly related to the lack of attention to body demands, malnutrition, excess loads on the body. To prevent the onset of pathological changes in the back and limit the dynamics of existing osteochondrosis, it is recommended to adhere to the general principles of a healthy lifestyle:
The exception of the possibility of hypodynamia: moderate sports: charging, jogging, swimming, bicycles, skiing, gymnastics, non -confusion types, etc. ;
When working or another form of activity in relation to a long stay in a static position, it is necessary to take warm heat breaks every 45 minutes to restore blood circulation. If necessary, by sitting for a long time, you need to choose the right chairs, chairs with the backing of the spine support, monitor compliance with the standards of the hands on the table, the feet on the floor or a special attitude, learning behavior (even relaxed shoulders);
For night sleep, it is necessary to choose an elastic, best orthopedic mattress with a flat surface, avoid high or very flat pillows;
If necessary, freeze and/or wear heavy objects to avoid insults, raising the severity from the semi -specific position, use special belts that support the bottom back;
Choosing the correct orthopedic shoes: with the corresponding leg in width, without high heels and replacing it in time will help lower the load on their backs, this is especially important for women during a child's retention period. In summer, do not neglect the ability to walk barefoot on an uneven surface, this strengthens the leg muscles and relieves tension from the muscular system;
The exact diet, the way of drinking contributes to overall health and helps maintain metabolism normally;
With a tendency to increase emotionality, anxiety with the spasmodic response of muscle to stress, it is worth studying relaxation methods.
