Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease in which the intervertebral disc suffers, types of diseases, symptoms and methods of treatment.
The central part (nucleus pulposus) of the intervertebral disc swells first and then shrinks and loses its shock-absorbing properties. And the annulus fibrosus, which is located along the periphery of the intervertebral disc, becomes thin and cracks are formed.
When the nucleus pulposus enters this tear, a bulging occurs, and when the annulus breaks, the gelatinous body falls out and forms a herniated disc. The risk of developing osteochondrosis increases significantly with age.
Important
Osteochondrosis can have different localizations. The most common type is lumbosacral (in 50% of cases). Often cervical osteochondrosis is found (in 25% of cases), less often osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. In 12% of cases, the defeat of the intervertebral discs affects several parts of the spine at the same time - this is the most severe form of the disease.
Regardless of its location, the disease has several stages.
1st stagecharacterized by instability of the spinal column segments, which manifests itself in an injury to the intervertebral disc.
2nd stageit manifests itself in the fact that the vertebrae are less fixed due to the protrusion of the intervertebral disc. The distance between the vertebrae becomes smaller.
On the3rd stagethere are already severe deformities of the spine, such as the destruction of the annulus fibrosus and the formation of a herniated disc. Pain syndromes and other symptoms largely depend on the location of the hernia, its shape, and size.
On the4th stageit is difficult for the patient to move and sudden movements result in acute pain. Sometimes the pain decreases and the person's condition improves, but this is only apparent progress associated with the growth of bone tissue between the vertebrae that connects two vertebrae.
Check yourself
In cervical osteochondrosis there are:
- aching pain in the neck or lumbago pain radiating to the shoulder blades, back of the head, or hands;
- Tension of the neck muscles when touching - painful sensations;
- Tongue numbness, swelling;
- Goose bumps and tingling in the neck and arm;
- Neck and shoulder muscles weakness.
With osteochondrosis of the chest region:
- periodically there is severe pain, as if there was a stake in the chest;
- there is a feeling that the chest is compressing the tire;
- intercostal pain occurs when walking. The pain increases with breathing and does not go away after taking nitroglycerin, but is usually short-lived.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is characterized by:
- pain in the lumbar region, because of this it is sometimes impossible to straighten the back;
- pain radiating to the legs, sacrum, groin;
- Loss of sensation in the legs, reduced mobility;
- cold feet, goose bumps and tingling sensations.
On a note
Many people think that sciatica is a disease in its own right. In fact, this is one of the manifestations of osteochondrosis. Damage to the intervertebral disc leads to the fact that neighboring vertebrae approach each other and can injure the nerve fiber bundles extending from the spinal cord. A herniated disc can also compress nerve roots. In this case, pain occurs, which spreads along the course of certain nerve fibers and, accordingly, is transferred to one or the other part of the body, most often to the lower back and one of the legs, less often to the neck or arm.
There is also the term "humbago". This is the name given to acute lower back pain. It can occur with a sharp movement, lifting weights, an unsuccessful twist, a long stay in an uncomfortable position. Often during an attack, a person takes a forced position, any attempt to move increases the pain, often a spasm of the muscles of the lumbar region develops. Lumbago is also mostly caused by osteochondrosis of the spine.
Risk factors
Tall people with poor posture or weakness in the back and abdominal muscles are predisposed to osteochondrosis; obese; Office workers who lead a predominantly sedentary lifestyle, as well as moving workers and construction workers who often carry heavy loads. It is also common for professional drivers who are exposed to vibration for long periods of time.
Sports injuries from improper training lead to osteochondrosis. The disease often overtakes former professional athletes who have abruptly stopped intensive training.
Osteochondrosis is much more dangerous than it seems. It often becomes the cause of dysfunction of many organs and systems. Sometimes the disease leads to severe excruciating pain and pinching of the nerve roots - partial or complete paralysis of the arm or leg.
Left untreated, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can lead to dizziness, headaches, and insomnia. The induced breast osteochondrosis is fraught with complications such as intercostal neuralgia. Lumbar osteochondrosis is dangerous, with consequences such as the progression of the curvature of the spine and even greater destruction of the intervertebral discs, inflammation of the sciatic nerve (sciatica), severe dysfunction of the organs of the genitourinary system.
Patient note
To treat exacerbations of osteochondrosis, conservative treatment is used in most cases. Its main goal is to suppress pain and eliminate pain-induced reflex muscle tension and stiffness of movement. This is done using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants.
In addition, drugs are used to speed recovery: B vitamins, agents that improve blood flow to the spine and nutrition of the nerve roots, biostimulants, as well as sedatives that support the nervous system, which is depleted from persistent pain.
Physiotherapeutic methods are used to improve blood circulation and alleviate tissue edema and muscle stimulation: magnet and ultrasound therapy, phono- and electrophoresis, darsonvalization, electromyostimulation. Acupuncture, manual therapy, massage, mud applications are also used.
To relieve the spine, increase the distance between the vertebrae, traction treatment is used. A successful prognosis of recovery is not possible without physiotherapy exercises that actively involve the patient in the treatment process.
In severe, advanced cases, surgical treatment is used.