Osteochondrosis is a disease in which degenerative dystrophic changes are diagnosed in the cartilage tissues of the spine, accompanied by disorders of the structure and functionality of the intervertebral discs. Depending on the location of the damaged tissues, osteochondrosis of the cervix, chest and lumbar are distinguished.
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine that causes degenerative and dystrophic lesions of the intervertebral discs. With the development of osteochondrosis, degenerative dystrophic lesions are used for spinal tissue.
The main characteristic showing the development of osteochondrosis is pain in the neck, back, lower back, with progression, pain "gives" in the arms, chest, shoulders, upper thigh and more. With negative dynamics of osteochondrosis, muscle atrophy, impaired sensitivity, and dysfunction of the internal organs provoked by sensitivity, as well as muscle tissue dysfunction. shift. In the absence of timely therapy, osteochondrosis develops in an incurable state.The causes of osteochondrosis
The main factor for the development of osteochondrosis is an uneven load of the spine. The habit of wearing a bag on one shoulder or in one hand, an improper posture in a sitting position, sleeping too soft mattress, high pillow, wearing anatomically irregular types of shoes is a common cause of improper load distribution.
Additional risk factors include hypodynamia, sedentary lifestyles, excess weight, back injuries, lower limbs, flat legs and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system, as well as degenerative processes associated with age, in changes related to age in blood supply to the spine.
In the etiology of osteochondrosis, the following factors can also play a role: physical overvoltage of the body;neuro-emotional exhaustion;metabolic disorders, poisoning, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which prevent the complete assimilation of nutrients;In particular, professional risks work on vibration platforms;genetic predisposition;posture disorders during active growth, scoliosis;wearing uncomfortable shoes (tight, heels);prolonged and/or regular dehydration;lower diet, hypovitaminosis;smoking;Pregnancy, especially the crowd, in combination with an undeveloped musculoskeletal apparatus (due to displacement of the center of gravity of the body).Stages of osteochondrosis development
Osteochondrosis in the dynamics of the disease passes four stages:
The first stage osteochondrosis (degree) is characterized by the initial stage of the pathology in the nucleus of the pulp of the intervertebral disc. Due to excessive loading, the process of dehydration (dehydration) of the nucleus begins, leading to a decrease in the height of the disk height and the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring. At this stage, symptoms are usually absent, minor discomfort can occur with prolonged stay in uncomfortable static posture, active movement, etc. ;At 2 stages, reducing the height of the discs leads to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae and the sagging of the vertebrates and the ligaments. This causes increased mobility of the vertebrae with affected discs, which is dangerous with their displacement or slipping. In the second stage of the disease, discomfort, pain, especially in some types of load, movements, positions; The stages of osteochondrosis 3 (degree) are characterized by the formation of prolapse and convexity of the intervertebral discs, may be accompanied by subloxis and/or the development of arthrosis of the intervertebral joints. In some types of movement, patients experience stiffness, insufficient mobility, numbness, numbness can occur in the limbs. At this stage, osteochondrosis is obviously felt in the back, neck, lumbosacral department or coccyx, depending on the location of the affected discs;In 4 stages of osteochondrosis, the body tries to correct the effects of vertebrae hypermobility and adapts to impaired spinal functionality. Osteophytes, new bone formations that seize the vertebral fixation, are formed at the vertebral contact sites. In some cases, however, osteophytes can cause nerve disturbance, injure the vertebrae. Fibrous ankylosis begins in the intervertebral discs and joints. In the absence of microtrauma and nerve roots disorders, the symptoms of the disease disappear.Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis are a feeling of discomfort and/or neck pain, 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 anamnesis, the specialist conducts the initial diagnosis by accepting the presence of osteochondrosis by visually defined curvature of the spine observed in the transverse or longitudinal plane of the spine. The pathologies of the intervertebral discs of the cervix and lumbar part are much more common than degenerative and dystrophic changes in the sternum.
The signs of osteochondrosis, felt by the patient, include a periodic or constant feeling of back fatigue, erased or pronounced, depending on the stage of the disease, the pain. The pain can be localized in the neck, back, chest, shoulder girdle, complicates, enchants the movements of the upper limbs.
The clinical picture of osteochondrosis largely depends on the location of the pathology, the degree of development of the process, the individual characteristics of the patients. The pathology of the intervertebral discs, shifts, convexity, hernia and an increase in osteophytes lead to different consequences. Among the most common disorders of normal blood circulation in the tissues, the pinching of the nerve endings distinguishes dysfunction of the spinal canal, edema, fibrosis of the tissues and structures.Such consequences can be accompanied by many different symptoms, leading to misconduct.The most common and characteristic symptoms of osteochondrosis include the following:Back, neck pain, lower back, shoulder girdle, areas of the ribs;Discomfort, stiffness of body movements that appear in some positions of the body, slopes, turns, increased muscle tension;feeling of numbness of the upper and lower limbs;muscle and joint discomfort, muscle cramps;headache, dizziness, increased fatigue;heart pain;impaired sensitivity of the hands;Muscle hypotension.
The symptoms of osteochondrosis differ depending on the location of the pathology:With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, neck pain, arms, shoulder girdle, radiation to the area of the shoulder and shoulder prevail; Headache, dizziness, flies of "flies" or spots in front of the eyes are noticeable tinnitus; With damage to the chest, the pain is localized in the chest, heart, inner surface of the shoulder, the armpit area, the breathing of discomfort is also noted, shortness of breath is possible;Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine is manifested by pain in the lower back with irradiation to the legs, upper hips or pelvic organs often joins.
Surface symptoms - back fatigue, pain - can indicate not only the presence of osteochondrosis, but also the addition of other diseases or the development of other pathological processes and disorders that are not associated with dystrophy of the interior discs. The diagnosis of osteochondrosis can only be made by a specialist, and the self -measurement with such symptoms is unacceptable.Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
In order to diagnose, instrumental examination methods are used:X -ray spinal examination;myelography;Neurological examination of sensitivity, reflexes.
Additional methods prescribed for differentiation and clarification of the diagnosis, the stage of the pathology includes:Computed tomography of the spine (CT);nuclear magnetic resonance (JAMR);Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Osteochondrosis Therapy Directions
The treatment is based on an integrated approach and, depending on the stage, lasts from 1 to 3 months of intensive treatment and 1 year of supporting measures to consolidate the result and prevent relapse.
Osteochondrosis is performed in two directions depending on the degree of osteochondrosis and the health of the patient. Conservative treatment of the disease consists in taking medicines, performing a set of exercises. Surgical treatment in almost every situation may not be the method of the first 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 measures necessary for rehabilitation.Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis
Conservative therapy is aimed at stopping pain syndrome, normalizing the functionality of the spine and preventing negative changesThe conservative treatment of osteochondrosis includes the following types of therapy:Drug therapy. Osteochondrosis drugs are used to stop pain syndromes, inflammatory processes in the tissues and normalize the metabolic processes of the body. In pronounced pain syndrome, it is recommended to use a drug blockade of nerve endings, which also contribute to reducing the severity of muscle tonic syndrome. The following types of blockade are distinguished: blockade of trigger points, intoose, veneers, paravertebral, epidural;Physiotherapy methods. Physiotherapy procedures help reduce pain, increase the effect of drugs, are also used during the rehabilitation period. The most common use of ultrasound waves, magnetic fields, low frequency currents, laser rays and more.Methods for physiotherapy exercises (exercise therapy) and kineotherapy. The complex of spices with regular and proper performance contributes to the correction of the stand, strengthens the muscle corset, a ligament apparatus, normalizes muscle function, reduces the compression of nerve fibers and helps prevent complications of osteochondrosis. The methods for exercising therapy and kineotherapeutic procedures are aimed at normalizing metabolic processes, restoring full nutrition of the intervertebral discs, restoring the arrangement of the vertebrae and the disks between them, the even distribution of the load in the musculoskeletal system; Massage. Manual massage techniques are used to improve the blood supply to tissues, relieve muscle cramps and brackets and generally improve blood circulation. Hydromassage as a direction of therapeutic activity in addition to the listed effects contributes to the normalization of the nervous system of the body;Manual therapy. Manual therapy methods are selected individually. The exact effect on the body's musculoskeletal system helps to improve blood circulation, circulation of the lymph, improves metabolism, promotes the mobility of the musculoskeletal system, strengthens the immune system and serves as a means of preventing complications of osteochondrosis;Therapy with the grip method (grip) of the spine using special equipment. The purpose of the manipulation is to increase the intervertebral space to normal parameters, correcting the disorders of the structure of the spine.Prevention of osteochondrosis
The causes of osteochondrosis are mainly associated in the absence of attention to the requirements of the body, malnutrition, excessive loads on the body. In order to prevent pathological changes in the spine and limit the dynamics of existing osteochondrosis, it is recommended that you adhere to the general principles of a healthy lifestyle:Exception to the possibility of hypodinamia: moderate sports: loading, running, swimming, bicycle, skiing, gymnastics, non -contact types of struggle and more. ; When working or other form of long -stay activity in a static position, it is necessary to take rests for heat -up every 45 minutes to restore blood circulation. If necessary, sitting for a long time, you should choose the right chairs, chairs, ensuring the support of the spine, monitor the standards of the position of the hands of the table, the legs of the floor or a special stand, get the posture (even back, calm shoulders);For a night's sleep it is necessary to choose an elastic, better orthopedic mattress with a flat surface, to avoid high or too flat pillows;If necessary, lift and/or wear heavy objects to avoid jokes, lifting the weight from the semi -processing position, use special belts that support the lower back;The choice of orthopedically correct shoes: with the appropriate leg with width, without high heels and its timely replacement will help reduce the load on the spine, this is especially important for women during the period of wearing a child. In the summer, do not neglect the ability to walk barefoot on an uneven surface, it strengthens the muscles of the foot and relieves tension from the musculoskeletal system;The right diet, the drinking regimen contributes to overall health and helps to maintain metabolism normally;With a tendency for increased emotionality, anxiety with muscle spasmodic reaction to stress, it is worth examining the methods of relaxation.
