Such a disease as osteochondrosis of the back does not exist in modern medicine.First of all, it is worth clarifying that the term osteochondrosis itself is outdated and does not exist in the current edition of ICD-10.It was replaced by a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs.But we will tell you about osteochondrosis of the back, its symptoms and treatment, since many patients call their condition this way.And they will understand what this article is about.
So, osteochondrosis is a degeneration of intervertebral discs of dystrophic origin.Everything else is indirectly related to this disease.But to understand this process, it is worth taking a short excursion into anatomy and physiology.The main element of the human musculoskeletal system is the spine.With its help, a stable position of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity and chest is ensured.Inside the spine is the spinal cord, a structure that provides vitality to the entire body.The spine provides flexibility to the body, allows you to walk independently and perform any movements with your hands.It is the connecting link between the head and the limbs.
The spine is made up of individual vertebral bodies.They are connected to each other with the help of joints and ligaments.There are long longitudinal ligaments that start at the coccyx and end at the nape of the neck.There are short transverse ligaments that connect adjacent vertebral bodies.Intervertebral discs consist of a dense outer shell (annulus fibrosus) that can withstand even the most extreme loads.But the fibrous ring has one significant drawback - it completely lacks its own blood capillary network.It receives fluid only at a time when the surrounding muscles are actively contracting and relaxing.Also, part of the nutrition is provided by diffuse exchange between the intervertebral disc and the end plate that separates it from the vertebra.
If a person leads a sedentary lifestyle and the muscles of his back do not work actively and regularly, then the fibrous ring becomes dehydrated and cracks.At the initial stage, it takes fluid from the tissues of the nucleus pulposus located inside it.This gelatinous body provides the normal height of the disc and its damping ability to evenly distribute the applied loads.
With a long course of this pathological process, the height of the intervertebral disc decreases.It loses its ability to protect the radicular nerves arising from the spinal cord from pressure from adjacent vertebral bodies.They get injured and radiculitis (inflammation of the radicular nerves) occurs.This is a dangerous condition.Because of this, the body takes measures to compensate for the lost capacity of the intervertebral discs.This causes excessive tension in the back muscles.As a result, the diffuse nutrition of the remaining cartilaginous tissues is further impaired.That is why osteochondrosis of the back is considered a rapidly developing and spreading disease.Without treatment, it quickly affects all the intervertebral discs and the person becomes disabled.
If you are worried about back pain related to degeneration of the cartilage tissue of the spine, we recommend that you do not wait for everything to go away on its own.Seek medical attention immediately.Treatment of osteochondrosis without surgery is possible at any stage, except for hernia sequestration.If part of the nucleus pulposus has separated from the intervertebral disc, then only surgical intervention can help in this situation.
You can make an appointment with a vertebrologist or a neurologist.They will be able to give you an accurate diagnosis and prescribe an effective and safe treatment.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the back
The most common causes of osteochondrosis of the back are lack of physical activity, excess body weight, sedentary work and refusal of regular physical activity.It is these factors that provoke the destruction of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs at a young age.In a later period of life (after 50 years), osteochondrosis develops for slightly different reasons:
- hormonal changes leading to the washing of calcium and phosphorus from bone tissue;
- gerontological degenerative changes in the body;
- violation of capillary blood flow against the background of atherosclerotic deformations of blood vessels;
- metabolic disorders, such as diabetes or changes in thyroid function;
- age-related decrease in muscle mass;
- changes in posture and curvature of the spine;
- chronic diseases of the internal organs that reduce a person's physical activity.
In addition, potential causes of the development of osteochondrosis of the back can be traumatic injuries to the vertebral bodies, their spinous processes, ligaments and tendons.No less important is the improper organization of places to sleep and work.If a person does not attach importance to the position of his body during a night's sleep, then the risk of destruction of the spine and the development of osteochondrosis sharply increases.
You should also stop smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.These two harmful habits provoke disruption of blood microcirculation in the area of the intervertebral discs, which leads to their degenerative-dystrophic destruction.
The causes of osteochondrosis of the back can be eating and drinking regime.An adult should drink at least 2 liters of pure water per day to maintain the water-electrolyte balance.Also, the diet should contain all the vitamins and minerals that are used for the regeneration of the hyaline cartilage that makes up the tissues of the fibrous rings.If the diet is dominated by fatty and refined foods, the body quickly begins to experience a deficiency of certain nutrients.This does not allow him to restore the integrity of all tissues, including the spinal cord.
Therefore, when carrying out complex treatment of osteochondrosis of the back, an experienced doctor will definitely adjust the patient's diet.She will give him the necessary recommendations regarding the proper organization of his sleeping and working space.
With osteochondrosis, the muscles of the back experience serious overload.They are responsible for supporting the spine and providing safety for the radicular nerves.With prolonged static tension, the cycle of blood circulation in the capillaries changes.Myocytes begin to experience oxygen starvation and an ischemic reaction quickly begins.Initially, it causes severe pain in the back muscles.Then the myocytes begin to die.Short-term inflammation is possible against the background of muscle tissue necrosis.Then the degeneration of muscle fibers begins.This leads to a number of negative consequences.Patients may develop myofascial pain syndrome.It lasts for many years even after successful treatment of osteochondrosis.
Therefore, this process cannot be started.As soon as the first signs of osteochondrosis appear, seek medical help immediately.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the back
Osteochondrosis of the chest is the least common, since there is no wide range of mobility of the vertebral bodies.The height of the intervertebral spaces is additionally ensured by fixing the costal arches.Therefore, we will not consider the symptoms of this type of disease separately.
Most often, osteochondrosis develops in the lumbar region, because it bears the main shock-absorbing and physical load associated with any movements of the human body.Symptoms of the pathology include a characteristic shooting pain in the lumbar region.It can spread to the inner, outer, or back surface of the thigh and lower leg, extending to the heel or toes.Gradually, neurological clinical signs such as numbness, paresthesia, decreased muscle strength, pallor and coldness of the skin of the lower extremities begin to appear.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical and cervico-thoracic spine is no less frequently diagnosed.This disease most often develops in people engaged in mental work.With prolonged static tension in the muscles of the neck, blood microcirculation is disturbed and cartilage tissue is destroyed.
Clinical symptoms with this localization of degenerative dystrophic changes in the cartilaginous tissues of the discs can be more diverse.The pain can radiate under the shoulder blade, in the region of the heart and in the upper limbs.Muscle weakness quickly appears in the arms.There are signs of impaired blood circulation in the posterior vertebral arteries.These are dizziness, reduced mental capacity, frequent changes in blood pressure, drowsiness, apathy, etc.
If symptoms of osteochondrosis of the back appear, it is necessary to conduct a number of clinical examinations.First of all, X-rays of the affected part of the spine are prescribed.Based on them, the doctor can only make a preliminary diagnosis.A more detailed examination of the condition of the tissues of the spine is possible with an MRI examination.Doppler ultrasound, soft tissue ultrasound, biochemical and general blood tests, rheumatic tests, etc. may also be required.
What to do and how to relieve the pain?
The first thing to do with osteochondrosis of the back is to stop any physical activity and provide relative rest for the spine and muscles.During the first few days after an attack, it is better to stick to strict bed rest.Treatment can only be prescribed by a neurologist or vertebrologist.It is not recommended to take medication alone.They can not only have a negative impact on your health, but also make it difficult to make an accurate diagnosis in the future.
The only thing you can do to relieve back pain due to osteochondrosis and not harm your health is to tighten the spine.It is important to restore the normal height of the intervertebral spaces.This will remove the pressure on the radicular nerves and all the pain will disappear without the additional use of pharmacological drugs.Traction can be apparatus, manual or with the help of physical exercises.Only a doctor can determine which method is appropriate in your individual case during an examination.
How to treat and cure osteochondrosis of the back?
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the back can be carried out exclusively by conservative methods, even at the stage of intervertebral hernia prolapse.Doctors know how to treat osteochondrosis of the back without surgery.Osteopathy and massage, therapeutic gymnastics and kinesitherapy, laser therapy, reflexology and many others are used for this purpose.
Before treating osteochondrosis of the back, the doctor gives the patient comprehensive individual recommendations, the implementation of which eliminates potential causes and risk factors.An individual course of treatment is then developed.During the treatment, the damaged cartilage tissue is completely restored.If all recommendations are followed, no recurrences of osteochondrosis occur.