Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease in which the intervertebral disc suffers, the type of disease, symptoms and methods of treatment.
The middle part (nucleus pulposus) of the intervertebral disc first swells and then shrinks, losing its shock -absorbing properties. And the annulus fibrosus, which lies along the edge of the disc, becomes thin and cracks form in it.
When the nucleus pulposus penetrates into this crack, a protrusion appears, and if the annulus ruptures, the gelatinous body falls off, forming a herniated disc. With increasing age, the risk of developing osteochondrosis increases significantly.
Important
Osteochondrosis can have different localizations. The most common type is lumbosacral (in 50% of cases). Cervical osteochondrosis is often found (in 25% of cases), more rarely osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. In 12% of cases, the defeat of the intervertebral disc affects several parts of the spinal space at once - this is the most severe form of the disease.
Regardless of its location, the disease has several stages.
Level 1characterized by instability of the spinal segment, which manifests itself in disc violations.
2nd rankstated in the statement that the vertebrae are less fixed between them due to the protrusion of the intervertebral disc. The gap between the vertebrae is reduced.
On3rd rankthere are already serious spinal deformities, such as destruction of the annulus fibrosus and the formation of an intervertebral hernia. Pain syndrome and other symptoms depend a lot on the location of the hernia, its shape and size.
On4th rankit is difficult for the patient to move, and sudden movements cause acute pain. Sometimes the pain subsides, and a person’s condition improves, but this is only a clear progression related to the fact that bone tissue grows between the vertebrae, which connects the two vertebrae together.
Check yourself
With cervical osteochondrosis, there are:
- pain in the neck or pain in the form of lumbago, radiating to the area of the shoulder blades, back of the head or hands;
- neck muscle tension, when touching - a painful sensation;
- numbness of the tongue, swelling;
- feeling of goose bumps and tingling in the neck and arms;
- weakness of the neck and shoulder muscles.
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic region:
- periodically there is a sharp pain, as if of a stick in the chest;
- there is a feeling that the chest is squeezing the loop;
- there is intercostal pain when walking. The pain increases with breathing and does not disappear after taking nitroglycerin, but is usually short -lived.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is characterized by:
- pain in the lumbar region, sometimes because they are unlikely to straighten the buttocks;
- pain radiating to the legs, sacrum, groin;
- loss of foot sensitivity, impaired movement;
- cold feet, goose bumps and tingling.
On a note
Many people think that sciatica is disease free. In fact, this is one of the manifestations of osteochondrosis. Damage to the intervertebral disc leads to the fact that adjacent vertebrae are close to each other and can breach on nerve fibers extending from the spinal cord. A herniated disc can also compress nerve roots. In this case, pain occurs, which spreads along certain nerve fibers and, thus, imparts it to one or another part of the body, most often to the lower back and one of the legs, more rarely to the neck or arms.
There is also the term "lumbago". This is the name for acute pain in the lower back. It can occur with sharp movements, lifting weights, unsuccessful turns, prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position. During an attack, a person often takes a forced position, any attempt to move increases the pain, often there is a spasm of the muscles of the lumbar region. Lumbago is most often also caused by osteochondrosis of the spine.
Risk factors
Tall people with poor posture or weakness of the back and abdominal muscles are prone to osteochondrosis; fat; office workers, living a sedentary lifestyle, as well as movers, construction workers, who often carry heavy loads. It is also common for professional drivers with prolonged vibration exposure.
Sports injuries with improper training cause osteochondrosis. The disease often afflicts former professional athletes who abruptly end intensive training.
Osteochondrosis is far more dangerous than it seems. It is often the cause of dysfunction of many organs and systems. Sometimes the disease leads to unbearable pain, and pinching of nerve roots - to partial or complete paralysis of the arm or leg.
If left untreated, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can cause dizziness, headaches, and insomnia. Launched chest osteochondrosis is fraught with complications such as intercostal neuralgia. Lumbar osteochondrosis is dangerous with consequences such as the development of curvature of the spine and destruction of the larger intervertebral disc, inflammation of the sciatic nerve (sciatica), serious disorders in the function of the organs of the genitourinary system.
Patient memo
For the treatment of exacerbation of osteochondrosis, in most cases, conservative treatment is used. Its main goal is to withstand pain and relieve reflex muscle tension caused by pain, stiffness of movement. For this, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants are used.
In addition, drugs are used to speed recovery: Vitamin B, agents that increase blood supply to the spine and nerve root nutrition, biostimulants, as well as sedatives that support the nervous system, fatigue due to prolonged pain.
To improve blood circulation and relieve tissue edema, stimulate muscles, physiotherapeutic methods are used: magnetic therapy and ultrasound, phono- and electrophoresis, darsonvalization, electromyostimulation. Acupuncture, manual therapy, massage, mud applications are also used.
To unload the spine, increase the distance between the vertebrae, traction treatment is used. The prognosis of successful recovery is not possible without physiotherapy training, which actively involves the patient in the treatment process.
Surgical treatment is used in severe and advanced cases.