Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, in which degenerative processes occur in the cartilage and joints. It is characterized by thinning of the intervertebral discs and a decrease in their elasticity.
Characteristics of the disease
This disease mainly affects the elderly. Although scientists note that the manifestations of the disease increasingly begin at the age of thirty, or even earlier. This suggests that the disease has become much younger.
Intervertebral discs provide a shock-absorbing function, but in the event of disease, they are unable to cope with their task. A person suffering from osteochondrosis almost always complains of pain, while the pain can appear locally and at a distance. A person feels stiffness in movement, lethargy and fatigue.
Basically, the pain appears in the part affected by the disease.
Localization of pathology and its types
Depending on which part of the spine is damaged by the pathology, 4 types of osteochondrosis are distinguished:
- Osteochondrosis of the cervix. . . Occurs in the case of pathological changes in the cervical spine. The vertebrae become brittle, the load on the cervical spine increases, which can lead to disruption of the thyroid gland, narrowing of the artery that supplies blood to the brain.
- Chest osteochondrosis. . . Pathological changes occur in the thoracic spine. It is diagnosed in patients less frequently than other types, as the thoracic vertebrae are less mobile and protected by stronger muscles. The symptoms of this type are similar to cardiovascular diseases.
- Osteochondrosis mesit. . . This type is the most common. Since the lumbar spine has the greatest load.
- combined. . . Occurs in case of damage to several parts of the spine at the same time.
Along with this, the disease can affect other joints. Most often suffer:
- Shoulder connection. . . As a rule, the disease is caused by the passage of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine to the shoulder joint.
- Common key. . . Occurs due to changes in cartilage tissue and lack of fluid between the joints.
- Knee joint. . . Chondrosis can appear in 3 forms:
- Koenig's disease, in which cartilage tissue is affected.
- Larsen-Johansson disease, in which changes occur in the knee joint.
- Osgood-Schlatter disease, associated with changes in tibia.
Classification and degree of manifestation of the disease
The disease can be classified according to the degree of its occurrence. At the same time, determining the extent of the disease before the onset of characteristic pain is difficult. There are 4 stages of disease manifestation:
- The initial stage of disease development. Occurs due to displacement of the spinal disc that is associated with careless weight lifting. It is characterized by unstable sensations of pain. At this stage, the disease is difficult to diagnose, but it is easily curable.
- This stage is characterized by gradual destruction of the intervertebral disc, drying and loss of shock-absorbing properties. This leads to an increase in tension in the blood vessels and nerve endings. The sensations of pain intensify and are more pronounced with physical exertion and sudden movements. Treatment of the disease at this stage is conservative.
- Anulus fibrosus is destroyed, and an intervertebral hernia appears. There is a deformity of the spine. The pain becomes considerable. Treatment is possible only with surgery.
- At this stage, the vertebrae grow together due to the formation of osteophytes. There is a pinch of spinal tissue, the vertebrae lose their movement and restrict a person’s movement. At this stage, the disease can cause disability and is no longer suitable for treatment.
Typical symptoms
Each type of disease has its own symptoms. Thus, for example, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by:
- Painful sensations in the arms and shoulder girdle.
- Headache.
- Dizziness and spots in front of the eyes.
- Blood pressure instability.
- Loss of sensitivity in the fingers.
- Tinitus.
For the pathology of the chest region, the symptoms are characteristic:
- Pain in the heart region.
- Painful sensation in hypochondria.
- Shortness of breath due to sharp pains of a shooting nature.
When the disease is localized in the lumbar spine, there are:
- Painful sensation in the lower back.
- Decreased foot sensitivity.
- Radiant pain in the legs.
- Violation of the pelvic organs.
There are also general symptoms that do not depend on the location of the disease:
- Grief back.
- Muscle spasms.
- Movement restriction.
- Change in pain syndrome depending on load and sudden movements.
- Numbness of the limbs.
- Rapid fatigue.
- Decreased limb sensitivity.
Signs and manifestations of osteochondrosis
The first signs of the disease begin to appear in the first stage of development. This includes:
- Swelling and pain in the lower back after standing in one position for more than half an hour.
- Presence of back pain after a long landing.
- The need to prolong after waking up and the inability to wake up immediately and get up.
- Perceived chewing in the back.
- Goose buzzing and reduced limb sensation.
- Uncomfortable sensation in the back when bending over.
- General weakness.
- Violation of reproductive function and the work of internal organs.
Also, osteochondrosis can manifest itself arising from pain during weight lifting and physical activity.
Methods for diagnosing pathology
A complex of methods is used to diagnose osteochondrosis. It includes:
Initial examination and patient question:
- Interviewing a patient to clarify complaints, duration of onset of symptoms.
- Examination of the patient's body, study of behavior, gait and movement.
- Palpation of problem areas.
- Determination of pain sensitivity.
Instrumental diagnostics:
- X-rays to help identify deformity of intervertebral discs.
- MRI to determine the presence of a disc herniation and its location.
- Computed tomography is similar in its performance to magnetic resonance imaging, but has a greater degree of radiation.
Methods for treating the disease
After performing diagnostic procedures and diagnosing osteochondrosis, the doctor prescribes the appropriate treatment.
Since osteochondrosis is curable only in the early stages of development, all major measures are primarily aimed at relieving pain. To do this, apply:
- Medicines.
- Physiotherapy.
- Manual therapy.
- Masotherapy.
- Diet.
As a drug treatment, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. They are intended to facilitate the inflammatory process in the disease area and block the pain.
Chondroprotectors are also used to restore cartilage tissue. Immunostimulants and vitamin complexes are used to maintain the normal functioning of the body.
Physiotherapy methods are aimed at suppressing pain, normalizing metabolic processes in the affected areas, improving blood circulation, relieving inflammation and edema. This includes:
- Acupuncture.
- Magnetic therapy.
- Electrophoresis.
- Laser therapy.
- Paraffin therapy.
Physiotherapy methods help shorten treatment time and have fewer side effects than medication treatments.
Manual therapy is a dosed effect of the doctor's hands on the affected areas of the back, in order to remove the restrictions that interfere with the normal functioning of joints, muscles, ligaments.
Therapeutic massage should be performed only by a specialist and aims to relieve muscle tension, restore displaced vertebrae and normalize blood circulation. The procedure should be performed at least three times a week.
The osteochondrosis diet aims to normalize weight, improve blood circulation, replenish collagen, eliminate calcium and mineral deficiencies, and help control fluid and salt intake. The diet should be balanced and contain plenty of plant foods. In the fight against osteochondrosis, it is necessary to exclude foods such as: strong coffee and tea, foods rich in salt and sugar, carbonated beverages and fatty foods.
The disease, during these procedures, can be corrected and only in difficult stages requires surgical intervention.
Preventive measures
To prevent this disease, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle and give up bad habits, apply physical activity, use an orthopedic mattress and a sleeping pillow, avoid using uncomfortable shoes, it is better to use orthopedic shoes.
You also need to monitor your diet and maintain a healthy weight. With a long stay in a static state, it is necessary to schedule time for exercises that help normalize blood circulation.
Also, for the prevention and prevention of the disease, you can undergo sanatorium treatment and general strengthening massage.