Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease in which the intervertebral disc suffers, types of disease, symptoms and treatment methods.
The central part (nucleus pulposus) of the intervertebral disc first swells and then shrinks, losing its shock-absorbing properties. And the annulus fibrosus, located along the periphery of the disc, becomes thin and cracks form in it.
When the nucleus pulposus seeps into this crack, protrusion appears, and if the annulus breaks, the gelatinous body falls out, forming a herniated disc. With age, the risk of developing osteochondrosis increases significantly.
Important
Osteochondrosis can have different localization. The most common type is lumbosacral (in 50% of cases). Cervical osteochondrosis is often 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 spinal column at once - this is the most severe form of the disease.
Regardless of its location, the disease has several stages.
1st stagecharacterized by instability of the segments of the spine, which manifests itself in a violation of the disc.
2nd stageit is expressed in the fact that the vertebrae are less fixed among themselves due to protrusion of the intervertebral disc. The gap between the vertebrae decreases.
On the3rd stagethere are already serious deformities of the spine, such as destruction of the annulus fibrosus and the formation of an intervertebral hernia. 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 lead to acute pain. Sometimes the pain decreases, and the person's condition improves, but this is only an apparent progress associated with the fact that bone tissue grows between the vertebrae, which connects two vertebrae together.
Check yourself
With cervical osteochondrosis, there are:
- aching pain in the neck or pain in the form of a lumbago, radiating to the area of the shoulder blades, back of the head or hands;
- tension of the muscles of the neck, when touching - painful sensations;
- feeling of numbness of the tongue, its swelling;
- feeling of goose bumps and tingling in the neck and arm;
- weakness of the neck and shoulder muscles.
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic region:
- periodically there are sharp pains, as if a stake in the chest;
- there is a feeling that the chest is squeezing the hoop;
- there is intercostal pain when walking. The pain increases with breathing and does not go away after taking nitroglycerin, but it is usually short-lived.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is characterized by:
- pain in the lumbar region, sometimes because of them it is impossible to straighten the back;
- pain radiating to the legs, sacrum, groin;
- loss of sensitivity of the legs, impaired mobility;
- cold feet, goose bumps and tingling.
On a note
Many people think that sciatica is an independent disease. In fact, this is one of the manifestations of osteochondrosis. Damage to the intervertebral disc leads to the fact that adjacent vertebrae come closer to each other and can infringe on the bundles of nerve fibers extending from the spinal cord. A herniated disc can also compress nerve roots. In this case, pain arises, which spreads along the course of certain nerve fibers and, accordingly, gives it to one or another 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 "lumbago". This is the name for acute pain in the lower back. It can occur with a sharp movement, lifting weights, an unsuccessful turn, a long stay in an uncomfortable position. During an attack, a person often takes a forced position, any attempt to move increases the pain, often a spasm of the muscles of the lumbar region develops. Lumbago is most often also caused by osteochondrosis of the spine.
Risk factors
People of tall stature with poor posture or weakness of the muscles of the back and abdomen are predisposed to osteochondrosis; obese; office workers, leading a predominantly sedentary lifestyle, as well as movers, construction workers, who often carry heavy loads. It is also common for professional drivers with prolonged exposure to vibration.
Sports injuries with improper training lead to osteochondrosis. The disease often overtakes former professional athletes who have abruptly ended intense 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 unbearable pain, and pinching of the nerve roots - to partial or complete paralysis of the arm or leg.
Left untreated, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can cause dizziness, headaches, and insomnia. Launched chest osteochondrosis is fraught with such complications as intercostal neuralgia. Lumbar osteochondrosis is dangerous with consequences such as the progression of curvature of the spine and even greater destruction of the intervertebral discs, inflammation of the sciatic nerve (sciatica), serious disorders in the functioning of the genitourinary system.
Patient memo
For the treatment of exacerbations of osteochondrosis, in most cases, conservative treatment is used. Its main goal is to suppress pain and eliminate pain-induced reflex muscle tension, stiffness of movement. For this, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants are used.
In addition, drugs are used to help speed up recovery: B vitamins, agents that improve blood supply to the spine and nutrition of nerve roots, biostimulants, as well as sedatives that support the nervous system, exhausted by prolonged pain.
To improve blood circulation and relieve tissue edema, stimulate muscles, physiotherapeutic methods are used: magnetic and ultrasound therapy, phono- and electrophoresis, darsonvalization, electromyostimulation. Also, acupuncture, manual therapy, massage, mud applications are used.
To unload the spine, increase the distance between the vertebrae, traction treatment is used. A successful prognosis of recovery is impossible without physiotherapy exercises, which actively involve the patient in the treatment process.
Surgical treatment is used in severe, advanced cases.