Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, in which degenerative processes occur in the cartilage and joints. It is characterized by the thinning of the intervertebral discs and a decrease in their elasticity.
Features of the disease
This disease mainly affects the elderly. Although scientists note that the manifestations of the disease increasingly begin from the age of thirty or even earlier. This suggests that the disease has become much younger.
The intervertebral discs perform a shock-absorbing function, but in case of illness they are unable to cope with their task. A person suffering from osteochondrosis almost always complains of pain, while pain can occur locally and remotely. A person experiences stiffness in movement, lethargy and fatigue.
Basically, the pain occurs in the section affected by the disease.
Localization of the pathology and its types
Depending on which part of the spine is damaged by the pathology, 4 types of osteochondrosis are distinguished:
- Cervical osteochondrosis. . . It occurs in case of pathological changes in the cervical spine. The vertebrae become fragile, the load on the cervical spine increases, which can lead to rupture of the thyroid gland, pinching the artery that supplies blood to the brain.
- Thoracic osteochondrosis. . . Pathological changes occur in the thoracic spine. It is diagnosed in patients less often than in other types, as the thoracic vertebrae are less mobile and protected by stronger muscles. Symptoms of this type are similar to cardiovascular disease.
- Lumbar osteochondrosis. . . This type is the most common. Since the lumbar spine has the greatest load.
- Combined. . . It occurs when there is damage to several parts of the spine at the same time.
Along with this, the disease can affect other joints. Most often they suffer:
- Shoulder joint. . . As a rule, the disease is caused by the transition of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine to the shoulder joint.
- Hip joint. . . It occurs due to changes in cartilage tissue and a lack of fluid between the joints.
- Knee joint. . . Chondrosis can manifest itself in 3 forms:
- Koenig's disease, in which cartilage tissue is affected.
- Larsen-Johansson disease, in which changes occur in the joint above the knee.
- Osgood-Schlatter disease, related to changes in the tibia.
Classification and degree of manifestation of the disease
The disease can be classified according to the degree of its manifestation. At the same time, it is difficult to determine the degree of the disease before the onset of characteristic pains. There are 4 degrees of manifestation of the disease:
- The initial stage of the development of the disease. It occurs due to the displacement of the spinal disc associated with careless lifting of weight. It is characterized by unstable pain sensations. At this stage, the disease is difficult to diagnose, but it is easily treatable.
- This phase is characterized by the gradual destruction of the intervertebral disc, drying and loss of shock absorbing properties. This leads to increased tension on the blood vessels and nerve endings. Pain sensations intensify and are more pronounced with physical exertion and sudden movements. Treatment of the disease at this stage is conservative.
- The fibrous ring is destroyed and an intervertebral hernia appears. There is a deformation of the spine. The pains become significant. Treatment is only possible with surgery.
- At this stage, the vertebrae grow together due to the formation of osteophytes. There is a pinching of the tissues of the spine, the vertebrae lose their mobility and restrict the movement of a person. At this stage, the disease can cause disability and is no longer amenable to treatment.
Typical symptoms
Each type of disease has its own symptoms. So, for example, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by:
- Painful sensations in the arms and shoulder girdle.
- Headache.
- Dizziness and spots in front of the eyes.
- Instability of blood pressure.
- Loss of sensation in the fingers.
- Tinnitus.
For the pathology of the thoracic region, the symptoms are characteristic:
- Pain in the heart region.
- Painful feelings in hypochondria.
- Lack of air due to sharp pains of a stabbing nature.
When the disease is localized in the lumbar spine, there are:
- Painful sensations in the lower back.
- Decreased sensitivity in the legs.
- Radiant pain in the legs.
- Violation of the pelvic organs.
There are also general symptoms that do not depend on the localization of the disease:
- Back pain.
- Muscle spasms.
- Movement restriction.
- Change in pain syndrome depending on the load and sudden movements.
- Numbness of the limbs.
- Quick fatigue.
- Decreased sensitivity of the limbs.
Signs and manifestations of osteochondrosis
The first signs of the disease begin to appear at the first stage of development. These include:
- Swelling and pain in the lower back after being in one position for more than half an hour.
- The presence of back pain after a long sitting.
- The need to stretch after waking up and the inability to wake up and get up immediately.
- Perceived crunching in the back.
- Goosebumps and decreased sensitivity of the limbs.
- Unpleasant sensations in the back when bending over.
- General weakness.
- Violation of the reproductive function and the work of internal organs.
In addition, osteochondrosis can manifest itself with the onset of pain during weight lifting and physical activity.
Methods for diagnosing pathology
A complex of methods is used to diagnose osteochondrosis. Includes:
Initial examination and questioning of the patient:
- Interview a patient to clarify the complaints, the duration of the onset of symptoms.
- Examination of the patient's body, study of posture, gait and movement.
- Palpation of problem areas.
- Determination of pain sensitivity.
Instrumental diagnostics:
- X-rays to help identify the deformation of the intervertebral discs.
- MRI to determine the presence of a herniated disc and its location.
- Computed tomography is similar in its performance to magnetic resonance imaging, but has a higher degree of radiation.
Methods to cure the disease
After performing diagnostic procedures and diagnosing osteochondrosis, the doctor prescribes adequate treatment.
Since osteochondrosis is treatable only in the early stages of development, all the main measures are aimed primarily at relieving pain. To do this, apply:
- Drug.
- Physiotherapy.
- Manual therapy.
- Massage therapy.
- Diet.
As a drug treatment, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. They are aimed at relieving the inflammatory process in the area of the disease and blocking pain.
Chondroprotectors are also used to restore cartilage tissue. To maintain the normal functioning of the body, immunostimulants and vitamin complexes are used.
Physiotherapy methods are aimed at suppressing pain, normalizing metabolic processes in the affected areas, improving blood circulation, relieving inflammation and edema. These include:
- Acupuncture.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Electrophoresis.
- Laser therapy.
- Paraffin therapy.
Physiotherapy methods help reduce treatment times and have fewer side effects than drug treatments.
Manual therapy is a dosed effect of the doctor's hands on the affected areas of the back, in order to remove restrictions that interfere with the normal functioning of joints, muscles, ligaments.
Therapeutic massage should only be performed by a specialist and is aimed at relieving muscle tension, restoring displaced vertebrae and normalizing blood circulation. The procedure must be done 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 a lot of plant foods. In the fight against osteochondrosis, it is necessary to exclude such foods as: coffee and strong tea, foods rich in salt and sugar, carbonated drinks 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, practice physical activity, use an orthopedic mattress and pillow for sleeping, avoid wearing uncomfortable shoes, better use orthopedic shoes.
You should also monitor your diet and maintain a healthy weight. With a long stay in a static state, it is necessary to spend time on exercises that help normalize blood circulation.
In addition, for the prevention and prevention of the disease, it is possible to undergo sanatorium treatment and general strengthening massages.