Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease of the spine. It develops with age and consists of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs. For a long time there were no symptoms. A person may only notice some stiffness in the spine.
Osteochondrosis progresses slowly - many factors influence the rate of disease. If the pathology is not treated, then depending on the spine, there will be complications - sciatica, sciatica and others. Some doctors believe that such a disease as osteochondrosis does not exist, and only those who do not understand human physiology make such a diagnosis.
causes
In the 21st century, the disease has noticeably rejuvenated compared to the 20th century. Very often you meet young people with degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs during a medical examination for another pathology. There is only one reason for this: urbanization and progress.
Nowadays, a person does not have to make any effort to get to work or to get food. Most lead a sedentary lifestyle, eat malnutrition and gain weight quickly, walks in the fresh air and active activities prefer a computer and a comfortable sofa. Even before work, many get into their own cars, which are located in the underground garage on the territory of a multi-storey building, and sit at the workplace for 7-9 hours or more.
On a note. Osteochondrosis is just a human disease. None of the mammals had such a pathology. You must understand that this is Homo sapiens' retaliation for walking upright.
What provokes osteochondrosis?
Against the background of lack of exercise, lack of exercise and an unhealthy lifestyle, the following factors can lead to the onset of the disease:
- violation of mineral and vitamin metabolism;
- a large number of transmitted infectious diseases;
- chronic stress, depression;
- sudden movements, heavy lifting;
- spinal injury;
- severe hypothermia;
- limp;
- time unnoticed and not cured curvature of the spine;
- long stay in an uncomfortable position (not necessarily sitting).
On a note. Big sports have a negative impact on human health. For example, weight lifting (and not only) can become a trigger for degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs in the future.
What happens to the spine?
The following factors directly affect the health of the back:
- blood flow to the paravertebral tissues is disturbed, intervertebral discs suffer from a lack of nutrients (they do not have their own blood vessels and depend on the tissues surrounding them);
- the muscular corset supporting the spine weakens, the vertebrae receive an additional load that they cannot cope with;
- Intervertebral discs lose moisture, decrease in volume and diameter - the spine seems to sag (many people notice that with age they become 5 or even 10 centimeters lower);
- one or more parts of the spine are unstable;
- The body solves the problem of instability by growing osteophytes - these are marginal bony growths that cement the spine tightly and rob it of flexibility over time.
On a note. The reshaping of the spine itself does not cause pain - the pain syndrome occurs when nerve roots, large arteries and lymphatic vessels are injured by osteophytes or the anatomical position of the vertebral bodies has changed.
symptoms
Signs of osteochondrosis increase as the disease progresses. There are 4 stages of pathology:
- First. Symptoms are completely absent. No pain. A person may experience a little more fatigue than usual, a certain stiffness in the spine, which he explains to himself as fatigue, excessive physical exertion and overwork. Osteochondrosis in the first stage can be
- Second. Persistent pain syndrome occurs due to injury to the nerve roots, which is easily stopped by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If the patient continues to ignore the signals of his body and does not go to the doctor, the disease progresses rapidly. The mobility of the spine is limited, especially in the neck and lumbar region. The occurrence of vertebral artery syndrome is likely due to its compression either by edematous paravertebral tissues or by a displaced vertebra.
- Third. Pathology in a desolate state. Pain haunts a person around the clock and slightly weakens in a horizontal position, but it is impossible to stay in one position for a long time (on your back, on your side). Sleep is disturbed, the patient becomes irritable. A person bends down (thoracic, lumbar) and tries to find a more comfortable position that does not cause discomfort, which becomes an impetus for the formation of a hump, scoliosis and other deformities of the spine.
- Fourth. There is an accumulation of osteophytes - stabilization of the spine. The patient can only look around by fully rotating the upper body. The pain is strong, constant and is completely removed only by blockades (Novocaine, Prednisolone). The disability in the fourth level is about 80%.
Simultaneously with the listed signs, the patient may be tormented by symptoms that, at first glance, have nothing to do with the back - dizziness, flies in the eyes, arterial hypertension, numbness of the upper extremities (cervical osteochondrosis), chest pain that imitates angina- Seizure or heart, intercostal neuralgia (thoracic osteochondrosis), cauda equina syndrome, numbness of the lower extremities (lumbosacral osteochondrosis).
On a note. The pathology provokes vegetative and neurodystrophic disorders.
diagnosis
In order to establish an accurate diagnosis, the patient is sent for x-ray, myelography and neurological examination of the reflexes. If this is not sufficient, a transfer will be made to:
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging);
- CT (computed tomography);
- NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance).
The doctor also interviews the patient and conducts a medical examination that reveals pain points, a possible curvature of the spine, different leg lengths and other objective signs of damage to the spine.
therapy
Treatment of osteochondrosis is complex. To stop, or at least slow down, the degeneration process are assigned:
- Chondroprotectors - external, oral (oral), in injections to restore cartilage tissue;
- muscle relaxants - relax spasmodic muscle groups, are used only under medical supervision;
- Painkiller;
- blockages - relieve pain for a long time, but do not cure it;
- physiotherapy (magnetotherapy, phonophoresis, vibrotherapy, EHF and others);
- exercise therapy and author gymnastics;
- Massage;
- Acupuncture;
- Balneo and mud therapy.
In advanced cases (uncontrolled urination and defecation, cauda equina syndrome), surgical intervention may be required to decompress and stabilize the affected spinal segments.
Decompression operations with posterior approach:
- facetectomy;
- foraminotomy;
- laminectomy;
- laminotomy.
Anterior Approach Decompression Surgery:
- discectomy;
- corpectomy.
To stabilize the damaged segment, spinal fusion is used - the fusion of adjacent vertebrae using a special fixed structure (rods). A bone implant is used in place of the removed disc (the bone material is either taken from a donor or formed from the patient's own bone).
On a note. Spinal fusion can be avoided. Surgeons have come a long way in the surgical treatment of osteochondrosis. Instead of a removed intervertebral disc, there is the possibility of inserting an artificial one and thus avoiding a complete immobilization of the segment. Operations on the spine are fraught with many complications, so they are prescribed only in extreme cases.
prevention
Hippocrates said, "It is easier to prevent a disease than to cure it. "This rule also applies to osteochondrosis. It is enough for a person to monitor his health, lead an active lifestyle, eat right and regularly play sports to maintain spinal health.
If, nevertheless, the disease has manifested itself, prevention will help not to start it. Follow these guidelines:
- Sleep on the right mattress and pillow. Choose orthopedic and consult your doctor first.
- Make it a rule to walk at least half an hour before and after work. During the break, do not sit at the computer or on the phone, warm up and then eat a snack.
- Watch your weight. The higher it is, the harder it is on the spine.
- Observe the sleep mode (work during the day, sleep at night).
- Try to eliminate stress from your life. If you feel like you are slipping into depression, see a specialist.
On a note. Traditional healers claim that osteochondrosis can be cured with the help of medicinal herbs. How true this statement is is difficult to say. Treatment with alternative methods can be used along with the one prescribed by the doctor. Otherwise the result is not guaranteed.
Osteochondrosis is a dangerous disease fraught with disabilities if treatment is not started on time. If you feel that you tire suspiciously easily and your spine is less flexible than before in the morning, see a doctor for a thorough examination. At the initial stage, the pathology can be slowed down and even stopped completely.