Intervertebral osteochondrosis- pathology, from which the parents suffer earlier. Today, the disease also occurs in young patients. This is due to the fact that more and more people lead an inactive lifestyle, spend a lot of time at the computer and do not pay attention to physical activity. Osteochondrosis develops with improper spinal position and weakness of the back muscles. Pathology is successfully treated, but it is important to see a specialist as early as possible!
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, characterized by lesions of the intervertebral discs, as well as the vertebral tissues themselves. Pathology is dangerous by a number of complications, the most serious of which are vertebral hernias and protrusions. It is very important to prevent the condition from getting worse and start treatment of back osteochondrosis immediately.
Cause
The main cause of the development of osteochondrosis,according to many experts, the load is not properly distributed in the spine. The result of excessive stress is a change in the structure of cartilage.
The development of osteochondrosis is also facilitated by factors such as:
- Hereditary tendencies
- Spinal cord injuries
- Metabolic diseases
- Lack of physical activity
- Pregnancy
- Pressure
- Overwork
- Overweight
- Bad habits
Morbidity risk groups include office workers, drivers, cashiers and athletes.
Stage of development
There are 4 stages in the development of this disease:
- First stage. . . It is characterized by dehydration of the intervertebral disc nucleus. After that, the height of the disk is reduced. At this stage, the patient does not experience significant discomfort. Sometimes unpleasant sensations can occur during active training or in an unusual position.
- The second level. . . It is characterized by disc protrusion, in which the gap between the vertebrae is reduced. As a result, the nerve endings are pinched, which causes local pain of increasing intensity with sudden movements
- The third stage. . . It is characterized by cartilage abrasion between the vertebral tissues. The symptoms of this stage are pronounced. The patient complained of severe pain that could only be overcome with strong medication
- Level four. . . It is characterized by completely or partially limited mobility.
It is better to start treatment of spinal osteochondrosis at the first symptom! In this case, the chances of full recovery are quite high.
Types of osteochondrosis
Depending on the place of origin of the pathological process, several types of osteochondrosis are distinguished:
- Cervix. . . Such osteochondrosis occurs when there is a disorder of the cervical vertebrae. The most common pathological symptoms are acute pain when dizziness, sneezing and coughing, and lumbago
- Sectoral. . . Such osteochondrosis is less common than other forms. Acute pain is not typical for pathology. Osteochondrosis is characterized by symptoms of a number of other diseases. Pain in the sternum for example, causes the patient to suspect angina
- Lumbar. . . Osteochondrosis like this occurs more often than other forms. This is due to the fact that the lumbar spine experiences increased stress. The patient complained of not only severe pain, but also numbness (including in the legs)
In some cases, osteochondrosis of the coccyx is diagnosed. There is also the concept of mixed pathology, in which 2 parts of the spine are involved in a pathological process. With diffuse osteochondrosis, all segments of the spinal space are affected.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis in adults
The main symptoms of spinal pathological changes in adult patients include:
- Pain that can occur in the neck, shoulders, lower back, and even in the ribs
- Feeling of cramps in the back and lower back
- Numbness in the limbs
- Muscle cramps or a feeling of weakness in them
- Shivering and body aches
- Increased fatigue
- Dizziness and headaches are caused by pinched nerve endings
At a later stage, patients complain of sensory disturbances in the back, legs and arms, pain in the heart area, disturbances in the function of the genitourinary system (difficulty urinating, for example).
Pathological symptoms often increase after hard work, vigorous sports, low temperature exposure to the body.
Complications
The destructive process that affects the intervertebral disc, reduces its density and causes loss of shock absorption ability. This causes damage to muscles, joints and ligaments. With long -term osteochondrosis, not only individual nerve endings are squeezed, but also the spinal cord as a whole, leading to complications of the nervous system.
Deterioration of blood supply to the whole body leads to increased manifestations of chronic diseases.
Osteochondrosis can also provoke pathologies such as:
- Lumbago(acute pain in the lumbar region)
- Spondylosis(destruction of vertebrae)
- Spinal stenosis, in which the work of the entire central nervous system is significantly disrupted
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is made using a number of instrumental methods. The primary diagnosis is made based on examination and collection of anamnesis.
The doctor interviews the patient and explains:
- The time of onset of the first symptoms
- Period of pain
- Characteristics of signs of pathological conditions
During the inspection:
- The patient's body position was assessed while standing and sitting
- The amount of movement is determined
- Steps and changes in it are evaluated
- The skin condition is examined to identify areas of exfoliation and redness
- Areas are detected where the patient experiences a painful sensation
- The general condition of the body is assessed
- The area where the spasm muscles is determined
The main instrumental methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis include:
- X-ray examination. . . This allows you to determine the narrowing of the gap between individual vertebrae
- Computed tomography. . . During such studies, the vertebrae that suffer during the pathological process are determined.
- MRI(Magnetic resonance imaging). This study is the most accurate and allows you to assess all the destructive processes in the spine.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis is always done thoroughly.
Therapy includes:
- Taking medicine
- Sort
- Do special exercises
- Physiotherapy
- Attraction (including underwater)
- Manual therapy
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, thoracic, lumbar spine is highly dependent on symptoms.
Sort, for example, is prescribed when the patient is not in severe pain. These sessions allow you to reduce muscle tone, increase blood flow, and strengthen the intervertebral discs.
Physiotherapyallows you to strengthen the back muscles, to form a reliable corset that ensures proper load distribution on the spinal space. During the lesson, tissue nutrition improved, blood circulation increased. Physical therapy helps even with reduced movement. To achieve the desired results, exercise should be done regularly, slowly and smoothly, and monitor your breathing and heart rate. Before starting a class, be sure to see a doctor. All training is supervised by experienced instructors. Only in this case, treatment of lumbar or other spinal osteochondrosis will relieve the symptoms of the disease and eliminate its cause.
Physiotherapyeffective in combating pain. Typically, patients are referred for ultrasound therapy, magnetotherapy, and exposure to low -frequency currents. Physiotherapy allows you to normalize metabolic processes, reduce inflammation, increase joint mobility, and relieve swelling.
Rehabilitation treatment
Rehabilitation treatment of spinal osteochondrosis is also performed under the close supervision of a physician. It aims to restore health after pathology. Therapy is only performed when the pain subsides and the patient no longer experiences severe discomfort.
The most popular recovery techniques include:
- Swim regularly
- Manual therapy
- Sort
- Electrophoresis and magnetotherapy
- Treat by exposing the area exposed to the laser beam
- Nutritional correction
- Work with psychologists
- Sauna tour
- Hydromassage
- Use of curative mud
Patients are advised to undergo spa treatments at specialized institutions. Also, therapy can be carried out on an outpatient basis. Rehabilitation treatment of osteochondrosis of the lower back and other departments is carried out in the complex in the same way as the main. In this case, high performance is observed.
Prophylaxis
If the prevention of osteochondrosis is done in a timely manner, you do not have to deal with pathological treatment.
Experts have made various preventive measures.
Consists of:
- Limit heavy lifting
- Proper nutrition
- Maintain a daily routine and get regular rest
- Swim
- Take special supplementscontains valuable elements for cartilage tissue (mucopolysaccharides)
- Do moderate exercise
If at work or at home you have to spend a lot of time sitting, you need to rest for a while, get up, walk, relieve tension from the back.
All recommendations for the prevention of osteochondrosis will be given by the doctor. By contacting him, you can prevent the development of dangerous pathological processes.
Benefits of treatment in a professional clinic:
- It uses a qualified doctor. They conduct a comprehensive diagnosis of osteochondrosis and treatment of the disease using modern techniques and the latest achievements.
- Treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out using a unique method of injection. It allows you to relieve pain permanently and quickly and reduce inflammation in tissues.
- The clinic employs doctors who are skilled at performing restraints and performing other specialized treatments, eliminating the symptoms of the disease, even at an advanced stage.
- Specialists successfully apply rehabilitation techniques that combine the results of therapy and prevent the development of pathological processes. Thanks to this, the patient, even with advanced stages of the disease, continues to engage in physical activity.
- Doctors prevent many complications of osteochondrosis, including curvature of the spine, hernias and limb paralysis.
- Examination, therapy and disease prevention are always done in an environment that is comfortable for the patient. Attention is given to everyone who seeks professional help.
- Involvement in therapy is not only an orthopedist, but also other specialists.