Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which degenerative processes occur in cartilage and joints. It is characterized by a 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 more and more often the manifestations of the disease begin from the age of 30 or even earlier. This suggests that the disease has become much younger.
The intervertebral discs have a shock-absorbing function, but are not up to their task in the event of illness. A person suffering from osteochondrosis almost always complains of pain, while pain can manifest locally and remotely. A person experiences stiffness in movements, lethargy, and fatigue.
Basically, pain is manifested in the section affected by the disease.
Localization of the pathology and its types
Depending on which part of the spine is pathologically damaged, 4 types of osteochondrosis are distinguished:
- Cervical osteochondrosis. . . It occurs with pathological changes in the cervical spine. The vertebrae become brittle and the load on the cervical spine increases, which can disrupt the thyroid and pinch the artery that supplies blood to the brain.
- Osteochondrosis of the breast. . . Pathological changes occur in the thoracic spine. It is diagnosed less often in patients than in other types because the thoracic vertebrae are less mobile and protected by stronger muscles. Symptoms of this type are similar to those of cardiovascular disease.
- Lumbar osteochondrosis. . . This type is the most common. Because the lumbar spine has the greatest load.
- Combined. . . It occurs when multiple parts of the spine are damaged at the same time.
In addition, the disease can affect other joints as well. Most often they suffer from:
- Shoulder joint. . . Usually 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, which affects cartilage tissue.
- Larsen-Johansson disease, in which changes occur in the joint above the knee.
- Osgood-Schlatter disease, which is 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 appearance of characteristic pain. 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 intervertebral disc associated with careless lifting of weights. It is characterized by unstable pain sensations. At this stage, the disease is difficult to diagnose, but easily treatable.
- This stage is characterized by the gradual destruction of the intervertebral disc, drying out and the loss of shock-absorbing properties. This leads to an increase in tension on blood vessels and nerve endings. Sensations of pain increase and are most pronounced with physical exertion and sudden movements. Treatment of the disease at this stage is conservative.
- The annulus fibrosus is destroyed and a herniated disc occurs. The spine is deformed. The pain becomes significant. Treatment is only possible with an operation.
- At this stage the vertebrae grow together through the formation of osteophytes. The tissue of the spinal column becomes trapped, the vertebrae lose their mobility and restrict a person's movement. At this stage, the disease can become disabling and inaccessible to treatment.
Typical symptoms
Each type of disease has its own set of symptoms. For example, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by:
- Painful sensations in the arms and shoulder girdle.
- A headache.
- Dizziness and spots in front of the eyes.
- Blood pressure instability.
- Loss of sensitivity in the fingers.
- Tinnitus.
Symptoms are characteristic of the pathology of the chest region:
- Pain in the region of the heart.
- Painful feelings in the hypochondria.
- Lack of air due to sharp pains of a shooting nature.
If the disease is localized in the lumbar spine, there are:
- Painful feelings in the lower back.
- Decreased sensitivity in the legs.
- Radiating pain in the legs.
- Injury to the pelvic organs.
There are also general symptoms that do not depend on the localization of the disease:
- Back pain.
- Muscle spasms.
- Restriction of movement.
- Change in pain syndrome depending on the load and sudden movements.
- Numbness of the limbs.
- Rapid fatigue.
- Decreased limb sensitivity.
Signs and manifestations of osteochondrosis
The first signs of the disease appear in the first stage of development. These include:
- Swelling and pain in the lower back after lying in one position for more than half an hour.
- The presence of pain in the back after long periods of sitting.
- The need to stretch when you wake up and the inability to wake up and get up immediately.
- Perceived back crunch.
- Goosebumps and decreased limb sensation.
- Unpleasant sensations in the back when stooping.
- General weakness.
- Violation of the reproductive function and the work of internal organs.
Osteochondrosis can also be manifested by pain when lifting weights and exercising.
Methods of diagnosing pathologies
A complex of methods is used to diagnose osteochondrosis. It contains:
Initial examination and questioning of the patient:
- Interviewing a patient to clarify complaints, duration of onset of symptoms.
- Examination of the patient's body, examination of posture, gait and movement.
- Palpation of problem areas.
- Determination of sensitivity to pain.
Instrumental diagnostics:
- X-ray to identify deformations 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 tomography, but has a higher degree of radiation.
Methods of treating the disease
After performing diagnostic procedures and diagnosing osteochondrosis, the doctor will prescribe the correct treatment.
Since osteochondrosis can only be treated in the first stages of development, all essential measures are mainly aimed at relieving pain. Apply for it:
- Medication.
- Physical therapy.
- Manual therapy.
- Massotherapy.
- Diet.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used as drug treatment. 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, immune stimulants and vitamin complexes are used.
Physiotherapeutic methods are aimed at suppressing pain, normalizing metabolic processes in the affected areas, improving blood circulation, relieving inflammation and edema. These include:
- Acupuncture.
- Magnetic Therapy.
- Electrophoresis.
- Laser therapy.
- Paraffin therapy.
Physiotherapy methods help to shorten treatment times and have fewer side effects than drug treatments.
Manual therapy is a metered action of the doctor's hands on the affected areas of the back to remove restrictions that affect the normal function of joints, muscles, and 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 should be done at least three times a week.
Diet for osteochondrosis is aimed at normalizing weight, improving blood circulation, replenishing collagen, eliminating calcium and mineral deficiencies, and controlling fluid and salt intake. The diet should be balanced and contain many plant-based foods. In the fight against osteochondrosis, it is necessary to exclude such foods: coffee and strong tea, foods rich in salt and sugar, carbonated drinks and foods containing fat.
The disease can be corrected during these procedures and requires surgical intervention only at difficult stages.
Precautions
To prevent this disease, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle and give up bad habits, exercise, use an orthopedic mattress and pillow for sleeping, avoid uncomfortable shoes, it is better to 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 schedule time for exercises that will help normalize blood circulation.
For the prevention and prevention of the disease, you can also undergo sanatorium treatment and a general restorative massage.