Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease of the spine. It develops with age and consists of degenerative-dystrophic changes that occur in the intervertebral discs. For a long time, there were no symptoms. A person may notice only some stiffness in the back.
Osteochondrosis progresses slowly - many factors affect the rate of the disease. If the pathology is not treated, complications arise - sciatica, sciatica and others, depending on the spine. 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, compared to the 20th century, has been significantly renewed. Very often you can meet young people who have degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs during a medical examination for another pathology. There is only one reason for this - urbanization and progress.
Today, a person does not need to make an effort to go to work or get food. Most lead a sedentary lifestyle, eat malnourished and quickly gain weight, walks in the fresh air and active activities prefer a computer and a comfortable sofa. Even before work, many get into their cars, which are in the underground garage on the territory of a multi-story building, and sit at the workplace for 7-9 or more hours.
On a note. Osteochondrosis is only a human disease. None of the mammals had such a pathology. You must understand that this is the punishment of Homo sapiens for walking straight.
What provokes osteochondrosis?
The following factors can lead to the appearance of the disease against the background of physical inactivity, lack of sufficient physical activity and an unhealthy lifestyle:
- violation of the metabolism of minerals and vitamins;
- a large number of transferred infectious diseases;
- chronic stress, depression;
- sudden movements, heavy lifting;
- spinal cord injury;
- severe hypothermia;
- humble;
- unnoticed in time and untreated curvature of the spine;
- long standing in an uncomfortable position (not necessarily sitting).
On a note. Extreme sports have a negative impact on human health. For example, lifting weights (and not only) in the future can trigger degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs.
What happens to the spine?
The following factors directly affect the health of the back:
- blood circulation in the paravertebral tissues is disturbed, the intervertebral discs suffer from a lack of nutrients (they do not have their own blood vessels and depend on the surrounding tissues);
- the muscular corset that supports the spine weakens, the vertebrae receive an additional load that they are unable to withstand;
- intervertebral discs lose moisture, decrease in volume and diameter - the spine seems to decrease (many people notice that they become 5 or even 10 centimeters lower with age);
- there is instability of one or more parts of the spine;
- the body solves the problem of instability by increasing osteophytes - these are marginal bone growths that, over time, firmly cement the spine, depriving it of flexibility.
On a note. The transformation of the spine itself does not cause pain - the pain syndrome appears when the nerve roots, large arteries and lymphatic vessels are affected by osteophytes or the anatomical position of the vertebral bodies has changed.
Symptoms
The signs of osteochondrosis increase with the progression of the disease. There are 4 stages of pathology:
- First. Symptoms are completely absent. Without pain. A person may experience a little more fatigue than usual, some stiffness in the spine, which he explains to himself as fatigue, excessive physical exertion and overwork. Osteochondrosis in the first stage can be
- Secondly. Chronic pain syndrome occurs due to damage to the nerve roots, which is easily stopped by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If the patient continues to ignore his body's signals and does not go to the doctor, the disease progresses rapidly. The flexibility of the spine decreases, especially in the cervical and lumbar regions. The appearance of the vertebral artery syndrome is likely due to its compression either by edematous paravertebral tissue or by a displaced vertebra.
- Third. Pathology in serious condition. The pain haunts a person around the clock, weakening a little in a horizontal position, but it is impossible to stay in one position for a long time (on the back, on the side). Sleep is disturbed, the patient becomes nervous. A person bends (thoracic, lumbar), trying a more comfortable position that would not cause discomfort, which becomes an impetus for the formation of a hump, scoliosis and other deformations of the spine.
- Fourthly. There is an accumulation of osteophytes - stabilization of the spine. The patient can look around only by turning the torso completely. The pain is strong, constant, completely removed only with blockades (novocaine, prednisolone). Disability in the fourth stage is about 80%.
Simultaneously with the listed signs, the patient may suffer from 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 imitating an angina attackor cardiac, intercostal neuralgia (thoracic osteochondrosis), cauda equina syndrome, numbness of the lower extremities (lumbosacral osteochondrosis).
On a note. Pathology provokes vegetovascular and neurodystrophic disorders.
Diagnosing
To establish an accurate diagnosis, the patient is sent for x-ray, myelography and neurological examination of reflexes. If this is not enough, a reference is issued to:
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging);
- CT (computed tomography);
- NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance).
The doctor also interviews the patient and conducts a medical examination, which reveals areas of pain, possible curvature of the spine, change in leg length and other objective signs of spinal damage.
therapy
Treatment of osteochondrosis is complex. To stop the degeneration process, or at least to slow it down, the following are prescribed:
- chondroprotectors - externally, orally (oral), in injections to restore cartilage tissue;
- muscle relaxants - relax spasmodic muscle groups, use only under medical supervision;
- pain relievers;
- blockade - relieve pain for a long time, but do not cure it;
- physiotherapy (magnetotherapy, phonophoresis, vibration therapy, EHF and others);
- exercise therapy and gymnastics of the author;
- 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 segments of the spine.
Back-access decompression operations:
- facetectomy;
- foraminotomy;
- laminectomy;
- laminotomy.
Front Access Decompression Operations:
- discectomy;
- corpectomy.
To stabilize the damaged segment, spinal fusion is used - the fusion of adjacent vertebrae using a special fixed structure (rod). A bone implant is placed in place of the removed intervertebral 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 achieved a lot in the surgical treatment of osteochondrosis. Instead of a removed intervertebral disc, it is possible to install an artificial one and thus avoid complete immobilization of the segment. Back operations are fraught with many complications, so they are prescribed only in extreme cases.
prevention
Even 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, exercise regularly to maintain the health of the spine.
If the disease nevertheless manifests itself, prevention will help prevent its onset. Follow these instructions:
- Sleep on the right mattress and pillow. Choose orthopedics and consult your doctor first.
- Make it a habit to walk at least half an hour before and after work. During the break, do not sit on the computer or on the phone, but warm up and then eat a snack.
- Watch your weight. The higher it is, the harder it is on the spine.
- Observe the mode of rest (work during the day, sleep at night).
- Try to eliminate stress from your life. If you think you are becoming depressed, see a specialist.
On a note. Traditional healers claim that osteochondrosis can be cured with the help of medicinal plants. It is difficult to say how true this statement is. Treatment with alternative methods can be used together with that prescribed by the doctor. Otherwise, the result is not guaranteed.
Osteochondrosis is a dangerous disease, fraught with disability if treatment is not started on time. If you feel that you are suspiciously tired quickly and in the morning the spine is less elastic than before, consult a doctor and have a complete examination. In the initial stages, the pathology can slow down and even stop completely.