Many patients ask the question: "Is it possible to completely cure osteochondrosis? ". In fact, it is almost impossible if the disease has reached a serious stage. With this diagnosis, the intervertebral disc gradually begins to deform and can no longer withstand the load, and finally it breaks completely, where the only solution is prosthetics. Thus, the treatment of osteochondrosis depends on the degree of the disease, in the initial stage of which it is still possible to save a person. How is osteochondrosis treated - we will talk about it.
Features of the disease
In order to understand what osteochondrosis is and how to treat it, you must first understand what the spine itself is. It is the basis of the skeleton, where all the vertebrae are interconnected, but remain mobile due to the presence of intervertebral discs. If osteochondrosis is not treated, then gradually they begin to disintegrate, which causes friction between the bones, limitation of movement and disability. To find out whether osteochondrosis can be cured, it is first necessary to neutralize the causes of the diagnosis.
To date, the causes of the appearance have not been precisely identified, but experts note why the disease can begin and progress:
- damage
- hereditary factor;
- curvature of the spine, leg and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- obesity, which increases the load on the spine;
- age;
- passive lifestyle;
- professional sports without proper attention to safety;
- Psychological factor, stress and nerves.
In order to start effective treatment, it is necessary to neutralize the causes. Start a healthy lifestyle and try to lose extra weight by strengthening the muscles of the spine with the help of back exercises.
Symptoms of the disease
In the treatment of the disease, first of all, a thorough examination is carried out, X-ray and MRI are sent to accurately determine the condition of the spine. After all, the symptoms and treatment of the disease may differ depending on the stage of diagnosis:
- In the first stage, as a rule, there are no symptoms. There may be slight discomfort during movement. The intervertebral disc is only slightly deviated laterally.
- Osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree already affects the patient in the form of back pain. Disc protrusion begins. In addition to pain, the patient constantly experiences fatigue. Conservative methods are sufficient for treatment.
- The third degree is a disc herniation. This process is already considered irreversible and the disease cannot be completely cured. There is often a hernia. A deformed disc puts pressure on nerves and blood vessels, which, depending on the location, can cause headaches, discomfort in the limbs, and also affect internal organs.
- At the last stage, the intervertebral disc is already destroyed, and the destruction of blood vessels and spinal cord continues. The patient is assigned a disability, there is a sharp restriction of movement.
How is the treatment carried out?
Many people do not even know which doctor treats osteochondrosis of the spine and determines effective methods for each specific case. This is a vertebrologist who studies the spine and the entire musculoskeletal system in detail, dealing with all related diagnoses. Now everyone knows who treats osteochondrosis. In addition, this specialist correctly selects the treatment and highlights possible contraindications for the diagnosis of osteochondrosis:
- This is primarily the use of certain foods, especially if you are overweight. The diet should be strictly followed. Therefore, if you want to know how to get rid of osteochondrosis, proper nutrition is your best medicine.
- The second point is the load. It is not necessary to provide complete rest in the initial stages. However, to determine how to cure osteochondrosis, it is necessary to identify its stage and prescribe specific exercises. Professional sports are an obvious contraindication.
After patients have decided which doctor to consult for osteochondrosis, they should refer to this specialist as soon as possible. After a complete examination, he prescribes treatment: either conservative methods or surgical intervention.
conservative methods
There are many options for what to do with osteochondrosis. Modern techniques include various back procedures, surgeries and medications. Depending on how long the disease lasts and what are the symptoms, help is selected for osteochondrosis. Conservative treatment of spinal osteochondrosis in the first two stages, which includes:
- Medicines, it can be tablets, injections or drops for osteochondrosis.
- Physiotherapy courses. In particular, Bernard's current affairs.
- Strict adherence to diet.
- Some physical therapy.
The composition of the dropper includes anti-inflammatory pain relievers. They also take muscle relaxants that relax the muscles and help them cope with overuse. In addition, be sure to include chondroprotectors, which can stop the destruction of cartilage tissue. Courses of these drugs provide effective treatment of spinal osteochondrosis. Help begins with the removal of pain, and only after the removal of the acute syndrome, they begin the main treatment.
The second point that must be clarified in order to find out how to treat spinal osteochondrosis is the causes of the onset of the disease. It is important to neutralize them by starting a healthy lifestyle (proper nutrition, diet), choosing vitamins for general strengthening of the body. Physiotherapy also promotes rapid tissue recovery, promotes normal circulation and healing. It works great in combination with physical therapy exercises that strengthen the back muscles. Most often, Bernard currents are used, which brings excellent results.
Unfortunately, conservative advice on the treatment of osteochondrosis helps only the first two stages of the disease.
surgically
Surgery helps to cope with any serious diagnosis. Even if one vertebra has grown over the other, the disc is severely deformed or herniated. Modern medical experience and the latest technology will help you even in the most difficult situations. Two types of surgery are used to treat osteochondrosis:
- Removal of hernia. This is a fairly simple intervention. The incision is made no more than a centimeter. The patient can move independently on the second day and recovers quickly.
- Surgical treatment of end-stage osteochondrosis consists only in complete removal of the intervertebral disc. A new special prosthesis is installed in its place, which provides separation and cushioning of the vertebrae.
Patients should not be afraid of this technique. It is thanks to the operation that the flexibility and mobility of the spine returns. Modern silicone prostheses easily cope with the load on the musculoskeletal system. This is a relatively new technique for the treatment of osteochondrosis, but it has practically no contraindications and does not have a long recovery period.
Complex treatment
Comprehensive treatment of osteochondrosis includes several procedures at the same time. Some of them are carried out in the hospital, while others must be carried out responsibly by the patient himself. During a one-day stay in the hospital, the course of treatment includes Bernard currents. The special device of diadynamic currents is ideal for solving the defeat of osteochondrosis. This procedure is completely safe and practically has no contraindications.
The treatment regimen is used during the acute stage. Therefore, the best method of physiotherapy in this situation is the Bernard flow. In addition, massage is possible. Physiotherapy exercises are a mandatory part of osteochondrosis treatment at home. You learn various exercises under the guidance of a doctor, and then you repeat them regularly at home.
An important part of solving the problem of how to deal with osteochondrosis is self-treatment at home. Here, in addition to exercise therapy, you can resort to traditional medicine, but again under the supervision of a doctor. Let's consider some recipes of folk remedies that can be used as ointments:
- A spoonful of flour, half a pack of butter, an egg and a spoonful of vinegar should be mixed until smooth and then put in a warm place. After that, you can rub the mixture into the affected area of the back.
- Honey, radish juice and vodka are mixed together in the proportions of 1: 1. 5: 0. 1, the application is similar.
- The last recipe is quite springy: a cup of lilac flowers is infused with half a liter of vodka for 10 days, and then a wonderful mixture is made into a cloak.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine outside the home? The fight against the disease can be much more effective if you go on vacation for a spa treatment. So you can not only heal your back, but also restore your body after a long illness.
Rehabilitation and prevention
Rehabilitation is a set of measures, after which a person who has overcome osteochondrosis can return to a normal full life. Elderly people can regain their mobility only with the help of long-term rehabilitation procedures. The attending physician carefully selects a complex that should include exercises, a certain daily routine, and a specific nutritional system. Rehabilitation of osteochondrosis of the spine includes the continuation of treatment, as well as methods of disease prevention.
The first symptom of the disease is pain. Therefore, in the presence of the slightest discomfort in the back or the presence of a hereditary predisposition, sufficient attention should be paid to prevention. If you are overweight and have other possible reasons for the diagnosis, the situation is the same.
To prevent the development of the disease, it is necessary:
- maintain correct posture;
- engage in special exercises to strengthen the back;
- food monitoring;
- avoid obesity;
- Get a corset if there is a curvature of the back
In the treatment of osteochondrosis, all these measures together will help you keep your back healthy and strong at any age. Take care of the spine, because it is the basis of the entire musculoskeletal system.