Osteochondrosis is a disease in which degenerative-dystrophic changes are diagnosed in the cartilage tissues of the spine, accompanied by disorders of the structure and functioning of the intervertebral discs. Depending on the localization of the damaged tissues, osteochondrosis of the cervix, chest and lumbar.
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spinal column, which results in degenerative and dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs. With the development of osteochondrosis, degenerative-dystrophic injuries extend to the vertebrate tissue.
The main feature that indicates osteochondrosis is pain in the neck, posterior, lower back area, progression, pain "hands, chest, shoulders, upper thigh, etc. Sh. Move. In the absence of timely therapy, osteochondrosis develops in an incurable state.
Causes of osteochondrosis
The main factor in the development of osteochondrosis is the uneven load of the spine. In the wrong position on one shoulder or one hand, the wrong position, the dream on an over -soft mattress, on a high pillow, wearing anatomically wrong type of shoe, a common cause of loading.
Additional risk factors include hypodynamics, sedative lifestyle, overweight, posterior injuries, lower extremities, flat legs and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system, as well as age -related degenerative processes with age -related blood supply.
In the etiology of osteochondrosis, the following factors can also play a role:
- Physical exaggeration of the body;
- Neuro-emotional exhaustion;
- Metabolic disorders, poisoning, gastrointestinal diseases that prevent the complete assimilation of nutrients;
- In particular, professional risks work on vibration platforms;
- Genetic predisposition;
- Positive disorder during active growth, scoliosis;
- Wearing uncomfortable shoes (grated, heels);
- Prolonged and/or regular dehydration;
- Subordinate diet, hypovitaminosis;
- Smoking;
- Pregnancy, especially with multiple, underdeveloped muscle ligaments (due to the movement of the center of gravity of the body).
Stages of Osteochondrosis Development
Osteochondrosis goes through the dynamics of the disease in four stages:
- Osteochondrosis of the first stage (quality) is characterized by the initial stage of the pathology, in the intervertebral disc pulp. Due to excessive loading, the process of dehydration (dehydration) of the nuclei begins, which results in a decrease in the height parameter of the disk and the formation of cracks in the fiber. At this point, the symptoms usually do not exist, minor discomfort can be caused by prolonged presence in unpleasant static posture, active movement, and so on. Sh. ;
- At 2 stages, decrease in the height of the discs results in a decrease in the distance between the vertebrates and the reduction of vertebrates and ligament. This results in the mobility of the vertebrates with the affected discs, which is dangerous by moving or breaking them. In the second stage of the disease, discomfort, pain occurs, especially some types of loads, movements, positions;
- Osteochondrosis 3 stages (quality) is characterized by the formation and prosthesis of intervertebral discs, may be accompanied by sublux and/or the development of intervertebral joint arthrosis. With some types of movements, patients feel gravity, inadequate mobility, a feeling of quarrel, and in the limbs can occur. At this point, osteochondrosis is clearly felt by the back, neck, lumbar section or cox, depending on the localization of the affected discs;
- In 4 stages of osteochondrosis, the body seeks to change the effects of the hypermobobia of the spine and adapt to the impaired functioning of the spinal column. Osteophytes, new bone formations that occupy the fixing of the spine arise in areas of spine contact. However, in some cases, osteophytes can cause nerve disorders, spine damage. Fiber anklosis begins in the intervertebral discs and joints. In the absence of microtraum and in the case of nerve root disorders, the symptoms of the disease stop.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis are discomfort and/or pain in the neck, back. The severity of the sensations and the presence of additional symptoms depend on the stage of the disease. When examining the patient and collecting anamas, the specialist makes a primary diagnosis if it suggests the presence of osteochondrosis with a visually defined curve of the spine in the transverse or longitudinal plane of the spine. Pathologies of the cervical and lumbar intervertebral discs are more common than degenerative and dystrophic changes in the sternum.
Signs of osteochondrosis, which are felt by the patient, include periodic or constant feeling of spinal fatigue, deletion or pronounced, depending on the stage of the disease, the pain. Pain can be localized on the neck, back, chest, shoulder girdle, complicated, upper extremity movements.
The clinical picture of osteochondrosis largely depends on the localization of the pathology, the quality of the process development, the individual characteristics of patients. The increase in intervertebral discs, movement, protrusion, hernia and osteophytes has different results. Among the most common disorders of normal blood circulation in the tissues, nerve endings, spinal canal dysfunction, swelling, fibrosis of tissues and structures.
Such consequences may be accompanied by many different symptoms that lead to a misdiagnosis of diseases.
The most common and characteristic symptoms of osteochondrosis include the following:
- Pain in the back, neck, lower back, shoulder girdle, ribs;
- Discomfort, strength of body movements that occur in some positions in the body, inclinations, alternation, increased muscle tension;
- Feeling of numbness of the upper and lower extremities;
- Discomfort of muscles and joints, muscle cramps;
- Headache, dizziness, increased fatigue;
- Pain in the heart;
- Sensitivity to the hands;
- Muscle hypotension.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis vary depending on the localization of the pathology:
- Cervical spine osteochondrosis, neck pain, hands, shoulder girdle, shoulder radiation and shoulder overweight; Headache, dizziness, flickering of "owls" or eyes spots, noise in the ears;
- Chest spine injury, pain localized in the chest, heart, inner surface of the shoulder, as well as the area of the arm, respiratory discomfort, respiratory fire may be possible;
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbosaca spine is manifested by pain in the lower posterior with pain, irradiation of the legs, upper thighs or pelvic organs, often joined by sexual dysfunction.
Surface symptoms - fatigue, pain - may indicate not only the presence of osteochondrosis, but also the addition of other diseases or the development of other pathological processes and disorders that are not related to the dystrophy of intertebral discs. Diagnosis of osteochondrosis can only be made by a specialist, and self -government with such symptoms is unacceptable.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
Instrumental examination methods are used to determine the diagnosis:
- X -Ray examination of the spinal department;
- Myelography;
- Sensitivity Neurological Study, Reflexes.
Additional methods set for the differentiation and specification of the diagnosis are included in the pathology stage:
- Spine (CT) computed tomography;
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (JAMR);
- Magnetic -resonance imaging (MRI).
Directions for therapy for osteochondrosis
Treatment is based on an integrated approach and, depending on the scene, lasts from 1 to 3 months of intensive therapy and 1 year auxiliary measures to consolidate the result and prevention of recurrence.
Osteochondrosis is given therapy in two directions, depending on the degree of osteochondrosis and the health of the patient. Conservative treatment of the disease involves taking medication, a set of exercises. Surgical treatment in almost any situation may not be a method of first choice and it is prescribed in the absence of positive dynamics, the progression of the disease in the light of prolonged conservative therapy.
In addition to medical methods of therapy, it is necessary to follow the general recommendations of osteochondrosis: Observe the diet, take the necessary measures for rehabilitation.
Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis
Conservative therapy is aimed at stopping pain syndrome, normalizing spinal column function, and preventing adverse changes
Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis involves the following types of therapy:
- Drug therapy. Osteochondrosis treatments are used to stop pain syndromes, stop inflammatory processes in the tissues, and normalize the body's metabolic processes. With pronounced pain syndrome, it is advisable to use nerve endings of drug blockade, which also helps to reduce the severity of muscle-tonic syndrome. The following types of blockade are distinguished: blockade of trigger points, intraotic, face, paraerebral, epidural;
- Methods of physiotherapy. Physiotherapeutic procedures help reduce pain, increase the effect of medication, and also be used during the rehabilitation period. The most common use of ultrasound waves, magnetic fields, low frequency currents, laser beams, etc. Sh.
- Methods of physiotherapy exercises (exercise therapy) and kinestherapy. Regular and correct performance complexes promote posture adjustment, muscle corset strengthening, ligament apparatus, normalization of muscle function, reduces nerve fibers and promotes the prevention of osteochondrosis complications. Methods of exercise therapy and kinesthetic procedures are aimed at normalizing metabolic processes, restoring complete nutrition of intervertebral discs, including restoration of vertebral and discs, uniform distribution of loading in the musculoskeletal skeleton system;
- Massage. Massage manual technique is used to improve blood supply to the tissues, release muscle seizures and clamps, and generally improve blood circulation. Hydromassage as a therapeutic action, in addition to the effects listed, helps to normalize the body's nervous system;
- Manual therapy. Manual therapy methods are individually selected. The effect of the point on the musculoskeletal system of the body promotes blood circulation, lymph circulation, improves metabolism, promotes mobility of the musculoskeletal system, strengthens the immune system and serves to prevent complications of osteochondrosis;
- Therapy using special equipment (stretching) with special equipment. The purpose of manipulations is to increase the normal parameters of the intervertebral space, adjust spinal column structure disorders.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
The causes of osteochondrosis are mainly related to the lack of attention to the body's requirements, excessive loads on the body. In order to prevent the onset of abnormal spine changes and to restrain existing osteochondrosis dynamics, it is advisable to adhere to the general principles of a healthy lifestyle:
- Exceptional possibility of hypodynamite: Moderate sports: charging, running, swimming, biking, skis, gymnastics, non -contact types, etc. Sh. ;
- When there is another form of work or other activity associated with a long stay in the static state, a warm break within 45 minutes is necessary to restore blood circulation. If necessary, sit for a long time, you have to choose the right chairs, the chairs to support the spine, observe the standards of the hands on the table, the legs on the floor or a special stand, the accustomed posture (even the rear, resting shoulders);
- For night sleep it is necessary to choose elastic, better orthopedic mattress with a flat surface, avoiding high or very flat pads;
- If necessary, elevate and/or wear heavy objects to prevent jersey, rise from the semi -precise position, use special belts that support the lower back;
- Orthopedically correct shoe choice: appropriate foot width, without high heels and timely replacement of the spine, this is especially important for women during baby carrying. In summer, do not neglect the ability to walk on an uneven surface, it strengthens the leg muscles and relieves tension from the musculoskeletal system;
- In the right diet, drinking regimens promotes total health and promotes the normal maintenance of metabolism;
- With the tendency to increase emotionality, the spasmodic reaction of the muscles with a spasmodic reaction of the muscle, it is worth studying the methods of relaxation.