What it is: Osteochondrosis is a spinal disease in which the intervertebral discs (and subsequent vertebral bodies, joints, and ligaments) lose their ability to function properly. Until recently, this disease was considered to be age-related, but in the past few decades, it has become significantly younger and has ruthlessly affected young people between 18 and 30 years of age.
Osteochondrosis is usually classified according to its location-lumbar spine, cervical spine, thoracic spine, sacral spine and generalized. Lumbar osteochondrosis accounts for more than 50% of the disease; the symptoms, treatment and diagnosis of this type of osteochondrosis are widely described in the works of medical celebrities. One in four diagnoses is due to cervical osteochondrosis-a disease of office workers and people with a sedentary lifestyle.
In most cases, the pathological process of this disease first affects bones and ligaments. When complications arise, we usually find that the disease has already begun-pain, sensory disturbances, muscle atrophy, damage to internal organs.
Today we are going to talk about osteochondrosis. The symptoms and treatment of this disease are very hot topics of our time. After all, 40% to 90% of the world’s population suffers from this disease. In most cases, this disease affects people over 30 years of age.
cause
There is no single cause for the development of osteochondrosis. Some people believe that due to weakness, curvature of the spine and reduced distance between individual vertebrae, bone blood supply deteriorates, calcium compounds are deposited without being absorbed by bone tissue, leading to disease.
There are many predisposing factors. There are mainly the following:
- Spinal injuries (fractures, bruises, dislocations);
- Genetic predisposition
- Foot diseases that cause spine overload-including flat feet, deformed feet (foot varus deformity), hallux valgus;
- Wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes for a long time (which can also cause spine overload);
- Overweight and obesity;
- A sedentary lifestyle;
- Metabolic disorders;
- Spine curvature (kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis);
- Professional characteristics-weight lifting, frequent turns and body twitches, working in uncomfortable positions.
Genetic susceptibility, spinal overload (overweight, weightlifting), trauma and microtrauma promote the development of the disease.
Stages of osteochondrosis
According to the degree of development of osteochondrosis and its symptoms, it can be divided into four stages.
- The first stage-Preclinical, it is rarely diagnosed due to mild (or no) signs of the disease. At this stage, the spine changes very little. The patient is concerned about limited spinal pain and tight back muscles.
- In the second stagePain occurs. Because the fibrous annulus of the intervertebral disc is destroyed, the fixation between the vertebrae is disturbed, and their pathological activities appear in the form of displacement. With the compression of nerve and blood vessel endings, blood and lymphatic vessels, the distance between the vertebrae decreases.
- The third phase. . . A rupture is formed in the cartilage tissue of the fibrous annulus, and a part of the more fluid core oozes out-forming a herniated intervertebral disc. This change is most common in the lumbar and cervical spine. To a lesser extent, due to the pathology of the intervertebral disc, the ribs and sternum bear a certain part of the load, so the appearance of intervertebral hernia is likely to occur in the thoracic spine area. Due to a herniated disc (hernia), it affects the spinal nerve roots, manifested as pain, inflammation, impaired nerve fiber conduction and inflammation.
- Fourth stage-Finally, the scar tissue is replaced by the fibers of the intervertebral disc and the fibrous tissue of fibrocartilage and nucleus pulposus.
In order to prevent the development of the final stage, it is necessary to make timely decisions on how to treat osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease characterized by alternating symptoms of worsening and relieving symptoms. Excessive exercise, fatigue, hypothermia, injury, shaking, and vibration can all cause acute symptoms.
The disease shows many typical symptoms. Spinal osteochondrosis is characterized by back pain, numbness of the affected spine, reduced range of motion, increased pain when lifting weights, sudden movement, tension when coughing or sneezing.
Chronic pain is one of the symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis, which can lead to increased fatigue. When the nerve root is squeezed by the intervertebral disc, the pain becomes more intense and has a sharp "shooting" nature. In this case, its positioning is not limited to the back area, but is felt in the limbs area.
For osteochondrosis, the patient will describe the following symptoms:
- Paroxysmal or shooting pain in the spine affected by osteochondrosis;
- Pain worsens after physical activity and in the morning;
- Pain can radiate to the neck, arms or legs, and chest;
- There is a crunching sensation when twisting.
This disease starts and develops gradually, so how to treat osteochondrosis will depend on the stage and the location of the vertebral lesion.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
In the case of osteochondrosis, treatment requires complicated measures.
In the acute phase, stay in bed strictly, and use corsets or special collars to rigidly fix damaged vertebrae. It is recommended to use a sturdy bed, use a protective cover, and restrict activities.
In order to relieve pain, analgesics, vitamin B, novocaine blockers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ointment friction, mustard plasters, ultraviolet radiation, acupuncture and reflexology, hyperthermia, wool bands, etc. are shown.
The next stage of treatment aims to improve local blood circulation and strengthen the muscles that support the spine. To cure osteochondrosis, you must adhere to comprehensive treatments, which include:
- Medical massage (traditional, hardware, vacuum);
- Physiotherapy exercises, swimming;
- Physical therapy (laser, ultrasound, low-frequency current, magnetic field therapy; shock wave therapy, cryotherapy);
- Reflexology (acupuncture, acupoint massage);
- Spinal traction (dry or water);
- Non-traditional therapy (treatment with bee stings);
- Treat with folk remedies (herbal medicine, honey, mustard, red pepper, bath).
If conservative treatment does not bring results or changes in the intervertebral disc require external intervention, modern minimally invasive surgery methods: laser reconstruction, intradiscal electrothermal therapy, and microsurgical hernia resection are used.
In case of irreversible changes, artificial discs made of metal or metal and plastic can be installed. So, let us now take a closer look at how to treat osteochondrosis without the use of drugs.
massage
Compared with osteochondrosis, back massage has a more significant effect than exercise therapy. First of all, any treatment should be aimed at relieving pain.
When the pain can be relieved or alleviated, the real treatment can begin. But its main task can be called the prevention of the progression of the disease and the possible subsequent recurrence. It is for these purposes that two key methods are used-therapeutic gymnastics and massage. It is worth noting that for the neck, exercise and massage have different effects.
Judge for yourself: Massage can improve the blood circulation of the affected area, eliminate the spasm of the neck and back muscles, weaken or eliminate pain, and strengthen the neck muscles.
acupuncture
Acupuncture is widely used to treat osteochondrosis. Acupuncture helps relieve pain, relax back muscles, and help restore damaged tissues by stimulating metabolic processes.
In some cases, acupuncture can replace traditional drug therapy, and its disadvantages are well-known (drug side effects, drug addiction). Acupuncture is contraindicated for skin diseases that affect the back and during pregnancy.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis
Therapeutic gymnastics for people suffering from osteochondrosis and other diseases should become an indispensable part of life. Exercise therapy can break the vicious circle, including the following components: lack of physical activity, weakened back and neck muscles, destruction of intervertebral discs, and bed rest.
Before starting the exercise, you should understand the main principles of osteochondrosis treatment exercises:
- In the worsening stage of the disease, when severe pain syndrome occurs, exercise should not be performed.
- Exercise should not increase the pain.
- The back muscle tension compound should be used interchangeably with the relaxation compound.
- All exercises are carried out smoothly, there are no sudden movements, and the correct body posture is maintained.
For each type of osteochondrosis, its own exercise complex has been developed. Nevertheless, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, it is recommended to train the muscular system of the entire spine.