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Osteochondrosis of the spine

pain due to osteochondrosis of the spine

Osteochondrosis is a dangerous chronic disease.Risk category: people over 40 years old.But the disease can manifest itself earlier.Recently, the first symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed at the age of 20 to 30 years.There are also cases of early manifestations of this disease.

How does osteochondrosis develop?

Depending on individual development, the human spine has 33-34 vertebrae.The special structure (S shape, separation of the vertebrae by the intervertebral disc) makes the spinal column flexible and able to take various positions.The spine is connected by intervertebral discs (21-25 pieces).In the center of the disk is a semi-liquid core.It is surrounded by a fibrous ring.Cartilaginous end plates are located above and below the disc.

As the disease progresses, metabolic processes are disrupted.As a result of poor circulation, the intervertebral disc dries out.This is the first stage of the disease.With the further development of the pathology, the fibrous ring cannot support the total load and becomes deformed.Then it can rupture and form an intervertebral hernia.As a result, the mobility of the spinal column decreases, and disc displacement may occur.

Causes of osteochondrosis

In order to function properly, the spinal column needs constant moderate loads.Severe overexercise or improper distribution of stress can cause significant damage to the spine.The reasons for the development of osteochondrosis can be divided into external and internal.

Internal causes of disease:

  • genetic predisposition;
  • disruption of metabolic processes in the body;
  • overweight, obesity;
  • age-related changes;
  • poor posture, curvature of the spine;
  • flat feet

External factors include:

  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • sudden movements with large amplitude;
  • incorrect body position when carrying and lifting heavy objects;
  • high load on the spinal column when playing sports or certain types of activities;
  • injury of any part of the spine;
  • irregular bedding, including sleeping on soft mattresses and high pillows;
  • walking in high heels;
  • smoking;
  • effects of vibration on the body, for example, drivers of heavy equipment;
  • hypothermia.

Active sports do not always promote spine health.This disease often develops in gymnasts and weightlifters due to excessive exercise.People from certain professions are at risk - loaders and builders.

Types of osteochondrosis

Depending on the part of the spine affected, osteochondrosis is classified into the following types:

  1. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.The most common pathology.The reason is serious pressure on the sacrum and lower back.
  2. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Develops due to improper load on the cervical spine.Blood circulation to the brain and the function of the thyroid gland are disturbed.
  3. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region.Not as common as the first two.In the thoracic region, the disc is not so active, and the muscle corset is stronger.It is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are more similar to heart disease.
  4. Common osteochondrosis.In this case, the pathology does not affect one part of the spinal column, but several at once.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

Depending on which part of the spine the disease is localized, various symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed.

In the case of lumbar osteochondrosis, the patient observes the following signs of the disease:

  • various types of pain in the lower back;
  • piercing pain radiating to legs and back;
  • movement disorder.Changing the position of the body, bending or twisting causes severe pain in the lumbar region.Therefore, one tries to maintain the same posture;
  • loss of sensation in the legs.This happens because of pinched nerve roots and ends.

The main symptoms of cervical spine pathology:

  • pain in the neck, especially in the evening;
  • crackling when moving the neck;
  • headache, especially in the back of the head;
  • pain, numbness in the shoulders and chest;
  • visual impairment;
  • noise, ringing in the ears, feeling blocked;
  • dizziness with sudden changes in the position of the neck.

The main symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:

  • thoracic neuralgia, pain in the heart;
  • pressing pain in the upper thoracic region;
  • difficulty breathing;
  • reflex tension of the back and chest;
  • cold feeling in the upper part of the leg, periodic numbness, starting from the shoulder and ending in the fingers;
  • increased pain at night;
  • increased discomfort during hypothermia and physical activity.

Stages of osteochondrosis

In the early stages, there is a loss of elasticity of the intervertebral disc.They shrink and bulge.The patient does not feel much discomfort, except for a slight stiffness of the spine after sleep.

The transition to the next stage is indicated by the appearance of pain.Disc destruction continues, the fibrous ring deforms and cracks.There is stiffness in movement and acute pain when changing the usual position.

With the development of the third stage, the fibrous ring breaks.The gelatin content comes out.An intervertebral hernia is formed.If treatment is not started at this stage, pinched roots and disability occur.

Complications of osteochondrosis

Lack of treatment for osteochondrosis leads to various complications - radiculitis, protrusion.The most dangerous is the formation of an intervertebral hernia, which can compress nerve endings and cause paralysis of the lower limbs or other parts of the body.

Further destruction of the spine can lead to the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia and blood pressure spikes.Patients with osteochondrosis are at risk of heart attack and stroke.

Osteochondrosis is a dangerous disease that leaves serious consequences for the whole body: diseases of the heart, stomach and intestines, the development of intercostal neuralgia.

Osteochondrosis of any part is dangerous.Lumbar can lead to diseases of the pelvic organs, which will affect a person's reproductive abilities.Inflammation of the sciatic nerve develops.

A herniated disc leads to compression of blood vessels.As a result, general blood circulation is disrupted.The most dangerous moment is the clamping of the vertebral artery.

Methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis

Specialists identify osteochondrosis at an early stage using the following diagnostic methods:

  1. MRI.Magnetic resonance imaging
  2. Ultrasound examination
  3. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  4. Laboratory research

Treatment of osteochondrosis 

It is better to treat osteochondrosis in a specialized clinic under the supervision of a specialist.Currently, both conservative and surgical methods are used to treat osteochondrosis. 

Each patient undergoes individual therapy.When choosing a treatment regimen, the doctor takes into account the degree of destruction of the intervertebral disc, in which part of the spine the pathology develops, the age of the patient, the presence of other concomitant diseases, etc.The treatment regimen is designed for an average of no more than 1.5 months.The procedure is carried out 2-3 times a week.After the first 7 days of treatment, the pain syndrome is blocked.A standard course of therapy consists of the following procedures:

  • Resonance wave UHF therapy.Resonance wave therapy is a method of therapeutic effect on the body's aquatic environment with low-intensity and high-frequency electromagnetic waves.
  • Injection of chondroprotectors.Intra-articular injection is an effective method of treating various diseases of the musculoskeletal system by inserting a drug (chondroprotector) into the affected joint.
  • Recovery on a special simulator.Treatment of the spine and joints with the help of simulators will restore the mobility of the limbs in a short period of time without expensive treatment in specialized sanatoriums.
  • Joint and spine restrictions.Joint blocks are a type of spine and joint medicine treatment that aims to relieve acute pain, inflammation and muscle spasms.
  • Drug treatment.Joint and spine drug treatment is used in various types and combined with physiotherapy.Intra-articular injection, block and dropper.

Treatment of osteochondrosis helps achieve the following

  • allows you to relieve pain and neutralize inflammation;
  • improve the nutrition of the intervertebral disc;
  • stop the destruction of the disk, restore its structure;
  • release compressed nerve roots;
  • relaxes tense muscles;
  • restore flexibility to the spine;
  • prevents the appearance of protrusions and hernias;
  • normalize blood pressure;
  • corrects and strengthens the muscle corset;
  • straightening posture;
  • normalize metabolism.

After completing the therapy course, the doctor gives the patient a manual with a set of exercises to be done at home independently.The specialist will explain in detail how to change your normal lifestyle to prevent the disease from returning.

Prevention

To maintain a healthy spine, follow these rules:

  • do swimming, yoga, running races, fitness;
  • When sitting at a computer or desk, keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed;
  • choose chairs and armchairs that support the spine;
  • every 2 hours or more often, take a break from work, walk, tilt your head and body in different directions;
  • when lifting weights, keep your back straight, squat, and don't jerk suddenly;
  • do not carry heavy objects in front of you;
  • when exercising on a new simulator, ask the trainer how to exercise correctly;
  • choose shoes with shock-absorbing soles for sports;
  • sleep on an orthopedic mattress;
  • do abdominal exercises.

Nutrition for osteochondrosis

For osteochondrosis, it is recommended to eat small portions 6 times a day.In your diet, adhere to the following principles:

  • include dairy products and lean meat in your diet - beef, rabbit, chicken;
  • limit the use of grapes, beans, nuts, beans, meat broth;
  • eat jelly, jelly meat, jelly fish.With them you get chondoprotectors - substances involved in the synthesis of cartilage tissue;
  • drink at least 1.5 liters of water a day;
  • eat fresh fruits and vegetables: cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, beets, cabbage, peppers, broccoli, celery;
  • give preference to cooked or steamed dishes;
  • eat sunflower seeds, nuts, avocados, and raw spinach more often;
  • season salad with olive oil;
  • prepare dishes from lobster, oysters, crabs, mushrooms, grains;
  • try to eat less salty food, smoked, flour products, sugar and hot spices.