With osteochondrosis of the spine, the destruction of bone and cartilage tissue of one or more parts of the spine occurs. This disease is chronic and develops in almost all older people. This is due to the usual aging of the body.
Intervertebral discs undergo atrophic changes, and at what age this occurs depends on many factors:
- trauma;
- diseases and overload of the spine.
Spinal overload includes:
- walking with a bent back;
- bad seat;
- features of the structure of the spine;
- insufficient nutrition of the tissues of the spine due to hereditary abnormalities.
With osteochondrosis, the nucleus between the vertebral discs loses some of the water. As a result, metabolic disturbances occur in the nucleus, and access to various minerals and vitamins is hampered.
After a while cracks appear in the disc, it becomes flat. Then neighboring joints and ligaments begin to be affected, forming tissue inflammation. Due to the inflammation, the adjacent vertebrae are displaced. This is dangerous with the appearance of radicular symptoms: pain along the affected nerve.
It is also possible that the appearance of an intervertebral hernia could cause compression of the spinal cord. Osteochondrosis is characterized by the appearance of osteophytes - bony growths on the vertebral bodies. These growths can compress the spinal cord and cause radicular syndrome.
Most often, the cervical and lumbar regions are susceptible to osteochondrosis.
Cervical osteochondrosis
Causes:
- sports activities (weight lifting);
- overweight;
- metabolic disease;
- sedentary work (programmers, accountants, drivers, etc. );
- flat foot;
- Injury of the spine;
- hypothermia.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are pain in the head and neck. A person is worried about severe headaches, pain in the neck, radiating to the arm, pain in the breastbone. The patient may complain of lumbago - the appearance of sharp pain in the neck, muscle spasms and restriction of movement.
Also, a person may hear a cracking sound when turning their neck. Due to pinched nerves and blood vessels, a person may experience numbness in the tongue and fingertips. The patient will complain of reduced hearing and vision, high blood pressure, and weakness in the muscles of the arms and legs.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
This type of osteochondrosis is quite rare. This is due to the anatomical structure of the thoracic spine. It consists of 12 vertebrae, which are connected to the ribs by joints. In front, the ribs are connected to each other by the sternum. Thus, an excellent structure is created from the spine, breastbone and ribs, which protects the internal organs from various injuries.
The vertebrae in the thoracic region are low in height and have long spinous processes, which are located on top of each other, like shingles. Due to this structure, this part of the spine has low mobility. The intervertebral discs in the thoracic region are rarely injured.
The reasons for the formation of this type of osteochondrosis:
- irrational load distribution;
- delay in nutrition of intervertebral discs;
- sedentary work;
- the presence of scoliosis.
Symptoms
As with other types, pain is the main symptom of chest osteochondrosis.
But with thoracic osteochondrosis, the pain may be different. Back pain - long-term discomfort and mild pain along the thoracic vertebrae. Pain can affect the cervical and lumbar regions.
Dorsago is one of the signs of thoracic osteochondrosis, in which the pain manifests itself in the form of an attack. By its nature, it is intense, sharp, causes difficulty in breathing and results in restriction of muscle movement. In addition to pain, patients may experience numbness in the chest, impaired sexual function, pain in the heart, kidneys, and stomach.
What is the danger of affecting the thoracic region?
The spine is designed in such a way that it narrows in the thoracic region, so hernias resulting from osteochondrosis will quickly lead to compression of the spinal cord. This can easily lead to problems with the heart, pancreas, liver and kidneys, as the chest region is connected to all of these organs by nerve fibers. That is why it is very important to see a doctor in time. He will help you find out where the signs of osteochondrosis are coming from that are bothering you and will perform competent treatment for the disease.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is caused by weight lifting. Normally, in the center of the intervertebral disc there is a nucleus containing a large amount of water. Due to the liquid, the core becomes slightly compressible, and for its rupture, a compression of 500 kg is necessary.
However, the disc with osteochondrosis weakens and it will only take 200 kg to rupture it. If a person weighing 70 kg lifts 15 kg of a load in a bent position, and for the spine it is a load of 200 kg, the intervertebral disc may rupture. That is why the first symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis appear when lifting weights.
Symptoms
- pain in the lumbar region;
- inability to move in the lower back;
- sleep disorder;
- irritability;
- tired;
- inability to meet household needs;
- decreased sexual function in men;
- violation of the menstrual cycle;
- cold foot syndrome.
With the passage of osteochondrosis to the sacral region, the patient develops pain in the area of the kidneys and a violation of urination.
Diagnostic
Osteochondrosis is treated by a neurologist. To begin with, he examines the spine, draws attention to the presence of scoliosis. After feeling, the doctor will be able to understand how the spine, tendons, and nerves have been affected.
After the neurologist suspects osteochondrosis of the spine, he will refer the patient for further examination. This includes going for an x-ray examination, magnetic resonance imaging. If there is a suspicion of destruction of the intervertebral disc, a discography is performed. It is also prescribed to determine the degree of damage to the nerve pathways.
In general, it is very difficult to diagnose osteochondrosis of the spine. After all, a person can complain of pain in the heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas, or sexual dysfunction. But despite everything, with a careful examination, an experienced doctor will be able to suspect this disease and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Processing
Treating osteochondrosis is a very long and difficult process. In the acute period, the patient needs the rest of the affected segment. If the cervical spine is affected, the patient should wear a Shants fixation collar. If the lumbar spine hurts, the patient needs bed rest. It is best to place the patient in a hospital. Only then can he fully comply with the assigned regime. The bed of such a patient must be hard. For this, a wooden board is placed under the mattress.
Medical treatment
As mentioned above, the main symptom of the disease is pain. Therefore, the patient is prescribed pain relievers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and other symptoms of osteochondrosis.
Unfortunately, long-term use of these drugs damages the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, and the patient develops the following symptoms:
- nausea;
- To vomit;
- stomach ache;
- a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen.
The stomach ulcer may also get worse or stomach bleeding may appear. Therefore, before using these drugs, you should consult your doctor. If the pain from osteochondrosis lasts for 3 months, antidepressants are prescribed along with these drugs. It has been found that in addition to its sedative effect, they are able to reduce pain.
All drugs can be classified as symptomatic treatment. They will help relieve pain, but they will not rid a person of the disease itself.
Chondroprotectors are prescribed to restore intervertebral discs and cartilage. These drugs improve connective tissue metabolism and help restore cartilage. Medicines are taken for a long time, on average - 4-6 months.
In addition to restoring tissues and improving their metabolism, these drugs also have an analgesic effect. Another group of drugs necessary for osteochondrosis of the spine are drugs which improve blood circulation, their use helps to dilate blood vessels, and if thioctic acid is taken in combination with it, the metabolism ofnerve cells in a person will improve.
As with any disease, patients need calcium supplements. It will restore the activity of bone tissue, increase the resistance of ligaments and tendons, and also prevent osteoporosis - a disease that accompanies osteochondrosis.
Physiotherapy
The metered load on the spine will improve the patient's condition. But you should perform the exercises with extreme caution. In the acute period, physical education is contraindicated. It is only when the pain sensations subside that you can start practicing a bit.
Exercise will improve blood circulation in the spine and strengthen muscles. Due to the blood circulation, the metabolism will improve and the restoration of damaged intervertebral discs will begin. But you also need to remember that the classes should be carried out regularly, otherwise there will be no results.
Exercises for cervical spine injuries
- Lie on your back and straighten up. Place one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest and inhale, hold your breath for 10 minutes, then exhale and relax. The duration of the exercise is 3 to 5 minutes. You need to do this 3-5 times a day.
- Lie on your stomach and straighten your legs. Leaning on the stomach and legs, you need to raise your head and upper chest. Exercise for 3 to 5 minutes with an interval of 30 seconds.
- Lie on your back and bend your knees. In this position, turn right and left. Exercise for 3 to 5 minutes with an interval of 30 seconds.
Exercises for injuries of the thoracic region
- Lie on your stomach. Place your hands on the floor and lean back. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds. Exercise for 3 to 5 minutes with an interval of 20 seconds.
- Lie on your back. Raise your head and legs ("boat"). Hold for 10-20 seconds. Exercise for 3 to 5 minutes with an interval of 20 seconds.
Exercises for lumbar spine injuries
- Lie on your back, bend your knees and bring them towards your chest. Rock back and forth and roll back to sacrum and back. Rock for up to 2 minutes. Then you need to calmly lie down and relax.
- You need to get on all fours and lean as far as possible. Exercise for 3 to 5 minutes with an interval of 20 seconds.
- While standing, imagine spinning the hoop for 2 to 3 minutes. Exercise 10 times a day.
Surgery
In the absence of the effect of conservative therapy and the appearance of complications of osteochondrosis, surgical treatment is prescribed. When stabilizing the spine, pressure on the spinal cord and roots is removed. If a person has an intervertebral hernia, it is removed. Since this operation can damage the spinal cord and nerves, it is only done for vital reasons.
Physiotherapy treatment
The appointment of physiotherapy procedures has a positive effect on the course of the disease and accelerates the process of recovery. With osteochondrosis, it is allowed:
- visit a sauna or a bath;
- swimming in the pool;
- massage;
- paraffin therapy;
- manual therapy;
- laser therapy;
- various baths;
- mud therapy;
- electrophoresis with anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants;
- magnetotherapy;
- darsonval.
All of these procedures improve blood circulation in the diseased area, allow the muscles to relax and relax the whole body. Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed during the rehabilitation period, when the patient is not disturbed by severe pain.
Prophylaxis
No one is immune to osteochondrosis. After all, we all age, and our whole body ages with us as well. So that the disease does not ruin your plans, you need to start sports from an early age. Moderate physical activity improves blood circulation, normal metabolism. In addition, it trains the muscles that protect the spine. To prevent osteochondrosis, each person should:
- eat well - vitamins and minerals necessary for the body;
- refuse bad habits;
- engage in physical education;
- do not slouch;
- protect your back from hypothermia;
- do not lift too heavy objects;
- take a contrasting shower and temper;
- avoid stress.
It is especially important for people suffering from this disease to follow all the recommendations, since their failure will lead to exacerbation. If you have back pain that does not go away for a long time, you need to seek help from a specialist. Only a doctor can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
Do not delay in visiting the clinic, because it is better to treat the disease at an early stage. Also, do not self-medicate - every medicine has its own contraindications, which you may not be aware of. Strictly follow all the recommendations of the doctor and the disease will recede soon!