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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 can be observed at the age of 20-30.There are also cases of earlier manifestations of the disease.

How does osteochondrosis develop?

Depending on individual development, the human spine consists of 33-34 vertebrae.The special structure (S-shaped, separating the vertebrae with discs) makes the spinal column flexible and can assume many different positions.The spine is connected by intervertebral discs (21-25).In the center of the disc is a semi-liquid core.It is surrounded by a fibrous ring.Cartilaginous end plates are located above and below the disc.

With the development of the disease, metabolic processes are interrupted.As a result of poor circulation, the intervertebral discs dry out.This is the first stage of the disease.With the further development of the pathology, the fibrous ring cannot cope with the full load and is deformed.Then it can tear and an intervertebral hernia can develop.As a result, the mobility of the spinal column decreases, disc displacement may occur.

Causes of osteochondrosis

To function properly, the spinal column needs a constant moderate load.Severe overexertion or improper pressure distribution can cause significant damage to the spine.The causes of osteochondrosis can be divided into external and internal groups.

Internal causes of the disease:

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

External factors include:

  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • sudden movements with a large amplitude;
  • incorrect posture when carrying and lifting heavy objects;
  • high load on the spine during sports or certain types of activity;
  • injuries to any part of the spine;
  • improperly organized sleeping place, including sleeping on a soft mattress and high pillow;
  • walking in high heels;
  • smoking;
  • vibration effects on the body, such as drivers of heavy machinery;
  • hypothermia.

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

Types of osteochondrosis

Depending on which part of the spine is affected, osteochondrosis can be divided into the following types:

  1. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.The most common pathology.This is due to severe strain on the sacrum and lower back.
  2. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.It develops due to improper loading of the cervical spine.The blood circulation of the brain and the functioning of the thyroid gland are interrupted.
  3. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region.Not as common as the first two.In the thoracic region, the discs are not as active and the musculature is stronger.It is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are more similar to heart diseases.
  4. Frequent osteochondrosis.In this case, the pathology does not affect one part of the spinal column, but several at the same time.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

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

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

  • various types of pain in the lower back;
  • piercing pain that radiates to the legs and buttocks;
  • movement disorders.Changing the body position, bending or turning causes severe pain in the lumbar region.Therefore, a person tries to maintain the same posture;
  • loss of feeling in the legs.This is due to trapped roots and nerve endings.

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 shoulder and chest;
  • visual impairment;
  • noise, tinnitus, feeling of stuffiness;
  • dizziness with a sudden change in the position of the neck.

The main signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:

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

Stages of osteochondrosis

In the initial stage, the elasticity of the intervertebral discs decreases.They shrink and bulge.The patient does not feel any particular discomfort, except for mild spinal stiffness after sleep.

The transition to the next stage is indicated by the appearance of pain.The destruction of the discs continues, the fibrous ring deforms and cracks.Stiffness of movements and when changing the usual position, acute pain occurs.

With the formation of the third stage, the fibrous ring breaks.The gelatinous contents will come out.An intervertebral hernia develops.If treatment is not started at this stage, pinched roots and disability will occur.

Complications of osteochondrosis

Failure to treat osteochondrosis leads to various complications - radiculitis, protrusion.The most dangerous is the development of an intervertebral hernia, which can compress the nerve endings and lead to 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 an increase in blood pressure.Patients with osteochondrosis are at risk of heart attack and stroke.

Osteochondrosis is an insidious disease that has serious consequences for the whole body: heart, stomach and intestinal diseases, development of intercostal neuralgia.

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

Disc herniation leads to compression of blood vessels.As a result, general blood circulation is disturbed.The most dangerous moment is when the vertebra of the artery is pinched.

Methods of diagnosing osteochondrosis

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

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

Treatment of osteochondrosis 

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

Each patient undergoes individual therapy.When choosing the treatment regimen, the doctor takes into account the degree of destruction of the intervertebral discs, in which part of the spine the pathology develops, the age of the patient, the presence of other concurrent diseases, etc.The treatment regimen is planned for a maximum of 1.5 months on average.The procedures are performed 2-3 times a week.After the first 7 days of treatment, the pain syndrome is blocked.Standard therapy consists of the following procedures:

  • Resonance wave UHF therapy.Resonance wave therapy is a method of therapeutic effect on the water environment of the body with low-intensity, high-frequency electromagnetic waves.
  • Injections of chondroprotectors.Intra-articular injections are an effective method of treating various diseases of the musculoskeletal system by introducing a drug (chondroprotector) into the affected joint.
  • Rehabilitation on special simulators.Treatment of the spine and joints with a simulator restores the mobility of the limbs in a short time without expensive treatment in special sanatoriums.
  • Blockade of joints and spine.A joint block is a type of drug treatment of the spine and joints, designed to relieve acute pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms.
  • Drug treatment.Drug treatment of the joints and spine is widely used in combination with physiotherapy.Intra-articular injections, blockades and drips.

Treatment of osteochondrosis helps to achieve the following

  • allows to relieve pain and neutralize inflammation;
  • improves nutrition of intervertebral discs;
  • stops the destruction of discs, restores their structure;
  • releases compressed nerve roots;
  • relaxes tense muscles;
  • restores the flexibility of the spine;
  • prevents the appearance of protrusions and hernias;
  • normalizes blood pressure;
  • corrects and strengthens the ligament;
  • straightens the posture;
  • normalizes metabolism.

After the therapy is completed, the doctor gives the patient a manual with a series of exercises to be performed independently at home.The specialist explains in detail how to change your usual lifestyle to prevent the disease from returning.

Prevention

Follow the rules below to maintain a healthy spine:

  • swimming, yoga, competition, fitness;
  • When sitting at a computer or desk, keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed;
  • choose chairs and armchairs that support the spine;
  • Take a break from work every 2 hours or more, walk, tilt your head and trunk in different directions;
  • when lifting weights, keep your back straight, squat and do not make sudden jerks;
  • do not carry heavy objects in front of you;
  • if you are training on a new simulator, ask the trainer how to exercise on it correctly;
  • for sports, choose shoes with shock-absorbing soles;
  • sleep on an orthopedic mattress;
  • do abdominal exercises.

Nutrition for osteochondrosis

In case of osteochondrosis, it is recommended to eat small portions 6 times a day.Follow these principles in your diet:

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