Osteochondrosis– is a degenerative-dystrophic disease that is manifested by a decrease in the height of the hyaline intervertebral cartilage. Ultimately, this leads to hard drive wear and loss of functionality.
The disease is most commonly diagnosed in people aged 30 to 35 and affects about 40% of the population under 35 to 40 and almost 90% in old age. However, it may occur earlier if unfavorable factors are present.
Osteochondrosis of the spine is one of the main causes of back pain. Inadequate treatment can lead to damage to nerve roots, damage to the spinal cord and disruption of internal organs. Therefore, it is very important to promptly seek medical attention and take appropriate measures to prevent the development of the disease.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a common disease that can occur in older people, but also in young people who are used to leading a sedentary lifestyle. This disease occurs due to a weakening of the back muscles, which leads to disruption of blood circulation and nutrition in the tissues of the spine and intervertebral discs. It can have various causes including age, injury, sudden stress and poor work habits.
Although the causes of osteochondrosis are not fully understood, they are related to various factors, including:
- heredity,
- inadequate physical development,
- metabolic disease,
- unhealthy diet
- lack of vitamins and minerals,
- long-term medication,
- overweight,
- increased load on the spine,
- sedentary lifestyle, for example when working in the office,
- vertebral acid injuries,
- previous infectious diseases and stress.
In addition, malformations of the nervous and musculoskeletal system can also contribute to the development of osteochondrosis. In general, the development of this disease is due to a combination of many factors, and its prevention consists in proper nutrition, moderate physical activity, correct distribution of loads on the spine, as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle in general.
Symptoms and signs of osteochondrosis
With the development of osteochondrosis, patients often experience the following problems in the initial stages:
- Pain in different parts of the body such as back, neck or other areas;
- difficulty moving and limitations in turning or bending;
- Constant tension and muscle spasms;
- migraines and dizziness;
- Painful sensations in the heart area;
- hypotonia, reduced muscle tone and strength;
- numbness of the limbs;
- pain in arms and legs;
- see spots before eyes;
- cooling of the extremities;
- Provoke painful sensations.
With advanced osteochondrosis, serious complications can occur, such as:
- Unconsciousness;
- Decreased sensitivity of the limbs;
- Poor blood circulation in the vessels;
- nerve damage or inflammation;
- Narrowing and blockage of the arteries.
You should pay attention to changes in your body condition and consult a specialist if you suspect the development of osteochondrosis. Seeking help early can prevent serious complications and improve quality of life.
Risk factors
Osteochondrosis can occur as a result of injury or heavy physical activity, which is especially common in athletes. It also manifests itself in the form of bone growths, osteophytes, protruding intervertebral discs and curvature of the spine. Congenital spinal defects can also lead to rapid wear and tear of the intervertebral discs. In addition, the following risk factors can lead to the development of osteochondrosis:
- Neuro-emotional exhaustion;
- Physical overload on the body;
- Working on vibrating platforms;
- genetic predisposition;
- lack of vitamins in the body;
- Multiple pregnancy.
Understanding these risk factors can help you prevent the possibility of osteochondrosis. Maintaining your health through a healthy lifestyle and diet and avoiding injuries and overexertion can reduce the likelihood of this problem occurring. If you suspect osteochondrosis, consult a doctor to quickly start treatment and prevent possible complications.
Classification and stages of development of osteochondrosis
Classification of osteochondrosis
There are different forms of osteochondrosis, which can manifest as pain in different parts of the spine.
- Lumbodynia– This is pain in the lumbar (lumbosacral) back.
- sciaticamanifests itself as pain in the back that spreads to the legs.
- lumbago- This is a lumbago with acute and severe pain in the lower back area.
- Thoracalgia- This is chest pain.
Another form of osteochondrosis, cervicalgia or cervicobrachialgia, causes pain in the neck and upper limbs.
In addition, the types of osteochondrosis can vary depending on which part of the spine is affected. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is manifested by headaches and difficulty turning the head, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine causes pain in the thoracic spine, and osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can be manifested by difficulty bending forward and pain, which sometimes "shoots" into the leg.
Stages of development of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases of the spine. Its development goes through several phases.
- I.In the first stage, the core of the disc loses moisture and becomes less elastic, leading to a reduction in height and tissue tears. At this stage the pain is usually barely noticeable, but discomfort can occur with physical activity or unusual posture.
- II.In the second stage of development of osteochondrosis, the intervertebral disc tissue begins to flatten and bulge, which leads to a narrowing of the space between the vertebrae and pinching of the spinal nerve roots. The fibrous membrane is destroyed, resulting in poor fluid retention in the disc nucleus. When moving, characteristic clicking and crunching noises can be heard in the spine. At this stage, localized pain occurs, which increases with active movements.
- III.The third stage is characterized by abrasion and thinning of the cartilage layer between the intervertebral discs. At this stage, the symptoms of osteochondrosis are intensely expressed in the form of acute pain. To quickly relieve the pain, you need to take painkillers for neuralgia.
- IV.In the final, fourth stage, the destruction of the intervertebral discs is so severe that the joints become inactive and the space between the vertebrae becomes overgrown with bone tissue. Severe dystrophic processes can cause acute pain as growths injure nearby tissues and compress nerves. A complete loss of mobility of the vertebral joints is possible.
Complications
Let's consider various complications that can occur with osteochondrosis:
- Disc projection, which occurs when the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc protrudes beyond the annulus fibrosus. This can lead to pain and dysfunction of the spine.
- Intervertebral hernia- This is an even more serious complication when the disc annulus ruptures and the nucleus pulposus protrudes beyond it. This can cause severe pain, reduced sensation and paralysis.
- Radiculitis- This is a pinched nerve root that causes severe pain symptoms. Radiculitis can cause loss of sensation, numbness, and weakness in the lower extremities.
- Kyphosisis a spinal deformity that manifests itself as a bulge in the chest area. This can lead to breathing problems, pain and poor posture.
- Spinal cord stroke– This is the most serious complication of osteochondrosis, which can lead to loss of sensitivity, impaired motor skills and even paralysis.
- Muscle wasting of the lower extremities– This is a loss of muscle mass, which is accompanied by rapid fatigue and weakness in the legs.
- Leg paralysis– This is a complete loss of the ability to perform voluntary movements of the lower limbs, which is a serious complication of osteochondrosis.
Methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a pathology characterized by a degenerative process in the structures of the spine. Based on clinical studies we can learn more about the treatment of this pathology.
If osteochondrosis is suspected, the doctor will conduct a comprehensive diagnostics, which includes the following methods:
- Physical examination.The doctor examines the patient and assesses his general condition, posture and movements. The doctor may also do a neurological test to determine whether sensory and motor problems are present or not.
- Hardware testing.For a more accurate diagnosis, various hardware examination methods are used, including radiography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Blood tests.A complete blood count can help detect early signs of osteochondrosis, such as: E. g. increased red blood cell sedimentation rate and low calcium levels. To confirm the diagnosis, biochemical tests can be prescribed that evaluate coagulation parameters, enzyme activity, the content of zinc, cobalt, iron and other components.
- Radiography.During an X-ray, each spine is examined and images are taken in direct, lateral and two oblique projections. If necessary, a functional x-ray can be prescribed, which allows you to assess the condition of the spine in different positions.
- Computed tomography (CT).CT is performed after the X-ray and allows for a more precise determination of the condition of the intervertebral discs. For this purpose, images are taken of one or two segments of the spine.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MRI is used in addition to CT or in cases where it is necessary to examine the condition of blood vessels, nerve processes and intervertebral discs in more detail.
When should you see a doctor?
If you have persistent back pain, muscle cramps and reduced sensitivity, you should consult a doctor.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine characterized by degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs. It can cause back pain, neck pain, headaches and other unpleasant symptoms. Treating osteochondrosis can be a long and labor-intensive process, but modern methods can help relieve pain and improve quality of life. Depending on the degree of progression and severity of symptoms, surgery may be conservative or surgical. In most cases, strengthening of the ligaments and muscles and the use of medication are recommended.
When treating osteochondrosis, it is important to take into account the individual characteristics of each patient. Some massage or manual therapy methods may be undesirable or even dangerous in individual cases. It is therefore important to have an individual consultation before starting treatment.
Procedures and methods for treating osteochondrosis include physiotherapy, gymnastics (physiotherapy), wearing an orthopedic pillow or corset, taking muscle relaxants and non-steroidal analgesics.
Movement therapy
Leading countries with a good medical level prefer exercise therapy. These are classic physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises in water, swimming, simulator training and computer-based hardware complexes. Styles are selected by the doctor and may vary depending on the individual characteristics of each patient. Swimming can also be useful, but requires proper technique to avoid harm to health.
Treatment of osteochondrosis using manual therapy
Manual therapy can be used in the initial stages. This method helps to strengthen the muscle frame and eliminate blockages and pinched nerve roots. However, if the shape of the vertebrae changes and bone spurs form, this type of treatment is not recommended.
Properly performed manual therapy can improve the configuration of the spine. Sometimes there can be persistent functional blockages, i. e. stiffening of the spine and sacrum, which cannot be eliminated by therapeutic exercises.
Modern manual therapy is different from the previous one. Most doctors no longer use hard techniques that involved grinding, preferring instead to use soft techniques. They are based on knowledge of biomechanics, joint function and the laws of muscle contraction and relaxation. The risk of side effects is lower with these methods and the effectiveness has not changed.
massage
Massage has many contraindications, so a neurologist must prescribe individual treatment. It is important to choose a competent masseur with whom the doctor works. Massage sessions should be carried out regularly; As a rule, the doctor prescribes at least 2-3 sessions per week for 1-3 months.
Correctly performed medical massage for spinal osteochondrosis:
- Provides additional stress on the muscles and increases their tone;
- Dispels lactic acid buildup and relieves muscle spasms;
- Improves blood circulation in the affected area and adjacent tissues;
- Relieves pain.
For the treatment of osteochondrosis, only medical massage is suitable, while Thai massage is dangerous. Most Thai massage therapists use strict manual therapy techniques and do not pay attention to the patient's physical condition.
physical therapy
Depending on the location and stage, patients can be prescribed the following types of physiotherapy:
- Magnetic field therapyis the effect of a constant frequency magnetic field that stimulates a cellular response.
- Electrophoresis for osteochondrosis– This is the effect of an electric field on the tissue, which accelerates blood circulation and activates regeneration processes.
- Laser therapyis a method that stimulates biological processes in nerve fibers and also has anti-inflammatory, wound-healing and pain-relieving effects.
- Shock wave therapyis a method of influencing a diseased area of the body with acoustic waves, improving microcirculation and metabolic processes, relieving swelling and pain.
All of these methods can be prescribed by the doctor according to the individual needs of the patient and the stage of the disease.
Kinesio taping
Kinesio taping is a safe method that is actively used in sports medicine and is widely used in South Korea.
Kinesio tape is a cotton plaster with hot melt adhesive that can be used to treat neck, chest, back pain and joint problems. There are special types of therapeutic treatments that can be used at home. However, caution should be exercised when self-taping as complications are possible.
There are restrictions to be taken into account when carrying out kinesiotaping: For women, these include pregnancy and menstruation. Some patients may experience an allergic reaction to the patch.
acupuncture
Acupuncture is a method in which a doctor inserts special needles into specific areas of the body. This leads to an acceleration of blood circulation, lymphatic circulation and metabolic processes, thereby improving the condition of the spine and the entire body. Acupuncture can be used for osteochondrosis in the initial stages, as well as for severe pain and limited mobility of the vertebrae.
There is also a dry needling technique in which a drug-free needle is inserted into the twitching muscle, usually the piriformis. This method can be used to relieve pain in the back and pelvic area. It is worth noting that acupuncture is also effective in chronic cases.
Hirudotherapy
Hirudotherapy is a method that uses medicinal leeches to treat various diseases, including osteochondrosis. Hirudotherapy prevents increased blood clotting and the formation of blood clots, dilates blood vessels, eliminates inflammatory processes and has an analgesic effect. In osteochondrosis, leeches are used to improve blood supply to cells, which in turn stimulates the restoration of damaged intervertebral discs.
Medication
Currently, there is a tendency to reduce the use of medications in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Because some medications can have serious side effects and have a negative impact on the patient's health.
Pain in osteochondrosis often occurs against the background of minor changes in the spine, and if the doctor chooses the right treatment without drugs, the patient can avoid repeated attacks of pain. If you take medication for a long time, the structural changes in the spine may worsen and the pill may no longer work. In addition, drug therapy may be contraindicated in some cases.
An alternative to drug treatment is Kinesio taping. This is a method in which special elastic plasters are stuck to diseased areas of the body. Kinesio taping is safer and more effective than drug therapy and can be used to relieve pain.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a method based on the correct effect on pain points and reflex zones. It is used to relieve pain and restore the natural load on the spine. Reflexology is never used alone, but usually in combination with a massage to achieve a stronger effect.
Reflexology can be used to treat osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine. Its use helps to eliminate pain and restore the natural load on the spine. In addition, reflexology can be used to improve the general condition of the body and prevent disease.
Prevention and prognosis of osteochondrosis
Prevention of osteochondrosis is an extremely important issue because it is aimed at preventing factors that can contribute to the development of this disease. First of all, this applies to people who have certain risks:
- genetic predisposition to spinal diseases;
- Chronic gastrointestinal problems that can lead to malabsorption of nutrients;
- Diseases associated with metabolic disorders;
- Serious infections in childhood, such as: B. Rickets;
- vertebral acid injuries;
- Overweight.
But prevention is also important for people with a sedentary lifestyle, increased stress on the spine and for women planning a pregnancy. To prevent it, it is recommended to exercise regularly, watch your weight, avoid injuries and eat a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals. In order to detect illnesses early, it is also advisable to consult a doctor and undergo regular medical examinations.
Diet for osteochondrosis
One of the important aspects of treating osteochondrosis is proper nutrition. The body needs to receive the necessary amount of substances for the synthesis of cartilage tissue, so a balanced diet is recommended.
It is important to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, protein foods, and dishes containing mucopolysaccharides - such as fruit jellies, jelly or jellied fish. However, you should avoid fatty, fried, and salty foods and limit your consumption of sugar and alcohol, as these can contribute to inflammation.
It is recommended to drink more fluids to ensure adequate hydration and maintain disc health. It is also recommended to consult a doctor or nutritionist to develop an individual diet that takes into account the specifics of the disease and the individual needs of the patient.
Exercises for osteochondrosis
Exercises for the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis are prescribed by the doctor if there is pain. The set of exercises is selected individually, taking into account the form, degree and stage of the disease. For example, at the initial stage of cervical osteochondrosis it is recommended:
- perform head tilts;
- turn your head right and left;
- Use your chin to draw numbers from 0 to 9 in the air.
- Move your chin forward and back in a horizontal plane.