Osteochondrosis is included in the category of common disorders.In 75% of cases, it is this that causes unpleasant back pain.Today, every second person after twenty years has manifestations of pathology.With age, the risk of developing the disease increases.If treatment is not started immediately, osteochondrosis can cause negative health consequences.
What is spinal osteochondrosis?
This process affects the articular cartilage and nearby bones.Initially, osteochondrosis affects exclusively the discs that hold the vertebrae together.Then the degenerative process affects the ligaments and vertebrae, destroying the integrity of the joints.
The trick of the pathology is that the disc cartilage cannot regenerate.Therefore, the area of the spine affected by the disease will inevitably deteriorate.Once a disease appears, you can stop its development, but it cannot be completely eliminated.
This pathology is not associated with inflammation - it is based on a violation of tissue nutrition and degeneration of their structure.In the absence of loads, tissues lose strength because they do not receive the necessary amount of nutrients.
Clinical features
The development of the disease leads to the fact that the nucleus pulposus dries up and partially loses its absorbing characteristics.The fibrous ring becomes thinner and microcracks form on it.
As a result, an elongation occurs, called disc protrusion.As the disease progresses, the annulus may rupture, and then an intervertebral hernia is diagnosed.
This area loses stability, osteophytes can form on it and the integrity of ligaments and joints is damaged.To compensate for disc deformation, bone and fibrous tissue grow.In this condition, the spinal column becomes less mobile.
The disease usually has periods of remission, which are then followed by relapses.
Scales and phases
There are a number of degrees of the disease, each of which has the following characteristics:
- 1st degree.Due to incorrect movement, the disc ruptures.This condition can also be provoked by stress.Severe pain and a sensation reminiscent of an electric shock often occur.
- 2nd degree.Spinal stability is lost and protrusions develop.There may be pain that increases with careless movement.This form of the disease is characterized by numbness of the fingers, headache and temporary discomfort in the sacrum.
- 3rd degree.This condition has manifestations of a hernia, headache and discomfort in the area of the damaged nerve.Also, arms and legs often become numb, vision and hearing deteriorate, and problems occur in the functioning of many organs.
- 4th degree.At this stage, the symptoms of a hernia disappear and the manifestations of the disease decrease.The spine loses stability, a condition characterized by slipping or twisting of the vertebrae.The vertebrae can grow, which causes compression of the nerves, as a result of which the spinal canal atrophies and the spinal cord is compressed.The fourth degree is distinguished by the consequences that can occur after the removal of the hernia - these include paresis, inflammation, etc.
It is also common to distinguish a number of stages:
- yes,the first stage- essentially the consequence of lack of moisture and loss of elastic properties.The disease is characterized by the displacement of the nucleus within the disc, which leads to the disruption of the shape of the fibrous ring.However, the process itself remains within the intervertebral disc, without going beyond its borders.
- ABOUTthe secondThe formation of ring cracks is typical.As the flattened disc height decreases, there is a loss of spinal stability.
- The third stagecharacterized by the appearance of cracks at the site of the cracks and the beginning of inflammation.Part of the liquid core flows through the microcracks.Nerves or blood vessels are often compressed at the site of the rupture.
- The fourth stageaccompanied by dystrophic processes.The vertebral sections do not provide the necessary resistance, so the adjacent vertebral bodies move closer together.Complications may also occur.This can be the development of spondyloarthrosis and spondylosis.At this stage, the flattening of the vertebra is observed - this happens to remove the load from the disc.Sometimes fibrous tissue is replaced by bone.This stage is characterized by a temporary decrease in pain.However, discomfort then increases due to compression of the nerves and narrowing of the spinal canal.
Causes of the disease
This disease can be found in both the elderly and the young.Typically, signs of osteochondrosis appear around the age of thirty-five.The development and recurrence of the disease is caused by overload, back injuries and vibrations.As the body ages, more and more symptoms appear.The exact causes of the disease have not yet been determined.
The most popular opinion is that the process is a consequence of the wrong distribution of the load on the back due to the weakness of the muscles and ligaments.This theory is also confirmed by popular methods of therapy, which are based on training the muscular system and ligaments.
Factors that can provoke an abnormal process in the spine include:
- poor posture;
- excess weight;
- injuries;
- flat feet;
- curvature of the spine;
- metabolic disorders;
- infections;
- inheritance;
- poor physical ability;
- stress;
- heavy loads;
- hormonal imbalance;
- poor nutrition;
- bad environmental conditions;
- the systematic impact of vibrations;
- age-related changes;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- hypothermia;
- smoking;
- spine abnormalities.
Even if a person leads a normal life, he is at risk of osteochondrosis due to the lack of necessary substances.In modern society, this problem is considered one of the most important.The condition worsens due to an inactive lifestyle.
Types and symptoms
Depending on the area of damage, there is cervical, thoracic or lumbar osteochondrosis.If several departments are involved in the pathological process at once, we can talk about a common form.
Since the lower back usually bears the greatest load, among all cases of the disease lumbar osteochondrosis prevails - its prevalence is about 50%.
In second place is the cervical region.This form of osteochondrosis is diagnosed in a quarter of cases.This disease is usually the result of prolonged stay at the computer or monotonous work.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is extremely rare and is usually associated with limited range of motion.
General signs of the disease
Pathology has different signs that directly depend on the location of the process:
- Pain in the back.Sometimes osteochondrosis provokes mild or annoying pain.The disease can also cause acute, unbearable pain - it is difficult to eliminate it with non-narcotic analgesics.
- Deterioration of vision or hearing.
- Headache.The disease often causes a feeling of weakness, dizziness and increased fatigue.
- Loss of sensitivity.This symptom usually manifests as numbness in the arms or legs.
- Problems in the functioning of the pelvic organs and sexual dysfunction.
- Loss of mobility in the problem area.
- Problems with the organs for which the spinal cord is responsible.
- Pain in arms and legs.
- Muscle weakness.
How is cervical osteochondrosis manifested:
- systemic headache;
- hearing impairment;
- dizziness;
- pressure increases;
- voice change;
- decreased vision;
- snoring;
- tooth decay.
Breast shape symptoms:
- high fatigue of the back muscle tissue;
- pain on palpation;
- back and chest pain;
- problems with various organs.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- pain in the lower back;
- numbness of the legs;
- decrease in skin temperature;
- urinary discomfort;
- muscle tension;
- stool problems;
- varicose veins;
- loss of activity.
Complications
Osteochondrosis often provokes complications, so this disease cannot be ignored.The consequences of the disease include:
- Lumbago - severe pain in the lower back.
- Intervertebral hernia.
- Extension.
- Radiculitis.
- Migraine attacks.
- Spondylosis.
- Sciatica is a pathology of the sciatic nerve that causes pain in the legs and back.
- Narrowing of the spinal canal.
- Vegetative-vascular dystonia.
- Schmorl's hernia is a protrusion of a disc into the spinal cavity.
The most dangerous complication of osteochondrosis is considered to be compression of the arteries that supply the brain with food.Because of these trunks, the brain is supplied with blood.Due to the lack of food, more serious pathologies can develop.
Diagnosing
Diagnosis is based on medical history and examination.It also requires a neurological assessment.Additional examinations include:
- magnetic resonance;
- Doppler ultrasound;
- spondylography;
- computed tomography.
Thanks to these studies, it is possible to determine the level of violations, clarify the diagnosis and identify hidden processes.This allows you to choose an effective treatment and achieve good results.
Treatment methods
In an early stage, conservative therapy is the best option.The doctor prescribes medication.Therapeutic gymnastics can also be used.Manual therapy and reflexology are very helpful.
Among medications, non-narcotic analgesics and tranquilizers are considered the most effective.You should also take medicines with B vitamins. Typically, this treatment is used during a relapse of the disease to eliminate pain and inflammation.
Reflexology includes the use of methods such as paraffin baths, laser therapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation and ultrasound.No less useful are mud baths and iodine therapy.
Therapeutic exercise aims to strengthen the muscular system and release nerve endings.In difficult cases it is impossible to do without surgical intervention.If conservative treatment is ineffective, the hernia must be removed.This can be achieved using the classic or microsurgical method.
Osteochondrosis is a dangerous disease that causes pain and leads to loss of motor activity.
To stop the development of complications, at the slightest discomfort in the spine area, you should consult a doctor.Only a specialist will be able to make the correct diagnosis and choose the therapy.