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 habitual aging of the body.
The intervertebral discs undergo atrophic changes, and the age at which this happens depends on many factors:
- trauma;
- diseases and overload of the spine.
Spinal overload includes:
- walk with a hunched back;
- sitting incorrectly;
- features of the structure of the spine;
- Insufficient nutrition of the spinal tissues due to hereditary abnormalities.
With osteochondrosis, the nucleus located between the vertebral discs loses some water. Due to this, metabolic disorders occur in the nucleus and the access of various minerals and vitamins is hindered.
After a while, cracks appear on the disk, it becomes flat. Next, nearby joints and ligaments begin to be affected, forming tissue inflammation. Due to inflammation, the adjacent vertebrae are displaced. This is dangerous with the appearance of radicular symptoms - pain along the affected nerve.
The appearance of an intervertebral hernia is also possible, and it, in turn, can lead to compression of the spinal cord. Osteochondrosis is characterized by the appearance of osteophytes - bone 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. );
- flatfoot;
- spinal injury;
- 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 sternum. The patient may complain of lumbago - the appearance of a sharp pain in the neck, muscle spasm and restriction of movement.
Also, a person may hear a cracking noise when turning the neck. Due to the pinched nerves and blood vessels, a person may experience numbness of the tongue and fingertips. The patient will complain of decreased 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 through joints. In front, the ribs are connected to each other by the sternum. Thus, an excellent framework is created from the spine, sternum and ribs, which protects the internal organs from various injuries.
The vertebrae of the thoracic region are low in height and have long spinous processes, which are located one on top of the other, like shingles. Due to this structure, this part of the spine has little mobility. The intervertebral discs in the thoracic region are rarely injured.
The reasons for the formation of this type of osteochondrosis:
- irrational load distribution;
- delayed nutrition of the intervertebral discs;
- sedentary work;
- the presence of scoliosis.
Symptoms
As with other types, pain is the main symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis.
But with thoracic osteochondrosis, the pain can be different. Back pain: prolonged 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 pain occurs in the form of an attack. By its nature, it is intense, sharp, leads to shortness of breath, and leads to restriction of muscle movements. In addition to pain, patients may experience a feeling of numbness in the chest, impaired sexual function, pain in the heart, kidneys, and stomach.
What is the danger of affecting the thoracic region?
The spinal column is designed to narrow in the thoracic region, so hernias arising from osteochondrosis will quickly lead to compression of the spinal cord. This can easily lead to problems with the heart, pancreas, liver, and kidneys, because the thoracic region is connected to all of these organs by nerve fibers. That is why it is very important to go to the doctor on time. He will help to find out where the signs of osteochondrosis that disturb you come from and will carry out competent treatment of the disease.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occurs due to weight lifting. Normally, in the center of the intervertebral disc there is a nucleus that contains a large amount of water. Due to the liquid, the core becomes slightly compressible and a compression of 500 kg is required for its rupture.
However, the disc affected by osteochondrosis weakens and it will only take 200 kg to break 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 disturbance;
- irritability;
- fatigue;
- inability to meet household needs;
- decreased sexual function in men;
- violation of the menstrual cycle;
- cold feet syndrome.
With the transition from osteochondrosis to the sacral region, the patient develops pain in the kidney area and a violation of urination.
Diagnosis
Osteochondrosis is treated by a neurologist. To begin with, he examines the spine, draws attention to the presence of scoliosis. After palpation, the doctor will be able to understand how it affects the spine, tendons, and nerves.
Once the neurologist suspects osteochondrosis of the spine, he will refer the patient for further examination. This includes the passage of an x-ray examination, magnetic resonance imaging. If there is 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 still, with a full examination, an experienced doctor will be able to suspect this disease and prescribe the correct treatment.
Treatment
Osteochondrosis therapy 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 better to place the patient in a hospital. Only there will she be able to fully comply with the assigned regime. The bed of such a patient should be hard. To do this, a wooden board is placed under the mattress.
Drug treatment
As mentioned above, the main symptom of the disease is pain. Therefore, the patient is prescribed painkillers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and other symptoms of osteochondrosis.
Unfortunately, prolonged use of these drugs causes damage to the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, and the patient develops the following symptoms:
- nausea;
- threw up;
- 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 caused by osteochondrosis lasts for 3 months, antidepressants are prescribed along with these drugs. It has been proven that, in addition to their sedative effect, they are capable of reducing pain.
All drugs can be classified as symptomatic therapy. 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. The drugs are taken for a long period, on average, 4 to 6 months.
In addition to restoring tissues and improving metabolism in them, these drugs also have an analgesic effect. Another group of drugs necessary for osteochondrosis of the spine are drugs that improve blood circulation, their use helps to expand blood vessels, and if thioctic acid is taken in combination with it, it will improve the metabolism of nerve cells in a person. .
As with any disease, patients need calcium supplements. It will restore the activity of bone tissue, increase the strength of ligaments and tendons, and also prevent osteoporosis, a disease that accompanies osteochondrosis.
Physiotherapy
The dosed load on the spine will improve the patient's condition. But you must perform the exercises very carefully. In the acute period, physical education is contraindicated. Only when the pain sensations subside, you can start to practice a little.
Exercise will improve blood circulation in the spine and strengthen the muscles. Due to the flow of blood, the metabolism will improve and the restoration of damaged intervertebral discs will begin. But you should also remember that the classes must be held regularly, otherwise there will be no result.
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 should do it 3-5 times a day.
- Lie on your stomach and stretch your legs. Leaning on the stomach and legs, you need to lift your head and upper chest. Do the exercise for 3-5 minutes with an interval of 30 seconds.
- Lie on your back and bend your knees. In this position, turn to the right and left side. Do the exercise for 3-5 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. Do the exercise for 3-5 minutes with an interval of 20 seconds.
- Lie on your back. Raise your head and legs ("boat"). Hold for 10-20 seconds. Do the exercise for 3-5 minutes with an interval of 20 seconds.
Exercises for lumbar spine injuries.
- Lie on your back, bend your knees and bring them to your chest. Rock back and forth and roll from your back to your sacrum and back. Swing up to 2 minutes. Then you need to calmly lie down and relax.
- You have to get on all fours and bend over as much as you can. Do the exercise for 3-5 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 an effect of conservative treatment and the appearance of complications of osteochondrosis, surgical treatment is prescribed. During spinal stabilization, 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 done only for vital reasons.
Physiotherapy treatment
The appointment of physiotherapy procedures has a positive effect on the course of the disease and accelerates the recovery process. With osteochondrosis, it is allowed:
- visit a sauna or a bath;
- Swimming in the pool;
- massage;
- paraffin therapy;
- manual therapy;
- laser therapy;
- several bathrooms;
- mud therapy;
- electrophoresis with anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxants;
- magnetotherapy;
- darsonval.
All of these procedures improve blood circulation in the diseased area, allow the muscles to relax, and relax the entire body. Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed during the rehabilitation period, when the patient is not affected by severe pain.
Prophylaxis
No one is immune from osteochondrosis. After all, we all age and our whole body also ages with us. So that the disease does not spoil your plans, you need to play 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;
- reject bad habits;
- participate in physical education;
- do not stoop;
- protect your back from hypothermia;
- do not lift too heavy objects;
- take a shower of contrast and temperament;
- avoid stress.
It is especially important that people with this disease follow all the recommendations, since failure will lead to an exacerbation. If you have back pain that does not go away for a long time, you should seek the help of a specialist. Only a doctor can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
Do not delay the visit to the clinic, because it is better to treat the disease in the early stages. Also, do not self-medicate - any drug has its own contraindications, which you may not be aware of. Strictly follow all the recommendations of the doctor, and then the disease will soon recede!