Intervertebral osteochondrosis is a pathology associated with dystrophic changes in the discs, as a result of which they lose their depreciation properties, their elasticity decreases and, as a result, problems arise with the mobility of the spinal column. This disease is attributed to the field of neuropathology, orthopedics and rheumatology.
Causes of the disease
The disease develops against a background of metabolic disturbances in the disk area. They provide the ability of the spine to withstand significant loads. Disks reduce the traumatic effect on the spine from running, falling, jumping and injuring.
Most often, osteochondrosis of the intervertebral disc occurs due to improper posture. Such a pathology is often associated with age-related changes. This happens against the background of the loss of fluid in them, as a result of which the disks cannot fulfill their immediate functions - they narrow, dry out and lose their mobility.
Microcracks and tears may also appear in them. Through such breaks in the disk shell, the pulpous nucleus can be squeezed out , after which the disks break and bulge.
The main reasons for the appearance of intervertebral osteochondrosis can also be attributed to:
- poor physical fitness;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- bruises and injuries;
- flat feet;
- malnutrition;
- obesity;
- a sharp rejection of sports;
- smoking;
- hypothermia;
- uncomfortable shoes, including high-heeled shoes;
- relocation to another climate zone;
- hormonal disorders;
- genetic predisposition.
Stages of the disease
Intervertebral osteochondrosis has three stages:
- The first stage is characterized by severe pain in the affected area.
- The second - there is prolonged instability, which is accompanied by periodic bouts of pain.
- Third - the damaged segment is stabilized, a bone growth is formed, pain is gradually reduced.
At each stage of the disease, different symptoms are present, and different treatment methods are used.
Intervertebral cervical osteochondrosis
Four main types of osteochondrosis are distinguished, depending on the localization of the pathological process.
The cervical spine is the most mobile part of the spinal column, consisting of 7 vertebrae. The most characteristic symptoms of pathology include:
- pain in the neck and neck;
- crunch while turning the neck;
- numbness or tingling on the legs and arms;
- dizziness and headache;
- general tiredness and weakness.
Also, against the background of problems in this area, deterioration in hearing and vision can be observed, drawing pains in the area of the heart muscle can disturb.
The danger of intervertebral osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is that even with the slightest compression or displacement of the discs, blood vessels are compressed here and the nerves are displaced. And this leads to the fact that migraine begins, vegetovascular dystonia, hypertension. There are problems with coordination of movement. The advanced stage of the disease is dangerous with a very high risk of spinal stroke.
Thoracic problems
This type of disease is quite rare. It is characterized by pain in the chest and between the shoulder blades. The pain may increase with a deep breath or exhale. Additional symptoms include: disorders in the digestive tract, brittle nails, peeling of the skin.
This illness is characterized by acute pain or dorsago, which often occurs if a person has been in the same position for a long time. There are also mild pains or dorsalgia. Such pain can last for two or three weeks. There is a feeling of lack of air. Dorsalgia most often bothers at night or after walking.
Thoracic intervertebral osteochondrosis is most often found in people working at a computer or with drivers. Also, the disease can appear against a background of scoliosis. This type of pathology is dangerous in that it can cause the appearance of intercostal neuralgia, the development of ailments in the gastrointestinal tract. Against the background of the disease, a hernia may appear and heart problems may begin.
Intervertebral osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
This type of disease is the most common. After all, it is precisely this part that accounts for the majority of the load, both when running, and walking, sitting, and playing sports. There are 5 vertebrae in this area.
The main symptom for this type of pathology is pain in the lumbar region. It can appear not only after physical exertion, but even after sneezing or coughing. If a person has been in the same position for a long time, then he cannot straighten. Sensitivity in the buttocks, legs and feet disappears. Sweating may be impaired, the skin becomes dry.
With an exacerbation of osteochondrosis, severe pain bothers not only in the lower back, but also in the legs.
Intervertebral osteochondrosis of the lumbar can lead to protrusion of the disc, then protrusion occurs, as a result, the fibrous ring ruptures and a hernia occurs. Pathology can cause the development of lumbar radiculitis, inflammation of the sciatic nerve can occur. Women with osteochondrosis may experience problems with the uterus and appendages, and in men with potency. The disease can also cause the appearance of horse tail syndrome. The most severe form of pathology can cause paralysis of the legs, buttocks and paresis.
Lumbar osteochondrosis of the intervertebral discs most often appears in the following cases:
- if a person leads a sedentary lifestyle;
- heavy physical work or weightlifting;
- back injuries;
- flat feet;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- genetic defects of the spinal column;
- metabolic problems;
- endocrine and cardiovascular diseases.
The cause of the onset of the disease can be the usual physiological aging of the body. At risk are people who work as loaders, builders and waiters. The disease can develop among office workers, programmers and drivers, that is, those who are constantly sitting.
A common form of osteochondrosis
Such a diagnosis is quite common. The definition of "common form" means that the patient has damaged not one intervertebral disc, but several. Most often, such a pathology affects both the lumbar and cervical vertebra. It can occur immediately in two departments of the spinal column. Pain in this case can be volatile or permanent.
Symptoms with this type of pathology most often occur in the form of a classic manifestation of a degenerative process. If the disease is in an advanced stage, then there is a huge risk that the inflammatory process begins on the surrounding tissues, compression of the radicular nerves will occur.
Generalized osteochondrosis is a pathology in which discs at all levels undergo degenerative changes. Most often, such a pathology leads to disability.
Treatment
In the treatment of osteochondrosis, drug therapy, conservative methods: massage, exercise therapy are used. In extremely severe cases, surgery may be indicated. When diagnosing such a disease, there can be no talk of self-medication, since unqualified help will only worsen the state of health.
Drug therapy
Treatment of intervertebral osteochondrosis is carried out comprehensively. In the acute stage, drugs are prescribed that will eliminate the inflammatory process and stop the pain.
Most often prescribed:
- Preparations with the active substance, for example, Ibuprofen. They allow you to quickly eliminate pain.
- Local treatment. It can be carried out using ointments with an anti-inflammatory effect: Voltaren, Diclofenac, etc.
- To improve blood circulation and relieve muscle spasm, muscle relaxants are used: Midokalm, Skutamil-Ts, Sirdalud, etc.
- To restore cartilage, chondroprotectors are prescribed: Chondroxide, Teraflex.
- To improve sensitivity in nerve fibers, vitamins of group B are used: "Neurorubin", "Milgama".
Vitamins and minerals are prescribed to patients with intervertebral osteochondrosis of the lumbar and other departments to help the body repair damaged tissues.
Other conservative treatments
To speed up the healing process, the patient may be prescribed a massage or wearing an orthopedic corset.
Traction may also be shown. Such treatment is carried out on a special horizontal plane if degenerative processes occur in the lumbar region. If the problem is in the cervical spine, then the procedure is carried out on a special chair with a vertical barbell.
Physiotherapeutic procedures can occur in water - this is the so-called vertical underwater traction. The patient is placed in water in a special design, a cargo is attached to the belt on the pelvic area. Of great importance in this technique is the composition of water, it can be just fresh, either with the content of hydrogen sulfide, radon or with turpentine.
Along with these methods, balneological treatment, dehydration therapy and ion galvanization using painkillers and potassium iodide are widely used.
Despite the fact that theoretical questions about acupuncture remain open, nevertheless, this technique allows you to effectively combat pain, so it is indicated for osteochondrosis of the intervertebral discs.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is a therapeutic effect with the help of hands. But this is not only massage, but also other manipulations: soft or hard. Most often resort to a milder effect, so that there are no complications. A doctor may perform a manipulation called the “lever technique”. In this case, the limb acts as one lever, and the spine as the other lever.
A chiropractor can carry out a mobilization procedure, which takes place only after a warming massage. The main objective of the technique is to increase the inter-articular fissures by stretching the ligamentous apparatus.
Gymnastics
A good positive effect can be achieved with physiotherapy exercises. Exercises should be done regularly as soon as the pain syndrome has been stopped. The load should be increased gradually, in no case to overdo it and at the first manifestations of tension, classes should be stopped.
With osteochondrosis in the lumbar region, you can make simple contractions of the abdominal muscles until mild fatigue occurs. You can kneel down and rest your hands on the floor, alternately bending your back and lowering your head while unbending.
If there are problems in the neck, it is recommended to make smooth head turns, about ten times. Turns are best done in a sitting position. You can lower and raise your head, stretch your chin. Do yourself easy massage, kneading the back of the head with your fingers.
Operation
However, it may happen that conservative therapy does not give the expected result and intervertebral osteochondrosis of the spine only progresses. In such cases, surgery may be indicated. Without fail, the operation will be performed if there is a hernia. After the operation, the patient will have to wear a corset for some time.
Preventive actions
To prevent the development of osteochondrosis in the cervical vertebra, experts recommend constantly monitoring the fixation of the head. You cannot stay in one position for more than 40 minutes. Self-massage of the collar zone is possible. And do the tilts of the head for ten seconds.
But the main recommendation is more movements. Swimming and gymnastics have a good effect, but with minimal static loads.
Particular attention should be paid to nutrition. With osteochondrosis, an increased amount of proteins, except for mushrooms, should be included in the diet. Cooking meat and fish is recommended for a couple or in the oven. Of animal fats, only butter can be consumed. It is necessary to reduce the amount of salt and products with a high content of it: preservation and salted fish. It is better to eat fractionally, 5-7 times throughout the day. Do not get involved in flour products, sugar and baking. Reduce or completely eliminate smoking and drinking from your life.