Juvenile osteochondrosis is the second name for juvenile osteochondrosis. This pathology is a progressive disease, which is characterized by damage to the intervertebral discs and a change in the vertebral body.
Features of juvenile osteochondrosis
According to the international classification of diseases, this pathology refers to dorsopathic diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system. In medicine, it is customary to divide osteochondrosis into 3 categories:
- osteochondrosis in adults;
- juvenile osteochondrosis (teenage) - this category also includes Scheuermann and Calvet diseases;
- unspecified form.
A few decades ago, the diagnosis of osteochondrosis was made mainly for older patients. Cases of illness in children and adolescents were extremely few. Recently, the incidence of disease in children under 16 years has increased dramatically. In this regard, adolescent degenerative changes in the spine were divided into a separate category.
This type of disease is characterized by symptoms, causes and treatment methods.
Kinds
Depending on the localization, juvenile osteochondrosis of the spine is divided into 2 types:
- Common. Such a diagnosis is made if the cervical and thoracic spine has undergone changes.
- Specific. This category includes pathology of the lumbar spine.
It should be emphasized: osteochondrosis in adults is usually divided into 5 types. This difference can be explained by the fact that pathologies in the cervical region are extremely rare in children and adolescents, since such changes are caused by a sedentary lifestyle (among office workers, programmers).
The most common spinal pathologies in children and adolescents are associated with the lumbar region.
Development reasons
In adult patients, changes in the spinal column can occur against the background of age-related and dystrophic processes.
In children and adolescents, the causes of juvenile osteochondrosis are somewhat different:
- Increased load on the spine. Such a diagnosis is often made to adolescents involved in professional sports.
- Violations of posture. They can occur due to improper sitting and lying. Another reason is the development of osteochondrosis against the background of other pathologies (lordosis, kyphosis or scoliosis).
- Inadequate physical activity (lack of exercise). Lack of physical activity leads to weakening of the back muscles.
- Autoimmune and endocrine diseases.
- Improper nutrition, lack of B vitamins and calcium.
- Genetic heredity. To some extent, the cause of the disease can be heredity. Thus, if a person has relatives with osteochondrosis of the spine, then the risk of getting this disease increases. Meanwhile, it should be borne in mind that heredity only increases the risk of developing pathology, however, in the absence of other risk factors, the symptoms of the disease do not appear.
Age of patients
The first symptoms of juvenile osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine appear at 11-12 years. At the first stage of the development of the disease, the manifestations are characterized as insignificant.
With early diagnosis, it is possible to start treatment in a timely manner and to avoid numerous complications.
By the age of 15-16, the clinical picture becomes pronounced. This is because in children under 15 years of age, the musculoskeletal system is in good condition. Another reason is the prolonged development of the disease. It takes about 4-5 years.
The most severe course with complications occurs at the age of 16-20 years.
Symptoms of juvenile osteochondrosis of the neck
The clinical picture and the degree of its manifestation directly depend on in which department the pathology is localized. Changes in the thoracic region often proceed unnoticed and are detected only during a routine examination.
With juvenile osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the following symptoms occur.
- Frequent headaches. They are localized in the occipital part of the head and can spread to the temporal region.
- Severe dizziness. In this case, attacks rarely end with vomiting or loss of consciousness.
- Pain sensations concentrated in the neck. Pain can be aggravated when trying to lift weights or when bending. Often sensations pass to the back of the head or give to the hands.
- Bone crunch. When tilting or turning the head, a crunch is clearly audible.
- Feeling of numbness in the hands. Most often observed at night.
- Constant squeak in the ears (it intensifies in peace and silence).
- The presence of visual pathologies (flies before the eyes, veil, bright flashes).
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region
If the pathological process is localized in the lumbar, a teenager may complain of the following symptoms.
- Back pain (in the lumbar region). With physical activity and when lifting weights, sensations intensify.
- After prolonged sitting, the inclinations are difficult.
- Feeling of numbness of the legs, cold in the lower body. Such symptoms are caused by a decrease in blood circulation.
- Fatigue, general malaise, fatigue, drowsiness.
Diagnostics
An experienced doctor will be able to identify cervical and lumbar juvenile osteochondrosis according to the patient's complaints and the results of the initial examination. During it, the state of posture is checked, the position of the vertebrae and muscle corset is checked by palpation. If pathological changes are detected, a comprehensive examination is prescribed.
Most often prescribed:
- Ultrasound
- fluoroscopy;
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging);
- computed tomography.
The list of necessary laboratory tests includes a general urine test and a general blood test. Thanks to these data, it is often possible to identify the cause of the pathology.
Treatment
Treatment of lumbar and cervical juvenile osteochondrosis is the therapeutic effect.
Depending on the stage of the disease, the age of the patient and the localization of the process, the doctor prescribes suitable methods of treatment:
- Drug therapy. As part of the treatment, painkillers are used. Medication should be prescribed only by a doctor. Self-administration is extremely undesirable, since medicines in childhood are dangerous.
- Lifestyle correction. It can be long walks to strengthen muscles, cleaning the house.
- Morning exercises. It should consist of therapeutic exercises recommended by the doctor. The duration of the classes is 15-20 minutes.
- Physiotherapy. With juvenile osteochondrosis, laser treatment, UHF, and mud baths are often prescribed.
- Massage. The duration of the course is 1-3 months, depending on the stage of development of the disease.
- In advanced cases, the wearing of orthopedic collars, bandages or corsets is prescribed.
During treatment, the patient should regularly visit a doctor. At the receptions, the doctor checks the condition of the spine and muscles, monitors the dynamics of improvements and, if necessary, makes adjustments to the treatment regimen.
Possible complications
Juvenile osteochondrosis of the cervical spine itself does not lead to death or disability, but it significantly affects the quality of life of a teenager. The patient is forced to give up physical activity, he is constantly tormented by pain.
In addition, such a disease can lead to the appearance of other pathologies:
- development of intervertebral hernia;
- radiculitis, radiculopathy;
- neurological diseases (especially often this occurs with violations in the cervical spine);
- vegetovascular dystonia (with damage to the autonomic nervous system);
- spondylarthrosis;
- narrowing of the spinal canal.
To prevent such complications, it is recommended to consult a doctor at the first suspicion of pathology.
Forecast
Despite the serious consequences and severity of the disease, juvenile osteochondrosis is successfully treated. In the case of timely treatment at an early stage of development, it is possible to completely get rid of the symptoms in 6-12 months.
In advanced cases, the time for complete recovery will require much more, but such patients have every chance of recovery.
Prevention
To prevent the development of osteochondrosis in adolescents, parents should remember how to prevent it. They are as follows:
- Control over the child’s posture. Violations of posture are the cause of pathological changes in the spine and can cause osteochondrosis.
- Regular exercise. The load prevents the weakening of the muscular corset of the back.
- Proper nutrition. A balanced diet is a source of essential vitamins and minerals.
It is difficult to completely protect oneself from the development of this pathology, but with the help of preventive measures, the risk of the appearance of symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis in childhood and adolescence can be minimized.