Osteochondrosis of the spine destroys one or more parts of the bone and cartilage tissue of the spine. This disease is chronic and develops in almost all older people. This is caused by the normal aging of the body.
The intervertebral discs undergo atrophic changes and at what age it occurs depends on many factors:
- Trauma;
- Diseases and spinal overload.
Spine overload includes:
- Walking with bent backs;
- Wrong sitting;
- Features of the structure of the spinal column;
- Insufficient nutrition of spinal tissues due to hereditary anomalies.
In osteochondrosis, the nucleus between the vertebral discs loses some of its water. Because of this, metabolic disorders occur in the nucleus and access to various minerals and vitamins is impeded.
After a while cracks appear on the disk, it becomes flat. Next, nearby joints and ligaments begin to impact, creating tissue inflammation. Due to inflammation, the surrounding vertebrae are displaced. This is dangerous with radicular symptoms: pain along the affected nerve.
It is also possible for an intervertebral hernia to appear and it, in turn, can provoke spinal cord compression. 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 areas are susceptible to osteochondrosis.
Cervical osteochondrosis
ᲛReasons:
- Sports activities (weightlifting);
- Excess weight;
- Metabolic disease;
- Sedentary work (programmers, accountants, drivers, etc. );
- Flat feet;
- Spinal cord injury;
- Hypothermia.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are headache and neck pain. The person suffers from severe headaches, pain in the neck, arm radiation, pain in the chest. The patient may complain of lumbago - the appearance of sharp pain in the neck, muscle spasm and restriction of movement.
Also, a person can hear a convulsion when turning the neck. Due to the stretching of nerves and blood vessels a person may develop numbness of the tongue and fingertips. The patient complains of hearing and vision impairment, high blood pressure, and weakness in the muscles of the arms and legs.
Chest osteochondrosis
This type of osteochondrosis is quite rare. This is caused by the anatomical structure of the thoracic spine. It consists of 12 vertebrae that join the ribs through joints. In front, the ribs are connected to each other in the chest area. Thus, an excellent frame is created from the spine, chest and ribs, which protects the internal organs from various injuries.
The vertebrae of the thoracic region are low in height and have long intermittent processes that are located above each other like a probe. Because of this structure, this part of the spine has low mobility. The intervertebral discs of the chest region are rarely injured.
Causes of this type of osteochondrosis:
- Irrational load distribution;
- Interruption of feeding of intervertebral discs;
- Sedentary work;
- Existence of scoliosis.
Symptoms
As in other cases, pain is a leading symptom of chest osteochondrosis.
But the pain in chest osteochondrosis can be different. Dorsalgia - Prolonged discomfort and mild pain along the thoracic spine. Pain can affect the cervix and lumbar region.
Dorsago is one of the signs of thoracic osteochondrosis, in which pain appears in the form of an attack. By its nature it is intense, sharp, causes shortness of breath and causes restriction of muscle movement. In addition to pain, patients may experience numbness in the chest, impaired sexual function, and pain in the heart, kidneys, and stomach.
What is the danger to the chest area?
The spinal column is designed so that it narrows in the chest area, so a hernia caused by osteochondrosis will quickly cause the spinal cord to contract. This can easily lead to problems with the heart, pancreas, liver and kidneys, as the chest region is connected to all these organs by nerve fibers. That is why it is very important to see a doctor on time. It will help you to find out where the disturbing signs of osteochondrosis came from and will conduct competent treatment of the disease.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occurs due to weight gain. Usually, in the center of the intervertebral disc is the nucleus, which contains a large amount of water. Due to the liquid, the nucleus becomes slightly compressed, and 500 kg of compression is required to break it.
However, the disc with osteochondrosis weakens and its rupture is only 200 kg. If a person weighing 70 kg carries a 15 kg load in a bent position, and for the spine it is a load of 200 kg, the intervertebral disc may rupture. This is why the first symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis appear with increasing severity.
Symptoms
- Pain in the lumbar region;
- Inability to move in the lower part of the spine;
- Sleep disorders;
- Irritability;
- Fatigue;
- Inability to meet household needs;
- Decreased sexual function in men;
- Menstrual cycle disorders;
- Cold feet syndrome.
When osteochondrosis progresses to the sacral area, the patient develops pain in the kidneys and urinary incontinence.
Diagnosis
Osteochondrosis is treated by a neurologist. To begin with, he examines the spinal column, focusing on the presence of scoliosis. After the sensation, the doctor will be able to understand how the spinal column, tendons and nerves were affected.
Once a neurologist suspects osteochondrosis of the spine, he or she will refer the patient for additional examination. This includes undergoing X-ray examination, magnetic resonance imaging. If there is a 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, the diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the spine is very difficult. After all, a person can complain of pain related to heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas or sexual dysfunction. But still, with a thorough examination, an experienced doctor will be able to suspect this disease and prescribe the right treatment.
Treatment
Treating osteochondrosis 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 damaged, then the patient should wear a shank fixation collar. If the lumbar spine hurts, the patient needs a bed rest. It is best to place the patient in a hospital. Only there will be able to fully comply with the imposed regime. The bed of such a patient should be heavy. For this, a wooden board is placed under the mattress.
Drug treatment
As mentioned above, the main symptom of the disease is pain. The patient is therefore prescribed analgesics, nonsteroidal 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;
- Vomiting;
- stomach-ache;
- Feeling of heaviness in the abdomen.
Stomach ulcers or stomach bleeding may also worsen. Therefore, you should consult your doctor before using these drugs. If the pain caused by osteochondrosis lasts for 3 months, antidepressants are prescribed along with these drugs. It has been found that in addition to the sedative effect, they can reduce pain.
All drugs can be classified as symptomatic therapy. They help relieve pain, but they do not relieve a person from disease.
Chondroprotectors are prescribed to repair intervertebral discs and cartilage. These drugs improve connective tissue metabolism and promote cartilage repair. The drugs are taken for a long period, on average - 4 - 6 months.
In addition to repairing tissues and improving their metabolism, these drugs also have analgesic effects. Another group of drugs necessary for osteochondrosis of the spine is medications that improve blood circulation, their use helps to dilate blood vessels, and if thioctic acid is taken with it, then the metabolism of nerve cells in humans will improve.
As with any disease, patients need calcium supplements. It restores bone tissue activity, increases ligament and tendon strength, and also prevents osteoporosis - a disease that accompanies osteochondrosis.
Physiotherapy
Dosage loading on the spinal column will improve the patient's condition. But you have to perform the exercises very carefully. Physical education is contraindicated in the acute period. Only when the pain sensations subside can you start exercising a bit.
Exercise will improve blood circulation in the spine and strengthen muscles. Because of the blood flow, the metabolism will improve and the damaged intervertebral discs will start to recover. But you must also remember that lessons must be conducted regularly, otherwise there will be no result.
Exercises for cervical spine injuries
- Start on your back and straighten. Place one hand on your abdomen, the other on your chest and inhale, hold your breath for 10 minutes, then exhale and relax. The duration of the exercise is 3-5 minutes. You need to do this 3-5 times a day.
- Start on the abdomen and straighten the legs. Leaning on your abdomen and legs, you should lift your head and upper chest. Exercise for 3-5 minutes at 30-second intervals.
- Lie on your back and bend your knees. In this position, turn right and left. Exercise for 3-5 minutes at 30-second intervals.
Exercises for chest region injuries
- Start on the abdomen. Put your hands on the floor and lean back. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds. Perform the exercise for 3-5 minutes at 20-second intervals.
- Start on your back. Raise your head and legs ("boat"). Hold for 10-20 seconds. Perform the exercise for 3-5 minutes at 20-second intervals.
Exercises for lumbar spine injuries
- Lie on your back, bend your knees and bring it to your chest. Rotate back and forth and turn back and forth on the sacral. Shake for up to 2 minutes. Then you should start quietly and relax.
- You need to climb on all fours and rejoice as much as possible. Perform the exercise for 3-5 minutes at 20-second intervals.
- While standing, imagine how you spin the ring for 2 to 3 minutes. Exercise 10 times a day.
Surgery
In the absence of the effect of conservative treatment and the detection of complications of osteochondrosis, surgical treatment is prescribed. When the spine is stabilized, pressure is released on the spinal cord and roots. If a person has an intervertebral hernia, it is removed. Since this surgery can damage the spinal cord and nerves, it is performed only for vital reasons.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
The appointment of physiotherapeutic procedures has a positive effect on the course of the disease and accelerates the healing process. In case of osteochondrosis it is allowed:
- Visit the sauna or bath;
- Swimming in the pool;
- Massage;
- Paraffin therapy;
- Manual therapy;
- Laser therapy;
- Various baths;
- Mud therapy;
- Electrophoresis with anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants;
- Magnetotherapy;
- Darsonval.
All these procedures improve blood circulation in the diseased area, allow the muscles to relax and the whole body to relax. Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed during the rehabilitation period when the patient is not suffering from severe pain.
Prevention
No one is insured against osteochondrosis. After all, we all grow old and the whole body grows old with us. In order for the disease not to ruin your plans, you should engage in sports from an early age. Moderate physical activity improves blood circulation, normal metabolism. In addition, it trains the muscles that protect the spinal column. To prevent osteochondrosis, everyone should:
- Eat right - vitamins and minerals necessary for the body;
- Giving up bad habits;
- Engage in physical education;
- Do not kneel;
- Protect your back from hypothermia;
- Do not lift very heavy objects;
- Take a contrast shower and temperament;
- Avoid stress.
It is especially important for people with this disease to follow all the recommendations as their failure will lead to aggravation. If you have back pain that does not go away for a long time, you should consult a specialist. Only a doctor can make a correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
Do not delay a visit to the clinic as it is best to treat the disease at an early stage. Also, do not self-medicate - any medication has its contraindications that you may not be aware of. Strictly follow all the recommendations of the doctor and then the disease will soon disappear!