Osteochondrosis is a disease based on degenerative-dystrophic changes that occur in the intervertebral discs, vertebrae and small joints of the spine. Osteochondrosis is a faithful companion for the elderly. But more and more young people are being diagnosed, which is likely due to predominantly sedentary work, unhealthy lifestyles and little physical activity. We can safely assume that the majority of the adult population shows signs of osteochondrosis.
The reasons
The elasticity of the spine, its mobility and ability to resist physical activity mainly depend on the state of the intervertebral discs. The pathological process in osteochondrosis is based on malnutrition of spinal structures, in particular the intervertebral disc. This leads to changes in the normal structure of tissues, the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity, its shape changes. Such metamorphoses lead to narrowing of the intervertebral discs and, as a result, compression of the nerve roots. In fact, these changes explain the appearance of neurological symptoms, in particular, back pain in osteochondrosis.
In the future, degenerative processes occur in the small joints of the spine, bone growths form on the surface of the vertebrae. All these changes lead to a decrease in spinal flexibility.
Similar transformations of cartilage and bone tissues are a result of the physiological aging of the body. But under the influence of certain unfavorable factors, dystrophic changes in the intervertebral joints occur ahead of time.These factors include:
- Obesity;
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Hard physical work;
- Professions that are characterized by standing or sitting for a long time during working hours;
- Flat feet, valgus deformity of the feet;
- Spine deformities;
- Autoimmune connective tissue diseases;
- Fluctuations in the hormonal background (pregnancy, menopause);
- Play great sports;
- stress;
- Spinal injuries, etc.
Types of osteochondrosis
The characteristics of the clinical picture of the disease depend on which specific segment of the spine the pathological process arose.There are the following types of osteochondrosis:
- Cervical;
- thoracic;
- Low back.
cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is common. The muscular skeleton of the neck is poorly developed, therefore, against the background of osteochondrosis, even with an insignificant load, the vertebrae are displaced, and as a result, the vessels and nerves of the neck are compressed. This explains the specifics of the clinical picture in osteochondrosis of the cervical region.
Thus, the main signs of cervical osteochondrosis include:
- Constant pain in the neck and occipital region, aggravated by movement in the neck;
- Hemicranian type pain - in one hemisphere;
- dizziness, tinnitus;
- Pain in the hands;
- Numbness and tingling sensation in the hands.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
The defeat of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is quite rare. The main prerequisite for the development of the disease is the presence of spinal deformities.
Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- Dull, aching pain in the chest, which is often brace in nature;
- Increased pain when turning the body, sneezing, coughing, laughing;
- Visceral pain in the region of the heart, right hypochondrium, abdomen;
- Numbness, paresthesia in the skin of the chest.
lumbar osteochondrosis
The most common variant of osteochondrosis. This is probably due to the fact that the greatest load falls directly on the lower back.Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- Painful, less often sharp pain in the lower back, increasing with movement or prolonged exposure to a static position;
- Feeling of stiffness in the lower back;
- To reduce pain, a person assumes a forced position;
- Painful or sharp pains (like lumbago) in the buttock, thigh, leg;
- Tingling, paresthesia in the legs.
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Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
Radiation methods are used to detect osteochondrosis: radiography, MRI and computed tomography of the spine. The most characteristic and, most importantly, early sign of osteochondrosis is a decrease in the height of the intervertebral space.
In the later stages of the degenerative process, marginal growths (osteophytes) appear on the surface of the vertebrae. They are easier to detect on lateral radiographs because the osteophytes are located anterior and posterior to the vertebrae.
Also, with osteochondrosis, the bodies of adjacent vertebrae are displaced, which can also be determined on an x-ray.
Osteochondrosis treatment
The treatment of osteochondrosis is more effective the earlier it is started. As already mentioned, osteochondrosis is a change in the structure of the intervertebral discs, vertebrae. Unfortunately, many people ignore back pain for a long time and do not seek a doctor in a timely manner, missing the moment when it is still possible to stop the pathological process.
Treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out with the help of drugs, physical therapy exercises, massage, surgery.
Medical therapy:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, ointments, injections to relieve pain;
- Muscle relaxants;
- Chondroprotectors - promote the regeneration of the affected cartilage;
- Vitamin and mineral complexes;
- Vasodilator drugs;
- Drugs that normalize tissue metabolism.
After eliminating the exacerbation of the disease, you must proceed with rehabilitation. Thus, physical therapy is a very important aspect of the fight against osteochondrosis. Performing certain exercises contributes to the formation of a muscular corset. This is extremely important, because it is thanks to a strong muscular corset that the physical load is evenly distributed along the spine. With regular performance of a set of exercises, stiffness in the spine will disappear and range of motion will increase. Massage, physical therapy, reflexology and spinal traction will help to increase the effect of physical therapy exercises.
When complications appear in the form of an intervertebral hernia, sciatica, and if conservative treatment fails, they resort to surgical intervention. The aim of surgical treatment is to eliminate compression of the nerve roots and blood vessels, as well as to stabilize the structure of the intervertebral disc or vertebrae.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home
Folk remedies will help relieve the symptoms of osteochondrosis, but in no case can they replace the main treatment. On the Internet you can find a large number of alternative treatment methods, but not all of them are safe, so be sure to consult your doctor.
traditional medicine
The general principle of the folk treatment of osteochondrosis is the use of substances that have an irritating effect. As a result, there is an improvement in the blood supply to a certain area of the body, as well as a decrease in pain.
In folk medicine, this rubbing recipe is known: mix 0. 25 cup of vodka with 0. 5 cup of honey, add 0. 75 cup of grated radish and two tablespoons of salt. With the resulting mixture, it is necessary to rub the disturbing area of the back twice a day. The procedure must be repeated within a week.
To eliminate the pain, you can apply a potato compress to your back. Grated raw potatoes must be mixed with honey in equal proportions. Then wrap the resulting mixture in gauze, fasten on the back and wrap with a scarf. You can also use a burdock compress. To prepare it, pour a glass of boiling water over a tablespoon of chopped burdock leaves. Wrap the mixture in gauze and apply to the back for half an hour. After removing the compress, be sure to wrap your back with a warm tissue.
You can make this even easier: Grate the radish, place it in a cotton sock, and then lie on top of it.
Observation:It is important to be careful when using folk remedies, do not touch your face with your hands. Radish and other plants, if they come into contact with the eyes, can cause corneal burns.
Physiotherapy
Physical exercises can only be done outside of periods of exacerbation. In acute pain, you should refrain from doing gymnastics as this will only lead to increased pain.
An example set of exercises might look like this:
- Lie on your back and straighten your legs. Pull the right foot towards you and the left toe away from you. This must be done in sequence.
- Lying on your back, place your hands behind your head. The legs should be joined and bent at the knees. The knees should be bent to the left side and the head should be turned in the opposite direction. Hold for just a few seconds. Then move your knees to the right and your head to the left.
- Lie on your back, arms along your body. You need to bend your knees and lift your pelvis. Stay in this position for a few seconds. As you exhale, lower your pelvis.
- Roll to your side. Straighten your top leg and swing it back and forth.
- Starting position of four. Arch your back, hold this for just a few seconds, then arch your lower back.
- Roll backwards. Pull your bent left knee to your right elbow and vice versa.