Spinal osteochondrosis is a disease that affects the cartilaginous structures that make up the intervertebral discs of the human body. These discs ensure the mobility of the spine, giving us the opportunity to move and be flexible.
Osteochondrosis disrupts the structure of these discs, their structure changes. As the process of destruction of these discs is irreversible, it is impossible to cure the disease. But with adequate treatment, it is possible to stop the development of the disease, slow it down and gain time during which the mobility of the spine will be preserved.
If the disease is not stopped in time, after the destruction of the intervertebral discs, the destruction of the vertebrae themselves begins.
Important!Ignoring osteochondrosis inevitably leads to complications, a forced decrease in physical activity, a deterioration in the quality of life, and sometimes even disability.
Among the complications of osteochondrosis, one of the most common is osteophytes. This is the name for the bony growths that appear along the edges of the vertebra. The appearance of such growth can be caused by prolonged stress on the spine or an unstable spinal motion segment.
Causes and symptoms of osteochondrosis
Experts cite inadequate distribution of the load on the spine as the main reason that causes the development of osteochondrosis.
However, the process can also be triggered by hypothermia of a certain part of the body or the entire organism, too much physical exertion on the back in general and the spine in particular, as well as spinal injuries (impacts on the spine, sharp turns, bumps and any physical impact that may cause displacement of vertebrae).
There are a large number of minor causes of osteochondrosis. Typically, a person who has received this diagnosis can identify 7-10 reasons from this list that triggered the development of the disease in their specific case.
Therefore, below are listed minor but important reasons that provoke the destruction of intervertebral discs. This is something you should avoid to avoid discovering what osteochondrosis is:
- hunched and inadequate posture (cause curvature of the spine)
- weak back muscles (because of this, all the load falls on the spine)
- constantly being in an uncomfortable position
- excessive physical activity associated with lifting and carrying heavy objects, strength sports
- Spine injuries
- lack of nutrition or excess nutrition, which causes metabolic disorders
- overweight
- sitting constantly
- stress
- hormonal disorders
- bad heredity
- aging
As you can see, there are a few reasons. The symptoms of this disease are also varied. Osteochondrosis manifests itself differently in different people, but the following symptoms are usually observed during osteochondrosis:
- severe back pain
- numbness in the arms or legs (sometimes both at the same time)
- headaches turning into migraines
- pain and pain in the neck and limbs
- dizziness, colored spots before the eyes, sometimes loss of consciousness
- cold hands and feet
- characteristic pain in the chest (as in intercostal neuralgia) and in the heart area
- painful movements
The occurrence of osteochondrosis
Interesting: some doctors believe that osteochondrosis is not a pathology, but a natural change in the human body.
One way or another, it is difficult to find a long-liver who has never suffered from back pain in his life. According to various sources, osteochondrosis affects 40 to 80% of all people on the planet.
Typically, a person notices the first signs of osteochondrosis in the period from 35 to 50 years. This has a lot to do with your lifestyle.
And if in some people, due to poor heredity, the first symptoms appear in adolescence, then for the majority, symptoms that appear after 50 years are considered the norm.
This is due to the fact that at the age of 45 the human body stops accumulating water in the intervertebral discs and the level of collagen necessary for joint health begins to inevitably decrease.
In some people, the intervertebral discs can even be squeezed. This causes pain and is called sciatica.
Stages of osteochondrosis
There are 4 main stages of osteochondrosis development.
- It all starts with the fact that the nucleus pulposus suffers dehydration. The fibrous ring becomes covered with fissures due to the decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc. At this stage, the pathology is difficult to notice, since all changes occur in the intervertebral disc. No back or neck pain yet.
- As the height of the intervertebral disc decreases, sagging of the muscles and ligaments occurs. This is due to the convergence of the attachment points of muscles and ligaments. Initially, they are attached to two adjacent vertebrae, but if the distance between these vertebrae decreases, this cannot but affect the muscle tissue.
- The third phase is characterized by the fact that changes become pronounced. Prolapses occur, as well as such a phenomenon as disc protrusion. Protrusion precedes the occurrence of intervertebral disc herniation. As a rule, at this stage the development of the disease can be stopped, as the fibrous ring is still intact and can still be attempted to be restored. But because the protrusion does not cause pain, few people seek medical help at this stage.
- In the last stage, the fibrous ring ruptures. To combat excessive mobility of the vertebrae at the site of disc destruction, the body mobilizes and osteophytes appear on the vertebra.
Diagnosis
Before starting treatment for osteochondrosis, it is necessary to make a diagnosis and identify at what stage the disease is developing.
Important!Diagnosing osteochondrosis is impossible without first collecting an anamnesis.
If you notice any symptoms of osteochondrosis, listen carefully to your body.
The more you tell the doctor about your feelings, the faster and more accurately he will be able to make a diagnosis and start the correct treatment. Don't think there will be a lot of information: ask your family members if they have ever had manifestations of this disease. Family history will help more accurately determine the cause of osteochondrosis.
After the doctor has finished collecting your medical history and concludes from your complaints that it is most likely osteochondrosis, he will suggest that you have an X-ray examination.
If for some reason this type of exam is not suitable for you, your doctor may also suggest an MRI or CT scan. However, these examinations are not mandatory under the compulsory medical insurance program, so you will have to pay for them yourself. Consider its high cost.
As a last resort, myelography is used to diagnose osteochondrosis. This is a painful and dangerous procedure in which the doctor injects a dye directly into the spinal canal.
How is osteochondrosis treated?
Currently, the treatment of osteochondrosis is practiced in many clinics. Some procedures give a positive effect, while others only relieve pain. If you decide on one of the treatment methods, before starting osteochondrosis treatment, discuss this method with your doctor.
The most popular procedures now are:
- magnetic puncture effect
- pharmacopuncture effect
- needle reflexology
- vacuum effect
- electrical stimulation
- manual therapy
Many of these procedures are not a treatment for osteochondrosis, but rather a treatment for some of the symptoms of osteochondrosis. This is why the doctor must coordinate the procedures. This is especially true for those patients who have been diagnosed with cervical osteochondrosis.
The fact is that osteochondrosis developing in the cervical spine is characterized by symptoms such as numbness in the arms and legs. And this is no coincidence. The fact is that it is in the neck region that many nerve endings are concentrated. And incorrectly selected treatment in this case can turn cervical osteochondrosis into a complete disability.
Surgical treatment
Spine surgery is such a serious task that it is prescribed with great caution and only if osteochondrosis is complicated by a herniated disc. Such operations are not urgent, they are always carried out as planned. Before the operation, you will need to undergo a large number of examinations and take various tests.
Such operations are prescribed only if the doctor finds no other way out of treatment and realizes that without surgery the person's quality of life will significantly deteriorate. Before surgery, doctors will try to provide pain relief and supportive care.
Drugs
Medications to treat this condition are primarily designed to reduce pain and increase collagen levels in the body.
However, it is worth remembering that collagen and other nutrients for cartilage are absorbed not only by the spine, but throughout the body. Therefore, the effectiveness of these medicines is not very high.
The ointments that doctors recommend for osteochondrosis are also primarily aimed at relieving pain during an exacerbation.
Unfortunately, if you have osteochondrosis, you will likely need maintenance therapy for the rest of your life. In other words, from time to time your back will hurt, you won't be able to exert much physical effort, mainly you will have to avoid lifting heavy objects, putting stress on your back and spine.
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis
Exacerbations of this disease can occur due to great physical exertion on the back muscles. In addition, osteochondrosis can worsen due to colds or infections, due to hypothermia, stress, pregnancy and hormonal changes. Gaining weight will also cause back pain.
Prevention
As a preventive measure, doctors offer many patients physical exercises designed specifically for people suffering from this disease.
If your doctor has prescribed you a course of exercise therapy, you need to check with him exactly which exercises are allowed for you. Exercises will help you keep the muscular corset in good shape and this will reduce the load on the spine. Furthermore, these exercises will greatly help those who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Also, for preventive purposes, a massage may be prescribed. Depending on which part of the spine you have developed osteochondrosis, the massage therapist will work on that area. This will not only ease the pain but also help relax your muscles. In combination with exercise therapy, massage brings good results.
Try to avoid stress on the spine, do not lift heavy objects. If possible, dress warmly, because. . . any hypothermia can cause exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
Living a full life with this disease is quite possible, don't forget to take care of your body and yourself.