Osteochondrosis is included in the category of common disorders.In 75% of cases, this is what causes unpleasant back pain.Today, manifestations of pathology occur in every second person after twenty years.With age, the risk of developing the disease increases.If treatment is not started promptly, osteochondrosis can lead to negative health consequences.
What is spinal osteochondrosis?
This process affects the articular cartilage and surrounding bones.Initially, osteochondrosis particularly affects the discs that hold the vertebrae together.The degenerative process then affects the ligaments and vertebrae, disrupting the integrity of the joints.
The insidiousness of the pathology is that the disc cartilage cannot be regenerated.Therefore, the area of the spine affected by the disease will become extremely degenerated.Once a disease appears, you can stop its development, but it cannot be completely eliminated.
This pathology is not associated with inflammation - it is based on violation of tissue nutrition and degeneration of their structure.In the absence of load, tissues lose their strength because they do not receive the required amount of nutrients.
clinical features
The development of the disease leads to the fact that the nucleus pulposus dries up and partially loses its shock-absorbing characteristics.The fibrous ring becomes thin and microscopic cracks form on it.
As a result, a bulge is produced, called a disc bulge.As the disease progresses, the ring may rupture and an intervertebral hernia is then diagnosed.
This area loses stability, osteophytes can form on it, and the integrity of the ligaments and joints becomes compromised.To compensate for disc deformity, bone and fibrous tissue grow.In this condition the spinal column becomes less mobile.
Usually, there is relief from the disease for some time, after which the disease starts again.
degree and stage
There are several stages of the disease, each with the following characteristics:
- first degree.Due to wrong movement the disc bursts.This condition can also arise due to stress.There is often severe pain and a feeling like an electrical discharge.
- second degree.Spinal stability is lost and bulges develop.There may be pain which increases with careless movements.This form of the disease is characterized by numbness of the fingers, headache and temporary discomfort in the sacrum.
- third degree.This condition causes manifestations of hernia, headache and discomfort in the area of the damaged nerve.In addition, hands and feet often become numb, vision and hearing are impaired and problems in the functioning of many organs appear.
- fourth degree.At this stage, hernia symptoms disappear and the manifestations of the disease reduce.The spine loses stability, a condition characterized by slipping or twisting of the vertebrae.The vertebrae can grow, causing the nerves to become compressed, resulting in spinal canal atrophy and compression of the spinal cord.The fourth degree differs from the consequences that occur after removal of the hernia - these include paresis, swelling, etc.
It is also customary to distinguish several stages:
- Yes,first stage- Basically results in loss of moisture and loss of elastic properties.This disease is characterized by displacement of the nucleus inside the disc, causing disruption of the shape of the fibrous ring.However, this process remains within the intervertebral disc itself, without going beyond its limits.
- ForSecondIt is normal for cracks to form in the ring.As the height of the flattened disc decreases, spinal stability decreases.
- third stepCharacterized by the occurrence of ruptures and the onset of swelling at the site of cracks.A portion of the liquid core leaks through microcracks.Nerves or blood vessels often become compressed at the site of the rupture.
- fourth stepWith dystrophic processes.Vertebral segments do not provide the necessary resistance, so neighboring vertebral bodies move closer together.Complications may also arise.This may lead to the development of spondyloarthrosis and spondylosis.At this stage, flattening of the vertebrae is noted - this is to remove the load from the discs.Sometimes fibrous tissue is replaced by bone.A temporary reduction in pain is seen in this phase.However, later the discomfort increases due to compression of the nerves and narrowing of the spinal canal.
due to disease
This disease can be found in both old people and young people.Typically, symptoms of osteochondrosis appear around the age of thirty-five.Development and recurrence of the disease is caused by overloading, back injuries and vibration.As the body ages, more and more symptoms appear.The exact causes of the disease have not yet been established.
The most popular opinion is that this process is the result of an incorrect distribution of load on the spine due to weakness of muscles and ligaments.This theory is also proven by popular methods of therapy, which are based on the training of the muscular system and ligaments.
Factors that can provoke an abnormal process in the spinal cord include:
- poor posture;
- overweight;
- Injuries;
- flat feet;
- curvature of the spine;
- metabolic disorders;
- Infection;
- heredity;
- poor physical fitness;
- Tension;
- heavy loads;
- hormonal imbalance;
- poor nutrition;
- poor environmental conditions;
- Systematic vibration effect;
- age-related changes;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- hypothermia;
- smoking;
- Abnormalities in the spinal cord.
Even if a person leads a normal life, he is at risk of osteochondrosis due to the lack of essential substances.This problem is considered one of the major problems in modern society.The situation becomes worse due to inactive lifestyle.
Types and symptoms
Depending on the area of damage, cervical, thoracic or lumbar osteochondrosis occurs.If several departments are involved in the pathological process at once, we can talk about a common form.
Since the lower back usually bears the greatest load, lumbar osteochondrosis predominates among all cases of the disease – its prevalence is about 50%.
In second place is the cervical region.This form of osteochondrosis is diagnosed in a quarter of cases.This disease is usually the result of sitting at a computer for a long time or doing monotonous work.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is extremely rare and is usually associated with limited motion.
Common symptoms of the disease
Pathology has different signs that directly depend on the location of the process:
- Pain in spine.Sometimes osteochondrosis provokes mild ache or excruciating pain.The disease can also cause intense, unbearable pain – difficult to eliminate with non-narcotic analgesics.
- Impaired vision or hearing.
- Headache.This disease often causes weakness, dizziness and increased fatigue.
- Loss of sensitivity.This symptom usually appears as numbness in the arms or legs.
- Problems in the functioning of pelvic organs and sexual dysfunction.
- Loss of mobility in the problem area.
- Problems with the organs for which the spinal cord is responsible.
- Pain in hands and legs.
- Weakness of muscles.
How is cervical osteochondrosis manifested:
- systematic headache;
- Hearing impairment;
- Dizziness;
- increased pressure;
- voice change;
- decreased vision;
- snoring;
- Tooth decay.
Symptoms of breast formation:
- high fatigue of the muscle tissues of the back;
- Pain on palpation;
- back and chest pain;
- Problems of various organs.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- lower back pain;
- Numbness of feet;
- Decrease in skin temperature;
- urinary disturbances;
- muscle tension;
- problems with stool;
- varicose veins;
- Loss of activity.
Complications
Osteochondrosis often provokes complications, so this disease cannot be ignored.Consequences of the disease include:
- Lumbago – severe pain in the lower back.
- Intervertebral hernia.
- bump.
- Radiculitis.
- Migraine attack.
- Spondylosis.
- Sciatica is a pathology of the sciatic nerve that causes pain in the legs and buttocks.
- Shrinking of the spinal canal.
- Vegetative-vascular dystonia.
- Schmorl's hernia is a protrusion of a disc into the spinal cavity.
The most dangerous complication of osteochondrosis is considered to be clogging of the arteries supplying food to the brain.Due to these stems, blood is supplied to the brain.Lack of nutrition can lead to the development of more serious diseases.
diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on medical history and examination.It also requires assessment of neurological status.Additional examinations include:
- magnetic resonance imaging;
- Doppler ultrasound;
- Spondylography;
- computed tomography.
Thanks to these studies, it is possible to determine the level of violations, clarify the diagnosis, and identify hidden processes.This allows you to choose effective treatment and achieve good results.
Treatment Methods
In the initial stage, conservative therapy is the best option.The doctor prescribes medicines.Therapeutic gymnastics can also be used.Manual therapy and reflexology are very useful.
Among medications, non-narcotic analgesics and sedatives are considered the most effective.You will also have to take medicines containing Vitamin B.Typically, this treatment is used to eliminate pain and inflammation during recurrence of the disease.
Reflexology involves the use of methods such as paraffin baths, laser therapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound.Mud baths and iodine therapy are no less useful.
Therapeutic exercises are aimed at strengthening the muscular system and freeing nerve endings.In difficult cases it is impossible to do without surgical intervention.If conservative treatment is ineffective, the hernia must be removed.This can be achieved using classical or microsurgical method.
Osteochondrosis is a dangerous disease that provokes pain and leads to loss of motor activity.
To prevent the development of complications, at the slightest discomfort in the spine area, you should consult a doctor.Only a specialist will be able to make the correct diagnosis and select therapy.