Osteochondrosis is included in the category of common diseases.In 75% of cases, this is what causes unpleasant back pain.Today, every second person after twenty years has manifestations of pathology.With age, the risk of developing the disease increases.If treatment is not started immediately, osteochondrosis can cause negative health consequences.
What is spinal osteochondrosis
This process affects the articular cartilage and nearby bones.Initially, osteochondrosis exclusively 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 regenerate.Therefore, the area of the spine affected by the disease will inexorably deteriorate.Once the disease appears, you can stop its development, but you cannot completely eliminate it.
This pathology is not related to inflammation - it is based on a violation of tissue nutrition and degeneration of their structure.In the absence of load, the tissues lose strength because they do not receive the necessary amount of nutrients.
Clinical features
The development of the disease leads to the fact that the nucleus pulposus dries up and partially loses its cushioning characteristics.The fibrous ring thins and microcracks form on it.
This results in a protrusion called a disc protrusion.As the disease progresses, the annulus may rupture and then the intervertebral hernia is diagnosed.
This area loses stability, osteophytes can form on it and the integrity of the ligaments and joints is disturbed.To compensate for the deformity of the disc, bone and fibrous tissue grow.In this condition, the spinal column becomes less mobile.
The disease usually has periods of remission, which are then followed by relapses.
Degrees and stages
There are several degrees of the disease, each of which has the following characteristics:
- 1st degree.Due to inaccurate movement, the disc bursts.This condition can also be provoked by stress.Often there is severe pain and a feeling reminiscent of an electric discharge.
- 2nd degree.The stability of the spine is lost and protrusions develop.There may be pain that increases with careless movements.This form of the disease is characterized by numbness in the fingers, headache and temporary discomfort in the sacrum.
- 3rd degree.This condition has manifestations of herniation, headache and discomfort in the area of the damaged nerve.Also, hands and feet often go numb, vision and hearing deteriorate, problems arise in the functioning of many organs.
- 4th degree.At this stage, the symptoms of hernia disappear and the manifestations of the disease decrease.The spine loses stability, a condition characterized by slipping or twisting of the vertebrae.The vertebrae can grow, causing compression of the nerves, resulting in the spinal canal atrophying and the spinal cord being compressed.The fourth degree is distinguished by the consequences that can occur after the removal of a hernia - they include paresis, inflammation, etc.
It is also customary to distinguish several stages:
- yesfirst stage- essentially a consequence of moisture deficiency and loss of elastic properties.The disease is characterized by displacement of the nucleus inside the disc, which leads to a distortion of the shape of the annulus fibrosus.However, the process itself remains within the intervertebral disc without going beyond its boundaries.
- ForsecondlyThe formation of cracks in the ring is characteristic.As the height of the flattened disc decreases, there is a loss of spinal stability.
- Third stagecharacterized by the appearance of tears at the site of cracks and the appearance of inflammation.Some of the liquid core leaks out through microcracks.Nerves or blood vessels are often compressed at the site of the tear.
- Fourth stageaccompanied by dystrophic processes.The vertebral sections do not provide the necessary resistance, so the adjacent vertebral bodies move closer together.Complications can also occur.This can be the development of spondyloarthrosis and spondylosis.At this stage, flattening of the vertebra is noted - this happens to remove the load from the disc.Sometimes fibrous tissue is replaced by bone.This stage is characterized by a temporary reduction in pain.Subsequently, however, the discomfort increases due to compression of the nerves and narrowing of the spinal canal.
Causes of the disease
This disease can be found in both adults and young people.Usually, the signs of osteochondrosis appear around the age of thirty-five.The development and recurrence of the disease is caused by overload, back injuries and vibrations.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 the process is a consequence of an incorrect distribution of the load on the spine due to weakness of the muscles and ligaments.This theory is also proven by popular methods of therapy that are based on training the muscular system and ligaments.
Factors that can provoke an abnormal process in the spine include:
- bad posture;
- overweight;
- injuries;
- flat feet;
- curvature of the spine;
- metabolic disorders;
- infections;
- heredity;
- poor physical fitness;
- stress;
- heavy loads;
- hormonal imbalance;
- poor nutrition;
- poor environmental conditions;
- systematic vibration impact;
- age-related changes;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- hypothermia;
- smoking;
- spinal abnormalities.
Even if a person leads a normal life, he is at risk of osteochondrosis due to a deficiency of the necessary substances.In modern society, this problem is considered one of the key.The condition worsens due to an inactive lifestyle.
Types and symptoms
Depending on the area of damage, there is cervical, thoracic or lumbar osteochondrosis.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 prevails 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 prolonged sitting in front of the computer or monotonous work.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is extremely rare and is usually associated with limited movement.
General signs of the disease
Pathology has various signs that directly depend on the location of the process:
- Pain in the spine.Sometimes osteochondrosis provokes a mild painful or nagging pain.The disease can also cause sharp, unbearable pain - it is difficult to remove it with non-narcotic analgesics.
- Deterioration of vision or hearing.
- Headache.The disease often causes a feeling of weakness, dizziness and increased fatigue.
- Loss of sensitivity.This symptom usually manifests as numbness in the hands or feet.
- Problems in the functioning of the pelvic organs and sexual dysfunction.
- Loss of mobility in the problem area.
- Problems with organs for which the spinal cord is responsible.
- Pain in arms and legs.
- Muscle weakness.
How is cervical osteochondrosis manifested:
- systematic headache;
- hearing impairment;
- vertigo;
- pressure surges;
- voice change;
- reduced vision;
- snoring;
- caries.
Symptoms of breast form:
- high fatigue of the muscle tissue of the back;
- pain on palpation;
- back and chest pain;
- problems with various organs.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- lower back pain;
- numbness in the legs;
- decrease in skin temperature;
- urination disorder;
- muscle tension;
- stool problems;
- varicose veins;
- loss of activity.
Complications
Osteochondrosis often provokes complications, so this disease cannot be ignored.The consequences of the disease include:
- Lumbago - severe pain in the lower back.
- Intervertebral hernia.
- Protrusion.
- Radiculitis.
- Migraine attacks.
- spondylosis.
- Sciatica is a pathology of the sciatic nerve that causes pain in the legs and buttocks.
- Narrowing of the spinal canal.
- Vegeto-vascular dystonia.
- A Schmorl hernia is a bulging of a disc in the spinal cavity.
The most dangerous complication of osteochondrosis is considered to be compression of the arteries that supply food to the brain.Thanks to these trunks, the brain is supplied with blood.Due to nutrient deficiency, more serious pathologies can develop.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on medical history and examination.It also requires an assessment of neurological status.Additional reviews include:
- nuclear magnetic resonance;
- Doppler ultrasound;
- spondylography;
- computed tomography.
Thanks to these studies, it is possible to determine the level of disorders, clarify the diagnosis and identify hidden processes.This allows you to choose an effective treatment and achieve good results.
Methods of treatment
In the early stage, the best option is conservative therapy.The doctor prescribes medicine.Therapeutic gymnastics can also be used.Manual therapy and reflexology are very helpful.
Among the drugs, non-narcotic analgesics and sedatives are considered the most effective.You should also take medications with B vitamins. Usually, this treatment is used during a relapse of the disease to eliminate pain and inflammation.
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 releasing 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 by classical or microsurgical method.
Osteochondrosis is a dangerous disease that provokes pain and leads to loss of motor activity.
In order to stop the development of complications, at the slightest discomfort in the area of the spine, you should consult a doctor.Only a specialist will be able to make the correct diagnosis and choose therapy.