Osteochondrosis is a common disease of the musculoskeletal system. It manifests itself as mild discomfort and severe pain, limiting a person's activity. In advanced cases, the pathology can lead to the need for surgery and even disability. Preventing and preventing the disease reduces the risk of its occurrence or helps to achieve positive results from the treatment.
reasons
Osteochondrosis is a pathology that occurs as a result of a combination of factors such as genetic predisposition, a person's lifestyle, environmental conditions.
The disease is characterized by damage to the articular cartilage, as well as to the underlying bone tissue. Normally, cartilages provide the flexibility and mobility of the spine, but they can wear out, lose their properties, elasticity and deform under the pressure of other vertebrae.
The most common reasons for the development of the pathology are:
- hereditary predisposition.
- Weakness of the muscular corset.
- Postural disorders and scoliosis.
- Mechanical damage to the spine.
- Excessive physical activity.
- Neuro-emotional stress.
- Passive lifestyle.
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Tight uncomfortable shoes, high heels.
- General dehydration.
- Lack of important nutrients, avitaminosis.
Types of osteochondrosis
Cervical
This disease is included in the list of the most common complaints of patients of working age who spend up to 8-10 hours a day in front of the computer. Often, patients do not attach importance to pain, which leads to the development of complications. If you do not want to experience constant pain in the neck, head, shoulders, it is important to do prevention as soon as possible, and if necessary, see a doctor as soon as possible.
pectoral
The disease can be asymptomatic. It is often accompanied by pain in the back, neck, forearm. In an advanced stage, thoracic osteochondrosis is characterized by symptoms that are manifested by a painful condition of the hands and feet, ringing in the ears. Also, thoracic chondrosis can be accompanied by nausea, headache in the morning, pain and flickering in the eyes, sweating. For the treatment of the disease, taking medicines and therapeutic gymnastics are sufficient measures.
Lumbar
The lumbar spine is very vulnerable. If you do not engage in strengthening your back muscles and do not monitor your posture, there is a risk of developing unpleasant symptoms. Chondrosis is characterized by throbbing pain in the lower back, pain in the hip area and the so-called back pain.
Take precautions. Keep your lower back warm, try not to overcool it. Do not carry or lift objects weighing more than 10 kg. If you are lifting something heavy, do not pull or make sudden movements. Refuse any physical work in an inclined position. If you are going to mop the floor, use a mop or squat down.
Stages and symptoms of osteochondrosis development
The disease goes through 4 stages, accompanied by different symptoms. In the initial stage, the pathology occurs in the area of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc. Excessive loading provokes a decrease in the height of the disc and the appearance of cracks in the annulus fibrosus. A person may feel a little discomfort when he is in a static position for a long time or, conversely, when he moves too actively.
In the 2nd stage, the distance between the vertebrae continues to decrease, the spinal muscles and ligaments lose their tone and sag. This leads to increased mobility of the vertebrae with affected discs, risk of displacement or subluxations. In the second stage, discomfort and pain appear, especially with certain types of loads or in certain positions.
With osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree, prolapses and protrusions of the intervertebral discs are formed, the development of arthrosis of the intervertebral joints is possible. A person experiences stiffness, becomes inactive. At this stage of the pathology, the pain is clearly felt depending on the location of the lesion.
In the 4th stage, the body tries to adapt to the functional disorders of the spine. This can be expressed in bone neoplasms - osteophytes. They act as a fixator for the vertebrae. But it can cause pinched nerves and other injuries.
Diagnosis
When examining a patient and taking an anamnesis, the specialist conducts a primary diagnosis, assuming the presence of a disease through a visually detectable curvature observed in the transverse or longitudinal plane of the spine. After the initial consultation, the surgeon or neurologist may prescribe additional tests. After determining the localization of the disease and its stages, treatment can begin, the purpose of which is to get rid of the causes of the pain.
The most common diagnostic methods:
- Roentgen;
- CT;
- MRI;
- Doppler ultrasound.
Methods of treatment of osteochondrosis
Treatment gives good results only when it is regular, consistent and systematic. The therapeutic strategy of the first stage is aimed at neutralizing pain, the second stage is the activation of blood supply and metabolic processes in the affected areas of the spine, and the third stage shows physiotherapy and manual procedures.
With osteochondrosis of any department in an acute stage, accompanied by severe pain, the doctor can prescribe a paravertebral blockade by applying novocaine, lidocaine and other drugs to relieve muscle tension in the segment of motion of the spine, reduce swelling and muscletension.
Combinations of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics, analgesics and vitamin complexes (group D, nicotinic acid) are considered effective. As local therapy, ointments - chondroprotectors and agents with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory components are prescribed.
It is important to remember that medications only help to deal with severe pain at the moment. Physiotherapy treatment helps to get rid of the unpleasant manifestations of the disease in the long term.
The most commonly used therapies include:
- reflexology;
- acupuncture;
- electrophoresis;
- manual therapy;
- massage;
- physiotherapy.
What does lack of treatment lead to?
Osteochondrosis is best corrected in the initial stage of formation before the appearance of syndromes of spinal pathologies, accompanied by chronic headaches and pain in the shoulder blades, heart and lower back. Over time, the disease leads to a change in the overall structure of the spine due to the active compensatory expansion of connective, fibrillary and bone tissue.
The clinical picture of the disease depends on the localization of the pathology, the degree of development of the process and the individual characteristics of the patients. Displacement of the intervertebral discs, protrusions and hernias lead to unpleasant consequences.
Common manifestations:
- violation of blood circulation in the tissues;
- pinched nerves;
- spinal canal dysfunction;
- edema and tissue fibrosis.
Therefore, the treatment of osteochondrosis should begin as early as possible and be carried out comprehensively, emphasizing the neutralization of inflammation and the elimination of pain. If the disease manifests itself for years, in an advanced stage and a disc herniation is diagnosed, surgery may be necessary.
Prevention
Prevention of osteochondrosis and its treatment are inextricably linked. Their goal is to improve the patient's quality of life. If you have a sedentary job, take regular breaks. Get up every hour and a half and do simple exercises that relieve tension in the neck and back muscles. Try to sit at the table correctly: your back is straight, your shoulders are relaxed. Choose such chairs, the backrest of which can provide maximum support to the spine: so it will not overstrain.
To prevent the appearance of the disease, it is good to periodically undergo a course of massage. Massage can improve blood circulation and lymph flow, enhance metabolic processes in muscle tissues and stop stagnant processes. As a result, there is an improvement in general well-being, increased vitality and some painful symptoms disappear.
Recommendations for the prevention and prevention of the development of osteochondrosis:
- Limit yourself when lifting weights. Allowable weight up to 10 kg.
- Carry weights evenly on both hands.
- Systematically do simple exercises aimed at strengthening the spine, muscles, ligaments and joints.
- Go swimming if possible.
- Try not to sit in one position for a long time.
- Take food supplements containing mucopolysaccharides - elements that build cartilage.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine is a less difficult task than its further treatment. Think about your health and start taking care of it before it reminds you of yourself.