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Osteochondrosis of the spine

pain due to osteochondrosis of the spine

Osteochondrosis is a dangerous chronic disease.Risk category: people over 40 years old.But the disease can manifest itself earlier.Recently, the first symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed at the age of 20 to 30 years.There are also earlier cases of the disease.

How does osteochondrosis develop?

Depending on individual growth, the human spine has 33-34 vertebrae.The special structure (S-shape, separation of the vertebrae by intervertebral discs) makes the spine flexible and able to take a variety of positions.The spine is connected by intervertebral discs (21-25 pieces).At the center of the disc is a semi-liquid core.It is surrounded by a fibrous ring.Cartilaginous endplates are located above and below the disc.

As the disease develops, metabolic processes are disrupted.As a result of poor circulation, the intervertebral discs dry out.This is the first stage of the disease.With the further development of the pathology, the fibrous ring cannot cope with the total load and is deformed.Then it can rupture and form an intervertebral hernia.As a result, spinal mobility is reduced and disc displacement may occur.

Causes of osteochondrosis

For proper functioning, the spine needs a constant moderate load.Severe overexertion or improper distribution of pressure can cause significant damage to the spine.The reasons for the development of osteochondrosis can be divided into external and internal.

Internal causes of the disease:

  • genetic predisposition;
  • disturbance of metabolic processes in the body.
  • overweight, obesity;
  • age-related changes;
  • bad posture, curvature of the spine;
  • flatfeet.

External factors include:

  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • sudden movements with great amplitude.
  • incorrect body position when carrying and lifting heavy objects.
  • high load on the spine when playing sports or a certain type of activity.
  • injuries to any part of the spine;
  • improperly arranged place to sleep, including sleeping on a soft mattress and high pillow.
  • walking in high heels.
  • smoking;
  • effects of vibration on the body, for example, drivers of heavy equipment.
  • hypothermia.

Active sports do not always promote spine health.The disease often develops in gymnasts and weightlifters due to excessive exercise.People of certain professions are at risk - loaders and builders.

Types of osteochondrosis

Depending on which part of the spine is affected, osteochondrosis is classified into the following types:

  1. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.The most common pathology.The reason is serious stress on the sacrum and lower back.
  2. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.It develops due to improper load on the cervical spine.Blood circulation in the brain and the functioning of the thyroid gland are disturbed.
  3. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region.Not as common as the first two.In the thoracic region, the discs are not as active and the muscle corset is stronger.It is difficult to diagnose as the symptoms are more similar to heart disease.
  4. Frequent osteochondrosis.In this case, the pathology does not affect one part of the spine, but several at the same time.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

Depending on which part of the spine the disease is located, different symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed.

In the case of lumbar osteochondrosis, the patient observes the following signs of the disease:

  • pain of various types in the lower back.
  • piercing pain radiating to legs and buttocks;
  • movement disorders.Changing the position of the body, bending or turning causes severe pain in the lumbar region.Therefore, a person tries to maintain the same attitude.
  • loss of feeling in the legs.This happens due to pinched roots and nerve endings.

The main symptoms of cervical spine pathology:

  • neck pain, especially at night.
  • twitching when moving the neck.
  • headaches, especially in the back of the head.
  • pain, numbness in the shoulders and chest.
  • visual impairment;
  • noise, ringing in the ears, stuffy feeling.
  • dizziness with sudden changes in the position of the neck.

The main signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:

  • thoracic neuralgia, feeling of pain in the heart.
  • pressing pain in the upper chest area.
  • difficulty breathing;
  • reflex tension of the back and chest.
  • feeling of coldness in the upper extremities, periodic numbness, beginning in the shoulders and ending in the fingers.
  • increased pain at night.
  • increased discomfort during hypothermia and physical activity.

Stages of osteochondrosis

In the initial stage, there is a loss of elasticity of the intervertebral discs.They shrink and swell.The patient does not feel much discomfort, except for a slight stiffness of the spine after sleep.

The transition to the next stage is indicated by the appearance of pain.Disc destruction continues, the annulus fibrosus deforms and cracks.There is stiffness in movements and sharp pain when changing the usual position.

With the development of the third stage, the fibrous ring breaks.The gelatinous contents come out.An intervertebral hernia is formed.If treatment is not started at this stage, pinched roots and disability appear.

Complications of osteochondrosis

The lack of treatment for osteochondrosis leads to various types of complications - radiculitis, protrusion.The most dangerous is the formation of an intervertebral hernia, which can compress the nerve endings and lead to paralysis of the lower limbs or other parts of the body.

Further destruction of the spine can lead to the development of phytovascular dystonia and increases in blood pressure.Patients with osteochondrosis are at risk of developing heart attack and stroke.

Osteochondrosis is an insidious disease that leaves serious consequences for the whole body: diseases of the heart, stomach and intestines, the development of intercostal neuralgia.

Osteochondrosis of any part is dangerous.Lumbar disease can lead to diseases of the pelvic organs, which will affect a person's reproductive abilities.Inflammation of the sciatic nerve develops.

A herniated disc leads to compression of the blood vessels.As a result, general blood circulation is disturbed.The most dangerous moment is the clamping of the vertebral artery.

Methods for the diagnosis of osteochondrosis

Specialists detect osteochondrosis at an early stage using the following diagnostic methods:

  1. MRI.Magnetic resonance imaging
  2. Ultrasonography (ultrasound)
  3. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  4. Laboratory research

Treatment of osteochondrosis 

It is best to treat osteochondrosis in a specialized clinic under the supervision of specialists.Currently, both conservative and surgical methods are used to treat osteochondrosis. 

Each patient is treated individually.When choosing a treatment regimen, the doctor takes into account the degree of destruction of the intervertebral discs, in which part of the spine the pathology develops, the age of the patient, the presence of other accompanying diseases, etc.The treatment regimen is designed for an average of no more than 1.5 months.Procedures are carried out 2-3 times a week.After the first 7 days of treatment, the pain syndrome is blocked.The typical course of treatment consists of the following procedures:

  • Resonance wave UHF therapy.Resonance wave therapy is a method of therapeutic effects on the water environment of the body with electromagnetic waves of low intensity and high frequency.
  • Injections of chondroprotectors.Intra-articular injections are an effective method of treating various diseases of the musculoskeletal system by introducing a drug (chondroprotector) into the affected joint.
  • Restoration in special simulators.Treatment of the spine and joints with the help of a simulator will restore the mobility of the limbs in a short time without expensive treatment in specialized sanatoriums.
  • Blockage of joints and spine.Joint blockade is a type of spine and joint medication treatment aimed at relieving acute pain, inflammation and muscle spasms.
  • Pharmaceutical treatment.Drug treatment of the joints and spine is used in a wide range and in combination with physiotherapy.Intra-articular injections, blocks and droppers.

Treatment of osteochondrosis helps achieve the following

  • allows you to relieve pain and neutralize inflammation.
  • improves the nutrition of the intervertebral discs.
  • stops the destruction of disks, restores their structure.
  • releases compressed nerve roots.
  • relaxes tense muscles.
  • returns flexibility to the spine.
  • prevents the appearance of protrusions and hernias.
  • normalizes blood pressure.
  • corrects and strengthens the muscular corset.
  • straightens posture.
  • normalizes metabolism.

After completing the course of treatment, the doctor gives the patient a manual with a set of exercises to be performed at home independently.The specialist will explain in detail how to change your usual lifestyle to prevent the recurrence of the disease.

Prevention

To maintain a healthy spine, follow these rules:

  • do swimming, yoga, race walking, exercise.
  • When sitting at a computer or table, keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
  • choose chairs and armchairs that support the spine.
  • every 2 hours or more often, take breaks from work, walk, tilt your head and trunk in different directions.
  • When lifting weights, keep your back straight, squat and don't jerk.
  • Do not carry heavy objects in front of you.
  • when practicing on a new simulator, ask the instructor how to properly practice on it.
  • choose shoes with shock-absorbing soles for sports.
  • sleep on an orthopedic mattress.
  • do abdominal exercises.

Nutrition for osteochondrosis

For osteochondrosis, it is recommended to eat small portions 6 times a day.In your diet, adhere to the following principles:

  • include dairy products and lean meats in your diet - beef, rabbit, chicken.
  • limit the consumption of grapes, legumes, peas, beans, meat broths.
  • eat jelly, jelly meat, jelly fish.With them you get chondroprotectors - substances involved in the composition of cartilage tissue.
  • drink at least 1.5 liters of water a day.
  • eat fresh fruits and vegetables: cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, beets, cabbage, peppers, broccoli, celery.
  • give preference to cooked or steamed dishes.
  • eat sunflower seeds, nuts, avocado and raw spinach more often.
  • season the salad with olive oil.
  • prepare dishes from lobster, oysters, crabs, mushrooms, grains.
  • try to eat less often salty, smoked, flour products, sugar and hot spices.