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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 of age.But the disease can manifest itself earlier.Recently, the first symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed at the age of 20-30 years.There are also previous cases of manifestation of the disease.

How does osteochondrosis develop?

Depending on individual development, the human spine has 33-34 vertebrae.The particular structure (S shape, separation of the vertebrae by intervertebral discs) makes the spinal column elastic and capable of assuming different positions.The spine is connected by intervertebral discs (21-25 pieces).In the center of the disk is a semi-liquid core.It is surrounded by a fibrous ring.The cartilaginous endplates are located above and below the disc.

As the disease develops, metabolic processes are disrupted.Due to 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 could rupture and form an intervertebral hernia.As a result, spinal mobility decreases and disc displacement may occur.

Causes of osteochondrosis

For proper functioning, the spine requires a moderate and constant load.Excessive strain or improper pressure distribution 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;
  • disruption of metabolic processes in the body;
  • overweight, obesity;
  • age-related changes;
  • bad posture, curvature of the spine;
  • flat feet.

External factors include:

  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • sudden movements of large 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 of any part of the spine;
  • inadequately organized sleeping place, including sleeping on a soft mattress and a high pillow;
  • walking in high-heeled shoes;
  • smoking;
  • effects of vibration on the body, for example, drivers of heavy equipment;
  • hypothermia.

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

Types of osteochondrosis

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

  1. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.The most common pathology.The reason is severe 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 to the brain and the functioning of the thyroid gland are disrupted.
  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.Difficult to diagnose as the symptoms are more similar to those of heart disease.
  4. Common osteochondrosis.In this case, the pathology affects not one part of the spine, but several at once.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

Depending on the part of the spine where the disease is localized, various symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed.

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

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

The main symptoms of pathology of the cervical spine:

  • neck pain, especially in the evening;
  • creaking sounds when you move your neck;
  • headache, especially in the back of the head;
  • pain, numbness in the shoulders and chest;
  • visual impairment;
  • noise, ringing in the ears, feeling of suffocation;
  • dizziness with sudden changes in neck position.

The main signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:

  • thoracic neuralgia, feeling of pain in the heart;
  • pressing pain in the upper thoracic region;
  • difficulty breathing;
  • reflex tension of the back and chest;
  • a feeling of cold in the upper extremities, periodic numbness, starting from the shoulders and ending with the fingers;
  • increased pain at night;
  • increased discomfort during hypothermia and physical activity.

Stages of osteochondrosis

In the initial phase 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.The destruction of the discs continues, the fibrous ring 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 forms.If treatment is not started at this stage, root crushing and disability occurs.

Complications of osteochondrosis

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 vegetative-vascular 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 entire organism: diseases of the heart, stomach and intestines, the development of intercostal neuralgia.

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

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

Methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis

Experts identify osteochondrosis at an early stage using the following diagnostic methods:

  1. magnetic resonance imaging.Magnetic resonance imaging
  2. Ultrasound examination (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 undergoes individual therapy.When selecting 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 concomitant diseases, etc.The treatment regimen is designed for an average of no more than 1.5 months.Procedures are performed 2-3 times a week.After the first 7 days of treatment the painful syndrome is blocked.The standard course of therapy consists of the following procedures:

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

Treatment of osteochondrosis helps to 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;
  • restores flexibility to the spine;
  • prevents the appearance of protrusions and hernias;
  • normalizes blood pressure;
  • corrects and strengthens the muscular corset;
  • straightens your posture;
  • normalizes the metabolism.

After completing the course of therapy, the doctor gives the patient a manual with a set of exercises that should be performed at home independently.The specialist will explain to you in detail how to change your usual lifestyle to avoid the disease returning.

Prevention

To maintain a healthy spine, follow these rules:

  • swimming, yoga, walking, fitness;
  • When sitting at the 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 torso in different directions;
  • when lifting weights, keep your back straight, squat and do not make sudden jerks;
  • do not carry heavy objects in front of you;
  • when training on a new simulator, ask the trainer how to exercise correctly;
  • 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, jellied meat, jellied fish.With them you get chondoprotectors - substances involved in the synthesis of cartilaginous 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, avocados and raw spinach more often;
  • dress the salad with olive oil;
  • prepare dishes based on lobster, oysters, crabs, mushrooms, cereals;
  • try to eat salty, smoked foods, flour products, sugar and spicy seasonings less often.