Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease of the spinal column. It develops with age and consists in degenerative-dystrophic changes occurring in the intervertebral discs. For a long time, there were no symptoms whatsoever. A person may notice only some stiffness in the spine.
Osteochondrosis progresses slowly - many factors affect the rate of the disease. If the pathology is not treated, complications arise - sciatica, sciatica and others, depending on the spine. Some doctors believe that such a disease as osteochondrosis does not exist, and only those who do not understand human physiology make such a diagnosis.
Causes
In the 21st century, the disease, in comparison with the 20th century, has noticeably rejuvenated. Quite often you can meet young people who have degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs during a medical examination for another pathology. There is only one reason for this - urbanization and progress.
Today, a person does not need to make an effort to get to work or get food. Most lead a sedentary lifestyle, eat malnourished and quickly gain weight, walks in the fresh air and active activities prefer a computer and a comfortable sofa. Even before work, many get on their own cars, which are in the underground garage on the territory of a multi-storey building, and sit at the workplace for 7-9 or more hours.
On a note. Osteochondrosis is a human disease only. None of the mammals had such a pathology. You need to understand that this is the retribution of Homo sapiens for walking upright.
What provokes osteochondrosis?
The following factors can push to the onset of the disease against the background of physical inactivity, lack of sufficient physical activity and an unhealthy lifestyle:
- violation of mineral and vitamin metabolism;
- a large number of transferred infectious diseases;
- chronic stress, depression;
- sudden movements, heavy lifting;
- spinal injury;
- severe hypothermia;
- slouch;
- unnoticed in time and not cured curvature of the spine;
- long stay in an uncomfortable position (not necessarily sitting).
On a note. Big sports have a negative impact on human health. For example, weightlifting (and not only) in the future can become a trigger for degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs.
What happens to the spine?
The following factors directly affect the health of the back:
- blood circulation in the paravertebral tissues is disturbed, intervertebral discs suffer from a lack of nutrients (they do not have their own blood vessels and depend on the tissues surrounding them);
- the muscular corset that supports the spinal column weakens, the vertebrae receive an additional load that they are unable to cope with;
- intervertebral discs lose moisture, decrease in volume and diameter - the spine seems to sag (many people notice that they become 5 or even 10 centimeters lower with age);
- there is instability of one or more parts of the spine;
- the body solves the problem of instability by growing osteophytes - these are marginal bone growths that, over time, tightly cement the spine, depriving it of flexibility.
On a note. The transformation of the spine itself does not cause pain - the pain syndrome appears when the nerve roots, large arteries and lymphatic vessels are infringed by osteophytes or the anatomical position of the vertebral bodies has changed.
Symptoms
Signs of osteochondrosis increase with the progression of the disease. There are 4 stages of pathology:
- First. Symptoms are completely absent. No pain. A person may experience a little more fatigue than usual, some stiffness in the spine, which he explains to himself by fatigue, excessive physical exertion, and overwork. Osteochondrosis in the first stage can be
- Second. A persistent pain syndrome appears due to infringement of the nerve roots, which is easily stopped by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If the patient continues to ignore the signals of his body and does not go to the doctor, the disease progresses rapidly. The flexibility of the spine is reduced, especially in the cervical and lumbar regions. The occurrence of vertebral artery syndrome is likely due to its compression either by edematous paravertebral tissues or by a displaced vertebra.
- Third. Pathology in a state of disrepair. Pain haunts a person around the clock, slightly weakening in a horizontal position, but it is impossible to stay in one position for a long time (on the back, on the side). Sleep is disturbed, the patient becomes irritable. A person stoops (thoracic, lumbar), trying a more comfortable position that would not cause discomfort, which becomes an impetus for the formation of a hump, scoliosis and other deformities of the spinal column.
- Fourth. There is an accretion of osteophytes - stabilization of the spine. The patient can look around only by fully turning the torso. The pain is strong, constant, completely removed only by blockades (novocaine, prednisolone). Disability in the fourth stage is about 80%.
Simultaneously with the listed signs, the patient may be tormented by symptoms that, at first glance, have nothing to do with the back - dizziness, flies in the eyes, arterial hypertension, numbness of the upper extremities (cervical osteochondrosis), chest pain that mimics an angina attack or cardiac, intercostalneuralgia (thoracic osteochondrosis), cauda equina syndrome, numbness of the lower extremities (lumbosacral osteochondrosis).
On a note. Pathology provokes vegetovascular and neurodystrophic disorders.
Diagnostics
To establish an accurate diagnosis, the patient is sent for x-ray, myelography and neurological examination of reflexes. If this is not enough, a referral is issued to:
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging);
- CT (computed tomography);
- NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance).
The doctor also interviews the patient and conducts a medical examination, which reveals areas of pain, possible curvature of the spine, the difference in leg length and other objective signs of damage to the spine.
Therapy
Treatment of osteochondrosis is complex. To stop the process of degeneration, or at least slow it down, are assigned:
- chondroprotectors - externally, orally (orally), in injections to restore cartilage tissue;
- muscle relaxants - relax spasmodic muscle groups, are used only under medical supervision;
- painkillers;
- blockades - relieve pain for a long time, but do not cure;
- physiotherapy (magnetotherapy, phonophoresis, vibrotherapy, EHF and others);
- exercise therapy and author's gymnastics;
- massage;
- acupuncture;
- balneo- and mud therapy.
In advanced cases (uncontrolled urination and defecation, cauda equina syndrome), surgical intervention may be required to decompress and stabilize the affected spinal segments.
Decompression operations with posterior access:
- facetectomy;
- foraminotomy;
- laminectomy;
- laminotomy.
Decompression operations with anterior access:
- discectomy;
- corpectomy.
To stabilize the damaged segment, spinal fusion is used - the fusion of adjacent vertebrae using a special fixed structure (rods). A bone implant is placed in place of the removed intervertebral disc (the bone material is either taken from a donor or formed from the patient's own bone).
On a note. Spinal fusion can be avoided. Surgeons have achieved a lot in the surgical treatment of osteochondrosis. Instead of a removed intervertebral disc, it is possible to install an artificial one and thus avoid complete immobilization of the segment. Operations on the spine are fraught with many complications, so they are prescribed only in extreme cases.
Prevention
Even Hippocrates said: "It is easier to prevent a disease than to cure it. "This rule also applies to osteochondrosis. It is enough for a person to monitor his health, lead an active lifestyle, eat right, exercise regularly to maintain the health of the spine.
If the disease nevertheless manifested itself, prevention will help not to start it. Follow these guidelines:
- Sleep on the right mattress and pillow. Choose orthopedic and consult with your doctor first.
- Make it a rule to walk at least half an hour before and after work. During the break, do not sit at the computer or on the phone, but warm up, and then have a snack.
- Watch your weight. The higher it is, the harder it is for the spine.
- Observe the rest mode (work during the day, sleep at night).
- Try to eliminate stress from your life. If you feel that you are falling into depression, see a specialist.
On a note. Traditional healers claim that osteochondrosis can be cured with the help of medicinal herbs. It is difficult to say how true this statement is. Treatment with alternative methods can be used along with the one prescribed by the doctor. Otherwise, the result is not guaranteed.
Osteochondrosis is a dangerous disease, fraught with disability if treatment is not started on time. If you feel that you have become suspiciously quickly tired, and in the morning the spine is less flexible than before, consult a doctor and undergo a complete examination. In the initial stages, the pathology can be slowed down and even completely stopped.