With osteochondrosis of the spine, destruction of the bone and cartilage tissue of one or more parts of the spine occurs. This disease is chronic and develops in almost all elderly people. This is due to the normal aging of the body.
The intervertebral discs undergo atrophic changes and at what age this happens depends on many factors:
- trauma;
- diseases and overload of the spine.
Spinal overload includes:
- walking with a bent back;
- improper sitting;
- features of the structure of the spine;
- insufficient nutrition of the tissues of the spine due to hereditary anomalies.
With osteochondrosis, the nucleus located between the vertebral discs loses some of the water. Because of this, metabolic disorders occur in the core, and access to various minerals and vitamins is hindered.
After a while, cracks appear in the disc, it becomes flat. Subsequently, the nearby joints and ligaments begin to be affected, forming an inflammation of the tissues. Due to inflammation, the adjacent vertebrae are displaced. This is dangerous with the appearance of root symptoms - pain along the affected nerve.
The appearance of an intervertebral hernia is also possible, and she, in turn, can provoke compression of the spinal cord. Osteochondrosis is characterized by the appearance of osteophytes - bone growths on the vertebral bodies. These growths can compress the spinal cord and cause radicular syndrome.
Most often, the cervical and lumbar regions are susceptible to osteochondrosis.
Cervical osteochondrosis
Causes:
- sports activities (weight lifting);
- excess weight;
- metabolic disease;
- sedentary work (programmers, accountants, drivers, etc. );
- flat feet;
- spinal injury;
- hypothermia.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are pain in the head and neck. A person is worried about severe headaches, pain in the neck, irradiation to the arm, pain in the sternum. The patient may complain of low back pain - the appearance of severe pain in the neck, muscle spasm and limitation of movement.
Also, a person may hear a creak when turning their neck. Due to pinched nerves and blood vessels, a person may experience numbness of the tongue and fingertips. The patient will complain of decreased hearing and vision, hypertension and weakness of the arm and leg muscles.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
This type of osteochondrosis is quite rare. This is due to the anatomical structure of the thoracic spine. It consists of 12 vertebrae, which are connected to the ribs via joints. In front, the ribs are connected to each other by the sternum. Thus, an excellent structure is created from the spine, sternum and ribs, which protects the internal organs from various injuries.
The vertebrae of the thoracic region are of low height and have long spinous processes, which are located one above the other, like shingles. Due to this structure, this part of the spine has reduced mobility. The intervertebral discs of the thoracic region are rarely injured.
The reasons for the formation of this type of osteochondrosis:
- irrational load distribution;
- delay in nutrition of the intervertebral discs;
- sedentary work;
- the presence of scoliosis.
Symptoms
As with other types, pain is the main symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis.
But with thoracic osteochondrosis, the pain can be different. Back pain - long-term discomfort and mild pain along the thoracic vertebrae. Pain can affect the cervical and lumbar regions.
Dorsago is one of the signs of thoracic osteochondrosis, in which pain occurs in the form of an attack. By its nature, it is intense, acute, leads to breathing difficulties and leads to the limitation of muscle movements. In addition to pain, patients may experience a feeling of numbness in the chest, impaired sexual function, pain in the heart, kidneys and stomach.
What is the danger of hitting the thoracic region?
The spine is designed to narrow in the thoracic region, so hernias resulting from osteochondrosis will quickly lead to compression of the spinal cord. This can easily lead to heart, pancreas, liver and kidney problems, because the thoracic region is connected to all of these organs by nerve fibers. That is why it is very important to consult a doctor on time. He will help to find out where the signs of osteochondrosis that are bothering you come from, and will carry out competent treatment of the disease.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis occurs due to weight lifting. Normally, in the center of the intervertebral disc there is a nucleus containing a large amount of water. Due to the liquid, the core becomes slightly compressible, and a compression of 500 kg is required for its breakage.
However, the disc affected by osteochondrosis becomes weaker and only 200 kg will be needed to break it. If a 70 kg person lifts 15 kg of load in the bent position and for the spine it is a load of 200 kg, the intervertebral disc can rupture. That is why the first symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis appear when lifting weights.
Symptoms
- pain in the lumbar region;
- inability to move in the lower back;
- sleep disorders;
- irritability;
- fatigue;
- inability to meet the needs of the family;
- reduced sexual function in men;
- violation of the menstrual cycle;
- cold foot syndrome
With the passage of osteochondrosis to the sacral region, the patient develops pain in the renal area and a violation of urination.
Diagnostics
Osteochondrosis is treated by a neurologist. To begin with, examine the spine, draw attention to the presence of scoliosis. After hearing, the doctor will be able to understand how the spine, tendons and nerves were affected.
After the neurologist suspects osteochondrosis of the spine, he will refer the patient for further examination. This includes the passage of an X-ray examination, MRI. If intervertebral disc destruction is suspected, discography is performed. It is also prescribed to determine the degree of damage to the nerve pathways.
In general, it is very difficult to diagnose osteochondrosis of the spine. After all, a person can complain of pain in the heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas, or sexual dysfunction. However, with a thorough examination, an experienced doctor will be able to suspect this disease and prescribe the correct treatment.
Treatment
Osteochondrosis therapy is a very long and difficult process. In the acute period, the patient needs the rest of the affected segment. If the cervical spine is affected, the patient should wear a Shants Fixation Collar. If the lumbar spine hurts, the patient needs bed rest. It is better to put the patient in a hospital. Only there will you be able to fully respect the assigned regime. The bed of such a patient should be hard. For this, a wooden board is placed under the mattress.
Pharmacological treatment
As mentioned above, the main symptom of the disease is pain. Therefore, the patient is prescribed analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and other symptoms of osteochondrosis.
Unfortunately, long-term use of these drugs causes damage to the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, and the patient develops the following symptoms:
- nausea;
- He retched;
- stomach ache;
- a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen.
The stomach ulcer may also get worse or stomach bleeding may appear. Therefore, before using these drugs, you should consult with your doctor. If the pain caused by osteochondrosis lasts for 3 months, antidepressants are prescribed together with these drugs. It has been found that, in addition to its sedative effect, they are able to reduce pain.
All drugs can be classified as symptomatic therapy. They will help relieve pain, but they will not rid a person of the disease itself.
Chondroprotectors are prescribed to restore the intervertebral discs and cartilage. These drugs improve connective tissue metabolism and help restore cartilage. The drugs are taken for a long time, on average - 4 - 6 months.
In addition to restoring tissues and improving metabolism in them, these drugs also have an analgesic effect. Another group of drugs necessary for osteochondrosis of the spine are drugs that improve blood circulation, their use helps to expand blood vessels, and if lipoic acid is taken in combination with it, it will improve the metabolism of nerve cells in one person.
As with any disease, patients need calcium supplements. It will restore the activity of bone tissue, increase the strength of ligaments and tendons, and also prevent osteoporosis, a disease that accompanies osteochondrosis.
Physiotherapy
The dosed load on the spine will improve the patient's condition. But it is necessary to perform the exercises extremely carefully. In the acute period, physical education is contraindicated. Only when the pain sensations subside can you start exercising a little.
Exercise will improve blood circulation in the spine and strengthen muscles. Due to the flow of blood, the metabolism will improve and the restoration of damaged intervertebral discs will begin. But you must also remember that the lessons must be carried out regularly, otherwise there will be no result.
Exercises for cervical spine injuries
- Lie on your back and straighten up. Place one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest and inhale, hold your breath for 10 minutes, then exhale and relax. The duration of the exercise is 3 - 5 minutes. You need to do this 3-5 times a day.
- Lie on your stomach and straighten your legs. Leaning on your stomach and legs, you need to raise your head and upper chest. Perform the exercise for 3 - 5 minutes with an interval of 30 seconds.
- Lie on your back and bend your knees. In this position, turn left and right. Perform the exercise for 3 - 5 minutes with an interval of 30 seconds.
Exercises for injuries of the thoracic region
- Lie on your stomach. Place your hands on the floor and lean back. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds. Perform the exercise for 3 - 5 minutes with an interval of 20 seconds.
- Lie on your back. Raise your head and legs ("boat"). Hold for 10-20 seconds. Perform the exercise for 3 - 5 minutes with an interval of 20 seconds.
Exercises for lumbar spine injuries
- Lie on your back, bend your knees and bring them to your chest. Rock back and forth and roll from the back to the sacrum and back again. Swing for up to 2 minutes. So you need to lie down calmly and relax.
- You need to get on all fours and bend over as much as possible. Perform the exercise for 3 - 5 minutes with an interval of 20 seconds.
- While standing, imagine rotating the circle for 2-3 minutes. Exercise 10 times a day.
Surgery
In the absence of an effect of conservative treatment and the appearance of complications of osteochondrosis, surgical treatment is prescribed. During the stabilization of the spine, the pressure on the spinal cord and roots is eliminated. If a person has an intervertebral hernia, it is removed. Since this operation can damage the spinal cord and nerves, it is only done for vital reasons.
Physiotherapy treatment
The appointment of physiotherapy procedures has a positive effect on the course of the disease and accelerates the recovery process. With osteochondrosis, it is allowed:
- visit a sauna or bath;
- swimming in the pool;
- massage;
- paraffin therapy;
- manual therapy;
- laser therapy;
- various bathrooms;
- mud therapy;
- electrophoresis with anti-inflammatory or muscle relaxant drugs;
- magnetotherapy;
- darsonval.
All these procedures improve blood circulation in the diseased area, allow the muscles to relax and relax the whole body. Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed during the rehabilitation period, when the patient is not disturbed by severe pain.
Prophylaxis
Nobody is immune from osteochondrosis. After all, we all age and our whole body ages with us too. In order for the disease not to spoil your plans, you need to play sports from a young age. Moderate physical activity improves blood circulation, normal metabolism. In addition, it trains the muscles that protect the spine. To prevent osteochondrosis, every person should:
- eat right - vitamins and minerals necessary for the body;
- reject bad habits;
- engage in physical education;
- do not bend over;
- protect your back from hypothermia;
- do not lift too heavy objects;
- take a contrast shower and temper;
- avoid stress.
It is especially important that people suffering from this disease follow all recommendations, because their failure will lead to an exacerbation. If you have back pain that does not go away for a long time, you need to seek help from a specialist. Only a doctor can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
Do not delay the visit to the clinic, because it is better to cure the disease in the early stages. Also, do not self-medicate - any drug has its contraindications, which you may not be aware of. Strictly follow all the recommendations of the doctor, and then the disease will soon recede!