Juvenile osteochondrosis - the second name of juvenile osteochondrosis. This pathology is a progressive disease characterized by damage to the intervertebral discs and changes in the vertebral body.
Features of juvenile osteochondrosis
According to the international classification of diseases, this pathology refers to dorsopathic diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system. In medicine, it is customary to divide osteochondrosis into 3 categories:
- osteochondrosis in adults;
- juvenile osteochondrosis (adolescent) - this category also includes Scheuermann's and Calve's diseases;
- unspecified form.
Several decades ago, osteochondrosis was diagnosed mainly in older patients. There were very few cases of illness in children and adolescents. Recently, the incidence of the disease in children under 16 years of age has increased dramatically. In this regard, adolescent degenerative changes in the spine have been identified as a separate category.category.
This type of disease differs in symptoms, causes, and treatments.
Views
Depending on the location, juvenile osteochondrosis of the spine is divided into 2 types:
- General. Such a diagnosis is made if the cervical and thoracic spine have undergone changes.
- Specific. This category includes pathologies of the lumbar spine.
It should be emphasized: osteochondrosis in adults is usually divided into 5 types. This difference can be explained by the fact that pathologies in the cervical region are extremely rare in children and adolescents, since such changes are caused by a sedentary lifestyle (in office workers, programmers).
The most common spinal pathologies in children and adolescents are associated with the lumbar region.
Reason for development
In adult patients, changes in the spinal column can occur against the background of age-related and dystrophic processes.
In children and adolescents, the reasons for the development of juvenile osteochondrosis are somewhat different:
- Increased load on the spine. This diagnosis is often given to adolescents involved in professional sports.
- Violations of posture. They can occur due to improper sitting and lying. Another reason is the development of osteochondrosis against the background of other pathologies (lordosis, kyphosis or scoliosis).
- Insufficient physicalactivity (hypodynamia). Lack of exercise leads to weakening of the back muscles.
- Diseases of an autoimmune and endocrine nature.
- Improper diet, lack of B vitamins and calcium.
- Genetic inheritance. To some extent, the cause of the disease can be heredity. Thus, if a person has relatives with osteochondrosis of the spine, then the risk of getting this disease increases. Meanwhile, it should be borne in mind that heredity only increases the risk of developing pathology, however, in the absence of other risk factors, the symptoms of the disease do not appear.
Age of patients
The first symptoms of juvenile osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine appear at the age of 11-12. At the first stage of the development of the disease, the manifestations are characterized as insignificant.
With early diagnosis, it is possible to start treatment in time and avoid numerous complications.
By the age of 15-16, the clinical picture becomes pronounced. This is due to the fact that in children under 15 years of age, the musculoskeletal system is in good condition. Another reason is the long development of the disease. This takes about 4-5 years.
The most severe course with complications occurs at the age of 16-20.
Symptoms of juvenile osteochondrosis of the neck
The clinical picture and the degree of its manifestation directly depend on the department in which the pathology is localized. Changes in the thoracic region often go unnoticed and are detected only during a routine examination.
When juvenile osteochondrosis of the cervical region, the following symptoms occur.
- Frequent headaches. They are localized in the back of the head and can spread to the temporal region.
- Severe dizziness. At the same time, attacks rarely end in vomiting or loss of consciousness.
- Pain, concentrated in the neck. Pain may increase when trying to lift weights or when bending over. Often the sensations go to the back of the head or give into the hands.
- The crunch of bones. When tilting or turning the head, a crunch is clearly audible.
- Feeling of numbness in hands. Most often observed at night.
- Persistent beeping in the ears (it gets worse with rest and silence).
- Presence of visual pathologies (flies before the eyes, veil, bright flashes).
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region
If the pathological process is localized in the lumbar region, a teenager may complain of the following symptoms.
- Pain in the back (in the lumbar region). Feelings intensify with physical activity and heavy lifting.
- Bending over is difficult after sitting for a long time.
- Feeling of numbness in the legs, coldness in the lower part of the body. These symptoms are caused by decreased circulation.
- Fatigue, general malaise, fatigue, drowsiness.
Diagnosis
An experienced doctor will be able to identify cervical and thoracolumbar juvenile osteochondrosis according to the patient's complaints and the results of the initial examination. During it, the state of posture is checked by palpationcheck the position of the vertebrae and the muscular corset. If pathological changes are detected, a comprehensive examination is prescribed.
Most prescribed:
- ultrasound;
- fluoroscopy;
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging);
- computed tomography.
The list of required laboratory tests includes a complete urinalysis and a complete blood count. Thanks to these data, it is often possible to identify the cause of the pathology.
Treatment
Treatment of lumbar and cervical juvenile osteochondrosis lies in the therapeutic effect.
Depending on the stage of development of the disease, the age of the patient and the localization of the process, the doctor prescribes suitable methods of treatment:
- Drug therapy. Pain relievers are used as part of the treatment. Medicines should be prescribed only by a doctor. Self-administration is highly undesirable, since medicines in childhood are dangerous.
- Correction of lifestyle. It can be long walks to strengthen muscles, cleaning the house.
- Morning exercises. It should consist of therapeutic and preventive exercises recommended by the doctor. Classes are 15-20 minutes long.
- Physiotherapy. With juvenile osteochondrosis, laser treatment, UHF, mud baths are often prescribed.
- Massage. The duration of the course is 1-3 months, depending on the stage of development of the disease.
- In runningcases, the wearing of orthopedic collars, bandages or corsets is prescribed.
During treatment, the patient should visit the doctor regularly. At appointments, the doctor checks the condition of the spine and muscles, monitors the dynamics of improvements and, if necessary, makes adjustments to the treatment regimen.
Possible Complications
In itself, juvenile osteochondrosis of the cervical spine does not lead to death or disability, but it significantly worsens the quality of life of a teenager. The patient is forced to give up physical activity, he is constantly in pain.
In addition, such a disease can lead to other pathologies:
- development of intervertebral hernia;
- radiculitis, radiculopathy;
- neurological diseases (especially often this occurs with disorders in the cervical region);
- vegetovascular dystonia (with damage to the autonomic nervous system);
- spondylarthrosis;
- narrowing of the spinal canal.
To prevent such complications, it is recommended to consult a doctor at the first suspicion of a pathology.
Forecast
Despite the severe consequences and the severity of the disease, juvenile osteochondrosis is successfully treated. In the case of timely treatment at an early stage of development, it is possible to completely get rid of the symptoms in 6-12 months.
In advanced cases, full recovery will take much more time, but such patients have every chance of recovery.
Prevention
In order to prevent the development of osteochondrosis in adolescents, parents should remember how to prevent it. They are as follows:
- Child's posture control. Posture disorders cause pathological changes in the spine and can cause osteochondrosis.
- Regular exercise. The load prevents the weakening of the muscular corset of the back.
- Proper nutrition. A balanced diet is a source of essential vitamins and minerals.
It is difficult to completely protect yourself from the development of this pathology, however, with the help of preventive measures, you can minimize the risk of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine in childhood and adolescence.
