Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease of various parts of the spinal column, in which degenerative and dystrophic changes occur in the intervertebral discs. This disease affects more often men aged 25-60 years. The disease is typical for both young people and old people. Women get sick less often, and their symptoms are not as obvious. At the initial stage of the disease, it is possible to achieve a stable remission and get rid of pain and discomfort for many years.
What are the types of osteochondrosis by localization
Classification of osteochondrosis of the spine has many forms and criteria. They differ in the location of the affected department and the severity. All types of osteochondrosis are pathologies that are fraught with destructive changes in cartilage and connective tissue.
The most common and understandable to a simple man in the street, farfrom medicine, classification - according to the localization of the lesion:
- Cervical osteochondrosis - it is characterized by occipital, cervical and interscapular pain syndromes. This disease has been increasingly diagnosed in young people in the last decade.
- Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a rarity, as it has more discs than the cervical and lumbar combined, the discs are smaller and thinner. Part of the load is taken by the ribs. Therefore, degenerative and dystrophic changes rarely occur in the intervertebral discs of the thoracic spine.
- Lumbar osteochondrosis often occurs in people over the age of forty from a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle. It is characterized by severe back pain, compression of the nerves and arteries of the abdominal organs, and many concomitant diagnoses of internal organs.
Stages of disease
Depending on the speed of the course, the degree of degenerative changes, the manifestation of symptoms, four stages of the disease can be distinguished:
- The initial stage is characterized by unstable symptoms. The patient does not yet experience severe pain. Occasionally, "shooting" pain in the affected area of the back is possible.
- The second stage is characterized by a significant deterioration in the interaction of the vertebrae due to the progression of degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs. The development of the disease at this stage is provoked by improper physical activity, a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle.
- At the third stage, intervertebral hernias may begin to develop (somethis fate is avoided for patients). In some cases, severe back pain occurs. Concomitant diagnoses develop, which in one way or another affect all body systems. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the hernia and localization of chondrosis.
- The fourth stage is the hardest. The patient is unable to lead a full life and enjoy freedom of movement. Almost all postures occupied by the body bring acute pain at the site of localization of osteochondrosis. At this stage, we can talk about assigning a disability to the patient.
Causes of occurrence
Osteochondrosis brings a lot of suffering, worsens the quality of life, can lead to complete or partial immobilization of the patient and disability. What are the causes of this disease? They are as follows:
- Sedentary lifestyle, static sitting or lying in one position. Muscles atrophy, vertebrae wear cartilage and discs between each other. Such a process can take years, but will inevitably lead to osteochondrosis.
- Modern boys and girls go to the gym and do exercises with barbells and dumbbells, the wrong execution of which leads to chronic diseases of the spine. For example, the wrong technique for performing the exercise "squatting with a barbell" presented surgeons and orthopedists with tens of thousands of young osteochondrosis and scoliosis patients in the acute stage.
- People who, due to their professional activities, are forced to sit at the table for many hours in a row in one position are also at risk. According to WHO statistics, it is officeemployees make up the lion's share among patients with osteochondrosis.
Main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The vertebrae of the cervical spine gradually lose fluid, become brittle. As a result of this process, veins and arteries are squeezed. The nutrition of the brain is disrupted and subsequently the death of its cells. Cervical osteochondrosis has the maximum negative effect on the area of the brain responsible for the activity of the heart muscle. The optic or auditory nerve is often pinched, leading to vision loss and hearing loss.
Types of cervical osteochondrosis:
- radicular, or the so-called "cervical sciatica" - it is characterized primarily by severe pain in the back of the head, neck, head;
- irritative-reflex - discomfort in the chest, back, numbness of the fingers;
- cardiac, which is characterized by symptoms of cardiovascular disease.
Only an orthopedic surgeon or a surgeon can accurately diagnose. Regardless of the type of cervical osteochondrosis, the treatment will be almost identical.
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The rarest type of disease. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are characteristic of many other diseases. An inexperienced doctor can often diagnose arrhythmias, angina pectoris, cardiomyopathy (before ECG results are available), pancreatitis, or even gastritis. Provide accurate information about the type of osteochondrosisonly an experienced orthopedist or spinal surgeon.
With a pronounced pathological process, there is a disruption in the functioning of sections of the spinal cord. The main signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine:
- Dorsago - sharp, unbearable pain in the chest, a feeling of lack of air, the patient feels as if he is suffocating or his heart is knocked down.
- Dorsalgia - the patient experiences less discomfort than with dorsago. The pain is less obvious and radiates to the hands and fingers (which is why doctors often confuse symptoms with diseases of the cardiovascular system).
Symptoms and consequences of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The most common type of osteochondrosis is the lumbar. This is due to the fact that it is the lower back that experiences the greatest load in the process of daily life.
In the first stage, the main symptom is a slight pulling in the lower back. People rarely attach importance to such minor ailments. As the intervertebral discs wear out, negative symptoms also increase. In particular, the patient can no longer lie or sit in one position for a long time due to pain.
At the third or fourth stage of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occur:
- lumbago - a sharp and sudden pain, the result of which may be a partial immobilization of the patient;
- sciatica - unilateral infringement of the sciatic nerve;
- sciatica - squeezing of nerve endings in the lumbar regionspine;
- weakness of the lower extremities, muscle atrophy, venous congestion, violation of sexual function and the functioning of the abdominal cavity and small pelvis organs are also often observed;
- radiculo-ischemia - circulatory failure as a result of vascular compression.
Generalized osteochondrosis
This type of disease affects not only the spine, but also the joints. Most often the shoulder and hip. Symptoms of generalized osteochondrosis are neurological in nature, in rare cases with lesions of internal organs due to impaired blood circulation.
In the hip joint, the disease manifests itself as changes in cartilage tissue, drying of the interarticular fluid. Over time, the joint partially, and then completely loses its former mobility.
Polysegmental osteochondrosis
Manifestations of the disease are not in one, but in several parts of the body. For example, there is often a combination of damage to the third vertebra and the twelfth - in this case, osteochondrosis will be considered polysegmental.
Therapy in this case will be exactly the same as with standard signs of cervical or thoracic osteochondrosis. Magnetotherapy and other physiotherapy proved to be excellent in case of exacerbation of pain and discomfort due to polysegmental chondrosis. Now you know what types of spinal osteochondrosis exist.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis
Means of pharmacology to facilitate the manifestationsymptoms of osteochondrosis can be divided into the following groups:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs - in order to relieve the symptoms of pain and swelling from the affected area. There are two types - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticosteroids.
- Painkillers.
- Medications-muscle relaxants to relieve muscle spasm.
- Chondoprotectors - drugs to improve the nutrition of cartilage tissue.
- Vitamin-mineral complexes - to restore normal blood circulation and activate metabolism.
- Drugs to improve and restore the conduction of impulses through nerve cells.
In some cases, you have to resort to diuretics to relieve swelling from the muscles and connective tissue between the vertebrae. It is strictly forbidden to self-prescribe drugs for yourself - you can not only not cure, but also aggravate the course of the disease.
Therapeutic gymnastics and physical education for osteochondrosis
Any orthopedist will confirm the importance of exercise in achieving remission in the chronic course of osteochondrosis.
What sport is safe for osteochondrosis? It is better to prefer swimming, stretching, Pilates, body flex - those directions in which there are no sudden movements. Traumatic martial arts and weightlifting sports for osteochondrosis are prohibited. The patient must not work with a weight of more than five kilograms.
Don't underestimate the benefits of a daily morninggymnastics. It should not be done on a case-by-case basis, but on an ongoing basis. Only in this case there will be a benefit for the spine. Simple arm swings, "mill", "bike" - exercises familiar to everyone since childhood, will help stretch your back and relieve pain. All movements must be performed as smoothly and accurately as possible to avoid injury.
Office employees must break away from the computer once an hour and do a five-minute warm-up. This will serve as an excellent prevention and treatment of existing osteochondrosis.
Massage and manual therapy
Of all types of treatment for osteochondrosis, this one is the most pleasant. Much depends on the choice of a specialist - both the result and the sensations. Types of massage for osteochondrosis - classic, acupressure, cupping, hardware, honey.
With manual therapy, the situation is more complicated. Firstly, this procedure is painful: often patients of manualists cannot help crying out in pain during manipulations with the spine. Secondly, if the chiropractor lacks experience, this procedure can be dangerous. Choose professionals with good patient reviews, with a real diploma and rich therapeutic experience.
