In the article we will consider the stages of osteochondrosis of the spine. This ailment is a pathological condition, against the background of which there are changes of a degenerative-dystrophic nature in the tissues of the cartilage of the spinal column. Such changes are accompanied by disturbances in the structure and functional component of the intervertebral discs. Depending on the area of localization, cervical, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis are distinguished. The stages of development are detailed below.
The dynamic development of the disease goes through several stages.
First stage
It is characterized by the primary stage of development of the pathological condition in the nucleus pulposus of the disc between the vertebrae. Excess load on the spine leads to dehydration of the core, which causes a decrease in the parameters of the disc height and provokes the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring. As a rule, the initial stage of osteochondrosis passes in a latent form, withoutpronounced symptoms. Sometimes the disease is accompanied by slight discomfort after a long stay in a static position or, on the contrary, in active movement.
Second stage of the disease
The second stage of osteochondrosis is characterized by an even greater decrease in the height of the discs, which leads to a narrowing of the distance between the damaged vertebrae and sagging of the ligaments and muscles of the spinal column. This process is accompanied by an increase in the mobility of vertebrae with damaged discs, which threatens to slip and displace them. Stage 2 osteochondrosis can be manifested by symptoms such as significant discomfort, pain, especially acute with certain types of exercise, postures or movements.
Third stage of pathology
At the third stage of osteochondrosis, protrusions and prolapses of the intervertebral discs occur, which can lead to subluxations and arthrosis of the joints between the vertebrae. With certain movements, the patient may feel insufficient mobility and stiffness, numbness and tingling in the limbs. At the third stage, the pain syndrome is especially pronounced, localized in the neck, back, lower back and sacrum and coccyx. The affected area depends on the location of the affected disc.
The fourth stage of the disease
When reaching the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, the human body tries to compensate for the consequences of increased mobility of the vertebrae and to adapt to functional disorders of the spinal column. Where the vertebrae are in contact with each other, osteophytes are formed, which are designed tosecure the bones. In some cases, however, they can cause pinching of the nerves and lead to injury to the vertebrae. Ankylosis of the fibrous type is formed in the joints and intervertebral discs. If there are no infringements and microtraumas of the nerve roots, the signs of the disease may lose their intensity.
Stages of lumbar osteochondrosis
Doctors distinguish 4 degrees of osteochondrosis in the lumbar region. This is the most vulnerable part of the spine.
1 degree is the initial stage, when changes in disks are barely noticeable. Weak (tolerable) pains accompany the disease.
2 degree - pain from the lower back gives to the gluteal muscle and lower leg, movements are limited. The discomfort becomes stronger as the nerve is pinched due to the narrowing of the lumen between the vertebrae. The shape of the disc changes, it flattens and protrudes. Relaxing massages and exercises won't help at this stage.
3 degree can be characterized by the fact that the fibrous ring is torn, and its contents flow into the intervertebral region. The person feels constant pain and discomfort. The effect of medications, exercises and interventions of manual therapists at this stage is already barely noticeable.
4 degree - the following irreversible changes are observed: cartilage atrophy, leading to the growth of the vertebrae. There are problems with movement, and in severe cases - a complete restriction of movement and disability. Spinal nerves and channels are pinched, which causes paresis and paralysis.
Viewsdiseases
Symptomatology depends not only on the stage of cervical osteochondrosis, but also on the type of pathology.
The disease is classified according to several criteria. According to localization, cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral osteochondrosis is distinguished. There are also diseases of mixed or combined localization. The pathology localized in different parts of the spine, depending on the clinical manifestations, is also divided into subspecies.
So, cervical osteochondrosis can be of the following types:
- According to the type of reflex syndrome, cervicocranialgia, cervicalgia and cervicobrachialgia are distinguished, manifested by muscular-tonal, vegetative-vascular and neurodystrophic signs. The brightness of the manifestation of symptoms depends on the stage of cervical osteochondrosis. At the initial stage, the symptoms are mild.
- After a positive test for radicular syndrome, the patient is diagnosed with a discogenic lesion of the cervical spine. The stages of osteochondrosis of the cervical region should be identified by a doctor.
In case of thoracic disease, the following subspecies are distinguished:
- Reflex syndrome - thoracalgia, accompanied by neurodystrophic, muscular-tonal and vegetative-vascular manifestations.
- Nuclear syndrome - damage to the roots of the thoracic spine of a discogenic nature.
Against the background of the initial and subsequent stages of lumbar osteochondrosis, the following varieties are distinguished:
- Reflex syndrome - lumbago or lumbago, lumboischialgia, lumbodynia with changes in neurodystrophic,vegetovascular and muscular-tonal type.
- Rodular syndrome is a discogenic lesion of the nerve roots located in the lumbar and sacral region.
- The radicular-vascular syndrome indicates the development of radiculo-ischemia.
Conservative treatment
Treatment of a conservative type is aimed at eliminating pain, as well as restoring the functionality of the spinal column and preventing negative changes. Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis includes the following types:
- Drug treatment. Medicines are designed to eliminate pain, as well as relieve inflammation and normalize metabolic processes in the body. The initial stage of osteochondrosis responds well to therapy. If the pain syndrome is pronounced, a course of drug blockades is prescribed, which reduce the sensitivity of nerve endings and the intensity of the manifestation of the muscular-tonic syndrome. There are such types of blockade as intraosseous, paravertebral, faceted, epidural and trigger point blocks.
- Physiotherapy methods. Treatment with physiotherapy can reduce pain, increase the effectiveness of medications and prevent possible complications. The most common methods of treating osteochondrosis are magnetic fields, ultrasonic waves, laser beams and low-frequency currents.
- Performing exercises of therapeutic exercises and kinesitherapy. Subject to regular performance, a set of exerciseshelps to correct posture, strengthen the ligamentous apparatus and corset of muscles, reduce pressure on nerve fibers and prevent complications. Methods of kinesitherapy and physical therapy are designed to restore proper nutrition of the discs between the vertebrae and normalize metabolic processes. In addition, a set of exercises helps to distribute the load in the musculoskeletal system.
- Massage. Allows you to improve the supply of blood to tissues, relieve spasms and clamps from the muscles, improve blood circulation in the body. Especially popular is hydromassage, which is an auxiliary method of treating osteochondrosis.
- Manual therapy. The method of carrying out is selected individually, depending on the nature of the lesion, localization and type of osteochondrosis. The method consists in a point effect on the bone and muscle system, which improves metabolic processes, corrects the mobility of the musculoskeletal system and strengthens the immune system. Manual therapy methods help prevent complications and are preventive measures.
- Traction or traction of the spine. Produced using special equipment. The purpose of the procedure is to increase the space between the vertebrae to normal levels, as well as correct the violations that have occurred in the structure of the spinal column.
Medicated treatment
Therapy of osteochondrosis by taking medication involves reducing the intensity of symptoms, improving blood supply to tissues, as well as the process of their recovery. It is impossible to completely eliminate the disease by taking medications; an integrated approach to the treatment of the disease is important, including the implementation of certain exercises, adherence to special nutrition, prevention and medication. Treatment with drugs against the background of the absence of significant dystrophic changes in bone structures is not recommended.
Drugs
The doctor may prescribe the following groups of drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs: Nurofen, Ibuprofen, Reoprin, Karipazim, Pantonematogen, etc.
- Anspasmodic drugs: Drotaverine, Baclofen, Myolastan, etc.
- Antioxidants: vitamins C, E and N.
- Drugs that promote blood supply to tissues: Teonicol, Actovegin, Trental, B vitamins.
- Preparations designed to restore and prevent degenerative processes in cartilage tissues: Diacerein, Piascledin, hyaluronic acid, etc.
In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the 1st stage, as well as subsequent stages, both local preparations in the form of ointments and creams, as well as agents for oral administration and injection can be used.
Complications
If the doctor's prescriptions for the treatment of osteochondrosis are not followed, the inevitable progression of pathological processes occurs, which further leads to the development of complications in the form of the following diseases:
- Herniated disc between vertebrae.
- Protrusions.
- Sciatica.
- Kyphosis.
- S alt deposits withspace between the vertebrae.
- Spinal cord strokes.
- Decrease in muscle mass in the limbs, their atrophy as a result of impaired blood circulation.
- Paralysis of the legs.
The final, fourth stage of osteochondrosis, as a rule, is not manifested by severe symptoms. Nevertheless, it is at this stage that the disease poses the greatest danger in terms of the development of complications and consequences.
Prevention
Often the causes of osteochondrosis is a person's inattentive attitude to the messages of his own body. The disease can develop against the background of malnutrition, as well as with excessive stress on the spine.
Recommendations for the prevention of osteochondrosis are as follows:
- Prevention of physical inactivity, involving moderate physical activity, including swimming, running, cycling, gymnastics, skiing, etc.
- If a person's activity is associated with a long stay of the body in a static position, it is recommended to do warm-ups every 45 minutes in order to restore the blood circulation process. If prolonged sitting is unavoidable, the right orthopedic chairs should be preferred.
- The mattress for sleeping should be elastic and moderately hard, preferably orthopedic. It is also recommended to avoid pillows that are too flat or too high.
- If it becomes necessary to carry heavy objects, do notjerks when lifting. Athletes are advised to use special belts or corsets that support the back in the correct position.
- Wearing the right orthopedic shoes. It should fit the foot in width, it is better to refuse high heels. In summer, you can walk barefoot, which strengthens the muscles of the foot and relieves stress from the vertebrae. Equally important is the timely replacement of shoes.
- Proper nutrition and compliance with the drinking regime contribute to the overall strengthening of the body and the normal functioning of its systems.
Stress is also one of the prerequisites for osteochondrosis, so emotional overstrain should be avoided.
