The human spine bears a heavy load, so over time, its tissues begin to break down. It is the degenerative process that underlies the development of osteochondrosis, in which changes affect the vertebrae themselves, intervertebral discs, ligaments.
As the disease progresses, increased mobility of the affected vertebrae occurs, which leads to irritation of the nerve fibers and the appearance of characteristic symptoms. Pathology can be localized in only one area or be systemic.
Common osteochondrosis of the spine is diagnosed if two or more areas are irritated. This type of disease is severe and occurs in every sixth patient.
Features of the disease
With age, the intervertebral discs age and wear out. Sharp loads on the spine and an unhe althy lifestyle lead to disturbances in their tissues. A change in the location of the vertebrae and the state of the discs provokes the development of osteochondrosis. itthe disease has characteristic symptoms.
Common osteochondrosis of the spine (according to ICD-10 code M42) is characterized by the fact that disorders occur in several parts of the spinal column at once. This form of the disease is considered the most severe. According to statistics, approximately 30% of patients have this diagnosis.
Often the defeat of this disease is observed in people after 40 years. However, experts note that pathology can also occur in young people.
Causes of occurrence
Common osteochondrosis of the spine (ICD-10 - M42) occurs with the defeat of several departments at once. Pathological changes can begin in the thoracic region, gradually capturing the shoulders, neck, sacrum and lower back. The person's he alth is deteriorating significantly, so the doctor needs to act very quickly.
The main reasons for the rapid development of the disease is osteoarthritis of the joints and osteochondrosis in one of the departments, which gradually begins to progress and affect adjacent areas of the spine and joints weakened by osteoarthritis. Among the main causes of the disease, the following should be mentioned:
- previous spinal surgery;
- age-related changes;
- weak muscle tone;
- overweight;
- intense physical activity;
- malnutrition;
- metabolic disorder;
- weak links.
According to statistics, in about 15% of cases, patients with osteochondrosis are diagnosed withcommon form of the disease.
Metabolic disorders and minimal activity lead to the gradual destruction of cartilage in the interdiscal space, as weak muscles cannot support the spine in the correct position. Under heavy loads, the intervertebral discs are deformed and displaced, squeezing blood vessels and nerve endings.
Circulation problems occur. The tissues do not receive sufficient nutrition, oxygen starvation begins, which is especially dangerous in cervical osteochondrosis, as it can lead to the death of certain parts of the brain. Metabolic disorders also provoke swelling. As a result, hernias form in the areas of displaced vertebrae.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of widespread osteochondrosis of the spine can be different. It all depends on which areas are affected by the disease. The first sign of the onset of pathology is considered recurring back pain. Their appearance is often due to a sudden movement, a fall, or simply lifting weights. The nature of the pain can be different, namely:
- slight discomfort;
- dull, pulling pain symptoms;
- lumbago with intense pain.
Among the symptoms of widespread osteochondrosis of the spine, occurring in the cervical region, a special place is occupied by stiffness and soreness in the shoulders and interscapular region. Discomfort may also be in the chest and arms. There is numbness and tingling in this area.
In addition, widespread osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is expressed by the following symptoms:
- frequent headaches;
- dizziness;
- changing the timbre of the voice;
- hypotension or hypertension;
- impaired hearing and vision;
- dental problems.
Additionally observed pathological changes in other areas of the spinal column. With widespread osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the following symptoms occur:
- chest pain when taking a deep breath, sneezing, laughing;
- signs of intercostal neuralgia;
- restriction of movement of the torso, arms, neck;
- disturbances in the functioning of internal organs.
Often, symptoms appear on movement and disappear at rest. With widespread osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, pain is observed when walking. There may be a tingling and burning sensation in the legs and back. In the case of widespread osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine, there is difficulty in defecation and urination, spontaneous spasms and muscle weakness, and sexual dysfunction.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of widespread osteochondrosis of the spine is quite simple to make, since the disease has severe symptoms. Initially, the doctor conducts a survey and examination of the patient, and then prescribes additional research methods. These include the following:
- radiography of the affected area;
- CT;
- MRI.
During all these diagnostic procedures, images are required in all segments where osteochondrosis is suspected. It is recommended to be examined by a neurologist who can assess the dysfunction of the nervous system.
Features of treatment
Treatment of widespread osteochondrosis of the spine is mostly conservative. Therapeutic measures are selected based on the localization of pathological changes. Since it is extended, the treatment will be long.
The complex of basic therapeutic measures often includes manual therapy, acupuncture, physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises. The course of the disease includes periods of exacerbation and remission. With exacerbation, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. Their action is aimed at eliminating tissue swelling and relieving pain. With very severe pain, it is possible to carry out novocaine blockade.
During remission, manual therapy is performed. It is aimed at expanding the space between the vertebrae and releasing the transmitted nerve endings. When the bone elements are displaced, they return to their original position.
Therapeutic gymnastics plays an important role, but it should be done only under the supervision of a qualified instructor. During an exacerbation, physical activity should be excluded, as complications may occur.
There are particularly difficult cases of the course of the disease, which may require surgery. However, this treatment is sufficientrisky. Even a highly qualified surgeon cannot guarantee success. In addition, a long recovery is required. It is not necessary to bring the disease to an extreme degree. When the first symptoms of widespread osteochondrosis of the spine appear, treatment should be carried out immediately to prevent the occurrence of dangerous complications. It is also important to change lifestyle and periodically carry out prevention.
Drug therapy
Drug treatment of widespread osteochondrosis of the spine is of particular importance, since the signs of the disease significantly impair the efficiency and quality of life of patients. Regardless of which department is affected, the following groups of drugs are prescribed:
- anti-inflammatory;
- local analgesics;
- muscle relaxants;
- B vitamins;
- chondroprotectors.
Anti-inflammatory drugs are considered the most effective drugs that help get rid of the symptoms of the disease. They reduce the severity of inflammation, pain, and even autonomic changes. The most popular are Diclofenac, Piroxicam, Indomethacin.
Local analgesics help reduce the intensity of pain in some areas of the back. Muscle relaxants involve relaxing the muscles of the back, which significantly reduces the severity of soreness and increases the range of motion.
B vitamins are required to maintain and stabilize damaged nervous tissue. They normalize nerve conduction due torestoration of a full metabolism. Chondroprotectors are long-term drugs that gradually penetrate into the cells of damaged cartilage. Inside the intervertebral discs, they stabilize the metabolism, which reduces the progression of the disease and reduces the intensity of symptoms. The best are "Artra", "Chondrolon", "Protecon". All medicines should be prescribed only by the attending physician, choosing the correct dosage and course of administration.
Massage and physiotherapy
In the treatment of widespread osteochondrosis of the spine, massage and physiotherapy play an important role. Physiotherapy techniques imply a physical effect on damaged tissues. They are aimed at normalizing metabolism, blood flow, reducing signs of the disease. Among the most common physiotherapy techniques, the following should be highlighted:
- phonophoresis;
- electrophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- electromyostimulation;
- laser treatment;
- acupuncture;
- UHF therapy.
Back massage has the same goals as physical therapy. It is necessary that the procedure be performed by a qualified specialist in order not to harm the patient.
Therapeutic gymnastics
With widespread osteochondrosis of the spine, exercise therapy plays a very important role, since exercises affect not only the pathological process, but also eliminate the symptoms of the disease, which reduces the need for medication.
First class timephysiotherapy exercises are carried out under the supervision of a specialist, starting from 30 minutes a day. Gradually, the intensity of the exercises and the frequency of their implementation increases, which allows you to normalize the tissues of the spine. The course of therapeutic gymnastics is complemented by swimming. This not only allows you to create the right load on the back muscles, but also eliminates additional damage to the intervertebral discs.
Dieting
Nutrition for osteochondrosis should be aimed at providing the body with useful substances and controlling body weight. Being overweight can make you feel worse. About a third of the diet should be proteins. They are found in fish, meat, legumes, nuts, mushrooms.
Phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, vitamins are required to strengthen bone tissue. An important part of the diet should be fresh fruits and vegetables, vegetable and butter, bran, dairy products, eggs.
From smoked, fried, s alty foods and semi-finished products should be abandoned, as they not only contribute to weight gain, but also worsen the condition of tissues. If the pathological process has affected the cervical region, then it is worth reducing s alt intake.
Operating
In particularly complex forms of widespread osteochondrosis of the spine, an operation can be prescribed, which involves plastic surgery of the intervertebral disc or its replacement with a prosthesis.
It is quite difficult to treat the disease in this way, since several sections of the back are damaged at once. However, when runningthe operation still needs to be performed. In this case, the pathology is usually eliminated in the most damaged place.
After the operation, rehabilitation is prescribed, which will help restore lost functions to the maximum extent possible.
Treatment for exacerbations
Common osteochondrosis of the spine (ICD-10: M42) is a complex disease characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission. In case of relapses, it is important to choose the right treatment that will help you quickly and effectively get rid of the existing symptoms.
Antispasmodics, anti-inflammatory, painkillers and diuretics must be prescribed. If the drugs do not have the desired result, then novocaine blockade is prescribed, which helps to stop the pain for 2 days.
For a strong fixation of the spine, protection against displacement of the vertebrae and reduce the load, a bandage and cervical collars are used. When the patient's well-being enters the stage of remission, the doctor prescribes procedures that do not greatly overload the body. It can be therapeutic exercises or manual therapy.
Possible Complications
If treatment is not carried out in a timely manner, dangerous complications may occur over time. These include the following:
- degenerative disc disease;
- spondylarthrosis;
- stenosis.
Degenerative changes are the wear of one or more intervertebral discs, which normally absorb friction between the vertebrae. As a result, this mayto form hernial protrusions. This often leads to compression of the nerve endings or even the spinal cord.
Spondylarthrosis is a lesion of one or more facet joints connecting adjacent vertebrae. As a result of abrasion of cartilage, painful friction between the bones occurs and bone growths form.
Stenosis is a gradual narrowing of the spinal canal associated with compression of the spinal cord and nerve endings in the area where they enter and leave the spinal column. Often, a similar problem is provoked by other types of osteochondrosis.
Prophylaxis
To stop the pathological process, it is necessary to carry out comprehensive prevention. It is important to follow these guidelines:
- try to move as much as possible;
- eliminate excessive physical strain;
- monitor your weight and metabolism.
You need to tune in to long-term treatment of osteochondrosis, since the first results of therapy appear after about 1.5 years.
