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Osteochondrosis of the spine

pain due to osteochondrosis of the spine

Osteochondrosis is a dangerous chronic disease.Risk category: people over 40 years of age.But the disease can manifest itself earlier.Recently, the first symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed at the age of 20 to 30 years.There are also earlier cases of manifestation of the disease.

How does osteochondrosis develop?

Depending on individual development, the human spine has 33-34 vertebrae.The special structure (S-shape, separation of the vertebrae by intervertebral discs) makes the spinal column elastic and capable of taking a variety of positions.The spine is connected by intervertebral discs (21-25 pieces).In the center of the disk is a semi-liquid core.It is surrounded by a fibrous ring.The cartilaginous end plates are located above and below the disc.

As the disease develops, metabolic processes are disrupted.As a result of poor circulation, intervertebral discs dry out.This is the first stage of the disease.With further development of the pathology, the fibrous ring cannot cope with the total load and becomes deformed.Then it may rupture and form an intervertebral hernia.As a result, the mobility of the spinal column decreases, and disc displacement may occur.

Causes of osteochondrosis

For proper functioning, the spinal column needs constant moderate load.Severe overexertion or improper pressure distribution can cause significant damage to the spine.The reasons for the development of osteochondrosis can be divided into external and internal.

Internal causes of the disease:

  • genetic predisposition;
  • disruption of metabolic processes in the body;
  • overweight, obesity;
  • age-related changes;
  • poor posture, curvature of the spinal column;
  • flat feet.

External factors include:

  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • sudden movements with large amplitude;
  • incorrect body position when carrying and lifting heavy objects;
  • high load on the spinal column when playing sports or a certain type of activity;
  • injuries of any part of the spine;
  • improperly organized place to sleep, including sleeping on a soft mattress and high pillow;
  • walking in high-heeled shoes;
  • smoking;
  • vibration effects on the body, for example, drivers of heavy equipment;
  • hypothermia.

Active sports do not always promote spinal health.The disease often develops in gymnasts and weightlifters due to excessive exercise.People of certain professions are at risk - loaders and builders.

Types of osteochondrosis

Depending on which part of the spine is affected, osteochondrosis is classified into the following types:

  1. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.The most common pathology.The reason is serious stress on the sacrum and lower back.
  2. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Develops due to improper load on the cervical spine.Blood circulation to the brain and the functioning of the thyroid gland are disrupted.
  3. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region.Not as common as the first two.In the thoracic region, the discs are not as active, and the muscle corset is stronger.Difficult to diagnose as symptoms are more similar to heart disease.
  4. Common osteochondrosis.In this case, the pathology affects not one part of the spinal column, but several at once.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

Depending on which part of the spine the disease is localized, various symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed.

In the case of lumbar osteochondrosis, the patient observes the following signs of the disease:

  • pain of various types in the lower back;
  • piercing pain radiating to the legs and buttocks;
  • movement disorders.Changing body position, bending or turning causes severe pain in the lumbar region.Therefore, a person tries to maintain the same posture;
  • loss of sensation in the legs.This happens due to pinched roots and nerve endings.

The main symptoms of cervical spine pathology:

  • pain in the neck, especially in the evening;
  • crunching when moving the neck;
  • headaches, especially in the back of the head;
  • pain, numbness in the shoulders and chest;
  • visual impairment;
  • noise, ringing in the ears, feeling of stuffiness;
  • dizziness with sudden changes in neck position.

The main signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:

  • thoracic neuralgia, a feeling of pain in the heart;
  • pressing pain in the upper thoracic region;
  • difficulty breathing;
  • reflex tension of the back and chest;
  • a feeling of coldness in the upper extremities, periodic numbness, starting from the shoulders and ending with the fingers;
  • increased pain at night;
  • increased discomfort during hypothermia and physical activity.

Stages of osteochondrosis

At the initial stage, there is a loss of elasticity of the intervertebral discs.They shrink and bulge.The patient does not feel much discomfort, except for slight stiffness of the spine after sleep.

The transition to the next stage is indicated by the appearance of pain.The destruction of the discs continues, the fibrous ring is deformed and cracks.There is stiffness in movements and acute pain when changing the usual position.

With the development of the third stage, the fibrous ring ruptures.The gelatinous contents come out.An intervertebral hernia forms.If treatment is not started at this stage, pinched roots and disability occur.

Complications of osteochondrosis

Lack of treatment for osteochondrosis leads to various kinds of complications - radiculitis, protrusion.The most dangerous is the formation of an intervertebral hernia, which can compress nerve endings and lead to paralysis of the lower limbs or other parts of the body.

Further destruction of the spine can lead to the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia and surges in blood pressure.Patients with osteochondrosis are at risk for developing heart attack and stroke.

Osteochondrosis is an insidious disease that leaves serious consequences for the entire body: diseases of the heart, stomach and intestines, the development of intercostal neuralgia.

Osteochondrosis of any part is dangerous.Lumbar can lead to diseases of the pelvic organs, which will affect a person’s reproductive abilities.Inflammation of the sciatic nerve develops.

A herniated disc leads to compression of the blood vessels.As a result, general blood circulation is disrupted.The most dangerous moment is clamping of the vertebral artery.

Methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis

Experts identify osteochondrosis at an early stage using the following diagnostic methods:

  1. MRI.Magnetic resonance imaging
  2. Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
  3. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  4. Laboratory research

Treatment of osteochondrosis 

It is better to treat osteochondrosis in a specialized clinic under the supervision of specialists.Currently, both conservative and surgical methods are used to treat osteochondrosis. 

Each patient undergoes individual therapy.When selecting a treatment regimen, the doctor takes into account the degree of destruction of the intervertebral discs, in which part of the spinal column the pathology develops, the patient’s age, the presence of other concomitant diseases, etc.The treatment regimen is designed for an average of no more than 1.5 months.Procedures are carried out 2-3 times a week.After the first 7 days of treatment, the pain syndrome is blocked.The standard course of therapy consists of the following procedures:

  • Resonance wave UHF therapy.Resonance wave therapy is a method of therapeutic effects on the aquatic environment of the body with low-intensity, high-frequency electromagnetic waves.
  • Injections of chondroprotectors.Intra-articular injections are an effective method of treating various diseases of the musculoskeletal system by introducing a drug (chondroprotector) into the affected joint.
  • Rehabilitation on special simulators.Treatment of the spine and joints with the help of a simulator will restore the mobility of the limbs in a short period of time without expensive treatment in specialized sanatoriums.
  • Blockade of joints and spine.Joint blockade is a type of drug treatment of the spine and joints aimed at relieving acute pain, inflammation and muscle spasms.
  • Drug treatment.Drug treatment of joints and spine is used in a wide range and in combination with physiotherapy.Intra-articular injections, blockades and droppers.

Treatment of osteochondrosis helps achieve the following

  • allows you to relieve pain and neutralize inflammation;
  • improves nutrition of intervertebral discs;
  • stops the destruction of discs, restores their structure;
  • releases compressed nerve roots;
  • relaxes tense muscles;
  • returns flexibility to the spine;
  • prevents the appearance of protrusions and hernias;
  • normalizes blood pressure;
  • corrects and strengthens the muscle corset;
  • straightens posture;
  • normalizes metabolism.

After completing the course of therapy, the doctor gives the patient a manual with a set of exercises that should be performed at home independently.The specialist will explain in detail how to change your usual lifestyle to prevent the disease from returning.

Prevention

To maintain a healthy spine, follow these rules:

  • do swimming, yoga, race walking, fitness;
  • When sitting at a computer or table, keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed;
  • choose chairs and armchairs that support the spine;
  • every 2 hours or more often, take breaks from work, walk, tilt your head and torso in different directions;
  • when lifting weights, keep your back straight, squat down, and do not make sudden jerks;
  • do not carry heavy objects in front of you;
  • when exercising on a new simulator, ask the trainer how to exercise on it correctly;
  • choose shoes with shock-absorbing soles for sports;
  • sleep on an orthopedic mattress;
  • do abdominal exercises.

Nutrition for osteochondrosis

For osteochondrosis, it is recommended to eat small portions 6 times a day.In your diet, adhere to the following principles:

  • include dairy products and lean meats in your diet - beef, rabbit, chicken;
  • limit the consumption of grapes, legumes, peas, beans, meat broths;
  • eat jelly, jellied meat, jellied fish.With them you get chondoprotectors - substances that are involved in the synthesis of cartilage tissue;
  • drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day;
  • eat fresh fruits and vegetables: cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, beets, cabbage, peppers, broccoli, celery;
  • give preference to cooked or steamed dishes;
  • eat sunflower seeds, nuts, avocados, and raw spinach more often;
  • season the salad with olive oil;
  • prepare dishes from lobster, oysters, crabs, mushrooms, cereals;
  • try to eat salty, smoked foods, flour products, sugar, and hot seasonings less often.