Spinal osteochondrosis is a disease characterized by degenerative-dystrophic changes in the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
Scientists call this disease "the disease of civilization" because it is associated with a person's upright posture and an ever-increasing load on the spine in the modern world. Usually, osteochondrosis begins to develop in young people between the ages of 20 and 25.
Causes
The exact cause of the development of spinal osteochondrosis has not been established. Experts point to the factors that contribute to its development.
Traumatic factor. Constant excessive loads (microtrauma) on the spine contribute to accelerated wear of the intervertebral discs. Antiphysiological postures (working in a flexed position for a long time, staying in one position for a long time) lead to the formation of subluxations in the intervertebral joints.
Pathology of the development of the musculoskeletal system. Flat feet, shortening of a leg, spinal lumbarization and other similar pathologies increase the load on the spine and, as a result, accelerate degenerative processes.
Age factor. The development of osteochondrosis of the spine is considered by many doctors to be a manifestation of the natural aging of the human body.
Vascular factor. A relationship has been established between a decrease in blood flow (ischemic processes) and an acceleration of pathological processes in the spine.
The factor of changes in hormonal levels. Natural hormonal changes in the body (pregnancy, lactation, menopause, menopause) cause an increase in degenerative processes.
The factor of endocrine-hormonal diseases. Diseases such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, myxedema (inflammatory lesion of the thyroid gland) and others contribute to the development of osteochondrosis of the spine.
Classification and symptoms
Symptoms depend on the location of the pathological process.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The cervical spine contains blood vessels that supply the brain. With degenerative changes in this section, the organs of the head are not adequately supplied with blood. This often leads to strokes.
The main symptom of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is headache. This pain is usually permanent, worse in the morning and with movement. It originates at the back of the head and clears the parietal-temporal region. The pain syndrome is often accompanied by dizziness, flashing in front of the eyes of "flies", colored spots.
In addition, the pinching of the nerves often contributes to the onset of scalp pain, sore throat and neck pain. The pain syndrome sometimes captures the arm, the shoulder. It can be weakened or intensified by turning the head or changing the position of the body.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine include:
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- ringing in the ears, hearing loss;
- visual impairment;
- violation of coordination of movements and gait;
- hoarseness or faintness of the voice;
- caries;
- snoring while sleeping.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. Manifestations can be varied and depend on the location of the disease, its degree of severity. Compression of the thoracic nerve roots leads to intercostal neuralgia. It is manifested by a sharp pain in the chest, which becomes more intense with inhalation, certain movements, coughing and laughing. The pain syndrome intensifies after a long stay of a person in one position or after physical exertion. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is often the cause of diseases of the stomach, lungs, heart, and other human organs.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. It often strikes people who do "sedentary work" for a long time (drivers working in front of a computer).
A symptom of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a sore, aching character, which intensifies with sudden movements (lifting weights, sneezing, coughing) and a long stay in one position. After a bent position, it is difficult for the patient to straighten the back, sometimes severe pain even interferes with movement. Pain is significantly reduced in the horizontal position of the body. Squatting or lying on a healthy side brings relief.
Pain syndrome in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is often localized in the lower back, radiating to the legs, sacrum, and often to the pelvic organs. By overloading the muscles of the spine as a result of awkward movements, lifting weights causes back pain. Lumbar osteochondrosis of the spine is often manifested by altered sensitivity, numbness in the painful area. The patient may experience a tingling sensation, a "goosebumps rush". Often, spasms of the arteries in the feet, a decrease in the skin temperature of the legs, and a feeling of freshness in the legs are added to the symptoms. Some patients present with dryness and peeling of the skin, sweating disturbances.
If you think you have osteochondrosis of the spine and symptoms characteristic of this disease, then you should seek the advice of an orthopedist or therapist.
Processing
Treatment of this disease is aimed at eliminating pain, restoring the functions of the spine, preventing the development of dystrophic pathologies of the spine.
The duration of treatment for osteochondrosis of the spine depends on the severity of the disease, the age of the patient and the methods of treatment.
In the complex treatment of the disease, the following therapy methods are used.
- Physiotherapy. It is one of the main methods of treating osteochondrosis. Physiotherapy exercises include joint gymnastics and exercises on rehabilitation equipment. Its result is the normalization of the nutrition of the intervertebral discs, metabolism, the formation of the correct muscle corset and a decrease in the load on the spine.
- Physiotherapy. This method uses the effects on the body of a laser, ultrasound, magnetic field, low frequency currents for treatment. Due to the use of physiotherapy, the duration of treatment is significantly reduced and its effectiveness increases.
- Massage. An effective method to relieve muscle pain, tension, improve blood circulation, strengthen the whole body.
- Manual therapy. This method of treating osteochondrosis of the spine helps restore normal organ mobility, improve blood supply, lymph circulation, and prevent exacerbation of the disease.
- Traction (traction) of the spine. With the help of special equipment, the intervertebral spaces are increased. It helps restore the correct shape of the spine, eliminate pain.
- Reflexology. It consists of the impact of special techniques on acupuncture points and reflexogenic zones of the human body.
Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine is carried out with the ineffectiveness of conservative therapy or for special indications. The amount of surgery depends on the extent of the lesion and the symptoms of the disease.