Osteochondrosis is included in the category of common disorders.In 75% of cases, this is what causes unpleasant back pain.Today, every second person after twenty years has manifestations of pathology.With age, the risk of developing the disease increases.If treatment is not started immediately, osteochondrosis can cause negative health consequences.
What is spinal osteochondrosis
This process affects joint cartilage and nearby bones.At first, osteochondrosis affects only the discs that hold the vertebrae together.Then the degenerative process affects the ligaments and vertebrae and disrupts the integrity of the joints.
The insidious thing about the pathology is that disc cartilage cannot regenerate.Therefore, the area of the spine affected by the disease will relentlessly deteriorate.Once a disease appears, you can stop its development, but it cannot be completely eliminated.
This pathology is not associated with inflammation - it is based on a violation of tissue nutrition and degeneration of their structure.In the absence of loads, tissues lose strength because they do not receive the necessary amount of nutrients.
Clinical characteristics
The development of the disease leads to the nucleus pulposus drying out and partially losing its shock-absorbing properties.The fibrous ring becomes thinner and microcracks form on it.
As a result, a protrusion, called a disc protrusion, occurs.As the disease progresses, the ring may rupture and an intervertebral hernia is diagnosed.
This area loses stability, osteophytes can form on it, and the integrity of ligaments and joints is compromised.To compensate for disc deformation, bones and fibrous tissue grow.In this condition, the spine becomes less mobile.
Usually, the disease has periods of remission, which are then followed by relapses.
Degrees and stages
There are a number of degrees of the disease, each of which has the following characteristics:
- 1st degree.Due to inaccurate movements, the disk bursts.This condition can also be induced by stress.Severe pain and a sensation reminiscent of an electric discharge often occur.
- 2nd degree.The stability of the spine is lost and projections develop.There may be pain that increases with careless movements.This form of the disease is characterized by numbness in the fingers, headache and temporary discomfort in the sacrum.
- 3rd degree.This condition has manifestations of hernia, headache and discomfort in the area of the damaged nerve.Arms and legs also often become numb, vision and hearing deteriorate, and problems arise in the functioning of many organs.
- 4th degree.At this stage, the symptoms of a hernia disappear and the manifestations of the disease decrease.The spine loses stability, a condition characterized by slipping or twisting of the vertebrae.The vertebrae can grow, causing compression of the nerves, causing the spinal canal to atrophy and compress the spinal cord.The fourth degree is characterized by the consequences that can occur after the removal of the hernia - these include paralysis, inflammation, etc.
It is also customary to distinguish between a number of stages:
- Yes,first stage- mainly a consequence of lack of moisture and loss of elastic properties.The disease is characterized by displacement of the nucleus inside the disc, which leads to disruption of the shape of the fibrous ring.However, the process itself remains within the intervertebral disc without going beyond its boundaries.
- BeforesecondThe formation of cracks in the ring is typical.As the height of the flat disc decreases, there is a loss of spinal stability.
- Third stagecharacterized by the occurrence of fractures at the site of cracks and the onset of inflammation.Part of the liquid core leaks through microcracks.Nerves or blood vessels are often compressed at the site of the rupture.
- Fourth stageaccompanied by dystrophic processes.The vertebral sections do not provide the necessary resistance, so the neighboring vertebral bodies move closer together.Complications can also occur.This can be the development of spondyloarthrosis and spondylosis.At this stage, flattening of the vertebra is noted - this is done to remove the load from the disk.Sometimes fibrous tissue is replaced by bone.This stage is characterized by a temporary decrease in pain.But subsequently the discomfort increases due to compression of the nerves and narrowing of the spinal canal.
Causes of the disease
This disease can be found in both the elderly and the young.Typically, signs of osteochondrosis appear around the age of thirty-five.The development and relapse of the disease is caused by overload, back injuries and vibrations.As the body ages, more and more symptoms appear.The exact causes of the disease have not yet been determined.
The most popular view is that the process is a consequence of incorrect distribution of the load on the spine due to weakness of muscles and ligaments.This theory is also proven by popular therapy methods, which are based on training the muscular system and ligaments.
Factors that can cause an abnormal process in the spine include:
- bad attitude;
- excess weight;
- damages;
- flat feet;
- curvature of the spine;
- metabolic disorders;
- infections;
- heredity;
- poor physical condition;
- stress;
- heavy loads;
- hormonal imbalance;
- poor nutrition;
- poor environmental conditions;
- systematic vibrational impact;
- age-related changes;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- hypothermia;
- smoking;
- spinal abnormalities.
Even if a person leads a normal life, he is at risk of osteochondrosis due to a lack of necessary substances.In modern society, this problem is considered one of the most important.The condition worsens due to an inactive lifestyle.
Types and symptoms
Depending on the area of damage, there is cervical, thoracic or lumbar osteochondrosis.If several departments are involved in the pathological process at once, we can talk about a common form.
Since the lower back usually bears the greatest load, among all cases of the disease lumbar osteochondrosis dominates - its prevalence is about 50%.
In second place is the cervical region.This form of osteochondrosis is diagnosed in a quarter of cases.This disease is usually the result of prolonged sitting at the computer or monotonous work.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is extremely rare and is usually associated with limited movement.
General signs of the disease
Pathology has various signs that directly depend on the location of the process:
- Pain in the spine.Sometimes osteochondrosis causes mild aching or nagging pain.The disease can also cause acute, unbearable pain - it is difficult to eliminate it with non-narcotic analgesics.
- Deterioration of vision or hearing.
- Headache.The disease often causes a feeling of weakness, dizziness and increased fatigue.
- Loss of sensitivity.This symptom usually manifests as numbness in the arms or legs.
- Problems with the function of the pelvic organs and sexual dysfunction.
- Loss of mobility in the problem area.
- Problems with organs for which the spinal cord is responsible.
- Pain in arms and legs.
- Weakening of muscles.
How does cervical osteochondrosis manifest:
- systematic headache;
- hearing loss;
- dizziness;
- pressure shock;
- voice change;
- impaired vision;
- snore;
- cavities in the teeth.
Symptoms of breast form:
- high fatigue of the back muscle tissue;
- pain on palpation;
- back and chest pain;
- problems with various organs.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- lower back pain;
- numbness in the legs;
- drop in skin temperature;
- urinary disorders;
- muscle tension;
- problems with bowel movements;
- varicose veins;
- loss of activity.
Complications
Osteochondrosis often causes complications, so this disease cannot be ignored.The consequences of the disease include:
- Lumbago - severe pain in the lower back.
- Intervertebral hernia.
- Projection.
- Radiculitis.
- Migraine attack.
- Spondylosis.
- Sciatica is a pathology of the sciatic nerve that causes pain in the legs and buttocks.
- Narrowing of the spinal canal.
- Vegetative-vascular dystonia.
- Schmorl's hernia is a protrusion of a disc into the spinal cord.
The most dangerous complication of osteochondrosis is considered to be compression of the arteries that supply food to the brain.Due to these strains, the brain is supplied with blood.Due to nutritional deficiency, more serious pathologies can develop.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is based on medical history and examination.It also requires an assessment of neurological status.Additional studies include:
- magnetic resonance imaging;
- Doppler ultrasound;
- spondylography;
- computed tomography.
Thanks to these studies, it is possible to determine the level of violations, clarify the diagnosis and identify hidden processes.This allows you to choose effective treatment and achieve good results.
Treatment methods
At an early stage, conservative therapy is the best option.The doctor prescribes medicine.Therapeutic gymnastics can also be used.Manual therapy and reflexology are very helpful.
Among medications, non-narcotic analgesics and sedatives are considered the most effective.You must also take medicine with B vitamins.Typically, this treatment is used during a relapse of the disease to eliminate pain and inflammation.
Reflexology involves the use of methods such as paraffin baths, laser therapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation and ultrasound.No less useful are mud baths and iodine therapy.
Therapeutic exercise is aimed at strengthening the muscular system and freeing nerve endings.In difficult cases, it is impossible to do without surgical intervention.If conservative treatment is ineffective, the hernia must be removed.This can be achieved using the classic or microsurgical method.
Osteochondrosis is a dangerous disease that causes pain and leads to loss of motor activity.
To stop the development of complications, at the slightest discomfort in the spine, you should consult a doctor.Only a specialist will be able to make the correct diagnosis and choose therapy.