Degenerative-destructive lesion of the spine, on the contrary:osteochondrosis- a disease that includes damage to the ligamentous and articular apparatus of a person, intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies.
Osteochondrosis disease mainly affects older people, regardless of gender, although it should be noted that lately a trend towards rejuvenation of this disease has been observed. Such rejuvenation of osteochondrosis is directly related to the poor physical development of children and the overweight of so many adolescents. Also, modern youth prefer sedentary pastime near the TV or computer, avoiding sports. The combination of these factors leads to weakening of the back muscles, posture disorders and other negative consequences for the spine.
Osteochondrosis and its causes.
At the heart of the disease with osteochondrosis is a disorder of the trophism of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, which changes the normal structure of the tissues. As a result, the cartilaginous disc loses its normal elasticity and shape, reducing the width of the spaces between the vertebrae. Violation of the intervertebral relationship leads to compression of the nerve endings of the spinal cord, as well as significant overstrain of the spinal muscles, which explains the manifestation of pain in osteochondrosis. In addition, with osteochondrosis, quite serious complications also often occur, such as bulging of part of the intervertebral disc, as well as vertebral herniation.
In the future, the degenerative-destructive changes that occur in osteochondrosis lead to the formation of bone growths on the vertebrae, which also extend to the intervertebral ligaments and small joints of the spine. People suffering from osteochondrosis find it difficult to perform flexion-extension movements, and over time they can develop pathologies - scoliosis or kyphosis.
All these degenerative-destructive lesions of the spine are usually the result of the inevitable physiological aging of the human body, but for various reasons discussed later in this publication, the process of osteochondrosis can be significantly accelerated.
It should be noted right away that there is no single cause for the appearance of osteochondrosis, but there are a large number of predisposing factors, and the main ones are:
- contusions, fractures, dislocations and other spinal injuries;
- hereditary predisposition;
- various foot diseases that cause vertebral overload, such as clubfoot, flat foot and others, as well as prolonged use of uncomfortable and tight shoes;
- obesity or excessive overweight;
- natural changes in the body related to age;
- violation of metabolic processes in the body;
- maintain a sedentary lifestyle;
- abrupt cessation of professional sports;
- the details of professional activity, for example, frequent jerking and twisting of the body, lifting weights, awkward position of the body during work;
- prolonged and frequent hypothermia, aggravated by high humidity;
- the presence of frequent and prolonged stressful conditions.
The presence of several or even one of the above factors can lead to the development of osteochondrosis, which is conventionally divided into four stages:
- First stage- a decrease in the amount of moisture contained in the intervertebral disc with a decrease in the intervertebral distance. In this case, minor cracks appear in the cartilage.
- Second stage- due to the decrease in intervertebral spaces, flaccidity of the ligamentous and muscular apparatus occurs, which leads to unnatural mobility of the vertebral bodies, their displacement and slippage.
- third stage- Due to the progressive degenerative-destructive lesion of the spine, there is an extrusion of the intervertebral discs, as well as vertebral subluxations.
- fourth stage- To prevent subluxations and unnatural vertebral mobility, bone osteophytes grow between the vertebrae, in popular treatment they are called "salt deposits", which over time become so numerous that the vertebrae lose their mobility. With such bone growths, injuries to the nerves and vessels located near these vertebrae inevitably occur.
It should be noted that in the first and fourth stages of osteoarthritis, patients do not experience pain.
Osteochondrosis and its classification.
Although osteochondrosis has many different classifications, the most common is the osteochondrosis classification, which takes into account the location of spinal injuries:
- osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
- osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine;
- osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine;
- osteochondrosis of the sacral spine;
- common osteochondrosis, which includes a disease of two or more vertebral sections.
Osteochondrosis and its symptoms.
Osteochondrosis, as a disease, is of a chronic nature and is characterized by the alternation of the remission phase and the exacerbation phase, in which the symptoms of osteochondrosis are especially characteristic, depending on the location of the spinal ailment, as well as the presence of possible complications.
So, for osteochondrosis of the cervical region, pains directly in the neck, in the hands, some stiffness in movements, headache and numbness of the fingers will be characteristic. Well, in case of compression of the vertebral artery, the patient has a headache of a pulsating nature, a decrease in the functions of the hearing aid, dizziness and fainting are also possible.
Somewhat different are the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. The patient is worried about back pain, which can also be of an acute nature, shortness of breath with full breasts, pain in the heart, as well as a feeling, called in folk treatment - "tail in the chest".
Symptoms of osteochondrosis in case of damage to the lumbar spine are manifested by pain in the lower back, legs, sacrum and intensify when moving. In addition, numbness of the legs appears, and various dysfunctions of the genitourinary organs may develop.
During the remission phase, a sick person may also experience pain that is not pronounced and occurs only in the case of provoking factors, for example, an awkward position of the patient's body.
Osteochondrosis and its diagnosis.
First of all, patients should be aware that a neuropathologist is engaged in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Diagnosis of osteochondrosis, as a rule, includes the following steps:
- interrogate the patient;
- external examination and palpation of the patient's spine in different body positions, as well as the establishment of a possible range of motion;
- special studies for the diagnosis of osteochondrosis through magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, as well as X-ray examination of the patient;
- special studies of peripheral nerves and blood vessels, but only in cases necessary for the correct diagnosis of osteochondrosis.
If you do not carry out timely and correct treatment of osteochondrosis, preferably without resorting to folk remedies, there is a real danger of developing various complications in the form of such diseases as, for example, sciatica, herniated disc, migraine, vegetovascular dystonia. , and with lumbar osteochondrosis, also spinal stroke. Therefore, due attention should be paid to the diagnosis of osteochondrosis and its treatment, avoiding independent alternative treatment methods, so as not to start the development of this disease.
Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis
In the treatment of osteochondrosis in medical institutions, unlike traditional medicine, classical methods of treatment are used. At the same time, the attending physician uses a strictly individual approach to the patient. Treatment of osteochondrosis to achieve effectiveness is carried out in a complex way. In themselves, conservative methods of treatment of osteochondrosis are divided into the following groups:
- Treatment of osteochondrosis with drugs
- Physiotherapeutic treatment of osteochondrosis, especially magnetotherapy, through the use of special medical devices.
- Sanatorium treatment of osteochondrosis.
- Organization of proper nutrition, with the help of a special diet.
Surgical intervention in the treatment of osteochondrosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis with the help of surgery is carried out only in cases where the above conservative methods do not give the desired effect. The most common is the removal of an intervertebral hernia, in which the surgical incision is no more than one centimeter and the patient can stand up the day after the operation. Well, the patient's full rehabilitation course is completed within six months after surgery.
There is also a method of treating osteochondrosis by surgical intervention, in which the affected intervertebral disc is removed and a silicone implant or prosthesis is installed in its place, which leads to the restoration of the necessary distance between the vertebrae and, as Outcome. , elimination of symptoms of osteochondrosis.
Prevention of osteochondrosis diseases.
First of all, for the prevention of osteochondrosis, you should:
- avoid increased stress on the spine by wearing comfortable shoes;
- try not to stay for a long time in an uncomfortable position of the body;
- exercise regular control of your weight, avoiding the yoke of excess;
- maintain correct posture at all times;
- when lifting weights, use both hands evenly;
- perform daily general strengthening exercises, as well as pay attention to regular yoga classes or in the pool;
- follow a diet that includes in your diet foods such as fish, vegetables and leafy vegetables, dairy products, jellies and jellies, broths, eggs, butter and olive oil;
- avoid alcohol, carbonated drinks, excessively strong coffee, salty foods, and fatty meats.