Osteochondrosis falls into the category of common ailments.In 75% of cases it is precisely this that causes annoying back pain.Today, one in two people shows signs of the pathology after twenty years.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 the articular cartilage and nearby bones.Initially, osteochondrosis affects exclusively the discs that hold the vertebrae together.Then the degenerative process affects the ligaments and vertebrae, disrupting the integrity of the joints.
The insidiousness of the pathology is that the cartilage of the disc cannot be regenerated.Therefore, the area of the spine affected by the disease will inexorably 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 the degeneration of their structure.In the absence of load, the tissues lose strength because they do not receive the necessary amount of nutrients.
Clinical features
The development of the disease leads to the fact that the nucleus pulposus dries out and partially loses its shock-absorbing characteristics.The fibrous ring becomes thinner and microcracks form on it.
As a result, a protrusion occurs, called disc protrusion.As the disease progresses, the ring may rupture, and then an intervertebral hernia is diagnosed.
This area loses stability, osteophytes can form on it and the integrity of the ligaments and joints is compromised.To compensate for the deformation of the disc, bone and fibrous tissue grow.In this condition the spine becomes less mobile.
Usually the disease has periods of remission, followed by relapses.
Degrees and internships
There are different degrees of the disease, each of which has the following characteristics:
- 1st degree.Due to imprecise movement, the disk breaks.This condition can also be caused by stress.Severe pain and a sensation resembling an electric shock often occur.
- 2nd degree.Stability of the spine is lost and bumps 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 presents manifestations of hernia, headache and discomfort in the area of the damaged nerve.In addition, arms and legs often become numb, vision and hearing deteriorate, and problems appear in the functioning of many organs.
- 4th degree.At this stage, the symptoms of the 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, as a result of which the spinal canal atrophies and the spinal cord is compressed.The fourth degree is distinguished by the consequences that may occur after removal of the hernia: they include paresis, inflammation, etc.
It is also customary to distinguish a number of stages:
- Yes,first stage- essentially a consequence of moisture deficiency and loss of elastic properties.The disease is characterized by displacement of the nucleus within 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 limits.
- ForsecondThe formation of cracks in the ring is typical.As the height of the flattened disc decreases, there is a loss of spinal stability.
- Third phasecharacterized by the occurrence of ruptures at the site of cracks and the onset of inflammation.Part of the liquid core escapes through microcracks.Nerves or blood vessels are often compressed at the site of the rupture.
- Fourth phaseaccompanied by dystrophic processes.The vertebral sections do not provide the necessary resistance, so the neighboring vertebral bodies move closer together.Complications can also arise.This could be the development of spondyloarthrosis and spondylosis.In this phase, the flattening of the vertebra is noted: this occurs to remove the load from the disc.Sometimes the fibrous tissue is replaced by bone.This phase is characterized by a temporary decrease in pain.Subsequently, however, 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 young people.Typically, signs of osteochondrosis appear around the age of thirty-five.The development and relapse of the disease is caused by overload, back injury and vibration.As the body ages, more and more symptoms occur.The exact causes of the disease have not yet been established.
The most popular opinion is that the process is a consequence of incorrect distribution of the load on the spine due to weakness of the muscles and ligaments.This theory is also demonstrated by the most popular therapeutic methods, which are based on training the muscular system and ligaments.
Factors that can cause an abnormal process in the spine include:
- bad posture;
- excess weight;
- injuries;
- flat feet;
- curvature of the spine;
- metabolic disorders;
- infections;
- inheritance;
- poor physical fitness;
- stress;
- heavy loads;
- hormonal imbalance;
- poor nutrition;
- poor environmental conditions;
- systematic influence of vibrations;
- age-related changes;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- hypothermia;
- smoking;
- spinal anomalies.
Even if a person leads a normal life, he is at risk of osteochondrosis due to the deficiency of necessary substances.In modern society, this problem is considered one of the main ones.The condition worsens due to an inactive lifestyle.
Types and symptoms
Depending on the area of damage, cervical, thoracic or lumbar osteochondrosis occurs.If several departments are involved in the pathological process at the same time, we can talk about a common form.
Since the lower back usually bears the greatest load, among all cases of the disease, lumbar osteochondrosis predominates: 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 several signs that directly depend on the location of the process:
- Spinal pain.Sometimes osteochondrosis causes mild or annoying pain.The disease can also cause sharp, unbearable pain: it is difficult to eliminate it with non-narcotic analgesics.
- Deterioration of vision or hearing.
- Heachache.The disease often causes a feeling of weakness, dizziness and increased tiredness.
- Loss of sensitivity.This symptom usually manifests itself as numbness in the arms or legs.
- Problems in the functioning of the pelvic organs and sexual dysfunction.
- Loss of mobility in the problem area.
- Problems with the organs for which the spinal cord is responsible.
- Pain in arms and legs.
- Weakening of muscles.
How cervical osteochondrosis manifests itself:
- systematic headaches;
- hearing deterioration;
- dizziness;
- pressure peaks;
- voice change;
- decreased vision;
- snore;
- caries.
Symptoms of breast shape:
- high fatigue of the back muscle tissue;
- pain on palpation;
- back and chest pain;
- problems with various organs.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- backache;
- numbness in the legs;
- decrease in skin temperature;
- urinary disorder;
- muscle tension;
- problems with stool;
- varicose veins;
- loss of activity.
Complications
Osteochondrosis often causes complications, so this disease cannot be ignored.The consequences of the disease include:
- Low back pain: severe pain in the lower back.
- Intervertebral hernia.
- Overhang.
- Radiculitis.
- Migraine attacks.
- 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 disk into the spinal cavity.
The most dangerous complication of osteochondrosis is considered to be compression of the arteries that supply food to the brain.Thanks to these trunks, the brain is supplied with blood.More serious pathologies can develop due to nutritional deficiencies.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is based on history and physical examination.It also requires an evaluation of neurological status.Additional tests include:
- MRI;
- 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 an effective treatment and achieve good results.
Treatment methods
In an early stage, conservative therapy is the best option.The doctor prescribes medications.Therapeutic gymnastics can also be used.Manual therapy and foot reflexology are very useful.
Among drugs, non-narcotic analgesics and sedatives are considered the most effective.It is also necessary to take drugs 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 releasing 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 classical or microsurgical method.
Osteochondrosis is a dangerous disease that causes pain and leads to the loss of motor activity.
To stop the development of complications, at the slightest discomfort in the spine area, you should consult a doctor.Only a specialist will be able to make the correct diagnosis and select therapy.