Osteochondrosis falls into 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 have 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, altering the integrity of the joints.
The insidious thing about the pathology is that the disc cartilage cannot regenerate.Therefore, the area of the spine affected by the disease will deteriorate inexorably.Once a disease appears, its development can be stopped, 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 features
The development of the disease leads to the fact that the nucleus pulposus dries out and partially loses its shock-absorbing characteristics.The annulus fibrosus becomes thinner and microcracks form.
As a result, a protrusion occurs, called a disc bulge.As the disease progresses, the annulus may rupture and an intervertebral hernia is then diagnosed.
This area loses stability, osteophytes can form in it and the integrity of ligaments and joints is compromised.To compensate for the deformation of the disc, bone and fibrous tissue grows.In this condition, the spinal column becomes less mobile.
The disease usually has periods of remission, followed by relapses.
Degrees and stages
There are several degrees of the disease, each of which has the following characteristics:
- 1st grade.Due to incorrect movement, the disc breaks.This condition can also be caused by stress.Severe pain and a sensation reminiscent of an electric shock often occur.
- 2nd grade.The stability of the spine is lost and lumps develop.There may be pain that increases with careless movements.This form of the disease is characterized by numbness in the fingers, headaches and temporary discomfort in the sacrum.
- 3rd grade.This condition has manifestations of hernia, headaches 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 grade.At this stage, the symptoms of a hernia disappear and the manifestations of the disease decrease.The spine loses stability, a condition characterized by sliding 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: paresis, inflammation, etc.
It is also customary to distinguish a series of stages:
- Yeah,first stage- essentially a consequence of moisture deficiency and loss of elastic properties.The disease is characterized by the displacement of the nucleus within the disc, which causes an alteration in the shape of the annulus fibrosus.However, the process itself remains within the intervertebral disc, without going beyond its boundaries.
- 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 stagecharacterized by the appearance of ruptures at the site of cracks and the appearance of inflammation.Part of the liquid core leaks through microcracks.Nerves or blood vessels are often compressed at the site of the break.
- Fourth stageaccompanied by dystrophic processes.The vertebral sections do not offer the necessary resistance, so the neighboring vertebral bodies move closer together.Complications can also arise.This may be the development of spondyloarthrosis and spondylosis.At this stage, the flattening of the vertebra is noted;this occurs to relieve the load on the disk.Sometimes fibrous tissue is replaced by bone.This stage is marked by a temporary decrease in pain.However, the discomfort subsequently increases due to compression of the nerves and narrowing of the spinal canal.
Causes of the disease
This disease can be found in both old and young people.Typically, signs of osteochondrosis appear around the age of thirty-five.The development and relapse of the disease is due to overload, back injuries and vibrations.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 load on the spine due to weakness of muscles and ligaments.This theory is also proven by popular therapeutic methods, which are based on training the muscular system and ligaments.
Factors that can cause an abnormal process in the spine include:
- poor posture;
- overweight;
- injuries;
- flat feet;
- curvature of the spine;
- metabolic disorders;
- infections;
- inheritance;
- poor physical condition;
- stress;
- heavy loads;
- hormonal imbalance;
- poor nutrition;
- poor environmental conditions;
- systematic influence of vibration;
- 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 deficiency 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 injury, cervical, thoracic or lumbar osteochondrosis occurs.If several departments are involved in the pathological process at once, we can speak of a common form.
Since the lumbar area usually bears the greatest load, lumbar osteochondrosis predominates among all cases of the disease: its prevalence is approximately 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 different signs that directly depend on the location of the process:
- Pain in the spine.Sometimes osteochondrosis causes mild or persistent pain.The disease can also cause sharp, excruciating pain;It is difficult to eliminate it with non-narcotic analgesics.
- Impaired vision or hearing.
- Headaches.The disease usually causes a feeling of weakness, dizziness and increased fatigue.
- 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 the muscles.
How does cervical osteochondrosis manifest?
- systematic headaches;
- hearing impairment;
- dizziness;
- sudden increases in pressure;
- voice change;
- decreased vision;
- snore;
- dental caries.
Symptoms of breast shape:
- high fatigue of the muscle tissue of the back;
- pain on palpation;
- back and chest pain;
- Problems with various organs.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- lower back pain;
- numbness of the legs;
- decreased skin temperature;
- urinary disturbance;
- 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:
- Lumbago: intense pain in the lower back area.
- Intervertebral hernia.
- Outgoing.
- 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 disc 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 receives blood.Due to nutritional deficiency, more serious pathologies can develop.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on medical history and examination.It also requires an evaluation of neurological status.Additional tests 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 an effective treatment and achieve good results.
Treatment methods
At an early stage, conservative therapy is the best option.The doctor prescribes medications.Therapeutic gymnastics can also be used.Manual therapy and reflexology are very useful.
Among medications, non-narcotic analgesics and sedatives are considered the most effective.It is also necessary to take medications with vitamin B. 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 aims to strengthen the muscular system and release the nerve endings.In difficult cases it is impossible to do without surgical intervention.If conservative treatment is not effective, the hernia should be removed.This can be achieved by the classical 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 spinal area, you should consult a doctor.Only a specialist will be able to make the correct diagnosis and select therapy.