80% of people experience osteochondrosis in varying degrees of manifestation. It affects not only adults and the elderly, but also young people. Considering the prevalence of the disease, every person should know about the methods of its treatment and prevention.
What is this disease?
Osteochondrosis is degeneration of the intervertebral discs, degenerative processes in the joints, ligaments and muscles that surround them. The discs act as shock absorbers in the spine between the individual vertebrae (there are 32-34 of them). They are also responsible for their mobility.
Negative factors, which we will discuss below, lead to cracks and destruction of the intervertebral discs. They lose elasticity and the spine loses flexibility. Discs are surrounded by tissue with nerve fibers, so dystrophic and degenerative processes are accompanied by pain.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Muscle spasm and dystrophy
The discs are surrounded by muscles responsible for the stability of the spine. Over time, some spasms due to constant tension, others atrophy due to lack of stress.
This happens because a person day after day:
- makes monotonous movements;
- performs physically demanding work;
- spends a lot of time stationary.
As a result, the spasm muscles compress the intervertebral disc, and the atrophied muscles cease to support it.
Problems with blood supply
Nutrition of the discs also depends on the work of the muscles that surround the spine. With normal muscle tone, the required volume of nutritious synovial fluid enters the intervertebral joint.
Lack of fluids in the body
The condition of the cartilage tissue is affected by the amount of fluid that a person absorbs per day. In its absence, cartilage dries quickly and ideally should consist of 80% water.
Metabolic disease
Problems with the endocrine system affect the condition of cartilage tissue. Osteochondrosis is often caused by a lack or excess of vitamins and calcium.
Stressful conditions
Nerve tension causes muscle spasms, including those that support the spinal discs. Normally, after tension, the muscles relax. If stress constantly follows a person, this does not happen. The muscle tissue tightly compresses the cartilage between the vertebrae, gradually destroying them.
Risk factors
- Genetic background.
- Nervous tension.
- Continuous physical activity.
- Sedentary work, sedentary lifestyle.
- Craving for junk food, overweight.
- Bad habits that lead to metabolic disorders in cartilage tissue.
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Stages of development
Phase I
The core of the intervertebral disc is dehydrated. It becomes lower, and its fabric cracks. Painful sensations are almost invisible. Discomfort can occur if the patient assumes an unusual position or exercises.
Phase II
The disc tissue flattens and swells. Due to this, the distance between the vertebrae decreases and the spinal nerve roots are compressed. The fibrous membrane is destroyed, so the fluid is poorly retained in the core of the disc. When you move, characteristic clicks and popping sounds appear on the spine. Due to the pressed nerves, the exact pain appears, which increases with active movements.
Phase III
The cartilage lining between the discs gradually wears away and becomes thinner. At this stage, the symptoms are manifested intensively - in the form of acute pain. Only pain relievers for neuralgia can quickly stop them.
Phase IV
The damage is so severe that the joints become immobile. A complete loss of mobility of the vertebral joints is possible. Due to pronounced degenerative processes, the space between the vertebrae is overloaded with bone tissue. These growths damage neighboring tissues and press on nerves, which causes acute pain.
Classification and symptoms
Cervix
There are 7 vertebrae in this section, they are located close to each other and the neck muscles are relatively weak. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a fairly common disease. When this section is affected, the patient feels pain both in the entire neck and in certain parts of it, for example, in the clavicle or behind the ears.
The most characteristic symptoms:
- headache, heaviness in the back of the head, dizziness;
- tingling in the hands;
- the neck is more often tense;
- when you turn your head, the bead clicks and crackles;
- periodically there is a sore throat, a feeling of a lump in the throat;
- due to muscle tension in the cervical region, it is difficult to move the arm to the side or raise it.
The manifestations of an insidious disease do not always correspond to its location. The problem may lie in the cervical vertebrae and the pain may appear in the chest or shoulder. Some patients complain of discomfort in the heart area.
lumbar
The lumbar, sacral and coccygeal vertebrae are located in the lumbar region. This section is more sensitive to shock absorption and motor loads, which is why lumbar osteochondrosis is so common. Painful sensations occur in the lumbar region. Most often these are aching pains that intensify with active twisting, exercise or long periods of sitting.
Signs:
- the spine is limited in movement;
- the patient may feel discomfort in the groin with spasms;
- dryness, flaking of the skin on the legs and lumps are observed;
- periodic acute pains may appear;
- During sleep, a person cannot take a comfortable position, as he is uncomfortable in any of them.
Additional symptoms: fatigue, constant fatigue, maltreatment. Some patients report problems with urination and discomfort in the kidney area. In men, potency may suffer, in women, the uterus and ovaries.
breast
It affects 12 vertebrae located in the chest region. Most often this is a complication of scoliosis.
Main symptoms:
- pain in the waist that becomes stronger if you move actively;
- tingling sensation in the area of the heart;
- feeling of fullness in the armpit;
- limitation of shoulder movements;
- shortness of breath, difficulty breathing.
Acute pain appears between the ribs, in the sternum, in the area of one of the shoulder blades. There may be numbness in the fingers, hand and forearm.
Diagnosing
At home, it is almost impossible to determine the location of the problem. Special medical equipment will help you collect the anamnesis correctly, and only a doctor can determine the symptoms and treatment.
For diagnostics use:
- Magnetic resonance imaging is the most accurate method for obtaining objective information about the state of tissues.
- X-ray of the spine.
- Computed tomography.
How to treat the disease?
Unfortunately, it is impossible to quickly eliminate the symptoms at home. Treatment involves an integrated approach.
General recommendations:
- observe bed rest during worsening pain;
- avoid physical activity;
- wear a support corset, bandage, belt.
medications
During periods of deterioration, they are described as follows:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxants;
- B vitamins.
Applications using anti-inflammatory ointments also help to ease the inflammatory process. They have a local anesthetic effect.
Medicines should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor. Doing this yourself is strictly prohibited.
Physiotherapy
To strengthen the muscle corset, the doctor prescribes exercises to be performed daily at home. They depend on which part of the spine is affected. Physical activity improves blood circulation and allows the muscles to properly support the spine.
Massage therapy
One of the most effective methods in the treatment of this disease. Quickly, in 7-10 sessions, you can restore the tone of muscles that have begun to atrophy, as well as relax tense muscles.
Preventing
Treatment of osteochondrosis is difficult and takes a lot of time. It is easier to monitor the condition of the spine and not lead to serious injuries. To do this, you need to lead a healthy, active lifestyle and moderately load the spine.
Other preventive measures:
- Watch your attitude, don't stoop.
- Do exercises at home to keep all muscle groups toned.
- Perform exercises to relax the muscles of the back, shoulders and neck.
- Attend yoga classes and therapeutic massage sessions.
- Do not lift heavy objects, distribute the load evenly across your arms.
We wish you to get rid of osteochondrosis forever and keep your back and neck healthy.