Osteochondrosis is a disease based on degenerative-dystrophic changes that occur in the intervertebral discs, vertebrae, and small joints of the spine. Osteochondrosis is a faithful companion of the elderly. But more and more often young people are being diagnosed, which is probably due to predominantly sedentary work, an unhealthy lifestyle, and little physical activity. We can safely assume that most of the adult population has signs of osteochondrosis.
The reasons
The elasticity of the spinal column, its mobility and ability to withstand physical activity, primarily depend on the state of the intervertebral discs. The pathological process in osteochondrosis is based on malnutrition of the structures of the spinal column, in particular the intervertebral disc. This leads to changes in the normal structure of tissues, the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity, its shape changes. Such metamorphoses lead to narrowing of the intervertebral discs and, as a result, compression of the nerve roots. Actually, these changes explain the appearance of neurological symptoms, in particular, back pain in osteochondrosis.
In the future, degenerative processes occur in the small joints of the spine, bone growths form on the surface of the vertebrae. All these changes lead to a decrease in the flexibility of the spinal column.
Similar transformations of cartilaginous and bone tissues are the result of the physiological aging of the body. But under the influence of certain unfavorable factors, dystrophic changes in the intervertebral joints occur ahead of time.These factors include:
- Obesity;
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Hard physical work;
- Professions that are characterized by prolonged standing or sitting during working hours;
- Flat feet, valgus deformity of the feet;
- Spinal deformities;
- Autoimmune connective tissue diseases;
- Fluctuations in the hormonal background (pregnancy, menopause);
- Doing great sports;
- stress;
- Spinal injuries, etc.
Types of osteochondrosis
The features of the clinical picture of the disease depend on which particular segment of the spinal column the pathological process arose.There are the following types of osteochondrosis:
- Cervical;
- Thoracic;
- Lumbar.
Cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is common. The muscular skeleton of the neck is rather poorly developed, therefore, against the background of osteochondrosis, even with an insignificant load, the vertebrae are displaced and, as a result, the vessels and nerves of the neck are compressed. This explains the specifics of the clinical picture in osteochondrosis of the cervical region.
So, the main signs of cervical osteochondrosis include:
- Constant pain in the neck and occipital region, aggravated by movement in the neck;
- Pain of hemicranial type - in one hemisphere;
- dizziness, tinnitus;
- Pain in the hands;
- Feeling of numbness and tingling in the hands.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
The defeat of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is quite rare. The main prerequisite for the development of the disease is the presence of spinal deformities.
Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- Dull, aching pain in the chest, which is often girdle in nature;
- Increased pain when turning the body, sneezing, coughing, laughing;
- Visceral pain in the heart, right hypochondrium, abdomen;
- Numbness, paresthesia in the skin of the chest.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
The most common variant of osteochondrosis. This is probably due to the fact that the greatest load falls directly on the lumbar region. Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- Aching, less often acute pain in the lower back, increasing with movement or prolonged exposure to one static position;
- Feeling of stiffness in the lower back;
- To reduce pain, a person takes a forced position;
- Aching or sharp pains (like lumbago) in the buttock, thigh, lower leg;
- Tingling, paresthesia in the legs.
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Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
Radiation methods are used to detect osteochondrosis: radiography, computed and magnetic resonance imaging of the spine. The most characteristic and, importantly, early sign of osteochondrosis is a decrease in the height of the intervertebral space.
In the later stages of the degenerative process, marginal growths (osteophytes) appear on the surface of the vertebrae. They are easier to detect on lateral radiographs because the osteophytes are located anterior and posterior to the vertebrae.
In addition, with osteochondrosis, the bodies of adjacent vertebrae are displaced, which can also be determined on an x-ray.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
The treatment of osteochondrosis is the more effective the earlier it was started. As already mentioned, osteochondrosis is a change in the structure of the intervertebral discs, vertebrae. Unfortunately, many people ignore back pain for a long time and do not see a doctor in a timely manner, missing the moment when it is still possible to stop the pathological process.
Treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out with the help of medicines, physiotherapy exercises, massage, surgery.
Medical therapy:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, ointments, injections to relieve pain;
- Muscle relaxants;
- Chondroprotectors - promote the regeneration of affected cartilage;
- Vitamin and mineral complexes;
- Vasodilator drugs;
- Drugs that normalize tissue metabolism.
After eliminating the exacerbation of the disease, you should proceed to rehabilitation. So, physical therapy is a very important aspect of the fight against osteochondrosis. Performing certain exercises contributes to the formation of a muscular corset. This is extremely important, because it is thanks to a strong muscular corset that the physical load is distributed evenly along the spine. With regular performance of a set of exercises, stiffness in the spine will disappear, and the range of motion increases. Massage, physiotherapy, reflexology, and spinal traction will help enhance the effect of physiotherapy exercises.
When complications appear in the form of an intervertebral hernia, sciatica, and if conservative treatment fails, they resort to surgical intervention. The goal of surgical treatment is to eliminate compression of the nerve roots and blood vessels, as well as to stabilize the structure of the intervertebral disc or vertebrae.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home
Folk remedies will help relieve the symptoms of osteochondrosis, but in no case will they be able to replace the main treatment. On the Internet you can find a large number of alternative methods of treatment, but not all of them are safe, so be sure to consult your doctor.
Traditional medicine
The general principle of folk treatment of osteochondrosis is the use of substances that have an irritating effect. As a result, there is an improvement in blood supply in a certain area of the body, as well as a decrease in pain.
In folk medicine, such a rubbing recipe is known: mix 0. 25 cups of vodka with 0. 5 cups of honey, add 0. 75 cups of grated radish, and two tablespoons of salt. With the resulting mixture, it is necessary to rub the disturbing area of \u200b\u200bthe back twice a day. The procedure must be repeated within a week.
To eliminate pain, you can apply a potato compress to your back. Grated raw potatoes must be mixed with honey in equal proportions. Then wrap the resulting mixture in gauze, attach to the back and wrap with a scarf. You can also use a compress with burdock. To prepare it, pour a glass of boiling water over one tablespoon of finely chopped burdock leaves. Wrap the mixture in gauze and apply to the back for half an hour. After removing the compress, be sure to wrap your back with a warm scarf.
You can do it even easier: grate the radish, put it in a cotton stocking, and then lie back on top of it.
Note:it is important to be careful when using folk remedies, do not touch your face with your hands. Radish and other plants, if it gets into the eyes, can provoke a corneal burn.
Physiotherapy
Physical exercises can be done only outside periods of exacerbation. In acute pain, you should refrain from doing gymnastics, as this will only lead to increased pain.
An example set of exercises might look like this:
- Lie on your back and straighten your legs. Pull the foot of the right foot towards you, and the toe of the left foot away from you. This must be done in sequence.
- Lying on your back, put your hands behind the back of your head. The legs must be brought together and bent at the knees. The knees should be tilted to the left side, and the head should be turned in the opposite direction. Hold on for just a few seconds. Then move your knees to the right and your head to the left.
- Lie on your back, arms along the body. You need to bend your knees and raise your pelvis. Stay in this position for a few seconds. As you exhale, lower your pelvis.
- Roll over to your side. Straighten your top leg and swing it back and forth.
- Starting position on all fours. Arch your back, hold this for just a few seconds, and then arch your lower back.
- Roll onto your back. Pull the bent left knee to the right elbow, and then vice versa.