Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the spine and surrounding tissues.Dystrophic process refers to malnutrition, while degeneration refers to premature aging, changes in tissue structure and properties.The degenerative process is involutive, that is, the process of natural aging of the body.However, when exposed to various unfavorable factors, the development of this disease is accelerated.
The relevance of spinal osteochondrosis, especially in developed countries, is due to the chronic course of the disease and the high frequency of the development of the disease in the absence of adequate treatment and prevention, which affects people of working age (30-60 years) with full or partial loss of working capacity.
Reasons for the development of osteochondrosis
1. Excessive loads
Degenerative processes in intervertebral discs are considered as a mismatch between their strength characteristics and the loads applied to them.Increased stress on the spine includes lifting weights, staying in the same position for a long time (sitting, standing), sudden movements, jumping from a height, injuries, curvature of the spine, incorrect posture, excess body weight.
As a result of excessive loading, trauma occurs in the spinal structures.Particularly sensitive to overload are the intervertebral discs, which act as shock absorbers and provide movement in the spine together with the facet joints.
2. Malnutrition of the intervertebral disc
Intervertebral discs do not have their own blood vessels and are nourished by the diffusion of interstitial fluid from the surrounding tissues.The diffusion process is facilitated by the motor activity of the spine and surrounding muscles.
Therefore, long-term restriction of movements in the spine, sedentary work, physical inactivity are accompanied by a decrease in the trophism of the intervertebral disc and lead to the development of osteochondrosis.
3. Other factors
Hereditary tendency, metabolic disorders, hormonal changes, somatic diseases.
Under the influence of these factors, blood circulation and metabolic processes in the spine are disturbed, the hydration of the intervertebral disc decreases.In the annulus fibrosus of the disc, the fibrous fibers are torn, microcracks and tears are formed, which contribute to the migration of the nucleus pulposus and the formation of protrusion or herniation of the intervertebral disc.
A bulging disc irritates the sensory nerve roots of the spinal nerves, causing pain in the back or along associated nerve fibers.Reflex tension and spasm of the surrounding muscles develops, which is accompanied by pain, a feeling of stiffness in the back and limitation of movements.
Changes in the surrounding tissues in the form of tension in the back muscles, functional blocks and irritation of the nerve roots contribute to the aggravation of existing disorders of blood microcirculation and metabolic changes, which lead to the formation of a closed pathological circle of the development of spinal osteochondrosis.
Types of osteochondrosis
Depending on the location, osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine is distinguished.When all departments are involved, they talk about widespread osteochondrosis of the spine.
The lumbar region is most affected, accounting for about half of all cases of osteochondrosis.This is due to the fact that the lower parts of the spine are exposed to more static load than other parts.
The second most common site is the cervical region.It accounts for about 1/4 of osteochondrosis cases.This part of the spine suffers the most due to the forced position of the head in one position - sitting for a long time at the computer, sedentary work, monotonous physical labor.
The development of osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine is associated with limited mobility fixed by the costosternal frame in this segment.
Symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis
Symptoms of osteochondrosis are divided into two main groups:
Local symptomsas a pain in the back or in a certain part of it: pain in the neck, back, between the shoulder blades.Local symptoms also include tension, back muscle stiffness, heaviness and discomfort.
Long term symptomsits appearance is associated with participation in the process of the nervous or vascular system of the spine, which is responsible for the innervation and blood supply of certain structures of the body.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by:pain in the neck, occipital region, shoulder girdle, collar area.The pain may radiate to the arm, shoulder, elbow joint, or hand, accompanied by numbness or "creeping" in the arm and limited mobility in the joints of the upper limb.
Vertebral artery syndrome is often accompanied by osteochondrosis of the spine in this section.It appears as a result of compression or spasm of the vertebral artery, which passes through the transverse processes of the cervical vertebra and participates in the blood supply to the brain.Vertebral artery syndrome is manifested by throbbing headache, noise in the head and dizziness.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spinebetween the shoulder blades, in the thoracic back, in the form of intercostal neuralgia along the intercostal spaces, which can spread to the front of the chest, is manifested by pain simulating heartache, in this case, the heart character of the pain should be excluded.
When the lower thoracic vertebra is involved, the pain can move to the front wall of the abdominal cavity, to the abdomen, simulating diseases of the internal organs.
For osteochondrosis of the lumbar regionpain is localized in the lumbar region, hip region, spreads to the leg and may be accompanied by numbness, tingling, convulsive twitching of the leg muscles, their atrophy, and dysfunction of the pelvic organs.
Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by chronic aching back pain, which may intensify at night, after prolonged sitting or standing, or after physical activity.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
The diagnosis of spinal osteochondrosis is based on the study of the patient's complaints, collection of the anamnesis of the disease, clinical, neurological and orthopedic examination of the patient.
If necessary, laboratory or instrumental diagnostic methods such as radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine, computed tomography (CT), dopplerography of neck and intracranial vessels, electrocardiography are prescribed.A detailed diagnosis is necessary to exclude more serious diseases of the spine, to identify complications of osteochondrosis and to choose the optimal treatment tactics for osteochondrosis.
Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis
Complex treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine is carried out at the Vertebrology Center.
In our center for the treatment of osteochondrosis, using modern equipment and treatment methods, qualified specialists work: a vertebrologist, orthopedic traumatologist, neuropathologist, chiropractor who will help to correctly diagnose the spine disease and prescribe the necessary treatment procedures.
Depending on the stage of the disease, clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis, the presence of concomitant diseases and contraindications to therapy, an individual treatment regimen is selected for each patient.
The center uses the following methods for the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis:
Drug treatment of osteochondrosisaimed at eliminating the exacerbation, influencing the pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease.
Back massage, spine correctionallows you to normalize the tone and elasticity of the back muscles, improve blood supply, remove compressed nerve roots and restore the mobility of the spinal movement segments.
Stretching of the spineused when osteochondrosis is combined with disc protrusion and intervertebral hernia, with symptoms of compression of nerve roots.Stretching is performed under the supervision of the attending physician.
Therapeutic blockade- This is the local injection of a drug into the pathological focus area.With its help, you can achieve the maximum concentration of the drug in any area to achieve a therapeutic effect.For the treatment of osteochondrosis, paravertebral blockades are mainly used - the application of drugs to the tissues surrounding the vertebrae, near the intervertebral nerve roots.
Shock wave therapy- a new direction in the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis and its complications.The method was originally developed in Switzerland to crush stones in internal organs, but later showed high efficiency in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Treatment of osteochondrosis in our center is carried out using the American Pro-Ajuster shock wave therapy device, specially designed for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the spine and surrounding soft tissues.The device allows you to diagnose the state of tissue density and tension and subsequently move on the altered areas.
Various physiotherapeutic procedures are used for the treatment of osteochondrosis, for example: magnetic therapy, laser treatment, ultrasound, myostimulation, electrical procedures.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
As you know, the best way to treat a disease is to prevent it.In order to prevent the development of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to start prevention issues from early childhood.
Timely examinations of children's orthopedics allow to detect postural disorders, deviations in physical development in time and correct existing changes.From the first years of a child's life, it is necessary to engage in physical exercises, outdoor sports, games, control posture and prevent excessive loading of the spine.
Key activities that help maintain a healthy spine include:
- Rational work and rest mode: avoid sitting for a long time, get up from time to time, lie back, keep your back straight, monitor your posture, sleep on a semi-hard bed;
- Elimination of spine overload: do not lift heavy objects, especially in a bent position, avoid falls and jumps, spinal injuries, monitor body weight;
- systematic exercises for the back;
- Proper nutrition;
- Timely diagnosis and elimination of back pain and discomfort.