Osteochondrosis is included in the category of common disorders.In 75% of cases, this is exactly what causes unpleasant back pain.Today, every second person after twenty years has manifestations of pathology.The risk of developing the disease increases with age.If treatment is not started immediately, osteochondrosis can cause negative health consequences.
What is osteochondrosis of the spine
This process affects the joint cartilage and nearby bones.At first, osteochondrosis affects only 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.When the disease appears, you can stop its development, but it cannot be completely eliminated.
This pathology is not related to inflammation - it is based on violation of tissue nutrition and degeneration of their structure.In the absence of load, 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 cushioning characteristics.The fibrous ring becomes thinner and microcracks form on it.
As a result, there is a protrusion, which is called a disc protrusion.As the disease progresses, the annulus may rupture, and then an intervertebral hernia is diagnosed.
This area loses stability, osteophytes can form on it, and the integrity of ligaments and joints is threatened.To compensate for the deformation of the disc, bone and fibrous tissue grows.In this condition, the spinal column becomes less mobile.
Usually the disease has periods of remission, followed by relapses.
Degrees and stages
There are several stages of the disease, each of which has the following characteristics:
- 1st degree.Due to imprecise 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 degree.The stability of the spine is lost and protrusions develop.There may be pain that is aggravated by careless movements.This form of the disease is characterized by numbness of the fingers, headache and temporary discomfort in the sacrum.
- 3rd degree.This condition manifests itself as a hernia, headache and discomfort in the area of the damaged nerve.Also, hands and feet often go numb, vision and hearing deteriorate, and problems in the functioning of many organs also occur.
- 4th degree.In this phase, 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.Vertebrae can grow, which causes compression of the nerves, resulting in atrophy of the spinal canal and compression of the spinal cord.The fourth degree is distinguished by the consequences that may appear after the removal of the hernia - it includes paresis, inflammation, etc.
It is also common to distinguish several stages:
- yes,the first stage- essentially a consequence of lack of moisture and loss of elastic properties.The disease is characterized by the displacement of the nucleus within the disc, which leads to a distortion of the shape of the fibrous ring.However, the process itself remains within the intervertebral disc, not crossing its borders.
- ForsecondThe formation of cracks in the ring is typical.As the height of the flattened disc decreases, there is a loss of spinal stability.
- The third phasecharacterized by the appearance of ruptures at the site of cracks and the onset of inflammation.Part of the liquid core leaks through the microcracks.Nerves or blood vessels are often compressed at the rupture site.
- The fourth stageaccompanied by dystrophic processes.Vertebral segments do not provide the necessary resistance, so adjacent vertebral bodies move closer to each other.Complications can also occur.It can be the development of spondyloarthrosis and spondylosis.At this stage, flattening of the vertebrae is noticed - this happens to remove the load from the disc.Sometimes fibrous tissue is replaced by bone.This phase is marked by a temporary reduction in pain.However, later discomfort increases due to nerve compression and narrowing of the spinal canal.
Causes of disease
This disease can be found in both old and young people.Usually, signs of osteochondrosis appear around the age of thirty-five.The development and recurrence of the disease is caused by overload, back injuries and vibrations.As the body ages, more and more symptoms appear.The exact causes of the disease have not yet been determined.
The most popular opinion is that the process is a consequence of improper distribution of load on the spine due to weakness of muscles and ligaments.This theory is also proven by popular methods of therapy, which are based on the training of 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;
- heredity;
- poor physical fitness;
- stress;
- heavy loads;
- hormonal imbalance;
- poor nutrition;
- poor environmental conditions;
- systematic impact of vibrations;
- age changes;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- hypothermia;
- smoking;
- spine abnormalities.
Even if a person leads a normal life, he is at risk of osteochondrosis due to the lack of necessary substances.In modern society, this problem is considered one of the key ones.The condition worsens due to an inactive lifestyle.
Types and symptoms
Depending on the area of damage, there is cervical, thoracic or lumbar osteochondrosis.If several departments are involved in the pathological process at once, we can talk about a common form.
Since the lower back usually bears the greatest load, lumbar osteochondrosis prevails among all cases of the disease - 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 most often the result of prolonged sitting at the computer or monotonous work.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is extremely rare and is usually associated with limited range of motion.
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 pain or ache.The disease can also cause acute, unbearable pain - it is difficult to remove it with non-narcotic analgesics.
- Deterioration of vision or hearing.
- Headaches.The disease often 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 work 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.
- Muscle weakness.
How is cervical osteochondrosis manifested:
- systematic headaches;
- hearing impairment;
- dizziness;
- pressure surges;
- voice change;
- reduced vision;
- snoring;
- caries.
Breast shape symptoms:
- high fatigue of the back muscle tissue;
- pain on palpation;
- back and chest pain;
- problems with various organs.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- lower back pain;
- numbness of the legs;
- decrease in skin temperature;
- urination disorder;
- muscle tension;
- stool problems;
- varicose veins;
- loss of activity.
Complications
Osteochondrosis often causes complications, so this disease cannot be ignored.The consequences of the disease include:
- Lumbago - severe pain in the lower back.
- Intervertebral hernia.
- Protrusion.
- 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.
- Vegeto-vascular dystonia.
- A Schmorl 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 the brain with food.Thanks to these trees, the brain is supplied with blood.Due to nutritional deficiency, more serious pathologies can develop.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis is based on history and examination.It also requires an assessment of neurological status.Additional reviews include:
- magnetic resonance;
- 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 the early stages, conservative therapy is the best option.The doctor prescribes medicine.Therapeutic gymnastics can also be used.Manual therapy and reflexology are very useful.
Among the drugs, non-narcotic analgesics and sedatives are considered the most effective.You must also take medication with B vitamins. Usually, 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.Mud baths and iodine therapy are no less useful.
Therapeutic exercise aims to strengthen the muscular system and release nerve endings.In severe cases, it is impossible without surgical intervention.If conservative treatment is ineffective, the hernia must be removed.This can be achieved by classical or microsurgical methods.
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 spine area, you should consult a doctor.Only a specialist will be able to make a correct diagnosis and choose therapy.