Osteochondrosis of the spine is a disease that affects the cartilaginous structures that make up the intervertebral discs of the human body. These discs provide mobility to the spine, giving us the ability to move and be flexible.
Osteochondrosis disrupts the structure of these discs, their structure changes. Since the process of destruction of these discs is irreversible, it is impossible to cure the disease. But with proper treatment, you can stop the development of the disease, slow it down and gain time during which the mobility of the spine will be preserved.
If the disease is not stopped in time, after the destruction of the intervertebral discs, the destruction of the vertebrae themselves begins.
Important!Ignoring osteochondrosis inevitably leads to complications, a forced reduction in physical activity, a deterioration in the quality of life, and sometimes even disability.
Among the complications of osteochondrosis, one of the most common is osteophyte. This is the name given to bony growths that appear along the edges of the vertebra. The appearance of such a growth may be caused by prolonged stress on the spine or by an unstable spinal motion segment.
Causes and symptoms of osteochondrosis
Experts cite improper distribution of the load on the spine as the main reason provoking the development of osteochondrosis.
However, the process can also be triggered by hypothermia of a particular part of the body or the entire organism, too much physical stress on the back in general and the spine in particular, as well as spinal injuries. spinal (impacts on the spine, sharp turns, jolts and any physical impact that can cause the vertebrae to move).
There are a large number of minor causes of osteochondrosis. As a rule, a person who has received such a diagnosis can identify in this list 7-10 reasons that triggered the development of the disease in his particular case.
So, listed below are the minor but important reasons that cause the destruction of the intervertebral discs. This is something that should be avoided so as not to discover what osteochondrosis is:
- curvature and poor posture (they cause curvature of the spine)
- weak back muscles (because of this, the entire load falls on the spine)
- constantly being in an uncomfortable position
- excessive physical activity associated with lifting and carrying heavy objects, strength sports
- spinal injuries
- lack of nutrition or excess nutrition, which causes metabolic disorders
- overweight
- constant sitting position
- stress
- hormonal disorders
- bad heredity
- aging
As you can see, there are several reasons. The symptoms of this disease are also varied. Osteochondrosis manifests itself differently in different people, but the following symptoms are usually observed with osteochondrosis:
- severe back pain
- numbness in the arms or legs (sometimes both at the same time)
- headaches turning into migraines
- pain and aches in the neck and limbs
- dizziness, colored spots in front of the eyes, sometimes loss of consciousness
- cold hands and feet
- characteristic pain in the chest (as in the case of intercostal neuralgia) and in the heart region
- painful movements
The appearance of osteochondrosis
Interesting: some doctors believe that osteochondrosis is not a pathology, but a natural change in the human body.
Somehow it is difficult to find a long-liver who has never suffered from back pain in his life. According to various sources, osteochondrosis affects 40 to 80% of the world's population.
Typically, a person notices the first signs of osteochondrosis between the ages of 35 and 50. It has a lot to do with his lifestyle.
And if in some people, due to poor heredity, the first symptoms appear in adolescence, then for the majority symptoms appearing after 50 years are considered the norm.
This is due to the fact that by the age of 45 the human body stops accumulating water in the intervertebral discs, and the level of collagen necessary for joint health inevitably begins to decrease.
In some people, the intervertebral discs may even be displaced. This causes pain and is called sciatica.
Stages of osteochondrosis
There are 4 main stages of development of osteochondrosis.
- It all starts with the fact that the nucleus pulposus undergoes dehydration. The annulus fibrosus becomes covered with cracks as the height of the intervertebral disc decreases. At this stage, the pathology is difficult to notice, since all changes occur in the intervertebral disc. No back or neck pain yet.
- As the height of the intervertebral disc decreases, sagging of the muscles and ligaments occurs. This is due to the convergence of the attachment points of muscles and ligaments. Initially, they are attached to two adjacent vertebrae, but if the distance between these vertebrae decreases, this cannot but affect the muscle tissue.
- The third stage is characterized by the fact that the changes become pronounced. Prolapses occur, as well as a phenomenon such as disc protrusion. The protrusion precedes the appearance of an intervertebral disc herniation. As a rule, at this stage the development of the disease can be stopped, since the annulus fibrosus is still intact and attempts can still be made to restore it. But since the protrusion does not cause pain, few people seek help from a doctor at this stage.
- At the last stage, the annulus fibrosus breaks. To counter the excessive mobility of the vertebrae at the site of disc destruction, the body mobilizes and osteophytes appear on the vertebra.
Diagnostic
Before starting treatment for osteochondrosis, it is necessary to make a diagnosis and identify at what stage the disease is currently developing.
Important!Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is impossible without first taking an anamnesis.
If you notice symptoms of osteochondrosis, listen carefully to your body.
The more you talk to the doctor about your feelings, the faster and more accurately he will be able to make a diagnosis and start correct treatment. Don't think there will be too much information: ask your loved ones if they have had any symptoms of this disease. Family history will help to more accurately determine the cause of osteochondrosis.
After the doctor finishes collecting your medical history and concludes from your complaints that most likely it is osteochondrosis, he will offer you to undergo an x-ray examination.
If for some reason this type of test is not suitable for you, your doctor may also suggest an MRI or CT scan. However, these examinations are not obligatory under the compulsory health insurance program, so you will have to pay for them yourself. Consider their high cost.
As a last resort, myelography is used to diagnose osteochondrosis. This is a painful and dangerous procedure in which the doctor injects a dye directly into the spinal canal.
How is osteochondrosis treated?
Currently, treatment of osteochondrosis is practiced in many clinics. Some procedures give a positive effect, while others only relieve pain. If you opt for one of the treatment methods, before starting treatment for osteochondrosis, discuss this method with your doctor.
The most popular procedures currently are:
- magnetic perforation effect
- pharmacopuncture effect
- reflexology with needles
- vacuum effect
- electrical stimulation
- manual therapy
Many of these procedures are not treatment for osteochondrosis, but rather treatment for some of the symptoms of osteochondrosis. This is why the doctor must coordinate the procedures. This is especially true for patients who have been diagnosed with cervical osteochondrosis.
The fact is that osteochondrosis that has developed in the cervical spine is characterized by symptoms such as numbness in the arms and legs. And it is not a hazard. The fact is that it is in the neck region that many nerve endings are concentrated. And poorly chosen treatment in this case can turn your cervical osteochondrosis into a full-fledged disability.
Surgical treatment
Spinal surgery is such a serious business that it is prescribed with great caution and only if osteochondrosis is complicated by a herniated disc. Such operations are not urgent, they are always carried out only as planned. Before the operation, you will have to undergo a large number of examinations and take many tests.
Such operations are prescribed only if the doctor sees no other way out of treatment and realizes that without surgical intervention the person's quality of life will significantly deteriorate. Before surgery, doctors will try to relieve pain and provide supportive care.
Drugs
Medications to treat this condition are primarily designed to reduce pain and increase collagen levels in the body.
However, it is worth remembering that collagen and other cartilage nutrients are absorbed not only by the spine, but also throughout the body. The effectiveness of these drugs is therefore not very high.
Ointments that doctors recommend using for osteochondrosis are also primarily intended to relieve pain during an exacerbation.
Unfortunately, if you have osteochondrosis, you will likely need maintenance treatment for the rest of your life. In other words, from time to time, you will have back pain, you will not be able to exert too much pressure on yourself physically, you will especially have to avoid lifting heavy objects, which would put pressure on your back and your spine.
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis
Exacerbations of this disease can occur due to intense physical exertion on the back muscles. Also, osteochondrosis can worsen due to a cold or infection, due to hypothermia, stress, pregnancy and hormonal changes. Gaining weight will also lead to back pain.
Prevention
As a preventive measure, doctors offer many patients physical exercises designed specifically for people suffering from this disease.
If your doctor has prescribed exercise therapy for you, you should check with him or her exactly which exercises are allowed for you. Exercises will help you keep your muscular corset in shape, which will reduce the load on the spine. In addition, these exercises will greatly help those who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Also, as a preventative measure, a massage may be prescribed to you. Depending on which part of the spine you have developed osteochondrosis, the massage therapist will work on that area. This will not only relieve pain, but also help relax the muscles. In combination with exercise therapy, massage brings good results.
Try to avoid stress on the spine, do not lift heavy objects. If possible, dress warmly, because. . . any hypothermia can cause an exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
Living fully with this disease is entirely possible, just remember to take care of your body and take care of yourself.