Osteochondrosis of the spine is a disease characterized by degenerative-dystrophic changes in the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
Scientists call this disease "the disease of civilization" because it is associated with the upright posture of man and the increasing load on the spine in the modern world. Osteochondrosis usually begins to develop in young people aged 20-25 years.
Reasons
The exact cause of the development of spinal osteochondrosis has not been established. Experts point out the factors that contribute to its development.
Traumatic factor. Constant excessive loads (microtraumas) of the spine contribute to accelerated wear of the spinal discs. Antiphysiological postures (working in a bent position for a long time, long stay in one position) lead to the formation of subluxations in the intervertebral joints.
Pathology of the development of the musculoskeletal system. Flat feet, shortening of one leg, lumbarization of the vertebrae and other similar pathologies increase the load on the spine and as a result accelerate degenerative processes.
Age factor. Many doctors believe that the development of osteochondrosis of the spine is a manifestation of the natural aging of the human body.
Vascular factor. A connection has been established between the reduction of blood flow (ischemic processes) and the acceleration of pathological processes in the spine.
The factor of changes in hormone levels. Natural hormonal changes in the body (pregnancy, lactation, menopause, menopause) cause intensification of degenerative processes.
The factor of endocrine-hormonal diseases. Diseases such as obesity, diabetes, myxedema (inflammatory lesion of the thyroid gland) and others contribute to the development of osteochondrosis of the spine.
Classification and symptoms
The symptoms depend on the location of the pathological process.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The cervical spine contains blood vessels that feed the brain. With degenerative changes in this area, the organs of the head are not sufficiently supplied with blood. This often leads to cerebrovascular accidents.
The main symptom of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is headache. This pain is usually constant, stronger in the morning and when moving. It occurs in the back of the head and separates the parietal-temporal area. The pain syndrome is often accompanied by dizziness, flashing before the eyes of "flies", colored spots.
In addition, pinching the nerves often contributes to the appearance of pain in the scalp, sore throat and neck. The pain syndrome sometimes affects the arm, the shoulder. It can be weakened or strengthened by turning the head or changing the position of the body.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine include:
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- ringing in the ears, hearing impairment;
- visual impairment;
- impaired coordination of movements and gait;
- hoarseness or weakening of the voice;
- caries;
- snoring during sleep.
Chest osteochondrosis. The manifestations can be varied and depend on the location of the disease, the degree of its severity. Compression of the roots of the thoracic nerves leads to intercostal neuralgia. It is manifested by sharp chest pain, which becomes more intense when inhaling, some movements, coughing and laughing. The pain syndrome worsens after a long stay in one position or after exercise. Chest osteochondrosis is often the cause of diseases of the stomach, lungs, heart and other human organs.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. It often strikes people who spend a long time "stuck" (computer drivers).
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a painful painful nature, which is exacerbated by sudden movements (lifting weights, sneezing, coughing) and a long stay in one position. Bending over makes it difficult for the patient to straighten his back, sometimes severe pain interferes with even movement. The pain is significantly reduced in a horizontal position. Squatting or lying on a healthy side brings relief.
The pain syndrome in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is often localized in the lower back, radiating to the legs, sacrum and often to the pelvic organs. Overloading the muscles of the spine as a result of uncomfortable movement, lifting weights causes back pain. Lumbar osteochondrosis of the spine often manifests itself with impaired sensitivity, numbness in the area of pain. The patient may feel tingling, "running creeps". Symptoms are often accompanied by spasm of the arteries of the feet, lowering of the skin temperature of the feet and chills of the feet. Some patients have dry and flaky skin, sweating disorders.
If you think you have osteochondrosis of the spine and symptoms characteristic of this disease, then you should seek advice from an orthopedist or therapist.
Treatment
The therapy of this disease is aimed at eliminating pain, restoring the functions of the spine, preventing the development of dystrophic pathologies in the spine.
The duration of treatment for osteochondrosis of the spine depends on the severity of the disease, the patient's age and methods of treatment.
The following methods of therapy are used in the complex treatment of the disease.
- Physiotherapy. This is one of the main methods of treating osteochondrosis. Physiotherapy exercises include joint gymnastics and exercises on rehabilitation equipment. Its result is the normalization of the nutrition of the intervertebral discs, metabolism, the formation of the correct muscular corset and reduce the load on the spine.
- Physiotherapy. This method uses the effects on the body of laser, ultrasound, magnetic field, low frequency currents for treatment. Due to the use of physiotherapy, the duration of treatment is significantly reduced and its effectiveness is increased.
- Massage. An effective method for relieving muscle pain, tension, improving blood circulation, general strengthening of the body.
- Manual therapy. This method of treating osteochondrosis of the spine makes it possible to restore normal organ motility, improve blood supply, lymphatic circulation and prevent exacerbation of the disease.
- Traction of the spine. With the help of special equipment the intervertebral spaces are enlarged. This helps to restore the correct shape of the spine, to eliminate pain.
- Reflexology. It consists in the impact of special techniques on acupuncture points and reflexogenic zones of the human body.
Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine is performed in case of ineffectiveness of conservative therapy or in special indications. The volume of the operation depends on the extent of the lesion and the symptoms of the disease.