Osteochondrosis is included in the category of general disorders.This is what causes unpleasant back pain in 75% of cases.Today, after twenty years, every second person has manifestations of pathology.With age, the risk of developing the disease increases.If treatment is not started immediately, osteochondrosis can cause negative health consequences.
What is spinal osteochondrosis?
This process affects the articular cartilage and nearby bones.Initially, 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 disc cartilage cannot be restored.Therefore, the area of the spine affected by the disease will inevitably deteriorate.Once a disease appears, you can stop its development, but it cannot be completely eliminated.
This pathology is not related to inflammation - it is based on tissue malnutrition and degeneration of their structure.In the absence of loads, the tissues lose strength because they do not receive the necessary amount of nutrients.
Clinical features
The development of the disease leads to drying of the pulpous core and partial loss of shock absorbing properties.The fibrous ring becomes thinner and microcracks form on it.
As a result, a protrusion called a disc protrusion is formed.As the disease progresses, the ring may rupture, and then an intervertebral hernia is diagnosed.
This area loses its stability, osteophytes can form on it, and the integrity of ligaments and joints is disturbed.Bone and fibrous tissue grow to compensate for disc deformation.In this case, the spine becomes less mobile.
Usually, the disease has periods of remission, followed by relapses.
Degrees and stages
There are several degrees of the disease, each of which has the following characteristics:
- 1st degree.Disc breaks due to imprecise movement.This condition can also be caused by stress.Severe pain and a sensation reminiscent of an electric discharge often occur.
- 2nd degree.The stability of the spine is lost, protrusions are formed.There may be increased pain with careless movements.This form of the disease is characterized by numbness of the fingers, headaches, temporary discomfort in the sacrum.
- 3rd degree.In this case, there are manifestations of hernia, headache and discomfort in the area of the damaged nerve.Also, the arms and legs often go numb, vision and hearing deteriorate, problems arise in the functioning of many organs.
- 4th grade.At this stage, the symptoms of hernia disappear, the manifestations of the disease decrease.The spine loses its stability, this condition is characterized by slipping or twisting of the vertebrae.The vertebrae can grow, causing 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 can occur after the hernia is removed - these include paresis, inflammation, etc.
It is also customary to distinguish a number of stages:
- yes,first stage- mainly the result of lack of moisture and loss of elastic properties.The disease is characterized by the displacement of the nucleus inside the disc, which leads to the distortion of the fibrous ring.However, the process itself remains inside the intervertebral disc without going beyond its borders.
- forthe secondThe formation of cracks in the ring is characteristic.As the flattened disc height decreases, the spine loses stability.
- The third stagecharacterized by the occurrence of fractures at the site of cracks and the beginning of inflammation.Part of the liquid core leaks through the microcracks.Often, nerves or blood vessels are compressed at the fracture site.
- The fourth stageaccompanied by dystrophic processes.Vertebral units do not provide the necessary resistance, so neighboring vertebral bodies move closer to each other.Complications can also occur.This can be the development of spondyloarthrosis and spondylosis.At this stage, the alignment of the vertebra is noted - this happens to remove the load from the disc.Sometimes fibrous tissue is replaced by bone.This stage is marked by a temporary decrease in pain.But later, the discomfort increases due to compression of the nerves and narrowing of the spinal canal.
Causes of the disease
This disease can be found in both old people and young people.Typically, symptoms of osteochondrosis appear around the age of thirty-five.The development and relapse of the disease is caused by overloading, back injuries and vibration.As the body ages, more symptoms occur.The exact causes of the disease have not yet been determined.
The most popular idea is that the process is the result of improper distribution of the load on the spine due to the weakness of muscles and ligaments.This theory is also proven by popular therapy methods based on the exercise of the muscular system and ligaments.
Factors that can cause an abnormal process in the spine include:
- poor posture;
- overweight;
- injuries;
- straight legs;
- curvature of the spine;
- metabolic disorders;
- infections;
- heredity;
- poor physical fitness;
- stress;
- heavy loads;
- hormonal imbalance;
- poor nutrition;
- bad environmental conditions;
- systematic vibration effect;
- age-related changes;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- hypothermia;
- smoking;
- spinal anomalies.
Even if a person leads a normal life, there is a risk of osteochondrosis due to the lack of necessary substances.This problem is considered one of the main problems in modern society.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 carries the greatest load, among all cases of the disease, lumbar osteochondrosis prevails - 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 usually the result of sitting for a long time at the computer or monotonous work.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is extremely rare and is usually associated with limited movement.
General symptoms of the disease
It has various symptoms that directly depend on the location of the pathological process:
- Pain in the spine.Sometimes osteochondrosis causes mild pain or nagging pain.The disease can also cause severe, excruciating pain - difficult to relieve 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 responsible for the spinal cord.
- Pain in arms and legs.
- Muscle weakness.
How does cervical osteochondrosis manifest itself:
- systematic headaches;
- hearing impairment;
- dizziness;
- pressure increases;
- voice change;
- decreased vision;
- snoring;
- tooth decay.
Symptoms of breast form:
- high fatigue of back muscle tissue;
- pain during palpation;
- back and chest pain;
- problems with various organs.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- lower back pain;
- numbness of the legs;
- decrease in skin temperature;
- urinary disorders;
- muscle tension;
- problems with stool;
- varicose veins;
- loss of activity.
Complications
Osteochondrosis often causes complications, so this disease should not 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 hips.
- Narrowing of the spinal canal.
- Vegetative-vascular dystonia.
- A Schmorl hernia is a protrusion of a disc into the spinal cavity.
The most dangerous complication of osteochondrosis is compression of the vessels that supply the brain with food.Thanks to these bodies, the brain is supplied with blood.Due to lack of nutrition, more serious pathologies can develop.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis is based on medical history and examination.It also requires a neurological assessment.Additional examinations include:
- magnetic resonance imaging;
- 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 get good results.
Treatment methods
In the early stages, conservative therapy is the best option.The doctor prescribes medicines.Therapeutic gymnastics can also be used.Manual therapy and reflexology are very helpful.
Among the drugs, non-narcotic analgesics and sedatives are considered the most effective.You should also take medication with B vitamins.Typically, this treatment is used during a relapse of the disease to relieve 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 less useful.
Therapeutic exercise is aimed at strengthening the muscular system and releasing nerve endings.In difficult cases, it is impossible to do without surgical intervention.If conservative treatment is ineffective, the hernia should be removed.This can be achieved by classical or microsurgical method.
Osteochondrosis is a dangerous disease that causes pain and causes loss of motor activity.
To stop the development of complications, you should consult a doctor at the slightest discomfort in the spine.Only a specialist will be able to make a correct diagnosis and choose therapy.