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Osteochondrosis of the spine

Pain due to osteochondrosis of the spine

Osteochondrosis is a dangerous chronic disease.Risk category: people over 40 years old.However, the disease can manifest itself earlier.Recently, the first symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed between the ages of 20 and 30.There are also previous cases of manifestation of the disease.

How does osteochondrosis develop?

Depending on individual development, the human spine has 33-34 vertebrae.The special structure (S-shape, separation of the vertebrae by intervertebral discs) makes the spine elastic and able to position itself.The spine is connected by intervertebral discs (21-25 pieces).There is a semi-liquid core in the center of the disk.It is surrounded by a fibrous ring.The cartilaginous end plates are located above and below the intervertebral disc.

As the disease progresses, metabolic processes are disrupted.As a result of poor blood circulation, the intervertebral discs dry out.This is the first stage of the disease.With the further development of the pathology, the fibrous ring can no longer withstand the total load and becomes deformed.Then it can tear and an intervertebral fracture can form.This reduces the mobility of the spine and can lead to disc displacement.

Causes of osteochondrosis

To function properly, the spine requires constant, moderate stress.Severe overexertion or incorrect pressure distribution can cause significant damage to the spine.The reasons for the development of osteochondrosis can be divided into external and internal.

Internal causes of illness:

  • genetic predisposition;
  • Disruption of metabolic processes in the body;
  • overweight, obesity;
  • age-related changes;
  • poor posture, curvature of the spine;
  • Flat feet.

External factors include:

  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • sudden movements with large amplitude;
  • incorrect posture when carrying and lifting heavy objects;
  • high load on the spine during sports or a specific activity;
  • Injuries to part of the spine;
  • improperly organized sleeping space, including sleeping on a soft mattress and a high pillow;
  • walking in high-heeled shoes;
  • Smoke;
  • Vibration effects on the body, for example from drivers of heavy machinery;
  • Hypothermia.

Active sports do not always promote spinal health.The disease often develops in gymnasts and weightlifters due to excessive physical exercise.People in certain professions are at risk – loaders and construction workers.

Types of osteochondrosis

Depending on which part of the spine is affected, osteochondrosis is divided into the following types:

  1. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.The most common pathology.The reason is a strong strain on the sacrum and lower back.
  2. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Causes from improper strain on the cervical spine.The blood flow to the brain and the function of the thyroid gland are disturbed.
  3. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region.Not as common as the first two.In the chest area, the intervertebral discs are not as active and the muscle corset is stronger.Difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are more similar to heart disease.
  4. Frequent osteochondrosis.In this case, the pathology affects not one part of the spine, but several at once.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

Depending on which part of the spine the disease is localized, different symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed.

With lumbar osteochondrosis, the patient observes the following signs of the disease:

  • Pain of various kinds in the lower back;
  • stabbing pain radiating to legs and buttocks;
  • Movement disorders.A change in posture, bending over or turning causes severe pain in the lumbar area.Therefore, a person tries to maintain the same posture;
  • Loss of feeling in the legs.This happens due to pinched roots and nerve endings.

The main symptoms of pathology of the cervical spine:

  • pain in the neck, especially in the evening;
  • Crunching when moving the neck;
  • headache, especially in the back of the head;
  • Pain, numbness in shoulders and chest;
  • visual impairment;
  • Noise, ringing in the ears, stuffy feeling;
  • Dizziness with sudden changes in neck position.

The main signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:

  • thoracic neuralgia, a feeling of pain in the heart;
  • pressing pain in the upper chest area;
  • difficulty breathing;
  • reflex tension of the back and chest;
  • a feeling of cold in the upper extremities, periodic numbness starting in the shoulders and ending in the fingers;
  • increased pain at night;
  • increased discomfort with hypothermia and physical activity.

Stages of osteochondrosis

In the early stages there is a loss of elasticity in the intervertebral discs.They shrink and bulge.Apart from a slight stiffness in the spine after sleeping, the patient does not experience any major discomfort.

The transition to the next stage is indicated by the appearance of pain.The destruction of the intervertebral discs continues, the fibrous ring deforms and tears.Stiffness of movement and acute pain occur when changing the usual position.

As the third stage develops, the fibrous ring ruptures.The gelatinous content comes out.An intervertebral fracture occurs.If treatment is not started at this stage, root entrapment and disability will occur.

Complications of osteochondrosis

Lack of treatment for osteochondrosis leads to various types of complications – radiculitis, protrusion.The most dangerous is the formation of an intervertebral hernia, which can compress nerve endings and lead to paralysis of the lower limbs or other parts of the body.

Further destruction of the spine can lead to the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia and an increase in blood pressure.Patients with osteochondrosis are at risk of developing a heart attack and stroke.

Osteochondrosis is an insidious disease that has serious consequences for the entire body: diseases of the heart, stomach and intestines, the development of intercostal neuralgia.

Osteochondrosis of any kind is dangerous.The lumbar spine can lead to diseases of the pelvic organs, which affect a person's ability to reproduce.Inflammation of the sciatic nerve occurs.

A herniated disc causes compression of the blood vessels.This disrupts general blood circulation.The most dangerous moment is pinching of the vertebral artery.

Methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis

Experts use the following diagnostic methods to detect osteochondrosis at an early stage:

  1. MRI.Magnetic resonance imaging
  2. Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
  3. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  4. Laboratory research

Treatment of osteochondrosis 

It is better to treat osteochondrosis in a specialized clinic under the supervision of specialists.Currently, both conservative and surgical methods are used to treat osteochondrosis. 

Each patient receives individual therapy.When choosing a treatment regimen, the doctor takes into account the degree of destruction of the intervertebral discs, in which part of the spine the pathology develops, the patient's age, the presence of other concomitant diseases, etc. The treatment regimen is designed for an average duration of no more than 1.5 months.The procedures are carried out 2-3 times a week.After the first 7 days of treatment, the pain syndrome is blocked.The standard course of therapy consists of the following procedures:

  • Resonance wave UHF therapy.Resonance wave therapy is a method of therapeutic effect on the body's aquatic environment using low-intensity, high-frequency electromagnetic waves.
  • Injections of chondroprotectors.Intra-articular injections are an effective method of treating various diseases of the musculoskeletal system by introducing a drug (chondroprotector) into the affected joint.
  • Rehabilitation on special simulators.By treating the spine and joints with the help of a simulator, mobility of the limbs is restored in a short time without expensive treatment in specialized sanatoriums.
  • Blockage of joints and spine.A joint block is a medical treatment of the spine and joints with the aim of relieving acute pain, inflammation and muscle spasms.
  • Drug treatment.Drug treatment of joints and spine is used extensively and in combination with physiotherapy.Intra-articular injections, blocks and droppers.

Treatment of osteochondrosis helps to achieve the following

  • allows you to relieve pain and neutralize inflammation;
  • improves nutrition of intervertebral discs;
  • stops the destruction of intervertebral discs and restores their structure;
  • releases compressed nerve roots;
  • relaxes tense muscles;
  • returns flexibility to the spine;
  • prevents the appearance of protrusions and hernias;
  • normalizes blood pressure;
  • corrects and strengthens the muscle corset;
  • straightens posture;
  • normalizes metabolism.

After completing therapy, the doctor gives the patient a manual with a set of exercises that he should perform independently at home.The specialist will explain in detail how you can change your usual lifestyle to prevent the disease from recurring.

Prevention

To maintain a healthy spine, follow these rules:

  • do swimming, yoga, running, fitness;
  • When sitting at a computer or table, keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed;
  • Choose chairs and armchairs that support the spine.
  • Take breaks from work every 2 hours or more often, walk, tilt your head and torso in different directions;
  • When lifting weights, keep your back straight, squat and do not make sudden movements.
  • Do not carry heavy objects in front of you;
  • If you are training on a new simulator, ask the trainer how to properly train with it.
  • For sports, choose shoes with shock-absorbing soles;
  • sleep on an orthopedic mattress;
  • do abdominal exercises.

Nutrition for osteochondrosis

With osteochondrosis, it is recommended to consume small portions 6 times a day.Stick to the following principles in your diet:

  • Include dairy products and lean meats in your diet - beef, rabbit, chicken;
  • Limit consumption of grapes, legumes, peas, beans and meat broths.
  • Eat jelly, jellied meat, jellied fish.With them you get chondoprotectors - substances that are involved in the synthesis of cartilage tissue;
  • drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day;
  • eat fresh fruits and vegetables: cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, beets, cabbage, peppers, broccoli, celery;
  • give preference to boiled or stewed dishes;
  • eat sunflower seeds, nuts, avocados and raw spinach more often;
  • Season the salad with olive oil;
  • prepare dishes from lobster, oysters, crabs, mushrooms and grains;
  • Try to eat salty, smoked foods, flour products, sugar and hot spices less often.