Osteochondrosis belongs to the category of common disorders.In 75% of cases, this causes unpleasant back pain.Today, after twenty years, every second person has a pathological manifestation.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.Initially, osteochondrosis affects only the discs that hold the vertebrae together.The degenerative process then affects the ligaments and vertebrae, disrupting the integrity of the joints.
The insidiousness of the pathology is that disc cartilage cannot be regenerated.Therefore, the area of the spine affected by the disease irreparably deteriorates.After the appearance of the disease, its development can be stopped, but it cannot be completely eliminated.
This pathology is not associated with inflammation - it is based on a violation of tissue nutrition and degeneration of their structure.In the absence of load, the tissues lose their 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 up and partially loses its shock-absorbing properties.The fibrous ring becomes thinner and microcracks appear on it.
As a result, a protrusion occurs, which is called a plate protrusion.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 damaged.Bone and fibrous tissue grow to compensate for the deformation of the disc.In this condition, the spine is less mobile.
In general, the disease has periods of remission, which are then followed by relapses.
Stages and Stages
There are several stages of the disease, each of which has the following characteristics:
- Grade 1.Due to imprecise movement, the disc ruptures.This condition can also be triggered by stress.Severe pain and a sensation similar to an electric shock often occur.
- Grade 2.The stability of the spine is lost, protrusions are formed.Pain may occur, which is aggravated by careless movements.This form of the disease is characterized by numbness in the fingers, headache and temporary discomfort in the sacrum.
- Grade 3.This condition is associated with a hernia, headache and discomfort in the area of the damaged nerve.In addition, the arms and legs often go numb, vision and hearing deteriorate, and problems occur in the functioning of many organs.
- 4th grade.At this stage, the symptoms of the hernia disappear and the manifestations of the disease decrease.The spine loses stability, a condition characterized by the vertebrae slipping or twisting.The vertebrae can become enlarged, which causes compression of the nerves, causing the spinal canal to atrophy and the spinal cord to be compressed.The fourth degree is distinguished by the consequences that occur after the removal of the hernia - these include paresis, inflammation, etc.
It is customary to distinguish several stages:
- Yes,first stage- basically 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 disruption of the shape of the fibrous ring.However, the process itself remains within the intervertebral disc, without going beyond its boundaries.
- BecausesecondThe formation of cracks in the ring is typical.As the height of the flattened disc decreases, the stability of the spinal column decreases.
- Third stageit is characterized by ruptures occurring at the site of cracks and the development of inflammation.Some of the liquid core leaks through microcracks.Nerves or blood vessels are often compressed at the site of the tear.
- Fourth stageaccompanied by dystrophic processes.The vertebral sections do not provide the necessary resistance, so the adjacent vertebral bodies move closer together.Complications can also occur.This can be the development of spondyloarthrosis and spondylosis.At this stage, flattening of the vertebra is observed - this is done in order to remove the load.Sometimes fibrous tissue is replaced by bone.This stage is characterized by a temporary decrease in pain.Later, however, 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 the elderly and the young.Signs of osteochondrosis typically appear around the age of thirty-five.The onset and relapse of the disease are 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 established.
The most popular opinion is that the process is a consequence of the incorrect distribution of the load on the spine due to the weakness of the muscles and ligaments.This theory is also confirmed by popular therapeutic methods, which are based on the training of the muscular system and ligaments.
The factors that trigger the pathological process of the spine are the following:
- poor posture;
- overweight;
- injuries;
- flat feet;
- curvature of the spine;
- metabolic disorders;
- infections;
- heredity;
- poor physical fitness;
- tension;
- heavy loads;
- hormonal imbalance;
- poor nutrition;
- poor environmental conditions;
- systematic vibration effect;
- age-related changes;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- hypothermia;
- smoking;
- spinal disorders.
Even if a person leads a normal life, there is a risk of osteochondrosis due to the lack of necessary substances.In modern society, this problem is one of the key ones.The condition worsens due to an inactive lifestyle.
Its types and symptoms
Depending on the area of damage, there is cervical, thoracic or lumbar osteochondrosis.If several classes are involved in the pathological process at the same time, we can speak of a common form.
Since the lower back usually bears the greatest load, among all cases of the disease, lumbar osteochondrosis is dominant - its prevalence is about 50%.
In second place is the neck region.This form of osteochondrosis is diagnosed in a quarter of cases.This disease is usually the result of prolonged sitting in front of the computer or monotonous work.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is extremely rare and is usually associated with limited movement.
General signs of the disease
Pathology has various signs that directly depend on the location of the process:
- Pain in the spine.Sometimes osteochondrosis causes mild aching or nagging pain.The disease can also cause acute, unbearable pain - this is difficult to eliminate with non-narcotic painkillers.
- Deterioration of vision or hearing.
- Headache.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 functioning 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.
- Weakening of the muscles.
How is cervical osteochondrosis manifested:
- systematic headache;
- hearing loss;
- dizziness;
- pressure surges;
- voice change;
- reduced vision;
- snoring;
- tooth decay.
Symptoms of breast form:
- great fatigue of the back muscle tissue;
- pain to touch;
- back and chest pain;
- problems with different organs.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- lower back pain;
- numbness in the legs;
- decrease in skin temperature;
- urination disorder;
- muscle tension;
- problems with stool;
- varicose veins;
- loss of activity.
Complications
Osteochondrosis often causes complications, so this disease cannot be ignored.The consequences of the disease are as follows:
- 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.
- 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 arteries feeding the brain.Thanks to these trunks, the brain is supplied with blood.Due to the lack of nutrients, more serious diseases can develop.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis is based on medical history and examination.It is also necessary to assess the neurological status.Further tests are as follows:
- magnetic resonance imaging;
- Doppler ultrasound;
- spondylography;
- computed tomography.
Thanks to these tests, it becomes possible to determine the extent 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 solution.The doctor prescribes medicines.Therapeutic gymnastics can also be used.Manual therapy and reflexology are very helpful.
Among the drugs, non-narcotic pain relievers and sedatives are considered the most effective.You should also take medicines containing B vitamins.Usually, this treatment is used during a relapse of the disease to eliminate pain and inflammation.
Reflexology includes methods such as paraffin baths, laser therapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation and ultrasound.Mud baths and iodine therapy are no less useful.
The purpose of the therapeutic exercise is to strengthen the muscular system and release the 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.
In order to stop the development of complications, in the case of the slightest discomfort in the area of the spine, a doctor should be consulted.Only a specialist can make the correct diagnosis and choose the therapy.