Osteocondrosis is a disease of the spine characterized by the degeneration of the intervertebral disc with a significant reduction of its height, sclerosis of the surfaces of the disk of the vertebrae and reactive growth of regional osteophytes.
The fabric of the cartilage of the discs affected by the osteocondrosis gradually is reborn and turns into a semblance of bone.The hardened disk decreases in size, loses the properties of the cunning between the vertebrae and begins to press on nerve endings, which leads to the appearance of painful sensations.
The initial stage of the osteochdrosis is most often manifested with unpleasant sensations in the spine and can be diagnosed as a disease of the internal organs and a real diagnosis is detected only after passing numerous tests.
For localization, cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and common they stand out.Very often diagnosticate lumbar osteochondosis (over 50%of cases), cervical osteochondosis (more than 25%) and common (about 12%) are diagnosed.
The intervertebral disc is a fiber-chip plate.In the middle of the disc there is a nucleus surrounded by a fibrous ring (fabric reminiscent of the tendons).The intervertebral disc has its vascular system and therefore eats at the expense of other fabrics.An important source of nutrients for the disc are the back muscles, it is their dystrophy that most often leads to the development of the disease.When weighing weights, jumps and other physical efforts, the discs act as shock absorber and support the required distance between the vertebrae.Since the largest load falls on the lumbar column, it is in it, intervertebral protrusions and hernias, which are a complication of this disease, are often formed.
Pronance of the intervertebral disc- Protrusion (prolapse) of the disc without breaking the fibrous ring.
A hernia of the intervertebral disc- Protrusion (prolapse) of a disc with a breakage of a fibrous ring and a "flow" of a jet nucleus.Above all often, hernia is formed when the spine is formed or during the simultaneous inclination and the torso is formed on the side, especially if there is a heavy object in the hands.In this position, the intervertebral discs experience a very large load, the pressure inside the intervertebral disc increases, the vertebra is pressed on one side of the disc and the nucleus is forced to move to the opposite side and press on the fibrous ring.At a certain point, the fibrous ring does not resist this load and the disc is protruding (the fibrous ring is elongated, but it remains whole) or the hernia is formed (the fibrous ring breaks and part of the content of the core "flows" through the rupture).With an increase in the load on the spine and the creation of conditions to increase pressure in the damaged intervertebral disc, the hernia increases in size.
It is very important for the direction of the protrusion and the dimensions of the Arnia, if the hernia is going on or on the sides, this can lead to pain and highs of some organs and when it protrudes towards the spinal cord and damage, the consequences can be much more serious.If the intervertebral hernia has influenced the nerve processes or roots of a certain segment of the spine, this leads to a violation of the work of the organ, for which the damaged segment of the spine is responsible.Another option is possible: due to the protrusion of the disc in one direction, on the opposite side the distance between the vertebrae decreases and this leads to pinches of nerve processes by the vertebrae themselves.The intervertebral hernia in the lumbar region often causes pain in the legs, hernia in the chest region contributes to vertigo, pain in the heart, violations of the respiratory organs, etc., hernia in the cervical column can cause headache, dizziness and numbness of the hands.The most dangerous intervertebral hernias are more than 10 mm size, clearly narrowing the spinal canal, serve the blood vessels and injuring nerve endings, a prolonged exposure to which it leads not only to severe pain, but also to circulatory disorders, loss of sensitivity in the arts with subsequent complications.But the most dangerous are the seized hernias of the intervertebral discs, that is, the hernias are ready for the destruction or separation of the fragment, followed by the lowering in the spinal canal, which can lead to serious consequences: altered functions of the pelvic organs and the paralysis of the lower ends.
Causes of osteochondrosis
The causes that cause changes in intervertebral discs are not completely studied.People begin to try manifestations of osteochondrosis more often after 35 years.The development and exacerbation of this disorder are facilitated by various back injuries, static and dynamic overloads, as well as vibrations.The older is the person, the more manifestations he has.But in recent years, more and more people aged between 18 and 30 have complained about back pain.There are many reasons for the early manifestation of the disease: weak physical training, violation of posture and curvature of the spine, dishes and excess weight.
And so, we will highlight the main reasons:
- hereditary predisposition (genetics);
- Metabolic disorder in the body, infection, intoxication;
- overweight and improper nutrition (lack of trace elements and liquid);
- age -related changes;
- spine injuries (bruises, fractures);
- violation of the posture, curvature of the spine, hypermability (instability) of the segments of the spinal column, flat feet;
- adverse environmental conditions;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- work associated with weight lifting, frequent changes in the position of the body (curves, flexion and extension, shots movements);
- Prolonged exposure to uncomfortable positions in the erect, sitting, lying down position, when you lift and transfer weights, when you perform another job in which the pressure increases in the discs and the load on the spine in general;
- excessive physical activity, bone-muscular system developed in a non-uniform way;
- Spinal overloads associated with foot diseases, as well as due to wearing uncomfortable shoes, high heels and pregnancy in women;
- Acute cessation of regular training by professional athletes;
- Nervous overstraine, stressful situations, smoke;
- Hypothermia, adverse weather conditions (high humidity at low temperature).
Characteristic symptoms of osteochondosis
Patients suffering from osteocondrosis complain of constant back pain, to which they often join numbness and a feeling of pain in the limbs.In the absence of adequate treatment, the weight loss and atrophy of the limbs occur.
The main symptoms:
- Constant painful pain in the back, a feeling of numbness and pain in the limbs;
- Increase in pain during sudden movements, physical effort, weight lifting, cough and sneezing;
- reduction of the volume of movements, muscle cramps;
- with osteochondrosis of the cervical column: pain in the hands, shoulders, headache;It is possible to develop the vertebral artery syndrome thus called, which consists of the following complaints: noise in the head, dizziness, flicker of "flies", colored points in front of the eyes in combination with a flames pulsating headache.The cause of the vertebral artery syndrome can be its spasm in response to the direct irritation of its sympathetic plexus due to the bone growths, the disc of the disc, the arthrosis of the intervertebral joint and the reflected reaction due to the irritation of any receptor of the spine.The presence of vertebral artery syndrome can aggravate the course of coronary or cardiac-muscular pathology, if present;
- with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: chest pain (like a "pole" in the chest), in the heart and in other internal organs;
- With osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral column: back pain, radiate into the sacred, the lower limbs, sometimes in the pelvic organs;
- The injury of the nerve roots (with hernias of intervertebral discs, bone growths, spondylolist, arthrosis spondyus): pain and sensitivity, hypotrophy, hypotension, weakness in the innervated muscles and a decrease in reflections.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
The preliminary diagnosis is established during the patient's initial examination.An exam is generally conducted by a neurologist in relation to the patient's complaints to local changes, which can manifest themselves for pain, deformation or limitation of mobility.The spine is examined in the position of the patient standing, sitting and lying down, both at rest and moving.The level of damage to the spine is determined by counting the number of vertebrae from some anatomical reference points or according to a special scheme.
When examining the rear, attention is paid to posture, the structural characteristics of the body, the line of spinous processes (median furrow of the back), the lowest corners of the shoulder blades, the crests of the iliac bones, the lateral contours of life, the refusal of the neck, the refusal of the entertainment was located next to the vertical muscles.vertebral column.
Feeling the spine allows to integrate the inspection data (presence or absence of deformation), determine the location, the degree and the nature of the pain.When you feel, you can also notice the tension of the muscles located next to the spine, because most of the spinning and spine diseases are accompanied by an increase in muscle tone.
The flexion of the spine is used to determine the size of the movements in various parts of the spine.
The main role in the study of the spine is assigned to radiography, computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, with which the level of damage is determined, the diagnosis is specified and concretized, hidden pathologies are revealed.These diagnostics allow the doctor to determine the tactics of the treatment and choose the most effective treatment methods.
Methods of treatment of osteocondrosis and its complications
Treatment of osteocondrosisAnd its complications are performed using conservative methods aimed at eliminating pain syndrome, disorders of the function of spinal roots and preventing the progression of dystrophic changes in the structures of the spine.With the ineffectiveness of the conservative treatment and in special indications, surgical treatment (surgical) is carried out, whose volume depends on the level of damage and the clinical manifestations of the disease.
The duration of the treatment of osteochondrosis and its complications mainly depends on the severity of the disease, on age -related changes, on treatment methods, as well as the conscientious prescription and the recommendations of the attending physician.As the practice shows, the active phase of treatment in most cases lasts 1-3 months when using conservative methods and the recovery period after surgery is about 1 year.At the beginning of the treatment, in some patients, it is possible to increase the pain syndrome associated with the reaction of the muscle system and other formations to the unusual exposure for the body.The pain is stopped in a short time with physiotherapy procedures, drugs and special physical exercises.The result of the treatment depends largely on the behavior of the patients themselves, on which patience, perseverance, perseverance, willpower, as well as the desire to recover are required.The maximum efficiency of conservative therapy and rehabilitation after surgery can be achieved in conditions of specialized medical centers and sanitors equipped with a modern diagnostic and therapeutic base, as well as highly qualified practitioners that use complete treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Complex conservative treatment includes physiotherapy, physiotherapy, massage, manual therapy, traction (traction) of the spine, reflexology and drug therapy.
Medical physical education (exercise therapy)-The main method of conservative treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, is to create dosed loads aimed at decompression of the nerve roots, correction and strengthening of the muscle corset, increases the volume and development of a specific stereotype of the movements and an adequate position and the position of the bond of the necessary flexibility, as well as on the preventing of the prevention of thecomplications.This is obtained from regular lessons on rehabilitation and joint gymnastics equipment.As a result of the exercises, blood circulation improves, the metabolism and nutrition of intervertebral discs are normalized, the intervertebral space increases, the muscle corset is formed and the load on the spine is reduced.
Physiotherapy is a method of treatment that uses physical factors: low frequency currents, magnetic fields, ultrasound, laser, etc.It is used to relieve pain, inflammatory processes, rehabilitation after injuries and operations.When using physiotherapy methods, the treatment of many diseases is reduced, the effectiveness of the use of medicines and a decrease in their dosage have increased, there are no side effects inherent in pharmacological treatment.
Massage is a set of mechanical dosful effects techniques in the form of friction, pressure, vibration, performed directly on the surface of the human body with your hands.It effectively relieves muscle tension, muscle pain, improves blood circulation, has a general strengthening effect.
Manual therapy is a manual effect selected individually on the bone system -muscular to remove acute and chronic pain in the spine and joints, as well as an increase in the volume of movements and correction of posture.One of the areas of manual therapy is visceral manual therapy, which helps to restore the normal mobility of the organs, improves blood flow, lympholization, normalizes metabolism, restores immunity, prevents the dispersion of chronic diseases.
The extension (traction) of the spine is an effective method for the treatment of pain syndromes in the spine and joints using a selected load individually using special equipment.The procedure aims to increase intervertebral space, removing pain and restoring an anatomically correct form of the spine.
Reflextotherapy - Various therapeutic techniques and methods of influence on the reflexogenic areas of the human body and acupuncture points.The use of reflexology in combination with other therapeutic methods significantly increases their effectiveness.Very often, reflexology is used for osteochondrosis, accompanied by pain, nervous system diseases, sleep disorders, mental imbalance, as well as with overweight curls and tobacco.By acting on certain points, you can bring the body to harmony and treat many diseases.
Drug therapy is indicated during the period of exacerbation of the disease, aimed at stopping pain syndrome, removing the inflammatory process and increasing metabolic processes by taking or administering drugs using intramuscular or intravenous injections.
Although each of the above methods is a still effective, still persistent therapeutic effect, can only be obtained with their combination with the classes on rehabilitation equipment, that is, when creating a complete muscle corset.