Osteochondrosis is a medical term describing a violation of the integrity of the cartilaginous surfaces of bones. Most often, the disease is associated with damage to the intervertebral discs.
The intervertebral discs are a kind of shock absorbers that soften the pressure on the spine under load. Osteochondrosis worsens the quality of life, causing pain in the back, neck, head, tinnitus.
There are two points of view regarding the diagnosis. Experts abroad attribute the disorder to childhood and adolescent diseases. It is believed to be more common in children as their bones are at a developmental stage. Russian doctors diagnose osteochondrosis mainly in patients aged 25-55 years. The signs, causes and types of the disease in the two cases are the same.
How to define osteochondrosis?
- Are there persistent or recurring back pain or muscle tension?
- Do you have goosebumps in your lower back or neck?
- Do you feel "shooting" in your back?
- Do you feel pain when raising your arms or shaking your head to the sides?
- Do you have periodic dizziness?
- Do you experience bouts of noise, nausea?
If at least one answer is in the affirmative, it is worth contacting a specialist to conduct a study. If the diagnosis reveals a violation, the doctor will prescribe treatment and help protect yourself from more serious and painful symptoms.
What causes osteochondrosis
The massive incidence of osteochondrosis is associated with the fact that people are in an upright position most of the time. In this case, the spine and discs are under increased stress. If sitting, lying and standing incorrectly, discs lose their ability to cushion.
Over time, the lining of the disc cracks, and hernial protrusions appear. They begin to squeeze blood vessels, the roots of the spinal cord, or the brain itself. As a result, there are pains, reflex tensions in the muscles.
The risk group includes middle-aged and older people. Office workers, professional drivers, tall people are most often faced with this disease. Risk factors for the onset of severe symptoms of a disorder can be:
- flat feet;
- heredity;
- overweight;
- hypodynamia.
The reasons for the appearance of disorders in the articular cartilage:
Heavy load handling.
Improper posture when sitting, standing or lying down.
Injury, overstrain.
Excessive stress when playing sports.
High air humidity and low temperature.
Activities associated with frequent changes in body position.
Types of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis can develop in any part of the spine. By localization, the disease is divided into: cervical, thoracic and lumbar. The latter type occurs in 50% of cases.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
A similar diagnosis is made for both men and women. The reason for this is the increased load that appears when walking, running, physical exertion, and prolonged sitting. The lumbar spine consists of 5 vertebrae, between which there are disks that give elasticity. If the metabolic process does not occur, the intervertebral discs lose their properties and pain occurs.
Symptoms:
- Dull or sharp back pain that worsens with movement.
- Pain in the legs, pelvic organs, sacral region.
- Impaired mobility or sensitivity.
- Atrophy of the muscles of the legs in the acute course of the disease.
Lumbar osteochondrosis must be treated. In the absence of therapy, dangerous complications can occur: sciatica, hernia, protrusion. As a result, the natural blood supply to the spinal cord is disrupted, which leads to paralysis of the lower limbs.
Cervical osteochondrosis
"Be sure to turn your head" - the doctors urge. This way you can avoid the dangerous diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The neck is the most mobile part of the spinal column. The department consists of 7 vertebrae. The disease appears as a result of metabolic disturbances in the body, in the presence of salts in the neck or due to the frequent uncomfortable position of the head.
Symptoms:
- Headaches;
- Pain in the region of the heart;
- Flashing "flies" before the eyes;
- Hearing impairment;
- Crunch in the cervical spine;
- Pain in the arm or shoulder joint;
- Numbness of the limbs.
Experts note that this type of disease is one of the most dangerous, because it can cause poor circulation in the brain, migraine, dystonia and more serious diseases.
Chest osteochondrosis
Disorders in the thoracic spine occur less frequently because the vertebrae are inactive. The pains that appear in this area of the body are experienced by many people who are engaged in hard physical labor or have a sedentary profession. The cause of osteochondrosis can be a disturbed metabolic process, an increased load on the intervertebral discs.
Symptoms:
- Pain or tightness in the chest area.
- Pain between the shoulder blades when raising the arms.
- Skin sensitivity disorders.
In an acute disorder, two symptoms may occur: dorsago and dorsalgia. Dorsago is accompanied by acute chest pain, shortness of breath. With dorsalgia, the pain in the region of the vertebrae is not too strong, but gradually increases. The disease is often confused with other chest pathologies: heart attack, pneumonia, angina pectoris, etc. The diagnosis is made only by a specialist, based on the examination and research.
Stages of osteochondrosis
- At the first stage, there are no obvious symptoms. With periodicity, there is discomfort in the spine, which is associated with fatigue or excessive physical exertion. The disease can be detected during a routine examination, X-ray or CT scan.
- The second stage is accompanied by pain syndrome, since the process of destruction of cartilaginous tissue begins and the gap between the discs decreases. Pain at this stage is relieved by drugs prescribed by a doctor.
- At the third stage, deformities of the spine begin: the fibrous ring is broken, an intervertebral hernia appears. With the help of a properly prescribed treatment, it is still possible to improve the condition of the spine.
- The fourth stage is irreversible changes in the spine, in which it becomes difficult for a person to move. Bone tissue grows between the vertebrae, connecting the vertebrae. Most often, this form of osteochondrosis leads to disability.
Diagnostic methods
To determine the extent of the disease, to check sensitivity and reflexes, the doctor performs a physical examination. Additionally, blood and urine tests are taken, indicators of calcium metabolism are studied.
To make an accurate diagnosis, diagnostic methods are used:
- Vascular ultrasound. Determination of the degree of impaired blood flow in the vertebral arteries.
- Spine X-ray.
- UKT. Construction of a three-dimensional image of the study area to detect small displacements of the vertebrae.
- UMRI. Study of the state of soft tissues to assess the state of the spinal cord and visualize the internal structure of the discs.
Treatment
Osteochondrosis is treated in a comprehensive manner. The main goal of therapy is to suppress painful sensations, eliminate muscle tension and stiffness of movements that appear due to pain. It is important not to self-medicate, but to consult a specialist and follow the recommendations.
To treat the spine, the doctor prescribes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that help relieve inflammation and swelling. Muscle relaxants are responsible for reducing muscle spasms. Ointments are used to relieve pain. Antioxidants and vitamins may be prescribed to protect nerve tissue.
Prevention
It is possible to preserve the health of the spine and prevent the appearance of symptoms or complications of osteochondrosis by adhering to the methods of prevention:
- drinking enough water; controlling body weight;
- eating foods rich in collagen;
- selection of an orthopedic mattress that supports the body;
- regular exercise.
Alternative methods can be tried: acupuncture, qigong or massage. Before starting any procedure, you should consult a doctor in order to guarantee the health of the musculoskeletal system.