Spinal osteochondrosis is a disease characterized by degenerative-dystrophic changes in the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
Scientists call this disease "the disease of civilization" because it is associated with a person's upright posture and an increasing load on the spine in the modern world. Osteochondrosis usually starts to develop in young people aged 20 to 25 years.
causes
The exact cause of the development of spinal osteochondrosis has not been established. Experts point out the factors that contribute to its development.
Traumatic factor. Constant excessive loads (microtrauma) of the spine contribute to accelerated wear of the vertebral discs. Antiphysiological postures (working in a stooped position for a long time, a long stay in one position) lead to the formation of subluxations in the intervertebral joints.
Developmental pathology of the musculoskeletal system. Flat feet, shortening of a leg, spinal lumbarization, and other similar pathologies increase the load on the spine and, as a result, accelerate degenerative processes.
Age factor. The development of osteochondrosis of the spine is considered by many doctors to be a manifestation of the natural aging of the human body.
Vascular factor. A relationship has been established between a decrease in blood flow (ischemic processes) and an acceleration of pathological processes in the spine.
The factor of changes in hormone levels. Natural hormonal changes in the body (pregnancy, lactation, menopause, menopause) cause an increase in degenerative processes.
The endocrine-hormonal disease factor. Diseases such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, myxedema (inflammatory lesion of the thyroid gland) and others contribute to the development of osteochondrosis of the spine.
Classification and symptoms
Symptoms depend on the location of the pathological process.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The cervical spine contains blood vessels that supply the brain. With the degenerative changes in this section, the organs of the head are not adequately supplied with blood. This usually leads to cerebrovascular accidents.
The main symptom of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is headache. This pain is usually permanent, getting worse in the morning and with movement. It arises from the back of the head and detaches from the parietal-temporal region. The pain syndrome is usually accompanied by dizziness, blinking before the eyes of "flies", colored spots.
In addition, pinched nerves often contribute to the onset of scalp pain, sore throat and neck. Pain syndrome sometimes affects the arm, shoulder. It can be weakened or intensified by turning the head or changing the position of the body.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine include:
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- ringing in the ears, hearing impairment;
- Visual impairment;
- violation of movement and gait coordination;
- hoarseness or weakening of the voice;
- dental cavity;
- snoring during sleep.
Thoracic spine osteochondrosis. Manifestations can be varied and depend on the location of the disease, the degree of its severity. Compression of the thoracic nerve roots leads to intercostal neuralgia. It manifests as a sharp pain in the chest, which becomes more intense with inspiration, some movements, coughing and laughing. The pain syndrome intensifies after a person has been in a position for a long time or after physical exertion. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is often the cause of diseases of the stomach, lungs, heart and other human organs.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. It often affects people who spend a lot of time in "sedentary work" (drivers working on a computer).
A symptom of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a painful and painful character, which intensifies with sudden movements (lifting weights, sneezing, coughing) and a long stay in the same position. After a bent over position, it is difficult for the patient to straighten the back, sometimes the severe pain hinders even movement. Pain is significantly reduced in the horizontal position of the body. Squatting or lying on the healthy side brings relief.
Pain syndrome in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is usually located in the lower back, radiating to the legs, sacrum, and often to the pelvic organs. Overloading the spinal muscles as a result of awkward movements, lifting weights causes back pain. Lumbar osteochondrosis of the spine is often manifested by decreased sensation, numbness in the area of pain. The patient may experience a tingling sensation, "shivering sensation". Often, spasm of the arteries in the feet, decreased skin temperature in the legs, and cold in the legs are added to the symptoms. Some patients have dryness and peeling of the skin, sweating disorders.
If you think you have osteochondrosis of the spine and symptoms characteristic of this disease, you should see an orthopedist or therapist.
Treatment
Therapy for this disease aims to eliminate pain, restoring spinal functions, preventing the development of dystrophic pathologies in the spine.
The duration of treatment for spinal osteochondrosis depends on the severity of the disease, the age of the patient and the treatment methods.
In the complex treatment of the disease, the following methods of therapy are used.
- Physiotherapy. It is one of the main methods of treating osteochondrosis. Physiotherapy exercises include joint gymnastics and exercises on rehabilitation equipment. Its result is the normalization of the nutrition of the intervertebral discs, metabolism, the formation of the correct muscular corset and a decrease in the load on the spine.
- Physiotherapy. This method uses the in-body effects of a laser, ultrasound, magnetic field, and low-frequency currents for treatment. Due to the use of physiotherapy, the duration of treatment is significantly reduced and its effectiveness increases.
- Massage. An effective method to relieve muscle pain, tension, improve blood circulation, strengthen the body in general.
- Manual therapy. This method of treating osteochondrosis of the spine allows you to restore normal organ mobility, improve blood supply, lymphatic circulation and prevent disease exacerbation.
- Traction (pull) of the spine. With the help of special equipment, the intervertebral spaces are enlarged. This helps to restore the proper shape of the spine, eliminates pain.
- Reflexology. It consists of the impact of special techniques on the acupuncture points and reflex zones of the human body.
Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine is performed with the ineffectiveness of conservative therapy or for special indications. The amount of surgery depends on the extent of the injury and the symptoms of the disease.