Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the spine and surrounding tissues.Dystrophic process implies malnutrition, and degeneration implies premature aging, changes in the structure and properties of tissues.The degenerative process is involutive, that is, the natural aging process of the organism.However, when exposed to various unfavorable factors, it accelerates, which leads to the development of this disease.
The relevance of osteochondrosis of the spine is due to the high frequency of its spread, especially in developed countries, which affects people of working age (30-60 years) with complete or partial loss of working ability, chronic disease course and disease progression in the absence of adequate treatment and prevention.
Reasons for the development of osteochondrosis
1. Excessive loads
Degenerative processes in intervertebral discs are considered a discrepancy between their strength characteristics and the load on them.Increased stress on the spine includes lifting weights, prolonged stay in the same position (sitting, standing), sudden movements, jumping from heights, injuries, curvature of the spine, incorrect posture and excess body weight.
As a result of excessive load, there is trauma to the spinal structures.Particularly sensitive to overload are the intervertebral discs, which perform the function of shock absorption and, together with the facet joints, enable movement in the spine.
2. Malnutrition of the intervertebral disc
Intervertebral discs do not have their own blood vessels and are nourished by the diffusion of interstitial fluid from the surrounding tissues.The diffusion process is facilitated by the motor activity of the spine and surrounding muscles.
Therefore, prolonged restriction of movement in the spine, sedentary work and physical inactivity are accompanied by a decrease in the trophism of the intervertebral disc and lead to the development of osteochondrosis.
3. Other factors
Hereditary predisposition, metabolic disorders, hormonal changes, somatic diseases.
Under the influence of these factors, blood circulation and metabolic processes in the spine are disturbed, and the hydration of the intervertebral disc decreases.In the fibrous ring of the disc, fibrous fibers disintegrate, microcracks and tears appear, which contributes to the migration of the nucleus pulposus and the creation of protrusion or herniation of the intervertebral disc.
A bulging disc irritates the sensitive nerve roots of the spinal nerves, causing pain in the back or along the affected nerve fibers.Reflex tension and spasm of the surrounding muscles develop, which is accompanied by pain, a feeling of stiffness in the back and restriction of movement.
The resulting changes in the surrounding tissues in the form of tension in the back muscles, functional blocks and nerve root irritation contribute to the worsening of existing blood microcirculation disorders and metabolic changes, causing the creation of a closed pathological circle of the development of spinal osteochondrosis.
Types of osteochondrosis
Depending on the location, osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine differs.When all departments are included, they speak of widespread osteochondrosis of the spine.
The lumbar region is most often affected, which accounts for about half of all cases of osteochondrosis.This is due to the fact that the lower parts of the spine experience a greater static load compared to other parts.
The second most common location is the cervical region.This accounts for about 1/4 of osteochondrosis cases.This part of the spine most often suffers due to the forced position of the head in one position - long-term sitting at the computer, sedentary work, monotonous physical work.
The development of osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine is associated with limited mobility in this segment, which is fixed by the costosternal frame.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine
Symptoms of osteochondrosis are divided into two main groups:
Local symptomssuch as pain in the back or in a certain part: pain in the neck, lower back, between the shoulder blades.Local symptoms also include tension, stiffness of the back muscles, a feeling of heaviness and discomfort.
Long-term symptomsthe appearance of which is associated with involvement in the process of the nervous or vascular system of the spine, which is responsible for the innervation and blood supply of certain body structures.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by:pain in the neck, occipital region, shoulder girdle, collarbone.The pain may radiate to the arm, shoulder, elbow or hand, accompanied by a feeling of numbness in the arm or "crawling", and limited mobility in the joints of the upper extremity.
Vertebral artery syndrome often accompanies osteochondrosis of the spine in this part.It appears as a result of compression or spasm of the vertebral artery, which passes through the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae and is involved in the blood flow to the brain.Vertebral artery syndrome is manifested by a throbbing headache, noise in the head and dizziness.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spineit is manifested by pain between the shoulder blades, in the thoracic part of the back, which can spread along the intercostal spaces in the form of intercostal neuralgia, to the front of the chest, simulating pain in the heart, in this case it is necessary to exclude the cardiac nature of the pain.
When the lower thoracic vertebrae are affected, the pain can be transferred to the front abdominal wall, to the abdomen, simulating diseases of the internal organs.
For osteochondrosis of the lumbar regionthe pain is localized in the lower back, in the buttocks, spreads down the leg, and may be accompanied by a feeling of numbness, tingling, convulsive twitching of the leg muscles, their atrophy and dysfunction of the pelvic organs.
Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by chronic aching pain in the back, which can increase at night, when sitting or standing for a long time, or after physical activity.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the spine is based on the study of patient complaints, the collection of anamnesis of the disease, the clinical, neurological and orthopedic examination of the patient.
If necessary, laboratory or instrumental diagnostic methods such as radiography, magnetic resonance imaging of the spine (MRI), computed tomography (CT), dopplerography of the neck and intracranial vessels, electrocardiography are prescribed.A detailed diagnosis is required to rule out more serious diseases of the spine, identify complications of osteochondrosis and choose optimal treatment tactics for osteochondrosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine
The vertebrological center provides comprehensive treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine.
For the treatment of osteochondrosis, our center uses modern equipment and treatment methods, employing qualified specialists: vertebrologist, orthopedic traumatologist, neurologist, chiropractor who will help you correctly diagnose the disease of the spine and prescribe the necessary treatment procedures.
An individual treatment regimen is selected for each patient, depending on the stage of the disease, clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis, the presence of concomitant diseases and contraindications for therapy.
The center uses the following methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine:
Treatment of osteochondrosis with drugsaimed at alleviating the exacerbation, affecting the pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease.
Back massage, spine correctionThey allow you to normalize the tone and elasticity of the back muscles, improve blood supply, remove pinched nerve roots and restore the mobility of the spinal movement segments.
Traction of the spineit is used when osteochondrosis is combined with disc protrusion and intervertebral hernia, in the presence of nerve root compression symptoms.Traction is performed under the supervision of the attending physician.
Therapeutic blockade- This is a local injection of the drug in the area of the pathological focus.With its help, you can achieve the maximum concentration of the drug in the desired area in order to achieve a therapeutic effect.For the treatment of osteochondrosis, paravertebral blockades are mainly used - the introduction of drugs into the tissues surrounding the vertebrae, near the roots of the intervertebral nerves.
Shock wave therapy- a new direction in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine and its complications.The method was originally developed in Switzerland for crushing stones in internal organs, but later showed high efficiency in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
In our center, the treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out with the American device for shock wave therapy Pro-Ajuster, which is specially designed for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the spine and surrounding soft tissues.The device allows you to diagnose the state of tissue density and tension and subsequently act on the changed areas.
For the treatment of osteochondrosis, various physiotherapeutic procedures are used, such as: magnetic therapy, laser treatment, ultrasound, myostimulation, electroprocedures.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
As you know, the best method of disease treatment is its prevention.In order to prevent the development of osteochondrosis, the issues of its prevention must be addressed from early childhood.
Timely examinations by a children's orthopedist allow timely detection of postural disorders, deviations in physical development and correction of existing changes.From the first years of a child's life, it is necessary to engage in physical exercises, outdoor sports, games, monitor posture and avoid overloading the spine.
The main activities that help maintain a healthy spine include:
- Rational work and rest regime: avoid long-term sitting, get up occasionally, stretch your back, keep your back straight, pay attention to your posture, sleep on a semi-rigid bed;
- Elimination of spine overload: do not lift heavy objects, especially in a bent position, avoid falls and jumps from a height, spine injuries, monitor body weight;
- Systematic exercises for the back;
- Proper nutrition;
- Timely diagnosis and elimination of pain and discomfort in the back.