Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease of various parts of the spinal space, in which degenerative changes and dystrophy occur in the intervertebral discs. Men aged 25-60 years more often suffer from this disease. The disease is typical for young people and the elderly. Women get sick less rarely, and the symptoms are less obvious. In the early stages of the disease, it is possible to achieve a stable remission and get rid of pain and discomfort for many years.
What is the type of osteochondrosis with localization
The classification of spinal osteochondrosis has many forms and criteria. They differ in terms of the location of the severe part and its degree of severity. All types of osteochondrosis are pathologies fraught with destructive changes in cartilage and connective tissue.
The most common and understood by the average general public, far from medical, its classification according to the localization of the lesion:
- Cervical osteochondrosis - it is characterized by occipital, cervical and interscapular pain syndromes. In the past decade, the disease has been increasingly diagnosed in young people.
- Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is very rare, as it has more discs than a combination of cervical and lumbar, the discs are smaller and thinner. Part of the load is taken up by the ribs. Therefore, in the intervertebral disc of the thoracic spine, degenerative and dystrophic changes are rare.
- Lumbar osteochondrosis often occurs in people over the age of forty from sedentary and inactive lifestyles. This is characterized by severe back pain, pinching of the nerves and arteries of the abdominal organs, and many equivalent diagnoses of internal organs.
The stage of the disease
Depending on the flow rate, the degree of degenerative changes, the manifestation of symptoms, four stages of the disease can be distinguished:
- The early stages are characterized by symptomatic instability. The patient has not experienced severe pain. Sometimes, "shooting" pain in the affected area of the back is possible.
- The second stage is characterized by a significant deterioration in vertebral interactions due to the development of degenerative processes in the intervertebral disc. The development of the disease at this stage is due to improper physical activity, sedentary and inactive lifestyle.
- In the third stage, an intervertebral hernia may begin to develop (some patients will experience this fate). In some cases, there is severe back pain. Concomitant diagnoses develop, which in one way or another affect all body systems. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the hernia and the location of the chondrosis.
- The fourth level is the most difficult. Patients are unable to lead a satisfying lifestyle and enjoy freedom of movement. Almost all postures occupied by the body carry acute pain at the site of localization of osteochondrosis. At this stage, we can talk about the appointment of people with disabilities to patients.
The cause of its occurrence
Osteochondrosis brings a lot of suffering, worsens the quality of life, can lead to complete and partial immobilization of the patient. What are the causes of the appearance of this disease? It is as follows:
- Inactive lifestyle, sitting statically or lying in one position. Muscle atrophy, spine wear cartilage and discs to each other. This process can last for years, but will definitely lead to osteochondrosis.
- Modern young men and women go to the gym and do exercises with barbells and dumbbells, improper performance that leads to chronic diseases of the spine. For example, the wrong technique in doing "squat with a barbell" exercises shows surgeons and orthopedists with tens of thousands of osteochondrosis and young scoliosis patients in the acute stage.
- People who, because of their professional activities, have to sit at a desk in one position for hours in a row are also at risk. According to WHO statistics, office workers make up the vast majority of patients with osteochondrosis.
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The vertebrae of the cervical spine gradually lose fluid and become brittle. As a result of this process, the veins and arteries are compressed. Brain nutrition is disrupted and subsequently cell death. Cervical osteochondrosis has a maximum negative effect on the part of the brain responsible for heart muscle activity. Often the optic or auditory nerves are pinched, resulting in vision loss and hearing impairment.
Types of cervical osteochondrosis:
- radicular, or so -called "cervical radiculitis" - it is characterized mainly by severe pain in the occiput, neck, head;
- irritation -reflex - discomfort in the chest, back, numbness in the fingers;
- heart, which is characterized by symptoms of cardiovascular disease.
Only an orthopedic surgeon or surgeon can make an accurate diagnosis. Regardless of the type of cervical osteochondrosis, the treatment will be almost the same.
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The most rare type of disease. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are characteristic of many other diseases. An inexperienced doctor can often diagnose arrhythmias, angina pectoris, cardiomyopathy (ECG results incomplete), pancreatitis, or even gastritis. Only an experienced orthopedic or spine surgeon can provide accurate information on the type of thoracic osteochondrosis.
With significant pathological processes, there are disturbances in the work of parts of the spinal cord. The main signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine:
- Dorsago - sharp and unbearable pain in the chest, shortness of breath, apparently the patient feels choked or his heartbeat is irregular.
- Dorsalgia - the patient experiences less discomfort compared to the back. The pain is less pronounced and radiates to the hands, fingers (therefore, doctors often confuse symptoms with diseases of the cardiovascular system).
Symptoms and consequences of lumbar spine osteochondrosis
The most common type of osteochondrosis is the lumbar spine. This is due to the fact that the lower back experiences the greatest stress in the process of daily life.
In the first stage, the main symptom is a slight stretch in the lower back. People rarely care about such a mild illness. When the intervertebral disc is depleted, negative symptoms also increase. In particular, patients can no longer lie down or sit in one position for long periods of time due to pain.
In the third or fourth stage of lumbar spine osteochondrosis, there are:
- lumbago - a sharp and sudden pain, the consequence of which can be partial immobilization of the patient;
- sciatica - unilateral stuck sciatic nerve;
- sciatica - squeezing the nerve endings in the lumbar spine;
- lower leg weakness, muscle atrophy, venous congestion, sexual dysfunction and work of the abdominal and pelvic organs are also frequently observed;
- radiculoischemia - circulatory failure due to vascular compression.
Common osteochondrosis
This type of disease not only affects the spine, but also the joints. Often, the shoulders and hips. The symptoms of generalized osteochondrosis are neurological in nature, in rare cases with lesions of internal organs due to impaired blood circulation.
In the hip joint, the disease manifests itself as changes in cartilage tissue, drying out the inter-articular fluid. Over time, the joint partially, and then completely, loses its previous mobility.
Polysegmental osteochondrosis
The manifestation of the disease is not in one, but in several parts of the body. For example, there is often a combination of the defeat of the third and twelfth vertebrae - in this case, osteochondrosis will be considered polysegmental.
Therapy in this case will be the same as the standard sign of cervical or thoracic osteochondrosis. Magnetotherapy and other physiotherapy procedures have proven to be very effective in exacerbating the pain and discomfort caused by polysegmental chondrosis. Now you know what kind of spinal osteochondrosis is.
Remedies for osteochondrosis
Pharmacological methods to reduce the manifestation of symptoms of osteochondrosis can be divided into the following groups:
- Anti -inflammatory drugs - to relieve symptoms of pain and swelling of the affected area. There are two types - non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs and glucocorticosteroids.
- Pain reliever.
- Muscle relaxation to relieve muscle cramps.
- Hondoprotectors - drugs to improve the nutrition of cartilage tissue.
- Vitamin -mineral complex - to restore normal blood circulation and activate metabolism.
- Drugs to improve and restore impulse conduction in nerve cells.
In some cases, you must use diuretics to relieve swelling of the muscles and connective tissue between the vertebrae. It is strictly forbidden to prescribe medication for yourself - you can not only cure, but also exacerbate the course of the disease.
Therapeutic gymnastics and physical education for osteochondrosis
Any orthopedist will confirm the importance of physical exercise in achieving remission in the course of chronic osteochondrosis.
What types of sports are safe for osteochondrosis? It is better to choose swimming, stretching, Pilates, body bending - a direction in which there is no sudden movement. Traumatic martial arts and weightlifting with osteochondrosis are prohibited. Patients should not work with a weight of more than five kilograms.
Don't underestimate the benefits of daily morning exercise. That does not have to be done on a case -by -case basis, but on an ongoing basis. Only in this case there will be benefits for the spine. Simple hand swings, "factory", "bike" - exercises, which are commonly done by everyone since childhood, will help stretch the back and relieve pain. All movements must be performed as smoothly and accurately as possible to avoid injury.
Office workers must get away from the computer once in an hour and do a warm -up for five minutes. This will serve as the prevention and treatment of existing osteochondrosis.
Massage and manual therapy
Of all the types of treatments for osteochondrosis, this is the most gratifying. Much depends on the choice of the expert - the results and feelings. Types of massage for osteochondrosis - classic, acupressure, canned, hardware, honey.
With manual therapy, the situation is more complicated. First, the procedure is painful: often manual patients are unable to withstand cries of pain while performing manipulations with the spine. Second, if the chiropractor is inexperienced, the procedure can be dangerous. Choose a specialist with good patient reviews, a real diploma and a lot of therapy experience.