Many patients ask the question: "is it possible to completely cure osteochondrosis? ". In fact, this is almost impossible if the disease has reached a serious stage. With this diagnosis, the intervertebral disc gradually begins to deform and can no longer withstand the load, and eventually collapses completely, where the only way out is the prosthesis. Thus, the treatment of osteochondrosis depends on the degree of the disease, at the initial stage of which a person can still be saved. So, how is the treatment of osteochondrosis going - we will talk about this.
Characteristics of the disease
In order to understand what osteochondrosis is and how to treat it, you must first understand what the spine itself is. It is the base of the skeleton, where all the vertebrae are interconnected, but remain mobile due to the presence of intervertebral discs. If osteochondrosis is not treated, it gradually begins to break down, leading to friction between the bones, limited mobility and disability. To find out whether it is possible to cure osteochondrosis, you must first neutralize the causes of the diagnosis.
To date, the causes of the appearance have not been precisely identified, but experts note, due to which the disease can begin and progress:
- wound;
- hereditary factor;
- curvature of the spine, foot and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- obesity, which increases the load on the spine;
- age;
- passive lifestyle;
- professional sports without special attention to safety;
- psychological factor, stress and nerves.
In order to begin an effective treatment, it is imperative to neutralize the causes. Start leading a healthy lifestyle and try to get rid of excess weight by strengthening the muscles of the spine with the help of back exercises.
Disease symptoms
In the treatment of the disease, first of all, a thorough examination is carried out, they are sent for an X-ray and an MRI image in order to accurately find out the condition of the spine. After all, the symptoms and treatment of the disease can be different depending on the stage of diagnosis:
- In the first stage, there are usually no symptoms. There may be slight discomfort during movement. The intervertebral disc is only slightly shifted to the sides.
- Osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree is already signaled to the patient in the form of back pain. Disc protrusion begins. In addition to pain, the patient constantly experiences fatigue. For treatment, conservative methods are sufficient.
- The third degree is a ruptured disc. This process is already considered irreversible, and it is impossible to completely cure the disease. Often there is a hernia. The deformed disc presses on the nerves and blood vessels, which, depending on the location, can cause headaches, discomfort in the limbs and internal organs also suffer.
- At the last stage, the intervertebral disc has already been destroyed, and the destruction of blood vessels and spinal cord continues. The patient is assigned a disability, there is a severe limitation of movement.
How's the treatment going?
Many do not even know which doctor treats osteochondrosis of the spine and determines effective methods for each specific case. This is a vertebrologist who studies the spine and the musculoskeletal system as a whole in detail, deals with all the diagnoses associated with it. Now everyone knows who treats osteochondrosis. In addition, this specialist correctly selects the treatment and highlights possible contraindications to the diagnosis of osteochondrosis:
- It is mainly about the use of certain foods, especially if you are overweight. Diets must be strictly adhered to. Therefore, if you want to know how to get rid of osteochondrosis, proper nutrition is your best medicine.
- The second point is the load. It is not necessary to ensure complete rest in the initial stages. However, in order to determine how to cure osteochondrosis, it is necessary to identify its stage and prescribe specific exercises. Professional sports are a clear contraindication.
After patients have decided which doctor to contact for osteochondrosis, they should consult this specialist as soon as possible. After a comprehensive examination, he prescribes treatment: either conservative methods or surgery.
Conservative methods
There are many options for what to do with osteochondrosis. Modern techniques include various back procedures, surgeries, and medications. Depending on the duration of the disease and the symptoms present, help is selected for osteochondrosis. In the first two stages, conservative treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, which includes:
- Medicines, it can be tablets, injections or droppers for osteochondrosis.
- Physiotherapy courses. In particular, the currents of Bernard.
- Strict adherence to the diet.
- Certain physical therapies.
The composition of the dropper includes anti-inflammatory painkillers. They also take muscle relaxants, which relax the muscles and help them deal with overwork. Also, be sure to include chondroprotectors that can stop the destruction of cartilage tissue. Courses of these drugs provide effective treatment for osteochondrosis of the back. Help begins with getting rid of pain, and only after the acute syndrome is eliminated, they begin the main treatment.
The second point that needs to be clarified in order to find out how to treat osteochondrosis of the back is the causes of the onset of the disease. It is important to neutralize them by starting to lead a healthy lifestyle (proper nutrition, diet), choosing vitamins for the general strengthening of the body. Physiotherapy also helps tissues recover faster, promotes normal circulation and healing. It works great with physiotherapy exercises, which strengthens the back muscles. Most often, Bernard currents are used, which bring excellent results.
Unfortunately, conservative advice on the treatment of osteochondrosis helps only in the first two stages of the disease.
surgically
Surgery helps to cope with any serious diagnosis. Even in the case when one vertebra has become another, the disc has been severely deformed or a hernia has appeared. Modern medical experience and the latest technologies help cure even the most difficult situations. For the treatment of osteochondrosis, two types of operations are used:
- Hernia removal. It's a fairly simple operation. An incision is made no more than one centimeter. The patient can already move independently on the second day and recovers quickly.
- Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis of the last stage consists only in the complete removal of the intervertebral disc. In its place, a new special prosthesis is installed, which provides separation and cushioning of the vertebrae.
Patients should not be afraid of this technique. It is thanks to the operation that the flexibility and mobility of the spine often return. Modern silicone prostheses easily withstand loads on the musculoskeletal system. This is a relatively new technique in the treatment of osteochondrosis, but it has practically no contraindications and no long recovery period.
Complex treatment
Comprehensive treatment of osteochondrosis includes several procedures at once. Some of them are performed in the hospital, while others must be done responsibly by the patient himself. The course of treatment in a hospital on a day stay includes Bernard currents. A special device of diadynamic currents is ideal for deciding how to defeat osteochondrosis. This procedure is completely safe and has practically no contraindications.
The treatment scheme is applied when the acute phase passes. Therefore, the best method of physiotherapy in this situation is Bernard currents. In addition, a massage can be applied to it. Physiotherapy exercises are an obligatory part of the treatment of osteochondrosis at home. You study various exercises under the guidance of a doctor, and then you repeat them regularly at home.
Self-treatment at home is an important part of solving the problem of managing osteochondrosis. Here, in addition to exercise therapy, you can turn to traditional medicine, but again, under the supervision of a doctor. Consider several recipes of folk remedies that can be used as ointments:
- A spoonful of flour, half a packet of butter, an egg and a spoonful of vinegar should be mixed until smooth, then infused in a warm place. After that, you can rub the mixture into the affected area of the back.
- Honey, radish juice and vodka are mixed with each other in the proportions of 1: 1. 5: 0. 1, the application is similar.
- The last recipe is rather spring-like: a glass of lilac flowers is infused with half a liter of vodka for 10 days, and then an excellent rubbing mixture is obtained.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine outside the home? The fight against the disease can be much more effective if you go on vacation for a spa treatment. So you can not only heal your back, but also restore the body after a long illness.
Rehabilitation and prevention
Rehabilitation is a set of measures after which a person who has overcome osteochondrosis can return to normal life. Older people can only regain their mobility with the help of long-term rehabilitation procedures. The attending physician carefully selects a complex, in which there must be exercises, a certain daily routine, a specific nutrition system. Rehabilitation for osteochondrosis of the spine includes continuous treatment, as well as methods of preventing the disease.
The first symptom of the disease is pain. Therefore, in the event of the slightest discomfort in the back or hereditary predisposition, it is necessary to pay sufficient attention to prevention. If you are overweight and have other possible causes for the diagnosis, the situation is the same.
To prevent the onset of the disease, it is necessary:
- maintain correct posture;
- engage in special exercises to strengthen the back;
- monitor power;
- avoid obesity;
- get a corset if there is a curvature of the back
In the treatment of osteochondrosis, all of these measures together will help keep your back healthy and strong at any age. Take care of the spine, as it is the basis of the entire musculoskeletal system.