Why is osteochondrosis and how is it treated?

Osteochondrosis is a disease in which dystrophic degenerative changes are diagnosed in the tissue of the cartilage of the spine, also accompanied by disorders of the structure and functionality of intervertebral discs. Depending on the location of damaged tissues, uterine, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis is distinguished.osteochondrosis what is it

What is osteochondrosis?Osteochondrosis is a spine disease in which degenerative and dystrophic lesions of intervertebral discs occur. With the development of osteochondrosis, dystrophic degenerative lesions apply to vertebral tissue.The main characteristic indicating the development of osteochondrosis is pain in the neck, back, lower back, with progression, pain "gives" in the hands, chest, shoulders, top of the thigh, etc. With a negative dynamic of osteochondrosis, atrophy of muscle tissues, altered sensitivity, as well as dysfunction of internal organs, caused by their suppression, provocative, causing. shift. In the absence of therapy in a timely manner, osteochondrosis develops in an incurable state.

The causes of osteochondrosisThe main factor in the development of osteochondrosis is an uneven charge on the spine. The habit of carrying a bag on one shoulder or in one hand, an incorrect installation in a sitting position, a dream on an excessively soft mattress, a high pillow, bearing types of anatomically incorrect shoes are a common cause of incorrect distribution of the load.Additional risk factors include hypodynamia, a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, back injuries, lower limbs, flat feet and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system, as well as age-related degenerative processes in age-related changes in blood supply of the vertebral column.In the etiology of osteochondrosis, the following factors can also play a role: physical overflight of the body;neuro-emotional exhaustion;Metabolic disorders, poisoning, diseases of the gastrointestinal routes which prevent full assimilation of nutrients;Professional risks, in particular, operate on vibration platforms;genetic predisposition;Posture violations during active growth, scoliosis;Wear uncomfortable shoes (cramped, heels);prolonged and / or regular dehydration;Lower diet, hypovitaminosis;smoking;Pregnancy, especially multiple, in combination with an unmanned muscle apparatus (due to the movement of the body's gravity center).

Osteochondrosis development stagesOsteochondrosis in the dynamics of the disease spends four stages:Symptoms of osteochondrosisOsteochondrosis of the 1st stage (degree) is characterized by the initial stage of pathology in the pulp nucleus of the intervertebral disc. Due to excessive load, the dehydration process (dehydration) of the nucleus begins, which leads to a decrease in the parameter of the height of the disc and the occurrence of cracks in the fibrous ring. Symptoms at this stage are generally absent, minor discomfort can occur with an prolonged stay in uncomfortable statistical pose, active movement, etc.At 2 stages, a decrease in the height of the discs leads to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae and the sagging of vertebrates and ligaments. This causes increased mobility of the vertebrae with assigned discs, which is dangerous with their displacement or shift. In the second stage of the disease, discomfort, pain occurs, in particular with certain types of load, movements, positions; The stages of osteochondosis 3 (degree) are characterized by the formation of prolapse and protuberances of intervertebral discs, can be accompanied by subluxis and / or development of osteoarthritis of intervertebral joints. With certain types of movements, patients feel stiffness, insufficient mobility, a tingling feeling, numbness can occur in the limbs. At this stage, osteochondrosis is clearly felt in the back, the neck, the Lombo-Sacré department or the coccyx, depending on the location of the assigned disks;At 4 stages of osteochondrosis, the body tries to adjust the consequences of the hypermobility of the vertebrae and to adapt to the altered features of the spine. The osteophytes, new bone formations, which seize the vertebral fixation, are formed in the places of contact of the vertebrae. However, in some cases, osteophytes can cause a violation of the nerves, injure the vertebrae. Fibrous ankylosis begins in the intervertebral discs and joints. In the absence of microtraums and offense of nerve roots, the symptoms of the disease are calm.

Symptoms of osteochondrosisThe main symptoms of osteochondrosis are a feeling of discomfort and / or pain in the neck, back. The severity of the sensations and the presence of additional symptoms depend on the stage of the disease. When examining the patient and the collection of an anamnesis, the specialist leads the initial diagnosis, assuming the presence of osteochondrosis by curvature visually determined by the spine observed in the transverse or longitudinal plane of the spine. The pathologies of the intervertebral discs of the uterine and lumbar are much more often than degenerative and dystrophic changes in the sternum area.The signs of osteochondrosis, felt by the patient, include a periodic or permanent sensation of back fatigue, erased or pronounced, depending on the stage of the disease, the pain. The pain can be located in the neck, back, chest, shoulder belt, complicate, waste the movements of the upper limbs. The clinical picture of osteochondosis depends largely on the location of pathology, the degree of development of the process, the individual characteristics of patients. The pathology of intervertebral discs, trips, protrusion, hernias and an increase in osteophytes have various consequences. Among the most common violations of the normal blood circulation in the tissues, the pinch of nerve endings, the dysfunction of the vertebral canal, edema, fibrosis of tissues and structures are distinguished.
Such consequences can be accompanied by many different symptoms, leading to an erroneous diagnosis of diseases.
The most common and characteristic symptoms of osteochondrosis include the following:Pain in the back, neck, lower back, shoulder belt, rib areas;The discomfort, the stiffness of the movements of the body which occur in certain positions of the body, the inclinations, the turns, the increase in muscle tension;a feeling of numbness of the upper and lower limbs;Muscle and joint discomfort, muscle cramps;Headaches, dizziness, increased fatigue;pain in the heart;violation of hands sensitivity;Muscle hypotension.The symptoms of osteochondrosis differ depending on the location of the pathology:with osteochondrosis of the cervical column, pain in the neck, hands, shoulder belt, radiating towards the area and the shoulder prevail; Headache, dizziness, sparkle of "flies" or spots in front of the eyes, the noise in the ears is noted; With damage to the thoracic spine, the pain is located in the chest, the heart, the inner surface of the shoulder, the armpit area, the respiratory discomfort is also noted, breathlessness is possible;Osteochondrosis of the lombo-sacular column manifests itself by pain in the lower back with irradiation of the legs, upper thighs or pelvic organs, sexual dysfunction is often joined.Superficial symptoms - Back fatigue, pain - may not only indicate the presence of osteochondrosis, but also the addition of other diseases or the development of other pathological processes and disorders which are not associated with the dystrophy of intervertebral discs. The diagnosis of osteochondrosis cannot be made by a specialist, and self-medication with such symptoms is unacceptable.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosisTreatment of osteochondrosisTo make a diagnosis, instrumental questioning methods are used:X-ray examination of the spine department;myelography; Neurological study of sensitivity, reflexes.Additional methods prescribed for differentiation and clarification of the diagnosis, the stage of pathology includes:Tomodensitometry of the vertebral column (CT);Nuclear magnetic resonance (JAMR);Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Directions of therapy for osteochondrosisThe treatment is based on an integrated approach and, according to the scene, lasts from 1 to 3 months of intensive care and one year of support measures to consolidate the result and the prevention of relapse.Osteochondrosis is carried out a treatment for two directions according to the degree of osteochondrosis and the health of the patient. Conservative treatment of the disease is to take medication, to perform a set of exercises. Surgical treatment in almost all situations cannot be the first method of choice and is prescribed in the absence of positive dynamics, the progression of the disease in the context of prolonged conservative therapy. In addition to the medical methods of therapy, it is necessary to follow the general recommendations for osteochondrosis: to observe a diet, to take the necessary measures for rehabilitation.

Conservative treatment of osteochondrosisConservative therapy aims to stop pain syndrome, normalizing the functionality of the spine and the prevention of negative changes
Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis includes the following types of therapy:Drug therapy. Osteochondrosis drugs are used to stop pain syndromes, inflammatory processes in tissues and normalize metabolic processes of the body. With pronounced pain syndrome, it is recommended to use the drugs of nerve endings, which also contribute to a decrease in the severity of the muscle-tone syndrome. The following types of blockade are distinguished: blocking of trigger points, intraosse, facet, paravertebral, epidural;Physiotherapy methods. Physiotherapeutic procedures help reduce pain, increase the effect of drugs, are also used during the rehabilitation period. The most common use of ultrasound waves, magnetic fields, low frequency currents, laser rays, etc.Physiotherapy exercise methods (exercise therapy) and Kinesapes. The spice complex with regular and correct execution contributes to the correction of the posture, strengthens the muscular corset, the ligament apparatus, normalizes muscle function, reduces the compression of nerve fibers and helps prevent the complications of osteochondrosis. Therapy methods for the exercise and kinesepapeutic procedures aim to normalize metabolic processes, restore complete nutrition of intervertebral discs, restore the arrangement of the vertebrae and discs between them, a uniform load distribution in the musculoskeletal system; massage. Manual massage techniques are used to improve blood supply with tissues, relieve cramps and muscle clamps and generally improve blood circulation. Hydromassage as the direction of therapeutic activity in addition to the effects listed contributes to the normalization of the nervous system of the body;Manual therapy. Manual therapy methods are individually selected. The punctual effect on the musculoskeletal system of the body helps to improve blood circulation, the circulation of lymph, improves metabolism, promotes the mobility of the musculoskeletal system, reinforces the immune system and serves as a means of prevention of the complications of osteochondosis;Therapy with the traction method (traction) of the spine using special equipment. The aim of manipulations is to increase the intervertebral space to normal parameters, to the correction of violations of the structure of the spine.

Prevention of osteochondrosisPrevention of osteochondrosisThe causes of osteochondrosis are mainly linked in the absence of attention to the requirements of the body, malnutrition, excessive charges on the body. To avoid the start of pathological changes in the spine and retain the dynamics of existing osteochondosis, it is recommended to adhere to the general principles of a healthy lifestyle:Exception of the possibility of hypodynamia: moderate sports: load, race, swimming, cycling, skis, gymnastics, types of contactless struggle, etc. ;When you work or another form of activity linked to a long stay in a static position, it is necessary to take breaks to heat every 45 minutes to restore blood circulation. If necessary, seated for a long time, you must choose the right chairs, the chairs by guaranteeing the support of the spine, monitor compliance with standards for the position of the hands on the table, legs on the ground or a special stand, accustom the posture (even rear, relaxed shoulders); For night sleep, it is necessary to select an elastic and better orthopedic mattress with a flat surface, avoid high or too flat pillows;If necessary, lift and / or wear heavy objects to avoid shaking, raising the severity of the semi-privion position, use special belts that support the lower back;The choice of orthopedically correct shoes: with the corresponding foot with a width, without high heels and its appropriate replacement will help reduce the load on the spine, this is particularly important for women during the period of carrying a child. In summer, do not neglect the ability to walk barefoot on an unequal surface, this strengthens foot muscles and relieves the tension of the musculoskeletal system;The correct diet, the mode of consumption contributes to overall health and helps maintain metabolism normally;With an increased trend, anxiety with the spasmodic muscular stress reaction, it is worth studying the methods of relaxation.