Osteochondrosis is a violation of the structure of the vertebrae and the discs between them.The distance between the vertebrae becomes smaller, their elasticity and their shape suffer.Muscle tissue is in constant tension.The nerves extending from the spinal cord can be pinched.
Varieties
Depend on the destination.
Cervical osteochondrosis.The vertebrae of the cervical region are lit, the functions of the thyroid gland are disturbed, the arterial canals are pressed.The patient suffers from migraine, it is difficult for him to move his hands and head.The fingers are numb.
Thoracic osteochondrosis.Symptoms are similar to heart disease and blood vessels.In the shoulder and chest domain, the pain appears.The pain can be intense or even chronic instead of the deformation of the vertebrae.The thoracic osteochondosis negatively affects the kidneys and the pancreas.
Lumbar osteochondrosis.Intensive painful sensations appear in the muscle tissues of the buttocks.Pain can be given to the perineum.The patient is uncomfortable during inclinations.With osteochondrosis of the lumbar department, atrophy of muscle tissue, problems of operating the reproductive system can occur.
Polysegmented osteochondrosis.This is the development of the disease in several vertebral parts at the same time.In the patient, the work of the speech apparatus is disturbed, the neck zone becomes insensitive.
Generalized osteochondrosis.It is a defeat of several parts of the spine with joint tissues.The patient suffers from metabolic processes and weakens immunity.The disease is distinguished by frequent exacerbations.
Reasons
The incorrect load on the spine is the main reason for the appearance of osteochondrosis.The fact is that with significant and prolonged stress, the cartilage structure changes.
Other reasons:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- by affecting;
- An uncomfortable long pose;
- curvature of the spine;
- temperature contrast;
- body hypothermia;
- intensive physical activity;
- sharp turn with the body;
- Height transport;
- wearing a child;
- Fracture and other damage to the vertebrae;
- embarrassing shoes;
- weaken muscle tissues;
- hormonal disorders;
- bad nutrition;
- metabolic violation;
- Lack of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus;
- Alcohol, cigarettes and drugs;
- Stress;
- heredity.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
In the early stages of osteochondrosis, the patient is worried:
- pain in the back, neck or other parts of the body;
- Discomfort during movement and rigidity during inclinations or turns;
- constant tension and muscle spasm;
- migraines and vertigo episodes;
- pain in the heart;
- Muscle hypotension - Reduced tone and muscle strength;
- numbness of the members;
- weapons and leg ailments;
- flies before the eyes;
- Reduction of the temperature of the limbs;
- Draw painful sensations.
With neglected osteochondrosis, there may be:
- loss of consciousness;
- decrease in the sensitivity of the limbs;
- Vascular circulatory violation;
- lesion or inflammation of the nerves;
- Retaining and blocking of arteries.
Osteochondrosis development stages
There are four steps:
- Patients complain of constant fatigue, which is struck off at work and experiences discomfort in the field of damage.The first step in the disease can be diagnosed during a complete preventive examination.
- The patient has painful sensations.The cartilage fabric begins to collapse.In the absence of a treatment course, the compression of nerve roots and arterial canals is progressing.To get rid of pain, there are enough medication.
- The structure of the spine changes.At this stage, lordosis, the curvature of the posture is diagnosed.A bump may appear.With a timely treatment, these consequences can be minimized.
- It is difficult for the patient to move.When the body position changes, clear painful sensations appear.The vertebrae change, the cartilage becomes dense.Osteophytes develop.At this stage, irreversible consequences appear which can end with a handicap.
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis
It can occur after excessive physical activity, hypothermia or trauma of the spine.Right now, the patient suffers from intense pain, sometimes he cannot move completely.The duration of exacerbation depends on the stage of the disease, the general condition of the patient and is from 1 to 2 days to several weeks.
With the exacerbation of osteochondrosis, you should consult a doctor.
In the acute pain phase, it is very easy to make a mistake and send the patient to an unnecessary operation.Doctors, faced with complications, are starting to reassure themselves.Therefore, before visiting a neurosurgeon, it is proposed to undergo a two -week treatment and relieve the severity of the symptoms.This reduces the probability of surgery, because when a person does not hurt, the doctor treats the patient much calmer.
Complications
- projection,
- hernia,
- salt deposits between the vertebrae,
- Cyphosis,
- Reduce members' muscles,
- trait of the spinal cord,
- radiculitis,
- membership of members.
Diagnosis
To diagnose osteochondrosis, the doctor examines the patient and perform a material examination.
Blood tests for osteochondrosis.Based on the results of a general blood test, the first signs of osteochondosis can be identified: an increased rate of precipitation of red blood cells and a low level of calcium.To confirm the diagnosis in the event of suspicion of osteochondrosis, a biochemical analysis is carried out.Thus evaluate the coagulation indicators, the activity of the enzymes, the zinc, cobalt, iron and other components.
Radiography.Check each spine separately, take photos in straight, side and two oblique projections.If necessary, a functional radiography is prescribed and photos are taken in the flexion position, lateral inclinations or extension.According to special indications in the vertebral artery, the intervertebral channel or a damaged intervertebral disc is introduced by a contrasting material.
Tomodensitometry (CT).Usually, CT is carried out after radiography to clarify the condition of a certain intervertebral disc.For example, see its height, identify on -board growth or instability of the vertebrae.To do this, take photos of one or two segments of the spine.
Magnetic resonance tomography (MRI).MRI is carried out instead or in addition to CT.According to the photos of the tomograph, the blood vessels, the nervous processes, the intervertebral discs are studied.
Which doctor contact
Osteochondrosis deals with a neurologist.He performs an initial inspection, sends exams, establishes a precise diagnosis and prescribed a complete treatment.The neurologist also adjusts the processing course if he does not provide results.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
It is important to lead the right lifestyle, alternate work and rest modes, relax on vacation and take weekends, as well as:
- avoid intense physical effort;
- Walk in fresh air;
- When you sit once a hour, make easy gymnastics of the body and neck;
- To sleep, use an orthopedic mattress;
- have a good diet;
- Treat infectious diseases in a timely manner.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Certain treatment techniques or even massage or manual therapy may be contraindicated for a particular case, so an individual consultation is important.Most often, motor therapy, massage, manual therapy and acupuncture are used as treatment.They try not to use drugs.
The doctor also gives recommendations on the daily and sleeping diet.The reason for the problem can be an uncomfortable place of sleep or a poorly organized workplace.
Motor therapy
The treatment is preferred in all the main countries with a good level of medicine.In addition, this method is good as rehabilitation and with a slight curvature of the spine.
These are conventional physiotherapy exercises, treatment and physical education lessons in water, swimming, gymnasium training and computerized material complexes.The styles are selected by a doctor: it happens that a style is contraindicated, but another is authorized.With swimming, you must also be careful: if the patient does not have the right technique, this type of physical activity can be harmful.
Usually people with osteochondrosis need asymmetrical loads.For example, on the right side of the muscles is better developed.Due to this imbalance, distortions occur in the musculoskeletal system and in the bone ligament apparatus.The curvature of the thoracic spine is characteristic of people with a well developed right hand: strengthening, boxers.
Manual therapy for osteochondrosis
This type of treatment is used in the early stages of the disease.Manual therapy strengthens the muscle frame and eliminates the block and pinching of the nerve roots.This type of treatment is not recommended when the form of the vertebrae has changed and the bone growths have been formed.
Appropriate manual therapy improves the configuration of the spine.There may be persistent functional blocks - stiffness areas in the spine and in the pelvic sacrum - that the patient is difficult to eliminate independently with therapeutic exercises.
Modern manual therapy is not what they have practiced before.Many doctors no longer use difficult techniques that are accompanied by crunch, but use soft techniques.They are based on knowledge of biomechanics, joint joints, laws of muscle contraction and relaxation.The risk of side effects of these techniques is lower and the efficiency has not changed.
Acupuncture
In certain parts of the body, the doctor introduces special needles.After that, blood circulation, lymphatic circulation and metabolic processes are accelerated, the state of the spine and the whole organism improves.Acupuncture with osteochondrosis is carried out in the early stages of the disease, with intense pain and low mobility of the vertebrae.
There is also a dry needle method when a drug -free needle is introduced into a spasmodic muscle, generally in the shape of a pear.The pain in the back and the pelvic area stops.This method is effective even in chronic cases.
Kineseotherapy
This is one of the safest methods.It is actively developing in South Korea and is often used in sports medicine.
Kinesioteype is a cotton patch with a thermoclay.There are special types of therapeutic applications for pain in the neck, chest, back and joints.Now, they organize many training seminars on home recordings, but you must be more careful with adhesive tape - there may be complications.
With Kinesioteiing, you must take the restrictions into account: for girls, it is pregnancy and critical days.Some patients may have an allergic reaction to a patch.
Massage for osteochondrosis
There are many contraindications for this type of treatment, so the neurologist prescribes an individual course to the patient.With him, you have to choose a competent massage therapist.Massage sessions must be regular.As a rule, the doctor prescribes at least 2 to 3 sessions per week for 1 to 3 months.
Appropriate medical massage for osteochondrosis of the spine:
- provides additional charges on the muscles and increases their tone;
- Accelerates the accumulations of lactic acid and relieves muscle spasms;
- Improves blood circulation in the affected area and adjacent tissues;
- Relieves pain.
Only medical massage is suitable for treatment, Thai is dangerous.Most Thai massage masters use hard manual therapy techniques and are not interested in the patient's physical condition.
Physiotherapy for vertebral osteochondrosis
Depending on the location and stage of the disease, patients are prescribed:
Magnetotherapy.It is the effect of a magnetic field with a constant frequency that triggers a cell reaction.
Electrophoresis for osteochondrosis.The effect on the electric field fabric, which accelerates blood circulation and activates the processes of regeneration.
Laser therapy.It activates biological processes in nerve fibers, has an anti-inflammatory, healing of wounds and an analgesic effect.
Shock waves therapy.The impact on the sick body body with acoustic waves improves metabolic processes and microcirculation, relieves swelling and pain.
Hirudotherapy
This treatment with medical leeches.It prevents an increase in blood coagulation and the formation of blood clots, widens blood vessels, eliminates inflammatory processes and has an analgesic effect.The bed in osteochondrosis is placed to improve the blood supply of cells and for this activity to activate the restoration of damaged intervertebral discs.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis
Modern medicine is trying to move away from drugs.Some drugs are very serious and can negatively affect patient health.
Osteochondrosis pain often occurs in the context of minor changes in the spine.And if the doctor selects the patient's correct treatment without medication, the patient is unlikely to meet pain again.If the patient takes medication for a long time, the structural changes most likely in the spine will become worse and the tablets will stop acting.There are also medicine situations where drugs are contraindicated.
In modern medicine, Kinesiothepe is used as analgesic.It is a long patch which is not more expensive than the packaging of drugs.Its effectiveness and safety are higher than those of drug therapy.
Other treatment methods
Sometimes the following drugs and procedures are prescribed:
Corset.It corrects the spine and also supports the back.
Darsonvalization for osteochondrosis.It is the effect of current alternation through a glass electrode with gas.It improves microcirculation and blood supply.
Plaster and mustard compressesThey have a warming effect and activate blood circulation.
Vitamins for osteochondrosisImprove the condition of bones, joints, muscle tissues and nerve fibers.
Injections and chondroprotectorsPrevent additional destruction of cartilage.
In serious cases, surgery is prescribed for the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Diet for osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis power supply should be balanced.A sufficient amount of substances for the synthesis of the cartilage fabric should enter the body.It is useful to eat fresh fruit, vegetables, protein products, as well as dishes with mucopolysaccharides - for example, fruit jelly, jelly or floodfish.
Osteochondrosis exercises
The treatment of the exercise for osteochondrosis of the spine is prescribed when the pain passes.All the exercises are individually selected according to the form, the degree, the stage of the disease.For example, at the initial stage of the cervical form of the disease, doctors advise:
- Take inclination with your head;
- Turn your head on the right and left;
- Describe in the air the digital chin from 0 to 9;
- Move the chin forward in the horizontal plane.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a temperature for osteochondrosis?
Yes.This symptom can be with concomitant diseases, for example, with stenosis of the vertebral canal, vertebral artery syndrome and disks' protuberances.
How to sleep with osteochondrosis?
In the installation in which pain is practical and less concerned for you.If you sleep on your back, select a small pillow and put a soft roll under your knees, on your belly - a pillow under the bottom of the abdomen.
Also buy an orthopedic mattress and a pillow.
Can there be an arrhythmia of osteochondrosis?
Yes, in advanced cases of osteochondrosis.One of the possible reasons is to pinch the vertebral artery, which can tighten spasmodic muscles or invaded osteophytes.But it is better to undergo a complete examination and make sure that you have no heart disease.
What are the injections of osteochondrosis?
Now they are trying to leave medical treatment.The doctor only prescribes injections in extreme cases.For osteochondrosis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, anesthetics, chondroprotectors are used.
Is it possible to warm osteochondrosis?
Before examining a doctor, it is better not to be worth it.
How to anesthetize osteochondrosis?
Kinesioteype.It is a cotton patch with a thermoclay.There are special types of therapeutic applications for pain in the neck, chest, back and joints.