Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the spine and surrounding tissues.Dystrophic processes imply malnutrition, and degeneration implies premature aging, changes in the structure and properties of tissues.The degenerative process is involutive, which is the natural aging process of the body.However, when exposed to various unfavorable factors, it accelerates, leading to the development of the disease.
The relevance of osteochondrosis of the spine is due to the high frequency of its spread, especially in developed countries, which affects people aged 30-60 working with complete or partial loss of the ability to work, the course of chronic disease and the development of the disease in the absence of adequate treatment and prevention.
Reasons for the development of osteochondrosis
1. Excessive load
The degenerative process in the intervertebral disc is considered a discrepancy between its strength characteristics and the load applied to it.Increased pressure on the spine includes lifting weights, staying in the same position for long periods of time (sitting, standing), sudden movements, jumping from heights, injuries, curvature of the spine, incorrect posture, and excess weight.
As a result of excessive load, trauma to the spinal structure occurs.Especially sensitive to overload is the intervertebral disc, which performs the function of shock absorption and, together with the facet joints, provides movement in the spine.
2. Malnutrition of the intervertebral disc
The intervertebral disc has no blood vessels of its own and is nourished by the diffusion of interstitial fluid from the surrounding tissue.The diffusion process is facilitated by the motor activity of the spine and surrounding muscles.
Therefore, prolonged movement restrictions in the spine, sedentary work, and physical inactivity are accompanied by a decrease in intervertebral disc trophism and lead to the development of osteochondrosis.
3. Other factors
Hereditary tendencies, 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 is reduced.In the fibrous ring of the disc, the fibrous fibers are destroyed, micro-cracks and tears appear, which contribute to the migration of the nucleus pulposus and the formation 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 surrounding muscle spasms develop, which are also accompanied by pain, stiffness in the back, and limitation of movement.
The changes that appear in the surrounding tissue in the form of tension in the back muscles, functional blocks, and nerve root irritation contribute to the severity of the existing microcirculation disorders and metabolic changes, causing the formation 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 is distinguished.When all departments are involved, they talk about widespread osteochondrosis of the spine.
The lumbar region is most often affected, accounting for about half of all cases of osteochondrosis.This is because the lower part of the spine experiences a greater static load than other parts.
The second most common location is the cervical region.It 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 - prolonged sitting at the computer, sedentary work, boring physical work.
The development of osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine is associated with limited mobility in this segment, which is set 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 specific part: pain in the neck, lower back, between the shoulder blades.Local symptoms also include tension, back muscle spasms, heaviness and discomfort.
Long-term symptomsthe appearance associated with the involvement in the process of the nervous or vascular system of the spine, which is responsible for the conservation and blood supply of certain structures of the body.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by:pain in the neck, occipital area, shoulder girdle, collar area.Pain may radiate to the arm, shoulder, elbow joint or hand, accompanied by numbness in the arm or "crawling", and limited mobility in the joints of the upper limbs.
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 process of the cervical vertebrae and is involved in the blood supply to the brain.Vertebral artery syndrome is manifested by throbbing headaches, noise in the head, and dizziness.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spinemanifested by pain between the shoulder blades, behind the thorax, which can spread along the intercostal space in the form of intercostal neuralgia, to the front of the chest, imitating heart pain, in this case it is necessary to exclude the cardiac nature of the pain.
When the lower thoracic vertebrae are involved, the pain can move to the anterior abdominal wall, to the abdominal area, imitating diseases of the internal organs.
For osteochondrosis of the lumbar regionpain is localized in the lower back, in the buttocks, spreads down the legs, and may be accompanied by numbness, tingling, spasms of the leg muscles, their atrophy, and dysfunction of the pelvic organs.
Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by chronic back pain, which can increase at night, with prolonged sitting or standing, or after physical activity.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the spine is based on the study of the patient's complaints, collection of the anamnesis of the disease, clinical, neurological and orthopedic examination of the patient.
If necessary, laboratory or instrumental diagnostic methods are prescribed, such as radiography, magnetic resonance imaging of the spine (MRI), computed tomography (CT), Dopplerography of the neck and intracranial vessels, electrocardiography.A detailed diagnosis is necessary to exclude more serious diseases of the spine, identify the complications of osteochondrosis, and choose the optimal treatment tactics for osteochondrosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine
The Vertebrology Center provides comprehensive treatment for osteochondrosis of the spine.
To treat osteochondrosis, our center uses modern equipment and treatment methods, using qualified specialists: vertebrologists, orthopedic-traumatologists, neurologists, chiropractors who will help you correctly diagnose spinal diseases 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 to therapy.
The center uses the following methods to treat osteochondrosis of the spine:
Drug treatment of osteochondrosisaimed at relieving bitterness, affecting the pathogenetic mechanism of the disease.
Back massage, spine correctionallows you to normalize the tone and elasticity of the back muscles, increase blood supply, remove pinched nerve roots and restore the mobility of spinal motion segments.
Spinal tractionused when osteochondrosis is combined with disc protrusion and intervertebral hernia, with symptoms of nerve root compression.Traction is carried out under the supervision of the attending physician.
Therapeutic restrictions- This is a local injection of the drug into the pathological focus area.With its help, you can achieve the maximum concentration of the drug in the desired area to achieve a therapeutic effect.For the treatment of osteochondrosis, paravertebral blockade is mainly used - the introduction of drugs into the tissue around the vertebrae, near the roots of the intervertebral nerves.
Shock wave therapy- new directions in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine and its complications.This method was initially developed in Switzerland to destroy stones in internal organs, but later showed high effectiveness in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
In our center, osteochondrosis treatment is carried out using the American Pro-Ajuster shock wave therapy device, which is specially designed for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the spine and surrounding soft tissues.This device allows you to diagnose the state of tissue density and tension and subsequently act on the changed area.
To treat osteochondrosis, various physiotherapeutic procedures are used, such as: magnetic therapy, laser treatment, ultrasound, myostimulation, electrical procedures.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
As you know, the best way to treat a disease is to prevent it.To prevent the development of osteochondrosis, the issues of prevention must be addressed from early childhood.
Timely examination by a pediatric orthopedist allows 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 exercise, outdoor sports, games, monitor posture, and avoid excessive load on the spine.
Key activities that help maintain a healthy spine include:
- Rational work and rest regime: avoid sitting for a long time, get up regularly, stretch your back, keep your back straight, pay attention to your posture, sleep on a semi-rigid bed;
- Elimination of spinal load: do not lift heavy objects, especially in a bent position, avoid falling and jumping from a height, spinal injury, monitor body weight;
- Systematic exercises for the back;
- Proper nutrition;
- Timely diagnosis and elimination of pain and discomfort in the back.