Osteochondrosis is a pathology familiar to 40% of the population under the age of 35-40 years and almost 90% in old age. Even adolescents sometimes show signs of osteochondrosis - a decrease in the height of the discs, pain, discomfort in the spine. If you start treating the disease at the first stage, before the destruction of the disc, the chance to stop the progression is very high.

What is osteochondrosis?

In osteochondrosis of the spine, one or more intervertebral discs. The disease can occur in any department:

• chest;
• Shane;
• Lumbar (lumbosacral).

In severe cases, degeneration of the vertebral discs against the background of osteochondrosis is observed throughout the spinal column, which causes a person's disability. So what kind of disease is osteochondrosis? Pathology is associated with a gradual, steady and progressive malnutrition of hyaline cartilage located on the intervertebral discs, as a result of which they change position, shape, and crack. Man experiencing strong pain syndrome, the functions of the entire musculoskeletal system are violated.

What is osteochondrosis regarding its consequences? If you do not carry out treatment, the vertebrae will shrink, the gaps between them will decrease, and the discs will begin to crush and collapse. This will lead to damage to the nerve roots, damage spinal cord and disruption internal organs. Bone osteophytes appear along the edges of the discs - growths that cause even more severe pain. The consequences of this disease of the spine are very serious.

Scientists have come to the conclusion, studying osteochondrosis, that this disease is a consequence of the upright posture of a person, so most people are prone to it. Daily high loads on the spinal discs, age-related deterioration of vascular function, malnutrition and aging of the body are the main causes of osteochondrosis. The following factors exacerbate the situation:

Injuries, heavy physical activity greatly aggravate the development of osteochondrosis of the spine. Therefore, in athletes, manual laborers, osteochondrosis of the lower back is a very “popular” problem. Heredity also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the syndrome - if parents had serious back problems at a young age, the child has a high risk of getting a spinal disease.

Psychosomatic causes of pathology - a new direction in the search for prerequisites for its formation. Psychosomatics implies the influence of psychological factors on the development and course of physical illness. The connection between bodily and mental problems is really close, and apparently healthy man may suffer from regular pain. With osteochondrosis, some people do not find objective reasons for the pathology, but it continues to progress.

Up to 30% of patients after a visit to the doctor indicate such troubles as:

• Constant stress;
• Chronic experiences;
• Nervous tension;
• Family problems;
• conflicts;
• Moral breakdown.

In this case, the psychosomatics in the appearance of the spinal lesion syndrome is clearly traced - the person "bends" under the weight of problems, from which the spine suffers. If the pathology has similar causes, the treatment of osteochondrosis will be difficult, drugs usually do not help. Exacerbations of pathology occur during a new wave of stress, and there are no physical reasons for them.

Especially often, psychosomatics is reflected in the cervical spine, but the pain syndrome can be wandering throughout the spinal column. Treatment of osteochondrosis should begin with a search and solution psychological problems under the supervision of a psychotherapist.

The intervertebral disc consists of liquid and solid parts. The first is in the center, representing a core that gives elasticity. From above, the core is surrounded by a strong ring. It is from the liquid structure that all pathological changes in the disc begin, which later spread to its shell.

In medicine, there are four stages in the development of osteochondrosis. This refers to the conditional division of pathology according to the severity of disorders in the spine:

• The first stage of osteochondrosis. The amount of moisture in the disc drops, it dehydrates. Destruction has not yet occurred, but after severe dehydration of the nucleus, microcracks begin to appear on the fibrous ring. There are usually no symptoms at this stage of the disease.
• The second stage of osteochondrosis. The height of the disk begins to decrease, which means the gradual addition of symptoms and the progression of pathology. In the spine, the distance between its individual segments decreases, due to which the ligaments sag. At this stage, in a number of patients, the disease causes slippage of the vertebrae - spondylolisthesis. Pain, discomfort occur during exacerbations, It's a dull pain may be present even in remission.
• Third stage. Osteochondrosis of the spine at this stage gives a strong pain syndrome, because complications begin to form. Most often these are protrusions, disc prolapses, less often - arthrosis (degeneration) of the vertebral joints, subluxations of the vertebrae. Pain is supplemented by limited mobility of the affected segment of the spine.
• The fourth stage of osteochondrosis. The spinal column begins to adapt to the new conditions of existence, trying to fix the vertebrae in order to protect them from final destruction. For this, osteophytes grow, as if “immuring” the vertebra. The pain can be sharp due to injury to the nerve endings.

The first signs of osteochondrosis usually begin on initial stage when there is no pain. In the neck, lower back, less often - in the thoracic region, a crunch can be heard when moving (it means a violation of the nutrition of the disk, its dehydration). Further, when overloading, working in an uncomfortable position, a person may notice stiffness of the muscles of the back or neck. They become "stone" on one or both sides, which is uncomfortable, causes burning, irritation.

Subsequently, the symptoms of osteochondrosis become more pronounced. At rest, a person may feel normal, but work, lifting weights, sleeping on an uncomfortable pillow can provoke such phenomena:

• Aching pains;
• aches;
• Numbness of the hands (if the neck is affected);
• Feeling of stiffness;
• Forced decrease in movements;
• Muscle spasm;
• Shooting;
• Increasing pressure;
• Posture disorder.

When the patient's spine is overloaded, osteochondrosis gives more pronounced signs and symptoms. Pain occurs in the shoulders, gives to the arms, elbows, headaches appear. With osteochondrosis of the cervical region, there are tinnitus, dizziness, vertebral artery syndrome develops, vision is impaired. Over time, without treatment of osteochondrosis, muscle atrophy occurs, the skin becomes pale. The course of cardiac pathologies may be aggravated, the functioning of the liver, gallbladder, and gastrointestinal tract is disrupted.

The consequences of this disease are always unpleasant, they provoke an increase in pain. With osteochondrosis, there are:

• disc protrusion;
• Prolapse and herniation of the disc;
• Attacks of sciatica, sciatica, lumbago;
• Kyphosis, scoliosis.

The danger to a person largely depends on the type of hernia in osteochondrosis of the spine. They are anterior, posterior, lateral, and the most dangerous are posterior hernias - they can compress the spinal cord. In the lumbar segment of the spine, hernias are most common, mainly between 4-5 vertebrae.

Lumbar osteochondrosis can cause very unpleasant symptoms - backache (lumbago). The pain in lumbago is burning, sharp, unbearable, it is very difficult to endure. The cause is a pinched nerve, because the patient's neurovascular bundle is damaged. Especially dangerous in osteochondrosis is the cauda equina syndrome, when a large bundle of spinal nerves is pinched in a person. As a result, the functions of the intestines, the bladder suffer, and paralysis of the legs may even occur.

Signs of osteochondrosis often come down to severe muscle atrophy. If the muscles do not participate in the work of the body for a long time, the movements of the spine are constrained, then individual fibers weaken. As a result, the patient may become an invalid, bedridden. Cervical osteochondrosis is also very dangerous, because a hernia in this segment can cause a violation of the blood supply to the brain. At this stage, there is a risk of impaired vision, swallowing, speech and other brain functions.

Having independently recognized the signs of osteochondrosis, you need to think about its treatment. Because spinal damage can reach different stages, the treatment of osteochondrosis will also be different. It is important to make the correct diagnosis so that the therapy is chosen correctly.

Due to the prevalence of the disease and the presence characteristic symptoms The doctor will be able to suggest a diagnosis already at a preliminary examination. But to differentiate osteochondrosis from other diseases of the back and internal organs, the following diagnostics are performed:

• Radiography of the spine. It will help to identify the height of the discs, the degree of their thinning, as well as the presence of osteophytes.
• CT, MRI. More preferred in the survey. With this disease, it will be possible to determine the severity of damage to nerves, soft tissues, to find the smallest protrusions.

With osteochondrosis, laboratory tests do not play a primary role, but surrender general analysis, biochemistry is required to exclude the inflammatory process, rheumatoid lesions of bones and joints. To study the function of the muscles, the doctor conducts a series of physical tests, and to clarify the work of blood vessels and nerves, they do duplex, electromyography.

If the symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis are identified, it is not worth delaying therapy - the disease progresses rapidly. On early stage gymnastics, massage to strengthen muscles are usually recommended - this will be enough. At other stages of osteochondrosis, medication will be needed, and sometimes surgery.

To relieve pain - the most unpleasant symptom of the disease - you can use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They cannot cure osteochondrosis, but they are always prescribed before exercise therapy to relieve symptoms. In severe cases, drugs are administered in injections, but more often they are recommended in a course of 7-14 days in tablets and topically, in the form of ointments. The most popular NSAIDs for osteochondrosis are:

• Meloxicam;
• Ketorolac;
• Ketoprofen;
• Arcoxia;
• Dexalgin;
• Diclofenac.

If a person has a strong painful syndrome in the spinal area, he is given injections of glucocorticosteroids directly into the affected area. The drugs of choice are Diprospan, Kenalog. Short-term pain relief is possible with the help of blockades with Novocaine and other anesthetics.

Treatment of osteochondrosis is also carried out using the following means:

• B vitamins (Milgamma, Neuromultivit). Helps improve nerve conduction in the spine.
• Chondroprotectors (Artra, Dona, Alflutop). Nourish intervertebral cartilage, strengthen discs.
• Muscle relaxants (Mydocalm, Sirdalud). Reduce the strength of muscle spasms in osteochondrosis.
• Vascular preparations (Trental, Actovegin). Optimize blood circulation in the spine.

If osteochondrosis has developed, then for anesthesia and pathogenetic treatment give only chondroprotectors, they are taken in courses of 3-6 months. The rest of the drugs have a symptomatic effect and do not affect the course of osteochondrosis itself.

In the list of measures to treat osteochondrosis, physiotherapy methods are sure to appear. Thanks to physiotherapy, the treatment of osteochondrosis will be more effective, because the action extends directly to the focus of inflammation. Physiotherapy will relieve the painful syndrome, eliminate spasms, improve blood microcirculation, and help remove clamps from the nerves. The most popular methods are:

• Electrophoresis. Treatment of osteochondrosis in this way will allow you to deliver relaxing, anti-inflammatory substances and anesthetics directly to the zone of the vertebrae, muscles, ligaments.
• Ultrasound. It relieves unpleasant symptoms, anesthetizes, creates the effect of vibration massage, activates the metabolism at the local level.
• Magnetotherapy. Variable or constant magnetic fields anesthetize, eliminate the inflammatory process.
• Detensor therapy. In this disease, a person is placed on a special mattress with “ribs”, where the spine is stretched and massaged. At the same time, muscle tone improves.

All types of physiotherapy should be carried out in courses of 10-15 procedures, while individual contraindications must be taken into account.

Exercise therapy in the treatment of osteochondrosis plays a dominant role. Without exercise therapy, it will not be possible to form a strong muscular corset, and the latter is urgently needed to maintain a sick spine. Also, gymnastics enhances blood circulation in the area of ​​the vertebrae, improves metabolic processes and helps to quickly remove decay products.

How to cure osteochondrosis with the help of gymnastics? The complex is selected only individually, and only at 1-2 stages it can be carried out without the supervision of a doctor. In the later stages, extra, more forceful movements can cause the disc to move and make the problem worse. At stage 3, all exercises are done only in the prone position.

For the treatment of osteochondrosis, massage is a must. In the acute stage, it is not done - it will cause a thrill. But a properly performed massage in the chronic stage with osteochondrosis is indispensable. After a course of sessions, muscles relax, clamps are removed, nerves and blood vessels begin to function normally. Massage is carried out only in a gentle mode, without sudden movements. You cannot trust your spine to a non-professional!

The disease is most easily amenable to complex therapy if it is treated using different approaches. It is very important to improve nutrition in case of osteochondrosis - it should include vitamins, minerals, more food with gelatin, jelly, broths (if they are not contraindicated). So the nutrition of the cartilage will be improved, the discs will begin to recover.

Methods for treating osteochondrosis of the spine can be as follows:

• Manual therapy. The specialist physically affects the vertebrae, "puts" them in place when displaced, after which the result should be fixed by exercise therapy.
• Extraction, or traction. An effective method of treating osteochondrosis, carried out only with an individually selected load, quickly removes an unpleasant syndrome.
• Acupuncture. In the treatment of osteochondrosis, this method promotes the activation of blood circulation in the vertebrae, which relieves pain and improves cartilage nutrition.
• Orthopedic therapy. It involves wearing bandages that relieve pain and correct posture, as well as sleeping on special pillows.

There is also a popular treatment for osteochondrosis. These are the application of ointments, drinking herbal preparations, rubbing and herbal poultices. In complex therapy, such methods can be used, but they will not cope as the only remedy for this disease.

How to treat osteochondrosis if the situation has reached the destruction of the disc? Only surgery will help, because otherwise the person remains disabled. There are not so many indications for intervention, with osteochondrosis it is:

• Intractable pain (2-3 months or more);
• Disorders of motor function;
• Progressive muscle atrophy;
• Disk destruction;
• Complications from the nerves, spinal cord.

For the treatment of osteochondrosis, microdiscectomy (microsurgical operation) is most often recommended. It is performed by an experienced neurosurgeon to eliminate radicular compression. Part of the disc is removed, and it stops pinching the nerve. The doctor also removes bone osteophytes, which at an advanced stage of the disease can be voluminous. The disc itself remains in place, and the incision is only 1-2 cm.

With osteochondrosis, a more serious operation is the complete removal of the disc and its replacement with a graft. The vertebrae are fixed with iron devices. Unfortunately, in this place the spine will become immobile, but the nerve roots will be released. You can also place elastic silicone discs between the vertebrae - then the spinal column will fully retain its functions, but this intervention for osteochondrosis is quite expensive.

In order not to bring to surgery for osteochondrosis, it is important to carefully consider the preventive measures:

• Do not allow hypodynamia. This disease can progress with power loads, but swimming, skiing, exercising will only benefit and help strengthen muscles and overall health.
• Follow your posture. At work and at home, it is important to sit correctly, not to stoop, and from childhood.
• Sleep on comfortable pillows. There are preventive pillows, with already existing osteochondrosis, several other, therapeutic ones are used.
• Don't lift weights. If necessary, you should sit down, stand with the object, keeping your back straight.
• Do exercises regularly to strengthen your muscles. This is important for the muscles of the neck, back, abs, lower back.
• Wear comfortable shoes. High-quality shoes (if necessary, orthopedic) do not develop flat feet - a risk factor for damage to the vertebrae.

It is also important to eat well, do not smoke, enrich the diet with vitamins, consume more fluids - this will reduce the likelihood of pathology.

Good day, dear readers!

In today's article, we will consider with you such a disease of the spine as osteochondrosis, as well as its symptoms, causes, types, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. So...

What is osteochondrosis?

Osteochondrosis- a disease of the spine, a characteristic feature of which is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral discs, and then the tissues of the vertebrae themselves.

The main symptom of osteochondrosis is pain in the neck or back. Among other symptoms, muscle atrophy, impaired sensitivity, and disturbances in the functioning of internal organs are distinguished. Depending on the localization of the pathological process, there are cervical, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis. If this disease and its treatment are not given the necessary attention, the process of spinal damage will become irreversible.

In the English-language literature, the term "osteochondrosis" means such a group of diseases of the musculoskeletal system as osteochondropathy.

The main factor or cause that leads to the development of osteochondrosis is the uneven distribution of the load on the spine, which occurs when carrying heavy loads (for example, bags, backpacks) in one arm or shoulder, prolonged sitting in a wrong position, night rest on an uneven mattress or pillow. Additional factors may also include a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, injury, and flat feet.

All of the above situations over the years and lead to frequent pain in the cervical, thoracic or sacral spine.

According to statistics, osteochondrosis occurs from 40 to 90% of the world's population, mostly aged 30-35 years. Under adverse conditions, this disease develops in adolescents, which is most often facilitated by wearing a heavy uncomfortable backpack, especially on one shoulder, uncomfortable shoes and injuries.

Osteochondrosis. ICD

ICD-10: M42, M91-M93;
ICD-9: 732.

The development of osteochondrosis occurs in 4 distinguished stages (degrees):

Osteochondrosis stage 1. It is characterized by the onset of a pathological process in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc - its dehydration (dehydration) occurs, and subsequently the height of the disc decreases. At the same time, cracks begin to appear in the fibrous ring. At this stage, the patient usually does not feel any changes. Discomfort can manifest itself with an unusual sitting position for a person, or active charging.

Osteochondrosis stage 2. With a decrease in the height of the discs, the distance between adjacent vertebrae also decreases, and the vertebral muscles and ligaments begin to sag a little. This process leads to hypermobility of two adjacent vertebrae, which can lead to their slippage and/or displacement. Spondylolisthesis develops. Due to the displaced vertebrae, the patient feels real discomfort under a certain load, and sometimes pain in the pathology area.

Osteochondrosis 3 stages. It is characterized by the formation of prolapses and protrusions of the discs, sometimes subluxations and occur in the intervertebral joints. The patient may feel stiffness in some movements, feel tingling in the limbs, sometimes numbness appears. With the 3rd degree of osteochondrosis, there is already pain in the back, neck, coccyx area, depending on the location of the disease.

Osteochondrosis 4 stages. The body is trying to correct the excessive mobility of the vertebrae, as well as normalize the functioning of the spine. At the junction of the vertebrae with pathology, bone neoplasms grow on each of them - osteophytes, which, when formed in an unnecessary place, can cause microtrauma to the nerve root, and sometimes to the adjacent vertebra. Fibrous ankylosis processes may begin in the discs and joints. The vertebral motor segment becomes overgrown and becomes, as it were, immured. At the same time, the main signs of osteochondrosis are minimized, and sometimes in general, they are practically not noticeable.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

The main symptoms of osteochondrosis are discomfort and pain in the back or neck. The strength of pain and other accompanying signs of this disease depend on the degree (stage) of osteochondrosis.

Of course, due to the pathology of the intervertebral discs, their hernia, growths on the vertebrae (osteophytes), a large number of disorders occur, such as circulatory disorders, pinched nerves, irritation and disturbances in the normal functioning of the spinal cord, edema and even fibrosis of the structures surrounding the vertebrae. All these disorders can cause an extensive clinical picture of the disease, and be expressed by an abundant number of different symptoms, therefore, without a thorough diagnosis of osteochondrosis, it is very difficult to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.

Nevertheless, consider the main symptoms of osteochondrosis:

• pain in the back, cervical region, lower back, shoulders and even ribs;
• discomfort, stiffness of the back during certain movements, lifting something;
• numbness of the limbs (arms and / or legs);
• feeling of ache in the arms and legs, ;
• muscle spasms;
• violations in the work of the genital organs;
• pain in the region of the heart;
• violation of sensitivity;
• muscle hypotension;
• increased fatigue, sometimes eyes.

In addition, depending on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe spine in which osteochondrosis struck, the following symptoms are distinguished:

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Pain in the arms and shoulders, headache, dizziness, "flies" or spots before the eyes, noise in the head predominate. These signs may also indicate the presence of vertebral artery syndrome, which can also give complications to the work of the heart muscle and myocardial vessels if other diseases are present in them.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. Predominates, areas of the heart, discomfort in breathing.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine. Pain in the lower back prevails, radiating to the legs or pelvic organs. Violation of sexual function.

Complications of osteochondrosis

If osteochondrosis is not treated and left to chance, this can lead to the development of the following diseases and pathologies:

• herniated disc (herniated spine);
• protrusion;
• deposition in the intervertebral space of salts;
• spinal cord stroke;
• weight loss of limbs and their atrophy;
• paralysis of the legs.

The causes of osteochondrosis are not fully understood, so consider the most popular of them:

• mechanical injury of the back (spine);
• physical overstrain of the body, hard work;
• nervous exhaustion,;
• metabolic disorders, poisoning;
• frequent stay in places with high vibration;
• hereditary predisposition;
• sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work;
• violation of posture at an early age;
• excess weight, ;
• wearing uncomfortable shoes (tight, heels);
• night rest on an uncomfortable bed - a mattress, a pillow;
• frequent;
• malnutrition;
• smoking;
• pregnancy.

Classification of osteochondrosis

The classification of osteochondrosis is very diverse, because. the disease itself is not fully understood.

Let's highlight the most popular ways of separating this disease.

Osteochondrosis is distinguished ...

By localization:

• cervical
• Thoracic (Th or D)
• Lumbar (L)
• sacrum (S)

According to clinical manifestations:

1. Neck level.

1.1. reflex syndromes.

• cervicalgia;
• cervicocranialgia;
• cervicobrachialgia with vegetative-vascular, neurodystrophic or muscular-tonal manifestations.

1.2. radicular syndromes.

• Discogenic lesions of the cervical spine.

1.3. Radicular-vascular syndromes.

2. Thoracic level (Th or D).

2.1. reflex syndromes.

• thoracalgia with vegetative-visceral, neurodystrophic or muscular-tonal manifestations.

2.2. radicular syndromes.

• Discogenic lesion of the roots of the thoracic region.

3. Lumbosacral level (L, S).

3.1. reflex syndromes.

• lumbago (lumbago);
• lumbalgia;
• lumboischialgia with vegetative-vascular, neurodystrophic or muscular-tonal manifestations.

3.2. radicular syndromes.

• Discogenic lesion of the roots of the lumbosacral region.

3.3. Radicular-vascular syndromes - radiculoischemia.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis includes the following examination methods:

• anamnesis;
• myelography;
• neurological examination.

Additionally, they can appoint:

• nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR);

The treatment of osteochondrosis implies the use of a set of measures that must be performed for a sufficiently long period of time (from 1-3 months + about 1 year for rehabilitation), to which many patients react very ambiguously. Therefore, it should be noted that, indirectly fulfilling the recommendations of the attending physician, the prognosis for the patient's recovery is minimal.

Self-treatment often becomes an additional problem in the treatment of osteochondrosis. The fact is that, as already mentioned earlier in the article, with this disease clinical picture quite ambiguous and broad. A patient without diagnostics begins to select medicines against what hurts, and, eliminating pain, continues to do his own thing. everyday life while the disease continues to progress.

Important! A timely visit to a doctor, a thorough diagnosis of health and strict adherence to all the recommendations of the attending physician increase a positive prognosis for recovery!

Treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out by two main methods: conservative and surgical treatment. In addition, there are general recommendations in the treatment of osteochondrosis, such as diet, rehabilitation.

Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis

Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis is aimed at stopping the pain syndrome, normalizing the functioning of the spine and its components, as well as preventing further degenerative changes in the human “axis”.

Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis includes:

Medical therapy. It is used to relieve pain and inflammation of the tissues that make up the spine, as well as the normalization of metabolic processes.

Various therapeutic blockades are also used to relieve pain and inflammation processes. They, among other things, help to reduce the muscular-tonic syndrome. Among the therapeutic blockades, there are: blockades of trigger points, as well as intraosseous, facet, paravertebral and epidural blockades.

Physiotherapy. It is used to relieve pain, enhance the effectiveness of drug therapy and during the rehabilitation period. Treatment is carried out using ultrasound, laser, magnetic fields, low frequency currents, etc.

Therapeutic physical education (LFK), kinesitherapy. Specially selected, dosed exercises aimed at correcting the muscular corset, strengthening it, correcting posture, normalizing the work of muscle tissues and their flexibility, decompressing the nerve roots, and preventing possible complications of the disease. All of the above is achieved by normalizing the metabolism and nutrition of the intervertebral discs, blood circulation, restoring the distance of the discs and vertebrae, and distributing the load on the entire musculoskeletal system.

Massage. It is used to improve blood circulation, relieve stiffness and tension of muscle tissues, improve general condition health.

Hydromassage. Helps to normalize blood circulation, metabolism, increase the tone of muscle tissues, normalize work nervous system. It implies a body massage with the help of a stream of water targeted at it with a certain pressure. True, hydromassage has recently prevailed with the help of air bubbles supplied to the body in specially equipped baths or pools.

Manual therapy. It is used according to an individually selected program, pointwise affecting the musculoskeletal system. Helps improve blood circulation and lymph circulation, metabolism, mobility of the musculoskeletal system, strengthen the immune system and prevent possible complications.

Traction (traction) of the spine. It is used with the help of special equipment to increase the intervertebral space, correct the structure of the spine, which usually leads to minimization or even removal of pain.

Has a good effect complex application the above methods of treatment of osteochondrosis.

Medicines for osteochondrosis

Among the remedies for osteochondrosis are:

Anti-inflammatory drugs:"", "Karipazim", "Pantohematogen", "Reoprin".

Diet for osteochondrosis

With osteochondrosis, you need to eat 6 times a day, in small portions, drinking at least 1.5 liters of water daily.

What can you eat with osteochondrosis: dairy products, lean meats (chicken, beef), jelly, jellied fish, aspic, fresh vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, carrots, beets, peppers, cabbage, celery, broccoli), fruits, avocados, nuts, sunflower seeds, spinach, mushrooms, cereals.

What should be minimized in food for osteochondrosis: grapes, legumes (peas, beans, etc.), flour products, hot spices, sugar, salty foods, meat broths and smoked meats.

According to statistics, pathology occurs in 9 out of 10 people aged 50 years and older. Previously, osteochondrosis was associated with older age. Today, the disease is “getting younger”, people aged 20-30 years and even younger can suffer from it.

The human spine consists of an average of 33 vertebrae: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 3 - 5 coccygeal. All vertebrae, except for the sacral and coccygeal, are separated by intervertebral discs. They provide spring function - depreciation while walking, running, jumping. In the center of each disc is an elastic nucleus pulposus, and on the periphery it is surrounded by a denser fibrous ring.

Causes of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is the result of a combination of several causes. The main factors that lead to the development of the disease:

• Age-related changes in the spine.
• Spinal injury.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Excessive loads on the spine.
• Overweight.
• Violation of blood flow in the vertebrae.
• Autoimmune diseases.
• Posture disorders, scoliosis.
• Prolonged work in a monotonous uncomfortable position.

With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral disc is gradually destroyed, and its height decreases. The distance between the vertebrae is reduced, as a result of which the roots of the spinal cord are compressed. As a result of compression and circulatory disorders, an inflammatory process develops. Later, changes begin to occur in the vertebrae. They are deformed, bone outgrowths - osteophytes are formed on them.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

Manifestations of osteochondrosis depend on which part of the spinal column is affected. Cervical osteochondrosis manifests itself in the form of pain that can occur in the neck, in the suboccipital region, in the shoulder, chest. Neck muscles become tense. The head takes a certain position in which the pain is not so strong. The range of motion in the neck is limited.

With cervical osteochondrosis, humeroscapular periarteritis can develop: inflammation of the tissues surrounding shoulder joint. This causes aching pain in the shoulder. Vertebral artery syndrome is a violation of blood circulation in the arteries that pass in the neck and carry blood to the brain. There is pain in the back of the head, which usually begins in the morning, spreads to the back of the head, crown.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine manifests itself in the form of pain between the shoulder blades. The patient feels that his chest is as if squeezed from the outside. Sometimes the pain is girdle in nature, occurs as if in a circle around the entire chest. Often occurs, in the region of the heart, under the ribs.

main feature lumbar osteochondrosis- back pain radiating to the leg. Sometimes pain can occur only in the lower back or only in the leg. The muscles of the leg on the affected leg become weaker, the patient notes that he "drags his leg." Gradually, the muscles decrease in size, its atrophy occurs. The sensitivity of the skin is impaired. She becomes pale and dry. The patient takes a forced posture: his lower back bends in a position in which pain is less disturbing.

What can you do?

Usually, the first sign of osteochondrosis occurs after hypothermia, intense physical exertion, prolonged work in an uncomfortable position, sleeping on an uncomfortable pillow. If there is no treatment, then the signs of osteochondrosis increase over time, the condition worsens, and performance decreases. It is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible and start therapy.

With osteochondrosis, it is impossible to achieve a complete recovery. But you can slow down the process and significantly improve the condition.

What can a doctor do?

The treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out by a neurologist, a neurosurgeon. During exacerbations, treatment is carried out in a hospital. Assign bed rest, anti-inflammatory and painkillers, drugs to improve blood flow in small vessels. Dry heat is applied to the area of ​​the affected spine.

Between exacerbations, treatment is carried out, including massage, physiotherapy, physiotherapy.

Sometimes traction is carried out: the patient is placed on a bed with a raised head end. With cervical osteochondrosis, a special cap is put on the head, to which weights of a certain weight are hung. In thoracic osteochondrosis, weights are used, suspended on rings by the armpits.

If the disease is accompanied by severe compression of the spinal roots and dysfunction, the doctor decides on surgical treatment. During the operation, pathologically altered intervertebral discs are removed, the vertebrae are fixed using various structures.

Every person who at least once in his life felt pain in the back, lumbar, thoracic or cervical spine. The first pain symptoms and signs of pathological disorders of articular cartilage appear in people of the middle age category after 30-35 years.

Symptomatic signs of osteochondrosis do not distinguish between the sex of a person, and therefore can affect the spinal vertebrae in both men and women. However, there is a sad trend towards rejuvenation of osteoarticular disease when osteochondrosis is noted in children of middle and senior school age.

The International Classifier of Diseases of the 10th revision defines osteochondrosis as a class of diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissues. The ICD code is M42 (a group of deforming dorsopathies). According to ICD10, osteochondrosis is further divided into several categories:

• Juvenile osteochondrosis of the spine (ICD10-M42.0).
• Spinal osteochondrosis in adults (ICD10-M42.1).
• Osteochondrosis of the spine, not specified (ICD10-M42.9).

The causes of osteochondrosis are associated with a metabolic disorder in the connective tissues of the articular cartilage, which are characterized in the ligamentous apparatus of the musculoskeletal system and a general disorder of the musculoskeletal system in the structural segments of the spine.

Pain syndrome occurs as a result of a deformation violation of the integrity of the intervertebral discs, leading to axial displacement of the vertebrae, and as a result, occurs in the spinal canals. Symptoms and signs of osteochondrosis can affect any part of the spinal system, sometimes developing over several years, they do not cause discomfort to a person.

In most cases, the causes of osteochondrosis are associated with the professional activity of a person. The risk group includes the following professional categories:

• accountant;
• cashiers;
• IT workers;
• office workers;
• professional athletes;
• vehicle drivers.

However, it was noted that signs of osteochondrosis are much more common in women than in the representatives of the stronger sex. Many medical experts agree that the cause of osteochondrosis is long-term wearing of high-heeled shoes. As a rule, the first symptoms of manifestation of neurological diseases are diagnosed in women after 25 years.

There are cases when the causes of osteochondrosis are caused by pregnancy. The way of life of a person is of no small importance. People prone to obesity make up the largest percentage of patients with a neurological clinic. The height of a person is also very important. It is in such patients that osteochondrosis of the spine is most often determined.

In general, the suggested factors for the development of the disease include:

• obesity;
• physiological aging of the musculoskeletal system;
• metabolic disease;
• traumatic conditions of the spine;
• infectious lesion of the articular components of the spinal column;
• malnutrition;
• hard physical labor;
• sedentary lifestyle.

However, the most significant causal factor in the development of neurological pathology is the hereditary (genetic) predisposition of a person to joint diseases, which makes itself felt already in childhood or adolescence.

Development of the disease

With osteochondrosis, symptoms and treatment are determined depending on the severity of the disease. So, the development of osteochondrosis has 4 stages of the course of the disease:

1. The first stage is the onset of pathological neuralgia, characterized by dehydration of the nucleus pulposus in the intervertebral disc. As a result, microcracks appear in the fibrous ring. Signs and symptoms of osteochondrosis at this stage of development of neurological pathology do not cause a person much discomfort. Only in the case of active physical actions, the affected parts of the spinal column are disturbed.
2. The second stage in a diagnostic laboratory examination is determined by a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs, and their distance between them. The classic sign of a pathological condition is the onset of sagging ligaments in the musculoskeletal system. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree are uncomfortable pain even with minor physical exertion, when aching or pulling pain occurs in the affected area of ​​the supporting system.
3. The third stage is a partial limitation of the mobility of the articular segments of the spine. At this stage of development of neurological pathology, prolapse and disc protrusion occur. In some cases, arthrosis is formed in the intervertebral joints. Depending on the localization of the affected area, the patient feels pain symptoms of osteochondrosis in the neck, back or lumbar region.
4. The fourth stage is the most complex neurological disorders in the spinal system, expressed in partial or complete limitation of joint mobility. With this diagnostic condition, bone outgrowths (osteophytes) are formed at the site of the vertebral joints, which cause microtrauma to the nerve branches and adjacent segments of the spine. In most cases, the symptoms of grade 4 osteochondrosis do not cause pain and discomfort, as the joints take on a petrified appearance.

Attention! In order to avoid complicating neurological conditions and restore joint mobility in time, it is necessary to timely determine the symptoms of osteochondrosis, the treatment of which will be much more effective in the initial phase of the disease.

Kinds

In neurology, osteochondrosis is divided into several types:

1. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
2. Lumbosacral osteochondrosis of the spinal column.

There is also a general osteochondrosis of the back, when several sections of the musculoskeletal system fall into the affected area.

Symptoms

Consider what are the causes of osteochondrosis, and what symptoms of a neurological disease appear in a particular affected area.

Cervical osteochondrosis, symptoms and signs:

• Pain symptoms in the cervical and occipital zone.
• Weakness in the muscles of the neck.
• Dizziness and headache in the temporal and / or occipital zone.
• Unstable intracranial pressure.
• Appears when tilting and / or turning the head.
• Pain in the shoulders or forearm.
• Numbness of upper limbs, especially fingers.

With neuralgic pathology of the thoracic spine, osteochondrosis manifests itself the following symptoms and signs:

• Pain in the region of the heart.
• Pain in the chest restricts breathing.
• Radiating pain under the shoulder blades.
• Crawling goosebumps on the body.
• Compression of the chest region and numbness of the extremities.

Before treating osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, it is necessary to clearly diagnose a neurological pathology, since the symptomatic signs are very similar to other diseases of the respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems.

Osteochondrosis of the back is the most common category of neurological disorder of the spinal system. The sacral and / or lumbar sections of the musculoskeletal structure of the spine fall into the affected area.

With osteochondrosis of the back, symptoms, causes and treatment must be differentiated, since this anatomical site of the human body is most vulnerable to various injuries and neurological conditions. Often, the vertebral portion of the lower back is subject to other clinical pathologies, such as sciatica, sciatica, and so on.

The main symptom of a neurological lesion of the lumbar zone is pain, which increases with physical exertion. Symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis:

• Tingling in the legs.
• Dull or aching pain in the back or lower back, often there are sharp shootings in these areas.

It is important to know! Intervertebral degeneration in any part of the musculoskeletal system almost always increases after active loads, prolonged stay in one position, awkward movements, and in case of hypothermia of the body.

Osteochondrosis in children does not differ in pain symptoms from adult patients. Degenerative-dystrophic disorders in a child are a consequence of the genetic dependence of the musculoskeletal system. However, there is another reason for osteochondrosis in a child, when a young organism falls under the influence of the strongest overloads of the musculoskeletal system. We are talking about professional sports or back-breaking physical labor performed by children.

Diagnostics

Diagnostic examination includes the following activities:

• Patient history.
• X-ray scanning of problem areas of the spine.
• Myelography.
• or magnetic resonance imaging.
• If necessary, nuclear magnetic resonance is used.

Treatment

It is possible to effectively cure degenerative disorders of the spine only at the initial stage of the disease, when there are no complicating factors, and by clearly identifying the causes of osteochondrosis. Treatment of a neuralgic disease involves a comprehensive medical approach to the problem.

At the initial stage, a drug effect is made on the articular cartilage, and physiotherapy procedures will help restore the lost plasticity of the musculoskeletal system. The final stage of the entire treatment of the musculoskeletal system is the observance of therapeutic and preventive measures.

Having established the symptoms, signs and causes of osteochondrosis, the treatment of neuralgic pathology begins with conservative therapy, which allows to eliminate pain and relieve inflammatory tension in the tissue structure of the spine. Pain symptom relief is carried out by various therapeutic blockades, epidural, papavertebral, faceted and other actions. Services medical workers a wide selection of pharmacological groups of drugs and drugs that can stop pain loads and reduce muscle-tonic syndrome is provided. Restore the activity of the vertebral bodies with the help of physiotherapy:

• application of low frequency currents;
• ultrasonic correction;
• laser irradiation and so on.

In the recovery treatment-and-prophylactic period, the use of massage (hydromassage) and exercise therapy (exercise therapy) is very effective, which strengthen the muscular corset of the lower back, thoracic or cervical spine, and also contribute to the decompression of the nerve roots.

Medicines (pills and preparations)

Anti-inflammatory medications:

• Ibuprofen.
• Pantohematogen.
• Reoprin.

Antispasmodic pharmacological forms:

• Baclofen.
• Sirdalud.
• Myolastan.
• Drotoverin.

Drugs belonging to the group of antioxidants:

• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
• Vitamin N (thioctic acid).
• Vitamin E (tocopherol).

Pharmacological combinations intended for blood microcirculation:

• Nicotinic acid (vitamin B3).
• Actovegin.
• Trental, etc.

Drugs that help eliminate degenerative processes in the cartilage structure of tissues:

• Hyaluronic acid.
• Alflutop.
• Piascledin.
• Diacerin.

In case of ineffectiveness of drug therapy, surgical intervention is provided through the surgical correction of problem areas of the spine.

Proper therapeutic nutrition is of great importance, as it increases the activity of medications treatment. special conditions when choosing a diet does not exist. Dietary recommendations are based only on the restriction of certain foods and adherence to balanced rule food intake. The products consumed should provide the body with the necessary range of useful vitamin and mineral components, with a minimum amount of salt.

• Fresh vegetables (carrots, cabbage, onion, tomatoes, cucumbers and other agricultural gifts of nature).
• Dairy and dairy products(kefir, fermented baked milk, cottage cheese, sour cream).
• Dietary lean meat and fish.
• Fresh fruits and juices.
• Mushrooms, nuts, sunflower seeds.

Foods to be limited in your daily diet:

• Grape.
• Bean products.
• Sugar, salt, smoked and pickled products.
• Hot spices, tea, coffee, flour products and so on.

It is important to know that daily consumption of two liters of purified water will stimulate the work of the articular elements of the spine, as well as improve the peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract.

Traditional medicine recipes

Medication treatment traditional medicine is an alternative way of influencing the articular structure of the spine. However, such treatment must be carried out in conjunction with officially prescribed drug therapy.

Recipe number 1. Sabelnik. Alcohol tincture from a herbaceous perennial plant can be rubbed on problem areas of the spine. For 200 g of dry raw materials, 500 ml of alcohol or an alcohol-containing product is taken.

Recipe number 2. Homemade ointment for osteochondrosis. Composition of ingredients:

• flour - 1 tbsp. l.;
• chicken egg - 1 pc.;
• butter - 80 g;
• table vinegar (9%) - 1 tbsp. l.

Everybody medicinal components mix thoroughly, and put in a dry and dark place for 2-3 days. The medicinal product is rubbed into the problem areas of the spinal corset.

Recipe number 3. Black radish tincture. To prepare a healing composition, you must:

• 100 ml of vodka or diluted alcohol;
• 200 g of a natural beekeeping product (honey);
• 300 ml fresh black radish juice.

All ingredients are mixed and infused for 12 hours. Such a home compress will be an effective treatment not only for osteochondrosis, but will also help with other neurological disorders of the musculoskeletal system, for example, with radiculitis or rheumatism of the joints of the skeletal frame.

The second place in the world among all varieties of osteochondrosis of the spine is occupied by osteochondrosis of the cervical region - it is 25%. This happens because the cervical region carries a continuous load, supporting the head. All this, combined with the comparatively thin muscular frame, contributes to the wear of the intervertebral discs.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

All types of diseases have their causes. Cervical osteochondrosis is distinguished by the following:

• overweight person. Together with malnutrition, it contributes to the formation of metabolic disorders of various degrees. All this can lead to the fact that the flow of oxygen will worsen. needed by the body and spine nutrients;
• poor mobility, which contributes to the gradual deterioration of trophism in muscle mass, its weakening, as a result, an increase in the load will occur on the spine in the neck area and in other departments;
• factors imposed by the profession give rise to the formation of macro- and microtrauma of the cervical region: incessant shocks with sudden turns, shaking, bending and extension of the neck, a long forced statistical posture, in particular in the neck, when it is bent forward. All this contributes to the systematic increase in dystrophic transformations in the discs and in the bone structures of the spine;
• using an extremely soft bed in which the pillow is located high enough. So the traffic can be broken and the vertebrae and their joints can be deformed;
• the presence of existing curvature of the spine, in particular kyphosis, scoliosis;
• the presence of chronic diseases, such as tonsillitis, frequent hypothermia, viral anomalies, colds.

Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Cervical osteochondrosis has the following symptoms:

• persistent persistent headaches;
• dizziness, sometimes reaching a fainting state;
• aggravated at rest pain in the cervical region;
• vomiting, nausea;
• changes in blood pressure.

It is not difficult to establish osteochondrosis of the cervical spine by signs, but it is necessary to carefully diagnose. She is prescribed by a neurologist. To determine the severity of this disease and its extent, you need to undergo tomography, x-rays. If the patient complains of pain in the region of the heart in the absence of cardiac pathologies, an ultrasound of the vessels and heart will be required.

Heart pain can occur when osteochondrosis of the neck and thoracic spine is affected. This symptom is very rare. To rule out heart disease, the doctor refers the patient to a cardiologist. If the patient has normal cardiac activity, additional studies are prescribed. Chronic osteochondrosis of the cervical region is not terrible for the heart. It does not cause any abnormal transformations in him, as soon as a pressing pain appears in the chest, but it disappears when the person is in a state of perfect rest.

All of these symptoms begin to appear in a person's life at the very beginning of the disease. The exceptions are dizziness and nausea. These signs are inherent in a person who has the second or third stage of cervical osteochondrosis.

Stages of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra

Like all diseases, cervical osteochondrosis has several stages:

• 1 stage. A person feels a slight muffled pain that occurs in the collar region, which instantly passes in a calm state. Oxygen starvation of the head may begin, which will lead to noticeable drops in blood pressure.
• 2 stage. At this stage, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by intense and relentless symptoms. The pain in the neck is strong and systematic. At night, you have to wait more than an hour for it to subside and let you sleep peacefully. Weakness is felt all over the body every day. Increasingly, there are headaches.
• 3 stage. The most severe stage is this, when the patient feels unbearable pain in the cervical region and head. Unbearable discomfort is felt all day and night. There are cases when taking strong painkillers is completely powerless. Vomiting and nausea occur in the morning.

Most often, people turn to a neuropathologist with permanent osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the second degree, which leads to a significant complication of treatment. Active osteochondrosis can be cured only at its 1st stage. In other cases, complex and long-term treatment will be required.

Cervical osteochondrosis: types of treatment

With an exacerbation of a disease such as cervical osteochondrosis, treatment should eliminate muscle spasms, affect regional and main blood flow. In these cases, specialists will prescribe medications, B vitamins that improve blood circulation and analgesic, anti-inflammatory drugs.

Chronic cervical osteochondrosis can be treated with medication by alternating analgesics and anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal medications.

It is possible to treat such a disease with the help of physiotherapeutic procedures, using:

• laser,
• magnetic fields,
• low frequency current
• ultrasound,
• ultra-violet rays.

Taking these procedures removes inflammatory processes, pain and leads to a reduction in the duration of treatment.

Therapeutic exercises can also affect the treatment of the cervical spine, with its help you can achieve an excellent result. It consists of exercises that develop muscles that do not significantly affect the intervertebral discs. By doing physiotherapy exercises, you can form the correct muscle corset, improve blood circulation, normalize metabolism, and reduce the load on the spine.

For the treatment and prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, there are special special complexes of physiotherapy exercises. It is necessary for the whole organism and in the presence of such a disease. Cervical osteochondrosis needs a massage. It is a combination of special methods of mechanical influence in the form of friction, pressure and vibration. It must be carried out directly on the affected area. With the help of massage, you can effectively relieve tension in the muscles, reduce pain, improve blood circulation. All this has a general strengthening effect, and osteochondrosis of the cervical region gradually recedes.

Traction, or traction of the spine, is also an effective way to treat cervical pain. This method includes the use of a load that is selected personally. The procedure is carried out on special special equipment. After its implementation, the intervertebral space increases, pain is removed, and the anatomically correct shape of the spine is restored.

Chronic osteochondrosis of the cervical region is also treated with the use of reflexology. It is a method of influencing acupuncture points body, its reflexogenic areas. Together with other methods of treatment, reflexology contributes to a significant increase in healing. The best option would be to undergo a course of treatment with acupressure using acupuncture. It is best if such a course is 5-7 sessions, otherwise time will be wasted.

From the foregoing, it is clear that cervical osteochondrosis can be cured in a complex manner, while the functions and condition of the intervertebral discs will effectively improve:

• blood circulation in the brain will return to normal,
• there will be an improvement in movements in the neck,
• relieve pain and other symptoms
• the formation of osteochondrosis will stop and its development will reverse.

If the effect of conservative treatment is absent, then, according to special indications, surgical treatment is possible. The volume of the operation depends on the signs of the disease, the characteristics and level of lesions.

The duration of treatment of the cervical region in each case individually, depends on changes associated with age, the severity of degenerative processes, treatment methods, as well as the degree of conscientiousness in following the recommendations and prescriptions of the attending physician. If conservative treatment is actively carried out, then its period lasts about 3 months. The recovery period after surgery can take a whole year.

Be sure to consult your doctor before treating diseases. This will help to take into account individual tolerance, confirm the diagnosis, make sure the treatment is correct and exclude negative drug interactions. If you use prescriptions without consulting a doctor, then this is entirely at your own risk. All information on the site is presented for informational purposes and is not a medical aid. You are solely responsible for the application.