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What is osteochondrosis

As people age, many people suffer from musculoskeletal disorders.The most common disease in this area of medicine is spinal osteochondrosis.Unfortunately, today it affects not only representatives of the older generation, but also young and energetic ones.There are many reasons for this - sedentary work, lack of sports or any other physical activity, and so on.

What is that

Doctors define vertebral osteochondrosis as a whole complex of disorders in the joints and cartilage connecting tissues and organs, developing in any of the joints, but most often affecting the intervertebral discs.

Depending on the location, cervical, thoracic and lumbocrucial osteochondrosis are distinguished.Despite the fact that vertebral osteochondrosis appears after the age of 40, the first signs of osteochondrosis are already visible at the age of 20.

back pain due to osteochondrosis

Reasons

There may be many factors that provoke the development of the disease.These include hypothermia, vertebral dislocations as a result of injuries, and intense physical exertion.

However, the main causes of spinal osteochondrosis are the following:

  • The habit of bending your back;
  • Lack of a solid muscular corset;
  • Scoliosis of various types;
  • Stress, nervous shock, depression, chronic fatigue;
  • Sedentary lifestyle;
  • Frequent lifting of weights;
  • Metabolic disorders (the body may lack blood calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and many other useful substances);
  • Heredity;
  • Untreated viral infections;
  • Changes in hormonal levels, both in women and men;
  • Multiple back injuries.

Most often, athletes, loaders, builders and all those whose occupation is associated with active physical work are susceptible to osteochondrosis.For those who, on the contrary, lead a sedentary lifestyle, doctors recommend moving more, practicing some type of preventive sport, as well as eating an adequate diet so that the body receives all the vitamins, minerals and microelements it needs.

Symptoms

The symptoms of osteochondrosis directly depend on the affected vertebral region.

  • Osteochondrosis of the cervical spineThe spine is accompanied by frequent neck pain in the back and chest, tense neck muscles, which can cause pain when touched, swelling and numbness of the tongue, a feeling of goosebumps and tingling in the neck and palms, a feeling of general weakness in the neck and shoulders.
  • Osteochondrosis of the thoracic regionspine presents the following symptoms: sharp pain in the sternum, sensation of chest compression and intercostal pain may occur during physical activity.
  • Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral regionThe spine is often accompanied by low back pain, which can radiate to the legs, sacrum and groin, lack of sensation in the legs, cold hands and feet, pins and needles sensation in the lower extremities.

If one or more symptoms of this disease occur, you should immediately consult a specialist, because osteochondrosis can cause disruptions in the functioning of many organs and systems, pinched nerves, as well as migraines, dizziness and insomnia.Lumbosacral osteochondrosis is especially dangerous, since subsequently there is a risk of developing heart and vascular diseases, diseases of the genitourinary system, scoliosis and displacement of intervertebral discs.

Internships

Osteochondrosis develops gradually and has several stages of development:

  • In the first phaseIt is still difficult to understand that the disease emerged.The symptoms are not pronounced, the patient feels only slight discomfort.From time to time minor pains in the back and lower back occur, but they are often attributed to overwork and increased physical activity.Often, first-degree osteochondrosis is diagnosed accidentally during a routine examination of the patient.
  • In the second stagepain occurs more frequently and becomes more intense, and the processes of deformation of cartilaginous tissue begin.The easiest way to treat osteochondrosis is in the second phase, as the doctor can already visualize all the changes occurring in the body.Analgesics can be added to general complex therapy.
  • For the third phasedeformation of the spine occurs, scoliosis, kyphosis and other back diseases begin to develop.Treatment aims to modify spinal defects and minimize the defects that occur.
  • In the fourth stageosteochondrosis, it becomes difficult for the patient to move, the cartilaginous tissue thickens and some vertebrae become displaced.Pain accompanies a person constantly.Often, at the fourth stage of the disease, the patient is recognized as disabled.
spinal injuries due to osteochondrosis

Diagnosis

The doctor can give a preliminary diagnosis based on the above symptoms.First of all, the doctor will check the condition of the patient's spine in various positions, as well as in movement.After which hardware diagnostics will be carried out to clarify the diagnosis and clarify possible complications.

The main types of diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the musculoskeletal system include:

  • magnetic resonance imaging;
  • CT (computed tomography);
  • Radiographic examination;
  • Ultrasonography (ultrasound examination);
  • study of the arterial vessels of the brain.

After analyzing the patient's condition, the doctor will identify possible concomitant diseases, such as hernias, radiculitis and displacement of intervertebral discs.

The patient, in turn, needs to remember that the symptoms of osteochondrosis can be signs of any other disease, therefore, the quality of the diagnosis must be the highest, since it is based on its final result that the treatment will be prescribed.

Consequences

One of the most dangerous consequences of osteochondrosis is complete or partial muscle atrophy.For many patients, pain is only relieved with painkillers.

If you do not contact a specialist in a timely manner, there is a risk of developing hernia, cholesterol plaques, resulting in disruption of blood pressure and oxygen supply to cells.

In patients with the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, heart rhythm disturbances and abnormal functioning of the respiratory system may occur;the organs of vision and hearing may also be affected and coordination of movements may be impaired.

Due to the fact that osteochondrosis mainly affects the blood supply system, the entire human body is at risk.It is important to note that people with impaired metabolism most often suffer from this disease.Osteochondrosis is often accompanied by vegetative-vascular dystonia.

Treatment

Osteochondrosis treatment can be of two types:

  • conservative;
  • surgical.

The choice of treatment method depends on the severity of the disease, the complications identified and the internal strength of the body to recover after surgery.

With a conservative method of treatment, the patient will be prescribed a whole range of medications and other techniques, such as massage, therapeutic exercises, exercise therapy.This method of therapy includes taking medications and hardware treatment.

The most commonly used conservative treatment methods are the following:

  • Therapeutic physical education, whose exercises will be individually adapted to the patient's body conditions.
  • Acupuncture.
  • Massage and hydromassage.
  • Magnetic therapy and vibratory stimulation.
  • Ultrasound and laser therapy.
  • Medication.
  • Proper nutrition, which will also be individually adapted to the patient.
  • Psychotherapy.

It should be noted that if conservative treatment is incorrectly selected, the patient's condition may worsen.Self-medication for osteochondrosis is excluded.

The surgical method of treating osteochondrosis is aimed at stabilizing the motor activity of damaged segments of the spine.In the case of a hernia in the spine, surgery can be performed in two ways: standardly with a scalpel or with a laser.The choice is made by the doctor together with the patient, taking into account not only his wishes, but also the state of the body.According to statistics, surgical intervention is used in 15% of cases.However, the success rate is only 3%.

Prevention

It should be remembered that no one is immune to osteochondrosis, therefore it is better to carry out timely prevention of this disease:

  • First of all, you should always monitor your posture, keeping your back and neck straight even while working at the computer.
  • It is also necessary to devote enough time to sports or any other physical activity, thereby strengthening the muscular corset.Pool exercises are suitable for these purposes.
  • Special orthopedic mattresses and pillows can also be a good prevention of osteochondrosis.
  • Particular attention should be paid to the method of lifting weights - to relieve the spine from excessive stress, you must first squat, and then pick up something heavy.It should be noted that you cannot lift more than 17 kg at a time.
  • The basic principles of diet are also important elements in the treatment of osteochondrosis.Food should provide all beneficial vitamins and minerals to the body, especially during the period of vitamin deficiency.Avoid consuming too much caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, fast food and carbonated drinks.The diet should include vegetables and fruits as sources of fiber, as well as meat, fish and legumes as sources of protein.

Each person needs to remember that undetected osteochondrosis can be extremely dangerous for the entire body;all organs and systems of the body are at risk.It is necessary to closely monitor the general condition of your health and undergo examinations by a specialist once every six months.