Osteochondrosis is a disease based on degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs, vertebrae and small joints of the spine. Osteochondrosis is a faithful companion of the elderly. But more and more often young people are diagnosed, which is probably mainly due to sedentary work, unhealthy lifestyle and little physical activity. We can assume that the majority of the adult population has symptoms of osteochondrosis.
The reasons
The flexibility of the spine, its mobility and ability to withstand physical activity, primarily depends on the condition of the intervertebral discs. In osteochondrosis, the pathological process is based on malnutrition of the structures of the spinal column, especially the intervertebral disc. This causes changes in the normal structure of the tissues, the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity, and its shape changes. Such metamorphoses lead to the narrowing of the intervertebral discs and, as a result, compression of the nerve roots. In fact, these changes explain the appearance of neurological symptoms, especially back pain in osteochondrosis.
In the future, degenerative processes occur in the small joints of the spine, bone growths appear on the surface of the vertebrae. All these changes lead to a decrease in the flexibility of the spine.
Similar changes in cartilage and bone tissue are the result of physiological aging of the body. However, under the influence of certain adverse factors, dystrophic changes in intervertebral joints occur prematurely. These factors include:
- Obesity;
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Heavy physical work;
- Occupations characterized by standing or sitting for long periods of time;
- Flat feet, valgus deformation of the feet;
- Spinal deformities;
- autoimmune connective tissue diseases;
- Fluctuations in the hormonal background (pregnancy, menopause);
- Doing great sports;
- stress;
- Spinal injuries etc.
Types of osteochondrosis
The characteristics of the clinical picture of the disease depend on which specific segment of the spine the pathological process occurs.There are the following types of osteochondrosis:
- Cervical;
- thoracic;
- Waist.
Cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is common. The muscular skeleton of the neck is rather poorly developed, therefore, against the background of osteochondrosis, even with an insignificant load, the vertebrae are displaced, and as a result, the vessels and nerves of the neck are compressed. This explains the features of the clinical picture in osteochondrosis of the cervical region.
Thus, the main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include:
- Constant pain in the neck and occipital region, aggravated by movement of the neck;
- Hemicranial type pain - in one hemisphere;
- dizziness, tinnitus;
- Pain in hands;
- Numbness and tingling sensation in the hands.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
The defeat of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is extremely rare. The main condition for the development of the disease is the presence of spinal deformities.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- Dull, aching pain in the chest, often girdle in nature;
- Increased pain when turning the body, sneezing, coughing, laughing;
- Visceral pain in the region of the heart, in the right hypochondrium, in the abdomen;
- Numbness in the skin of the chest, paresthesia.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
The most common variant of osteochondrosis. This is probably due to the fact that the biggest load falls directly on the lower back.Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- Painful, less often sharp pain in the lower back, increased by movement or prolonged exposure to one static position;
- A feeling of stiffness in the lower back;
- To reduce pain, a person takes a forced position;
- aching or sharp pains in hips, thighs, lower legs (like lumbago);
- Tingling in the legs, paresthesia.
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Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
Radiation methods are used to detect osteochondrosis: radiography, computer and magnetic resonance imaging of the spine. The most characteristic and the most important early sign of osteochondrosis is the decrease in the height of the intervertebral space.
In the later stages of the degenerative process, marginal growths (osteophytes) appear on the surface of the vertebrae. It is easier to detect them on a lateral X-ray, because osteophytes are located on the front and back of the spine.
In addition, with osteochondrosis, the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae are displaced, which can be determined on an X-ray.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
The earlier the treatment of osteochondrosis starts, the more effective it is. As already mentioned, osteochondrosis is a change in the structure of intervertebral discs, vertebrae. Unfortunately, many people ignore back pain for a long time and do not consult a doctor in time, missing the moment when it is still possible to stop the pathological process.
Treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out with the help of medicines, physiotherapy exercises, massage, surgery.
Medical therapy:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, ointments, injections to relieve pain;
- muscle relaxant;
- Chondroprotectors - promote the recovery of affected cartilage;
- vitamin and mineral complexes;
- vasodilator drugs;
- Medicines that normalize tissue metabolism.
After eliminating the exacerbation of the disease, you should continue rehabilitation. Thus, physiotherapy is a very important aspect of combating osteochondrosis. Performing certain exercises helps to form a muscle corset. This is extremely important, because the physical load is evenly distributed along the spine thanks to a strong muscle corset. By regularly performing a series of exercises, stiffness in the spine will disappear and the range of motion will increase. Massage, physiotherapy, reflexology and stretching of the spine will help increase the effect of physiotherapy exercises.
When complications appear in the form of intervertebral hernia, sciatica, and conservative treatment fails, they resort to surgical intervention. The goal of surgical treatment is to remove compression of nerve roots and blood vessels, as well as to stabilize the structure of the intervertebral disc or vertebra.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home
Folk remedies will help to relieve the symptoms of osteochondrosis, but in no case can they replace the main treatment. You can find many alternative treatments online, but not all of them are safe, so be sure to check with your doctor.
Traditional medicine
The general principle of folk treatment of osteochondrosis is the use of substances that have an irritating effect. As a result, there is an improvement in blood supply in a certain area of the body, as well as a decrease in pain.
Such a rubbing recipe is known in folk medicine: mix 0. 25 cups of vodka with 0. 5 cups of honey, add 0. 75 cups of fried radish and two tablespoons of salt. The resulting mixture should be rubbed twice a day on the disturbing area of the back. The procedure should be repeated within a week.
You can apply a potato compress on your back to relieve pain. Fried raw potatoes should be mixed with honey in equal proportions. Then wrap the resulting mixture with gauze, attach it to the back and wrap it with a scarf. You can also use a compress with burdock. To prepare it, pour a glass of boiling water over a tablespoon of finely chopped burdock leaves. Wrap the mixture in cheesecloth and leave for half an hour. After removing the compress, be sure to cover your back with a warm scarf.
You can make it even easier: grate the radish, put it in a cotton sock, and then lie on it again.
Note:
it is important to be careful when using folk methods, do not touch your face with your hands. Radishes and other plants can cause corneal burns when they come into contact with the eyes.
Physiotherapy
Physical exercises can only be done outside of periods of exacerbation. In acute pain, you should refrain from doing gymnastics, as this will only increase the pain.
A sample set of exercises might look like this:
- Lie on your back and straighten your legs. Pull the foot of the right foot towards you and the toe of the left foot away from you. This should be done in order.
- Lie on your back and place your hands behind your head. It is necessary to bring the legs together and bend at the knees. The knees should be bent to the left, and the head should be turned in the opposite direction. Hold for just a few seconds. Then turn your knees to the right and your head to the left.
- Lie on your back, arms along the body. You need to bend your knees and raise your pelvis. Stay in this position for a few seconds. Lower your pelvis as you inhale.
- Roll to the side. Straighten your top leg and swing it back and forth.
- Starting position on all fours. Arch your back, hold for a few seconds, and then arch your back.
- Roll onto your back. Bring the bent left knee to the right elbow and then vice versa.