Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the spine and surrounding tissues.The dystrophic process implies malnutrition, and degeneration implies premature aging, changes in the structure and properties of tissues.The degenerative process is involutive, that is, the natural aging process of the body.However, when exposed to various adverse factors, it accelerates, leading to the development of this disease.
The relevance of osteochondrosis of the spine is due to the high frequency of its spread, especially in developed countries, affecting people of working age (30-60 years) with complete or partial loss of working capacity, chronic course of the disease and progression of the disease in the absence of adequate treatment and prevention.
Reasons for the development of osteochondrosis
1. Excessive loads
Degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs are seen as a discrepancy between their strength characteristics and the loads applied to them.Increased load on the spine includes heavy lifting, prolonged stay in the same position (sitting, standing), sudden movements, jumping from heights, injuries, curvature of the spine, incorrect posture and excess body weight.
As a result of excessive loading, trauma to the spinal structures occurs.Particularly sensitive to overload are the intervertebral discs, which perform the function of cushioning and, together with the facet joints, provide movement in the spine.
2. Malnutrition of the intervertebral disc
Intervertebral discs do not have their own blood vessels and are nourished by diffusion of interstitial fluid from the surrounding tissues.The diffusion process is facilitated by the motor activity of the spine and surrounding muscles.
Therefore, long-term restriction of movements in the spine, sedentary work and lack of physical activity are accompanied by a decrease in trophism of the intervertebral disc and lead to the development of osteochondrosis.
3. Other factors
Hereditary predisposition, metabolic disorders, hormonal changes, somatic diseases.
Under the influence of these factors, blood circulation and metabolic processes in the spine are disturbed, the hydration of the intervertebral disc decreases.In the fibrous ring of the disc, the fibrous fibers break down, microcracks and tears appear, which contributes to the migration of the nucleus pulposus and the formation of a protrusion or herniation of the intervertebral disc.
The bulging disc irritates the sensitive nerve roots of the spinal nerves, causing pain in the back or along the length of the affected nerve fibers.A reflex tension and spasm of the surrounding muscles develops, which is also accompanied by pain, a feeling of stiffness in the back and limitation of movements.
Occurring changes in the surrounding tissues in the form of tension in the back muscles, functional blocks and irritation of the nerve roots contribute to the worsening of the existing disorders of blood microcirculation and metabolic changes, which leads to the formation of a closed pathological circle of development of spinal osteochondrosis.
Types of osteochondrosis
Depending on the localization, osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine is distinguished.When all departments are affected, it is called widespread osteochondrosis of the spine.
The lumbar region is most often affected, accounting for about half of all cases of osteochondrosis.This is due to the fact that the lower parts of the spine experience a greater static load compared to 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 suffers most often due to the forced position of the head in one position - prolonged sitting at the computer, sedentary work, monotonous physical labor.
The development of osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine is associated with limited mobility in this segment, which is fixed 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 certain part of it: pain in the neck, waist, between the shoulder blades.Local symptoms also include tension, back muscle stiffness, heaviness and discomfort.
Long-term symptomsthe appearance of which is associated with the participation in the process of the nervous or vascular system of the spine, which is responsible for the innervation and blood supply of certain structures of the body.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae is characterized by:pain in the neck, occipital region, shoulder girdle, collar region.The pain may radiate to the arm, shoulder, elbow joint or hand, accompanied by a feeling of numbness in the arm or "creeping" and limited mobility in the joints of the upper limb.
Vertebral artery syndrome often accompanies osteochondrosis of the spine in this department.It appears as a result of compression or spasm of the vertebral artery, which passes through the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae and participates in the blood supply to the brain.Vertebral artery syndrome presents with a throbbing headache, noise in the head and dizziness.
Osteochondrosis of the chestit manifests itself with pain between the shoulder blades, in the chest of the back, which can spread to the intercostal spaces in the form of intercostal neuralgia, to the front of the chest, simulating heart pain, in this case it is necessary to rule out the cardiac nature of the pain.
When the lower thoracic vertebrae are affected, the pain can move to the anterior abdominal wall, to the abdominal area, simulating diseases of the internal organs.
In osteochondrosis of the lumbar regionthe pain is localized in the lower back, in the buttocks, spreads down the leg and can be accompanied by a feeling of numbness, tingling, convulsive twitching of the muscles of the legs, their atrophy and dysfunction of the pelvic organs.
Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by chronic back pain, which may worsen at night, with prolonged sitting or standing, or after physical activity.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
The diagnosis of spinal osteochondrosis is based on the examination of the patient's complaints, collection of anamnesis of the disease, clinical, neurological and orthopedic examination of the patient.
If necessary, laboratory or instrumental diagnostic methods such as radiography, nuclear magnetic resonance of the spine (MRI), computed tomography (CT), dopplerography of the neck and intracranial vessels, electrocardiography are prescribed.A detailed diagnosis is necessary to exclude more serious diseases of the spine, to identify the complications of osteochondrosis and to choose the optimal tactics for the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine
The Vertebrology Center offers complex treatment of spinal osteochondrosis.
For the treatment of osteochondrosis, our center uses modern equipment and treatment methods, with the help of qualified specialists: a vertebrologist, an orthopedic traumatologist, a neurologist, a chiropractor, who will help you correctly diagnose a disease of the spine and prescribe the necessary treatment procedures.
An individual treatment regimen is selected for each patient depending on the stage of the disease, the clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis, the presence of concomitant diseases and contraindications for therapy.
The center uses the following methods for the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis:
Drug treatment of osteochondrosisaimed at alleviating the exacerbation, influencing the pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease.
Back massage, spine correctionallow you to normalize the tone and elasticity of the back muscles, improve blood supply, remove pinched nerve roots and restore the mobility of the spinal movement segments.
Traction of the spineit is used when osteochondrosis is combined with disc protrusion and intervertebral hernia, in the presence of symptoms of nerve root compression.Traction is performed under the supervision of the attending physician.
Therapeutic blockade- This is a local injection of a drug in the area of the pathological focus.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 blockades are mainly used - introduction of drugs into the tissues around the vertebrae, near the intervertebral nerve roots.
Shock wave therapy- a new direction in the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis and its complications.The method was originally developed in Switzerland for crushing stones in the internal organs, but later showed high efficiency in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
In our center, the treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out using the American device for shock wave therapy Pro-Ajuster, which was specially developed for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the spine and surrounding soft tissues.The device allows you to diagnose the state of tissue density and tension and subsequently act on the changed areas.
For the treatment of osteochondrosis, various physiotherapeutic procedures are used, such as: magnetotherapy, laser treatment, ultrasound, myostimulation, electrical procedures.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
As you know, the best method of treating the disease is its prevention.In order to prevent the development of osteochondrosis, the problems of its prevention should begin to be solved from early childhood.
Timely examinations at a children's orthopedist allow timely detection of postural disorders, deviations in physical development and correction of existing changes.From the first years of the child's life, it is necessary to engage in physical exercises, outdoor sports, games, monitor the posture and avoid overloading the spine.
The main activities that help maintain a healthy spine include:
- Rational mode of work and rest: avoid prolonged sitting, get up periodically, stretch the back, keep the back straight, pay attention to your posture, sleep on a semi-hard bed;
- Eliminate spine overload: do not lift heavy objects, especially in a bent position, avoid falls and jumps from heights, spinal injuries, monitor body weight;
- systematic exercises for the back;
- Proper nutrition;
- Timely diagnosis and elimination of back pain and discomfort.