Osteochondrosis belongs to the category of common disorders.In 75% of cases, this is what causes unpleasant back pain.Today, one in two people over the age of twenty presents with manifestations of pathology.With age, the risk of developing the disease increases.If treatment is not started immediately, osteochondrosis can lead to negative health consequences.
What is vertebral osteochondrosis
This process affects the articular cartilage and nearby bones.Initially, osteochondrosis exclusively affects the discs that hold the vertebrae together.Then the degenerative process affects the ligaments and vertebrae, disrupting the integrity of the joints.
The insidious nature of the pathology is that the disc cartilage cannot be regenerated.As a result, the area of the spine affected by the disease will inexorably deteriorate.Once a disease appears, you can stop its development, but it cannot be completely eliminated.
This pathology is not associated with inflammation - it is based on a violation of tissue nutrition and degeneration of their structure.In the absence of stress, tissues lose strength because they do not receive the required amount of nutrients.
Clinical features
The development of the disease leads to the fact that the nucleus pulposus dries up and partially loses its shock-absorbing characteristics.The fibrous ring becomes thinner and microcracks form on it.
As a result, a protrusion occurs, called a disc protrusion.As the disease progresses, the ring may rupture and an intervertebral hernia is diagnosed.
This area loses its stability, osteophytes can form there and the integrity of ligaments and joints is compromised.To compensate for disc deformation, bone and fibrous tissue develop.In this condition, the spine becomes less mobile.
Usually, the disease experiences periods of remission, which are then followed by relapses.
Diplomas and stages
There are a number of degrees of the disease, each with the following characteristics:
- 1st degree.Due to imprecise movement, the disc ruptures.This condition can also be caused by stress.Severe pain and a sensation reminiscent of an electric shock often occur.
- 2nd degree.Spinal stability is lost and protrusions develop.There may be pain that increases with careless movements.This form of the disease is characterized by numbness of the fingers, headaches and temporary discomfort in the sacrum.
- 3rd degree.This condition manifests itself as a herniation, headaches and discomfort in the damaged nerve.In addition, arms and legs often become numb, vision and hearing deteriorate, and problems appear in the functioning of many organs.
- 4th degree.At this stage, the symptoms of a hernia disappear and the manifestations of the disease decrease.The spine loses stability, a condition characterized by sliding or twisting of the vertebrae.The vertebrae can grow, causing compression of the nerves, leading to atrophy of the spinal canal and compression of the spinal cord.The fourth degree is distinguished by the consequences that may arise after removal of the hernia - including paresis, inflammation, etc.
It is also customary to distinguish several stages:
- Yes,first step- essentially a consequence of a lack of humidity and loss of elastic properties.The disease is characterized by a displacement of the nucleus inside the disc, which leads to a disruption in the shape of the annulus fibrosus.However, the process itself remains inside the intervertebral disc, without exceeding its limits.
- ForsecondThe formation of cracks in the ring is typical.As the height of the flattened disc decreases, spinal stability decreases.
- Third stepcharacterized by the occurrence of ruptures at the cracks and the appearance of inflammation.Part of the liquid core leaks through microcracks.Nerves or blood vessels are often compressed at the site of the rupture.
- Step fouraccompanied by dystrophic processes.The spinal sections do not provide the necessary resistance, so neighboring vertebral bodies move closer together.Complications can also arise.This may be the development of spondyloarthrosis and spondylosis.At this stage, there is a flattening of the vertebra - this is to take the load off the disc.Sometimes the fibrous tissue is replaced by bone.This stage is marked by a temporary reduction in pain.However, subsequently, discomfort increases due to compression of the nerves and narrowing of the spinal canal.
Causes of disease
This disease can affect both the elderly and the young.Generally, signs of osteochondrosis appear around the age of thirty-five.The development and relapse of the disease are caused by overload, back injuries and vibration.As the body ages, more and more symptoms appear.The exact causes of the disease have not yet been established.
The most common opinion is that the process is the consequence of improper distribution of the load on the spine due to weakness of the muscles and ligaments.This theory is also proven by popular therapeutic methods based on training the muscular system and ligaments.
Factors that can cause an abnormal process in the spine include:
- poor posture;
- excess weight;
- injuries;
- flat feet;
- curvature of the spine;
- metabolic disorders;
- infections;
- heredity;
- poor physical fitness;
- stress;
- heavy loads;
- hormonal imbalance;
- poor diet;
- poor environmental conditions;
- systematic vibrational influence;
- age-related changes;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- hypothermia;
- smoking;
- spinal abnormalities.
Even if a person leads a normal life, he is at risk of osteochondrosis due to a deficiency of necessary substances.In modern society, this problem is considered one of the main ones.The condition worsens due to an inactive lifestyle.
Types and symptoms
Depending on the injured area, there is cervical, thoracic or lumbar osteochondrosis.If several departments are involved at once in the pathological process, we can talk about a common form.
Since the lower back usually bears the greatest load, among all cases of the disease, lumbar osteochondrosis predominates - its prevalence is about 50%.
In second place is the cervical region.This form of osteochondrosis is diagnosed in a quarter of cases.This condition is usually the result of prolonged sitting at the computer or monotonous work.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is extremely rare and is usually associated with limitation of movement.
General signs of the disease
The pathology presents different signs which directly depend on the location of the process:
- Pain in the spine.Sometimes osteochondrosis causes mild pain or stabbing pain.The disease can also cause sharp, unbearable pain - it is difficult to eliminate it with non-narcotic pain relievers.
- Deterioration of vision or hearing.
- Headaches.The condition often causes feeling weak, dizzy, and increased fatigue.
- Loss of sensitivity.This symptom usually manifests itself as numbness in the arms or legs.
- Problems with the functioning of the pelvic organs and sexual dysfunction.
- Loss of mobility in the problem area.
- Problems with the organs for which the spinal cord is responsible.
- Pain in arms and legs.
- Weakening of muscles.
How does cervical osteochondrosis manifest:
- systematic headaches;
- hearing impairment;
- dizziness;
- water hammer;
- voice change;
- decreased vision;
- snore;
- tooth decay.
Symptoms of breast form:
- high fatigue of back muscle tissues;
- pain on palpation;
- back and chest pain;
- problems with various organs.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- lower back pain;
- numbness in the legs;
- decrease in skin temperature;
- urinary disorders;
- muscle tension;
- stool problems;
- varicose veins;
- loss of activity.
Complications
Osteochondrosis often causes complications, so this disease cannot be ignored.The consequences of the disease include:
- Lumbago – severe pain in the lower back.
- Intervertebral hernia.
- Projection.
- Radiculitis.
- Migraine attacks.
- Spondylosis.
- Sciatica is a pathology of the sciatic nerve that causes pain in the legs and buttocks.
- Narrowing of the spinal canal.
- Vegetative-vascular dystonia.
- Schmorl's hernia is a protrusion of a disc into the spinal cavity.
The most dangerous complication of osteochondrosis is considered to be compression of the arteries that supply the brain.Thanks to these trunks, the brain is supplied with blood.Due to a nutritional deficiency, more serious pathologies can develop.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on medical history and examination.This also requires an assessment of neurological status.Additional exams include:
- magnetic resonance imaging;
- Doppler ultrasound;
- spondylography;
- CT scan.
Thanks to these studies, it is possible to determine the level of violations, clarify the diagnosis and identify hidden processes.This allows you to choose an effective treatment and achieve good results.
Treatment methods
At an early stage, conservative treatment is the best option.The doctor prescribes medicine.Therapeutic gymnastics can also be used.Manual therapy and reflexology are very helpful.
Among medications, non-narcotic pain relievers and sedatives are considered the most effective.You should also take medications containing B vitamins. Usually, this treatment is used during a relapse of the disease to eliminate pain and inflammation.
Reflexology involves the use of methods such as paraffin baths, laser therapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation and ultrasound.Mud baths and iodine therapy are no less useful.
Therapeutic exercise aims to strengthen the muscular system and release nerve endings.In difficult cases, it is impossible to do without surgical intervention.If conservative treatment is ineffective, the hernia must be removed.This can be achieved using the classical or microsurgical method.
Osteochondrosis is a dangerous disease that causes pain and leads to loss of motor activity.
To stop the development of complications, at the slightest discomfort in the spine, you should consult a doctor.Only a specialist will be able to make the correct diagnosis and select the treatment.