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 involutionary, that is, the natural aging process of the body.However, when exposed to various unfavorable factors, it accelerates, leading to the development of this disease.
The relevance of spinal osteochondrosis is due to the high frequency of its spread, especially in developed countries, affecting people of working age (30-60 years) with total or partial loss of ability to work, 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 intervertebral discs are considered as a discrepancy between their resistance characteristics and the loads applied to them.Increased stress on the spine includes heavy lifting, prolonged stay in the same position (sitting, standing), sudden movements, jumping from height, injuries, curvature of the spine, incorrect posture and excess body weight.
As a result of excessive load, trauma to the spinal structures occurs.Particularly sensitive to overload are the intervertebral discs, which perform the shock-absorbing function and, together with the facet joints, provide movement to the spine.
2. Intervertebral disc malnutrition
The intervertebral discs do not have their own blood vessels and are nourished by the diffusion of interstitial fluid from the surrounding tissues.The diffusion process is facilitated by the motor activity of the spine and surrounding muscles.
Therefore, prolonged restriction of spinal movements, sedentary work and physical inactivity are accompanied by a decrease in the 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 and the hydration of the intervertebral disc decreases.In the fibrous ring of the disc, the fibrous fibers disintegrate, microcracks and ruptures appear, which contributes to the migration of the nucleus pulposus and the formation of a protrusion or hernia of the intervertebral disc.
The bulging disc irritates the sensitive nerve roots of the spinal nerves, causing pain in the back or along the involved nerve fibers.Reflex tension and spasm of the surrounding muscles develop, which are also accompanied by pain, a feeling of stiffness in the back and limitation of movement.
Emerging changes in the surrounding tissues in the form of tension in the back muscles, functional blockages and irritation of the nerve roots contribute to the aggravation of existing disorders of blood microcirculation and metabolic changes, causing the formation of a closed pathological circle for the development of spinal osteochondrosis.
Types of osteochondrosis
Depending on the location, osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine is distinguished.When all departments are involved, they talk about generalized osteochondrosis of the spine.
The lumbar region is the most 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 is responsible for about 1/4 of osteochondrosis cases.This part of the spine most often suffers due to the forced position of the head in one position - prolonged sitting in front of the computer, sedentary work, monotonous physical work.
The development of osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine is associated with limited mobility of this segment, which is fixed by the costosternal structure.
Spinal osteochondrosis symptoms
The 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, in the lower back, between the shoulder blades.Local symptoms also include tension, stiffness of the back muscles, heaviness and discomfort.
Long-term symptomswhose appearance is associated with the involvement in the process of the nervous or vascular system of the spine, responsible for the innervation and blood supply of certain structures of the body.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by:pain in the neck, occipital region, shoulder girdle, collar region.The pain can radiate to the arm, shoulder, elbow joint or hand, accompanied by a feeling of numbness in the arm or “crawling” and limited mobility in the joints of the upper limb.
Vertebral artery syndrome often accompanies osteochondrosis of the spine in this section.It appears as a result of compression or spasm of the vertebral artery, which passes through the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae and is involved in supplying blood to the brain.Vertebral artery syndrome is manifested by throbbing headache, noise in the head and dizziness.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spineit manifests itself as pain between the shoulder blades, in the thoracic region, which can spread through the intercostal spaces in the form of intercostal neuralgia, to the front of the chest, simulating cardiac pain, in this case it is necessary to exclude the cardiac nature of the pain.
When the lower thoracic vertebrae are involved, the pain can move to the anterior abdominal wall, to the abdominal region, simulating diseases of the internal organs.
For osteochondrosis of the lumbar regionthe pain is localized in the lower back, in the buttocks, spreads along the leg and may be accompanied by a feeling of numbness, tingling, convulsive spasms of the leg muscles, their atrophy and dysfunction of the pelvic organs.
Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by chronic back pain, which may intensify at night, when sitting or standing for a long time, or after physical activity.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
Diagnosis of spinal osteochondrosis is based on studying the patient's complaints, collecting anamnesis of the disease, clinical, neurological and orthopedic examination of the patient.
If necessary, laboratory or instrumental diagnostic methods are prescribed, such as radiography, magnetic resonance imaging of the spine (MRI), computed tomography (CT), Dopplerography of the neck and intracranial vessels, electrocardiography.Detailed diagnosis is necessary to exclude more serious diseases of the spine, identify complications of osteochondrosis and select optimal treatment tactics for osteochondrosis.
Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis
The Vertebrology Center offers comprehensive treatment for spinal osteochondrosis.
For the treatment of osteochondrosis, our center uses modern equipment and treatment methods, staffed by qualified specialists: a vertebrologist, an orthopedist-traumatologist, a neurologist, a chiropractor who will help you correctly diagnose a spinal disease and prescribe the necessary treatment procedures.
An individual treatment regimen is selected for each patient depending on the stage of the disease, clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis, the presence of concomitant diseases and contraindications to therapy.
The center uses the following methods for the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis:
Drug treatment of osteochondrosisaiming to alleviate 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, eliminate compressed nerve roots and restore the mobility of the movement segments of the spine.
Spinal tractionused when osteochondrosis is combined with disc protrusion and intervertebral hernia, in the presence of symptoms of compression of the nerve roots.Traction is performed under the supervision of the attending physician.
Therapeutic blockade- This is a local injection of a medicine into 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 - the introduction of drugs into the tissues surrounding the vertebrae, close to the intervertebral nerve roots.
Shock wave therapy- a new direction in the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis and its complications.The method was initially developed in Switzerland to crush stones in internal organs, but later showed high effectiveness in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
In our center, osteochondrosis treatment is carried out using the American Pro-Ajuster shock wave therapy device, specially developed for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the spine and adjacent soft tissues.The device allows diagnosing the state of tissue density and tension and subsequently acting on altered areas.
To treat osteochondrosis, various physiotherapeutic procedures are used, such as: magnetic therapy, laser treatment, ultrasound, myostimulation, electrical procedures.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
As you know, the best method of treating a disease is its prevention.To prevent the development of osteochondrosis, the issues of its prevention must begin to be addressed from early childhood.
Timely examinations by a pediatric orthopedist allow timely detection of postural disorders, deviations in physical development and correction of existing changes.From the first years of a child's life, it is necessary to practice physical exercise, outdoor sports, games, monitor posture and avoid overloading the spine.
Key activities that help maintain a healthy spine include:
- A rational work and rest regime: avoid sitting for a long time, getting up periodically, stretching your back, keeping your back straight, observing your posture, sleeping on a semi-rigid bed;
- Elimination of spinal overload: do not lift heavy objects, especially in a bent position, avoid falls and jumps from heights, spinal injuries, monitor body weight;
- Systematic back exercises;
- Proper nutrition;
- Timely diagnosis and elimination of back pain and discomfort.