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 organism.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, which affects 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 intervertebral discs are considered to be a discrepancy between their strength characteristics and the loads applied to them.Increased stress on the spine includes lifting weights, prolonged stay in the same position (sitting, standing), sudden movements, jumping from heights, injuries, curvature of the spine, poor posture and excess body weight.
Due to excessive load, trauma to the spinal structures occurs.Particularly sensitive to overload are the intervertebral discs, which perform the function of shock absorption and, together with the facet joints, provide movement to the spinal column.
2. Malnutrition of the intervertebral disc
Intervertebral discs have no blood vessels of their own and feed on diffusion of interstitial fluid from 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 disrupted, and the hydration of the intervertebral disc decreases.In the fibrous ring of the disc, fibrous fibers disintegrate, microcracks and tears appear, which contribute to the migration of the nucleus pulposus and the formation of 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 involved nerve fibers.Reflex tension and spasm of the surrounding muscles develop, 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 blocks 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 of 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, we speak of diffuse osteochondrosis of the spine.
The lumbar region is most often affected and accounts for approximately half of all cases of osteochondrosis.This is due to the fact that the lower parts of the spine experience a greater static load than other parts.
The second most common location is the cervical region.It represents approximately 1/4 of cases of osteochondrosis.This part of the spine suffers most often due to forced positioning of the head in one position: prolonged sitting at the computer, sedentary work, monotonous physical work.
The development of osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine is associated with limited mobility in this segment, which is fixed by the costosternal structure.
Symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis
Symptoms of osteochondrosis are divided into two main groups:
Local symptomsas pain in the back or in a certain part of it: pain in the neck, lower back, between the shoulder blades.Local symptoms also include tension, stiffness of the back muscles, feeling of heaviness and discomfort.
Long-term symptomsthe appearance of which is associated with involvement in the process of the nervous or vascular system of the spine, which is responsible for the innervation and blood supply to certain structures of the body.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by:pain in the neck, occipital region, shoulder girdle, collar area.The pain may radiate to the arm, shoulder, elbow joint or hand, accompanied by a sensation of numbness in the arm or “creeping” and limited mobility of the joints of the upper extremity.
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 the blood supply to the brain.Vertebral artery syndrome manifests as a throbbing headache, ringing in the head, and dizziness.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spinemanifested by pain between the shoulder blades, in the back of the chest, which can spread along the intercostal spaces in the form of intercostal neuralgia, up 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, in the abdominal area, simulating diseases of the internal organs.
For osteochondrosis of the lumbar regionthe pain is localized in the lower back, buttocks, spreads down the leg and may be accompanied by a feeling of numbness, tingling, convulsive contractions 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 prolonged periods, or after physical activity.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
The diagnosis of spinal osteochondrosis is based on the study of patient complaints, collection of 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.A detailed diagnosis is necessary to exclude more serious diseases of the spine, identify complications of osteochondrosis and select the 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, employing qualified specialists: a vertebrologist, an orthopedist-traumatologist, a neurologist, a chiropractor who will help you correctly diagnose a spinal disease and prescribe the necessary therapeutic procedures.
An individual therapeutic 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:
Pharmacological treatment of osteochondrosisaimed at alleviating exacerbation, influencing the pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease.
Back massage, spine correctionthey allow you to normalize the tone and elasticity of the back muscles, improve blood supply, eliminate crushed nerve roots and restore 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 carried out under the supervision of the attending physician.
Therapeutic block- This is a local injection of a drug 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 blocks are mainly used - the introduction of drugs into the tissues surrounding the vertebrae, near the roots of the intervertebral nerves.
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, treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out using the American Pro-Ajuster shock wave therapy apparatus, specially designed for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the spine and surrounding soft tissues.The device allows you to diagnose the state of density and tension of the tissues and subsequently act on the altered areas.
To treat 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 a disease is its prevention.To prevent the development of osteochondrosis, the problems 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.
Major activities that help maintain a healthy spine include:
- A rational regime of work and rest: avoid sitting for long periods, get up periodically, stretch, keep your back straight, observe your posture, sleep on a semi-rigid bed;
- Elimination of spinal overloads: 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.