Osteochondrosis of the spine is a chronic disease, which is based on the process of degeneration of bone and cartilage tissue. All parts of the spine are affected by the pathological process.
Description of the disease
The disease is more common in the elderly, but recently there has been an increase in the number of young patients who show signs of the disease. Depending on the location of the spinal cord injury, it is common to classify it as cervical, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis. The main and characteristic sign of osteochondrosis of the back is a dull pain of moderate intensity, due to compression of the spinal cord roots.
Pathogenesis and stages
The development of the disease is usually divided into several stages. The process begins with an asymptomatic course, when initial changes occur in the cartilage tissue and ends with the complete fusion of many vertebrae between them.
First
The first stage is the most difficult to diagnose, due to the mild signs of the disease, it is also called preclinical. Patients have general weakness, back discomfort. These signs are often confused with fatigue. In medical practice, grade 1 osteochondrosis can only be diagnosed by chance, for example, during a preventive examination.
Second
During grade 2 osteochondrosis, the patient feels pain in the spine. This stage is a consequence of the first in the absence of the necessary precautionary measures. There is an initial process of destruction of the intervertebral disc. The attachment of the vertebrae breaks, the distance between them decreases, which leads to compression of the nerve fibers of the spine.
Based on the patient's complaints, objective examination and x-ray, the doctor diagnoses "grade 2 osteochondrosis of the cervical region" and prescribes treatment. Subject to the implementation of all the recommendations of a specialist, the disease can be treated without serious consequences.
Third
The third stage is characterized by the initiation of irreversible processes in the cartilaginous tissues of the fibrous ring. The pulpal nucleus is dehydrated, resulting in disc herniation. The pain occurs as a result of compression of the spinal nerves. At this stage, the damaged intervertebral disc can not be repaired. The hernia is eliminated by the surgical method, the treatment is carried out with the help of drugs.
Fourth
At this stage, the body adapts to the changes that occur in the spine. The compensatory bone tissue grows along the ends of the vertebrae (osteophytes) to strengthen the affected part. They can compress the spinal cord roots, causing pain. As a result, osteophytes grow together, causing complete immobilization of a specific part of the spine.
Symptoms and varieties
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease. Its special feature is the alternation of periods of disease outbreak and recession. The symptoms of the disease are quite characteristic. They are manifested by back pain, with sudden movements and lifting weights, the pain intensifies, there may be a feeling of numbness in the extremities, fatigue with little physical exertion and depression.
Constant pain leads to excessive nervousness and fatigue of the body. In chronic osteochondrosis, when the spinal discs compress the nerve fibers, the pain syndrome can be shot and transmitted to the back of the head, shoulders and lower extremities.
Cervical
This is one of the most common and dangerous localizations of the disease, as there are a large number of nerve fibers and large main vessels in the area of the cervix.
With cervical osteochondrosis, the symptoms may be as follows:
- Severe headache;
- pains radiate to the shoulder and limbs, shoot in the head.
- there is a restriction of neck movements.
- dizziness and loss of consciousness;
- noise in the ears;
- impaired coordination of movements.
These symptoms are caused by disturbance of blood circulation in the cervical arteries due to inflammation, swelling, muscle spasm. With the onset of vertebral artery compression syndrome and the lack of appropriate medical treatment, this leads to cerebral ischemia.
thoracic
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is quite rare. Signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are manifested in the form of pain and a burning sensation between the shoulders. In the case of compression of the intercostal nerve endings, this leads to intercostal neuralgia. It is expressed in acute sensations of chest pain, which does not allow deep breathing.
Violation of blood circulation and lack of nutrients due to the inflammatory process can cause diseases of the internal organs located in this area, various heart pathologies. Specialized treatment in this case is necessary.
Lumbar area
More than 50% of cases occur in this department. The first signs of lumbar osteochondrosis are a characteristic pain in the lower back, which increases with sudden movements, lifting weights, even when the weather changes. Symptoms such as varicose veins, numbness of the limbs, joint pain are not excluded.
The appearance of osteophytes in the later stages of the disease often leads to inflammation of the sciatic nerve - sciatica, one of the possible complications. Lumbar rickets also refers to the complications of osteochondrosis. It manifests as pain in the buttocks, which spreads along the thigh and lower leg, reaching the legs.
Causes and prevention
As a rule, the disease usually causes many causes at once, so it is also considered multifactorial. The main reasons for the development of osteochondrosis are:
- back injuries and bruises;
- accumulation diseases and metabolic disorders.
- sedentary lifestyle and overweight.
- congenital and acquired posture disorders.
- heredity.
Preventing osteochondrosis comes down to simple but effective methods. It is necessary to change the lifestyle to a more active one (go swimming), do not forget to do back exercises during long-term immobility. You need to start eating right, including as many fruits and vegetables, dairy products as possible.
Effective prevention will also be the timely seek for medical help when the first symptoms of the disease appear.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine must be complex. The main directions of treatment of the disease are:
- drug treatment (NSAIDs, analgesics, chondroprotectants, vitamins).
- physiotherapy (electrophoresis, UHF);
- massage;
- exercise therapy;
- exercise (can be done at home).
- surgical treatment (discectomy).