Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease of various parts of the spine, in which degenerative and dystrophic changes occur in the intervertebral discs. Men aged 25-60 are more likely to suffer from this disease. The disease is typical for both young people and the elderly. Women get sick less often and their symptoms are less obvious. In the initial stage of the disease it is possible to achieve a stable remission and get rid of pain and discomfort for many years.
What are the types of osteochondrosis by location
The classification of osteochondrosis of the spine has many forms and criteria. They differ in the location of the affected area and the severity. All types of osteochondrosis are pathologies that are fraught with destructive changes in cartilage and connective tissue.
The most common and understandable for a simple layman, far from medicine, the classification is according to the location of the lesion:
- Cervical osteochondrosis - it is characterized by occipital, cervical and interscapular pain syndromes. In the last decade, this disease has been diagnosed more and more often in young people.
- Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is very rare, as there are more discs than the cervical and lumbar ones combined, the discs are smaller and thinner. Part of the load is taken by the ribs. Therefore, degenerative and dystrophic changes rarely occur in the intervertebral discs of the thoracic spine.
- Lumbar osteochondrosis is common in people over the age of forty from a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle. It is characterized by severe back pain, pinching of the nerves and arteries of the abdominal organs and many concomitant diagnoses of the internal organs.
Stages of the disease
Depending on the flow rate, the degree of degenerative changes, the manifestation of symptoms, four stages of the disease can be distinguished:
- The initial stage is characterized by instability of symptoms. The patient is still not in severe pain. Sometimes "shooting" pain is possible in the affected area of the back.
- The second stage is characterized by a significant deterioration of the interaction of the vertebrae due to the progression of degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs. The development of the disease at this stage is provoked by improper physical activity, sedentary and sedentary lifestyle.
- In the third stage, intervertebral hernias may begin to develop (some patients will go through this fate). In some cases, there is severe back pain. Concomitant diagnoses develop, which in one way or another affect all bodily systems. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the hernia and the location of the chondrosis.
- The fourth stage is the most difficult. The patient is not able to lead a full life and enjoy freedom of movement. Almost all postures occupied by the body carry sharp pain at the site of osteochondrosis. At this stage we can talk about the appointment of a patient injury.
Causes
Osteochondrosis brings a lot of suffering, worsens the quality of life, can lead to complete or partial immobilization of the patient and injury. What are the causes of this disease? They are as follows:
- Sedentary lifestyle, static sitting or lying in one position. Muscles atrophy, vertebrae wear cartilage and discs together. This process can take years, but will inevitably lead to osteochondrosis.
- Modern young men and women go to the gym and perform exercises with barbells and dumbbells, the improper performance of which leads to chronic diseases of the spine. For example, the wrong technique of performing the "squat with a barbell" exercise presents surgeons and orthopedists tens of thousands of young patients with acute osteochondrosis and scoliosis.
- People who, due to their professional activities, have to sit at a table in one position for many hours in a row are also at risk. According to WHO statistics, office workers make up the lion's share of patients with osteochondrosis.
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The vertebrae of the cervical vertebrae gradually lose fluid and become brittle. As a result of this process, the veins and arteries are compressed. The nutrition of the brain is disrupted and subsequently the death of its cells. Cervical osteochondrosis has the maximum negative effect on the part of the brain responsible for the activity of the heart muscle. Often the optic or auditory nerve is compressed, leading to vision loss and hearing loss.
Types of cervical osteochondrosis:
- radicular, or so-called "cervical radiculitis" - it is characterized primarily by severe pain in the nape, neck, head;
- irritative-reflex - discomfort in the chest, back, numbness of the fingers;
- cardiac, which is characterized by symptoms of cardiovascular disease.
Only an orthopedic surgeon or surgeon can make an accurate diagnosis. Regardless of the type of cervical osteochondrosis, the treatment will be almost identical.
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The rarest type of disease. The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest are characteristic of many other diseases. An inexperienced doctor can often diagnose arrhythmias, angina pectoris, cardiomyopathy (pending ECG results), pancreatitis or even gastritis. Only an experienced orthopedist or spinal surgeon can provide accurate information about the type of thoracic osteochondrosis.
In a clearly expressed pathological process there is a disturbance in the work of parts of the spinal cord. The main signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine:
- Dorsago - acute, unbearable chest pain, shortness of breath, the patient feels suffocated or heart rate does not work
- Dorsalgia - the patient experiences less discomfort than dorsal. The pain is less pronounced and radiates to the hands, fingers (therefore doctors often confuse the symptoms with diseases of the cardiovascular system).
Symptoms and consequences of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The most common type of osteochondrosis is the lumbar spine. This is due to the fact that it is the lower back that experiences the most stress in the process of everyday life.
In the first stage, the main symptom is a slight stretching in the lower back. People rarely attach importance to such mild illnesses. As the intervertebral discs wear out, the negative symptoms also increase. In particular, the patient can no longer lie down or sit in one position for a long time due to pain.
In the third or fourth stage of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine there are:
- lumbago - acute and sudden pain, the result of which may be partial immobilization of the patient;
- sciatica - unilateral entrapment of the sciatic nerve;
- sciatica - squeezing of nerve endings in the lumbar spine;
- weakness of the lower extremities, muscle atrophy, venous congestion, impaired sexual function and the work of the abdominal and pelvic organs are often observed;
- radiculoischemia - failure of blood circulation as a result of vascular compression.
Generalized osteochondrosis
This type of disease affects not only the spine but also the joints. Most often the shoulder and thigh. The symptoms of generalized osteochondrosis are neurological in nature, in rare cases with damage to internal organs due to impaired blood circulation.
In the hip joint, the disease manifests itself as changes in the cartilage tissue, drying out of the interstitial fluid. Over time, the joint partially, and then completely, loses its previous mobility.
Polysegmental osteochondrosis
The manifestations of the disease are not in one, but in several parts of the body. For example, there is often a combination of damage to the third and twelfth vertebrae - in which case osteochondrosis will be considered polysegmental.
The therapy in this case will be exactly the same as for the standard signs of cervical or thoracic osteochondrosis. Magnetotherapy and other physiotherapy procedures have been shown to be excellent for exacerbating pain and discomfort due to polysegmental chondrosis. Now you know what types of spinal osteochondrosis exist.
Drugs for osteochondrosis
Pharmacological agents for relieving the symptoms of osteochondrosis can be divided into the following groups:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs - to relieve the symptoms of pain and swelling in the affected area. There are two types - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticosteroids.
- Painkillers.
- Muscle relaxants to relieve muscle spasm.
- Chondoprotectors - drugs to improve the nutrition of cartilage tissue.
- Vitamin-mineral complexes - to restore normal blood circulation and activate metabolism.
- Drugs to improve and restore the conduction of impulses in nerve cells.
In some cases, you should resort to diuretics to relieve swelling of the muscles and connective tissue between the vertebrae. It is strictly forbidden to prescribe drugs yourself - not only can you not cure, but also worsen the course of the disease.
Therapeutic gymnastics and physical education for osteochondrosis
Every orthopedist will confirm the importance of exercise to achieve remission in the chronic course of osteochondrosis.
What kind of sport is safe for osteochondrosis? It is better to prefer swimming, stretching, Pilates, body bending - those directions in which there are no sharp movements. Traumatic martial arts and weightlifting sports with osteochondrosis are prohibited. The patient should not weigh more than five kilograms.
Do not underestimate the benefits of daily morning exercise. It should not be done on a case-by-case basis, but constantly. Only in this case there will be benefits for the spine. Simple swings of the arms, "grinder", "bicycle" - exercises familiar to all from childhood, will help to stretch the back and relieve pain. All movements must be performed as smoothly and accurately as possible to avoid injury.
Office workers must disconnect from the computer once an hour and perform a five-minute warm-up. This will serve as an excellent prevention and treatment of existing osteochondrosis.
Massage and manual therapy
Of all the treatments for osteochondrosis, this is the most enjoyable. Much depends on the choice of specialist - both the result and the feeling. Types of massage for osteochondrosis - classic, acupressure, canned food, hardware, honey.
In manual therapy the situation is more complicated. First, this procedure is painful: often patients in management can not contain a cry of pain during manipulations of the spine. Secondly, if the chiropractor lacks experience, this procedure can be dangerous. Choose specialists with good patient feedback, a real diploma and extensive therapeutic experience.