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 tissue.The degenerative process is involutive, that is, the natural process of aging 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 complete or partial loss of ability to work, the 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 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, 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 function of shock absorption and, together with the facet joints, provide movement in the spine.
2. Malnutrition of the intervertebral disc
Intervertebral discs do not have their own blood vessels and are nourished by the 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 movements in the spine, 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 hydration of the intervertebral disc decreases.In the fibrous ring of the disc, fibrous fibers become disintegrated, microcracks and tears appear, which contributes 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, which is also accompanied by pain, a feeling of stiffness in the back, and limitation of movements.
Emerging changes in 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 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 speak of widespread osteochondrosis of the spine.
The lumbar region is most often 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 accounts for about 1/4 of cases of osteochondrosis.This part of the spine suffers most often due to the forced position of the head in one position - prolonged sitting at the computer, sedentary work, monotonous physical labor.
The development of osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine is associated with limited mobility in this segment, which is fixed by the costosternal frame.
Symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis
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, lower back, between the shoulder blades.Local symptoms also include tension, stiffness of the back muscles, a feeling of heaviness and discomfort.
Long-term symptomsthe appearance of which is associated with the involvement in the process of the nervous or vascular system of the spine, which is 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 area.The pain may 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 the blood supply to the brain.Vertebral artery syndrome is manifested by a throbbing headache, noise in the head, and dizziness.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spinemanifested by pain between the shoulder blades, in the thoracic back, which can spread along the intercostal spaces in the form of intercostal neuralgia, to the front of the chest, simulating heart 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 area, simulating diseases of the internal organs.
For osteochondrosis of the lumbar regionthe pain is localized in the lower back, in the buttocks, spreads down the leg, and may be accompanied by a feeling of numbness, tingling, convulsive twitching of the leg muscles, their atrophy, and dysfunction of the pelvic organs.
Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by chronic aching back pain, which can intensify at night, with prolonged sitting or standing, or after physical activity.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
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 neck and intracranial vessels, electrocardiography.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 provides comprehensive treatment for spinal osteochondrosis.
To treat 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 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 treating spinal osteochondrosis:
Drug treatment of osteochondrosisaimed at relieving exacerbation, influencing the pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease.
Back massage, spinal correctionallow you to normalize the tone and elasticity of the back muscles, improve blood supply, eliminate pinched nerve roots and restore mobility of the spinal motion segments.
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 blockade- 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 blockades are mainly used - the introduction of medication into the tissues surrounding the vertebrae, near 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 for crushing 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 device, which was 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 tissue density and tension and subsequently act on the changed 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.In order to prevent the development of osteochondrosis, 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 engage in physical exercise, outdoor sports, games, monitor posture, and avoid overloading the spine.
The main activities that help maintain a healthy spine include:
- A rational regime of work and rest: avoid prolonged sitting, get up periodically, do back stretching, keep your back straight, watch 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 exercises for the back;
- Proper nutrition;
- Timely diagnosis and elimination of pain and discomfort in the back.