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 suffer more often from this disease. The disease is typical for both young and old. Women get sick less often and their symptoms are not so obvious. In the initial stage of the disease, it is possible to achieve lasting forgiveness and get rid of pain and anxiety for many years.
What are the types of osteochondrosis by localization
The classification of osteochondrosis of the spine has many forms and criteria. They vary in the location of the affected section and the severity. All types of osteochondrosis are pathologies that are fraught with devastating 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 wound:
- Osteochondrosis of the cervix - characterized by syndromes of occipital pain, cervix and intercapsular pain. In the last decade, this disease has been increasingly diagnosed in young people.
- Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is very rare, as there are more discs than the cervix and lumbar, the discs are smaller and thinner. Part of the load is taken from the ribs. Therefore, in the intervertebral discs of the thoracic spine, degenerative and dystrophic changes rarely occur.
- Lumbar osteochondrosis often occurs in people over the age of forty from a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle. It is characterized by severe back pain, constriction of the nerves and arteries of the abdominal organs and many accompanying diagnoses of the internal organs.
Stages of the disease
Depending on the degree of flow, the degree of degenerative changes, the manifestation of symptoms, four stages of the disease can be distinguished:
- The initial stage is characterized by the instability of the symptoms. The patient is still not experiencing severe pain. Occasionally, "shot" pain in the affected area of the back is possible.
- The second stage is characterized by a significant deterioration of vertebral interaction due to the progression of degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs. The development of the disease at this stage is provoked by an improper physical activity, a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle.
- In the third stage, intervertebral hernias may begin to develop (some patients will pass this fate). In some cases, there is severe back pain. Concomitant diagnoses are made, which in one way or another affect all systems of the body. 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 satisfactory lifestyle and enjoy freedom of movement. Almost all positions occupied by the body bring acute pain to the site of localization of osteochondrosis. At this stage, we can talk about assigning a disability to the patient.
Causes of occurrence
Osteochondrosis brings a lot of suffering, worsens the quality of life, can lead to complete or partial immobilization of the patient and disability. What are the reasons for the appearance of this disease? They are as follows:
- Lifestyle sitting, sitting static or lying in one position. Muscles atrophy, vertebrae consume cartilage and discs between each other. This process can take years, but will inevitably lead to osteochondrosis.
- Modern young men and women go to the gym and perform barbell exercises with dumbbells, the improper performance of which leads to chronic back disease. For example, the wrong technique of performing the "barbell squat" exercise introduced surgeons and orthopedists to tens of thousands of young patients with osteochondrosis and scoliosis in the acute phase.
- People who, due to their professional activities, have to sit at the table in one position for many hours in a row are also at risk. According to WHO statistics, it is the office workers who make up the majority of patients with osteochondrosis.
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The vertebrae of the cervical spine gradually lose fluid and become brittle. As a result of this process, the veins and arteries are compressed. The feeding of the brain is interrupted and then the death of its cells. Osteochondrosis of the cervix 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, resulting in vision loss and hearing impairment.
Types of cervical osteochondrosis:
- radicular, or so-called "cervical radiculitis" - characterized mainly by severe pain in the neck, neck, head;
- irritating-reflex - discomfort in the chest, back, numbness of the fingers;
- cardiac, which is characterized by symptoms of cardiovascular disease.
Only an orthopedic surgeon or a 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 thoracic spine 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 spine surgeon can provide accurate information about the type of thoracic osteochondrosis.
With a pronounced pathological process, there is a disruption in the work of parts of the spinal cord. The main signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine:
- Dorsago - sharp, unbearable chest pain, shortness of breath, it seems to the patient that he is choking or his heartbeat is out of order.
- Dorsalgia - the patient experiences less discomfort than with the back. The pain is less pronounced and radiates to the hands, fingers (therefore, doctors often confuse symptoms with diseases of the cardiovascular system).
Symptoms and consequences of lumbar spine osteochondrosis
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 greatest stress in the process of daily life.
In the first stage, the main symptom is a slight stretch in the lower back. People rarely pay attention to such mild diseases. As intervertebral discs are consumed, negative symptoms also increase. In particular, the patient cannot 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 - sharp and sudden pain, the result of which may be partial immobilization of the patient;
- sciatica - unilateral blockage 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 also often observed;
- radiculoischemia - a failure of blood circulation as a result of compression of blood vessels.
Generalized osteochondrosis
This type of disease affects not only the spine but also the joints. Most often, shoulders and hips. The symptoms of generalized osteochondrosis are neurological in nature, in rare cases with lesions of internal organs due to impaired blood circulation.
At the hip joint, the disease manifests as changes in cartilage tissue, drying out of the intra-articular fluid. Over time, the node partially, and then completely, loses its previous movement.
Polysgmental osteochondrosis
Manifestations of the disease are not in one, but in several parts of the body. For example, there is often a combination of third and twelfth vertebral loss - in this case, osteochondrosis will be considered polysgmental.
The therapy in this case will be exactly the same as the standard signs of osteochondrosis of the cervix or thorax. Magnetotherapy and other physiotherapy procedures proved to be excellent for exacerbating pain and discomfort due to polysgmented chondrosis. Now you know what types of spinal osteochondrosis exist.
Medications for osteochondrosis
Pharmacological agents to alleviate the onset of osteochondrosis symptoms can be divided into the following groups:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs - to relieve the symptoms of pain and swelling from the affected area. There are two types of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticosteroids.
- Pain relievers.
- Muscle relaxants to relieve muscle spasm.
- Hondoprotectors - medicines to improve cartilage tissue nutrition.
- Vitamin-mineral complexes - to restore normal blood circulation and activate metabolism.
- Medications to improve and restore impulse conduction in nerve cells.
In some cases, you should use diuretics to relieve swelling from the muscles and connective tissue between the vertebrae. Strictly forbidden to prescribe medication for yourself - you not only can not cure, but also worsen the course of the disease.
Therapeutic gymnastics and physical education for osteochondrosis
Any orthopedist will confirm the importance of exercise in achieving 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 sudden movements. Traumatic martial arts and weight-bearing sports with osteochondrosis are prohibited. The patient should not work with a weight of more than five kilograms.
Do not underestimate the benefits of daily morning exercise. It should not be performed case by case, but continuously. Only then will there be benefits to the spine. Simple hand movements, "grinder", "bicycle" - exercises, known to all since childhood, will help you lengthen your back and relieve pain. All movements should be performed as smoothly and accurately as possible to avoid injury.
Office workers should 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 types of treatment for osteochondrosis, this is the most satisfactory. Much depends on the choice of specialist - both the result and the feeling. Types of massage for osteochondrosis - classic, acupressure, canned, accessories, honey.
With manual therapy, the situation is more complicated. First, this procedure is painful: often manual patients can not contain a scream of pain during spinal manipulations. Second, if the chiropractor lacks experience, this procedure can be dangerous. Choose specialists with good patient evaluations, a real degree and a rich therapeutic experience.