Osteochondrosis is a disease based on degenerative-dystrophic changes that occur in the intervertebral discs, vertebrae and small joints of the spine. Osteochondrosis is a faithful companion of the elderly. But more and more young people are diagnosed, which is probably due to mainly sedentary work, an unhealthy lifestyle and little physical activity. We can safely assume that most of the adult population has signs of osteochondrosis.
The reasons
The elasticity of the spine, its mobility and its ability to withstand physical activity depend mainly on the condition of the intervertebral discs. The pathological process in osteochondrosis is based on malnutrition of the spinal structures, especially the intervertebral disc. This leads to changes in the normal tissue structure, the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity, changes its shape. Such transformations lead to a narrowing of the intervertebral discs and, as a result, compression of the nerve roots. In fact, these changes explain the appearance of neurological symptoms, in particular, back pain in osteochondrosis.
In the future, degenerative processes appear in the small joints of the spine, bone growths are formed on the surface of the vertebrae. All these changes lead to a decrease in the flexibility of the spine.
Similar transformations of cartilage and bone tissues are a result of the normal aging of the body. But under the influence of certain adverse factors, dystrophic changes in the intervertebral joints occur ahead of time.These factors include:
- Portliness;
- Sedentary life?
- Hard physical work.
- Occupations characterized by prolonged standing or sitting during working hours.
- Flat feet, cilia deformity of the feet.
- Spinal deformities?
- Autoimmune connective tissue diseases?
- Fluctuations in the hormonal background (pregnancy, menopause).
- Doing great sports.
- stress;
- Spinal injuries etc.
Types of osteochondrosis
The characteristics of the clinical picture of the disease depend on the specific part of the spine where the pathological process arose.There are the following types of osteochondrosis:
- Cervical;
- Thoracic;
- Lumbar area.
Cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is common. The muscular skeleton of the neck is rather underdeveloped, therefore, in the context of osteochondrosis, even with an insignificant load, the vertebrae are displaced and, as a result, the vessels and nerves of the neck are compressed. This explains the peculiarities of the clinical picture in osteochondrosis of the cervical region.
Thus, the main signs of cervical osteochondrosis include:
- Constant pain in the neck and occipital region, aggravated by movement of the neck.
- Migraine-type pain - in one hemisphere.
- dizziness, tinnitus;
- Pain in hands;
- Numbness and tingling sensation in the hands.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
The defeat of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is quite rare. A basic condition for the development of the disease is the presence of spinal deformities.
Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- Dull, aching pain in the chest, which is often band-like.
- Increased pain when turning the body, sneezing, coughing, laughing.
- Visceral pain in region of heart, right hypochondrium, abdomen.
- Numbness, paresthesia in the skin of the chest.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
The most common variant of osteochondrosis. This is probably due to the fact that the greatest load falls directly on the lumbar region.Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- It hurts, less often sharp pain in the lower back, which increases with movement or prolonged exposure to a static position.
- Feeling of stiffness in the lower back.
- To reduce pain, a person takes a forced position.
- Pain or sharp pain (such as back pain) in the buttock, thigh, lower leg.
- Tingling, paresthesia in the legs.
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Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
Radiation methods are used to detect osteochondrosis: X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the spine. The most characteristic and, above all, early sign of osteochondrosis is the reduction of the height of the intervertebral space.
In the last stages of the degenerative process, marginal growths (osteophytes) appear on the surface of the vertebrae. They are easier to spot on lateral x-rays because the osteophytes are in front and behind the vertebrae.
In addition, with osteochondrosis, the bodies of adjacent vertebrae are displaced, which can also be determined on an X-ray.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis is more effective the earlier it is started. As already mentioned, osteochondrosis is a change in the structure of the intervertebral discs, the vertebrae. Unfortunately, many people ignore back pain for a long time and do not visit the doctor in time, missing the moment when it is still possible to stop the pathological process.
Treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out with the help of drugs, physiotherapy exercises, massage, surgery.
Medical treatment:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, ointments, injections to relieve pain.
- Muscle relaxants?
- Cartilage protectors - promote the regeneration of damaged cartilage.
- Complexes of vitamins and minerals.
- Vasodilator drugs?
- Drugs that normalize tissue metabolism.
After eliminating the exacerbation of the disease, you should proceed to rehabilitation. Thus, physical therapy is a very important aspect of combating osteochondrosis. Performing certain exercises contributes to the formation of a muscle corset. This is extremely important, because thanks to a strong muscle corset the physical load is distributed evenly along the spine. By regularly performing a set of exercises, stiffness in the spine will disappear and the range of motion will increase. Massage, physiotherapy, reflexology and spinal traction will help enhance the effect of physiotherapy exercises.
When complications appear in the form of intervertebral hernia, sciatica, and if conservative treatment fails, they resort to surgery. The goal of surgical treatment is to eliminate the compression of the nerve roots and blood vessels, as well as to stabilize the structure of the intervertebral disc or vertebrae.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home
Folk remedies will help relieve the symptoms of osteochondrosis, but in no case will they be able to replace the main treatment. On the Internet you can find a large number of alternative treatment methods, but not all of them are safe, so be sure to consult your doctor.
Traditional medicine
The general principle of the folk treatment of osteochondrosis is the use of substances that have an irritating effect. As a result, there is an improvement in blood supply to a specific area of the body, as well as a reduction in pain.
In folk medicine, such a recipe for rubbing is known: mix 0. 25 cups of vodka with 0. 5 cups of honey, add 0. 75 cups of grated radish and two tablespoons of salt. With the resulting mixture, it is necessary to rub the troublesome area of the back twice a day. The procedure must be repeated within a week.
To eliminate the pain, you can apply a potato compress on your back. Grated raw potatoes should be mixed with honey in equal proportions. Then wrap the resulting mixture with gauze, fasten it to the back and wrap it with a scarf. You can also use a burdock compress. To prepare it, pour a glass of boiling water over a tablespoon of chopped burdock leaves. Wrap the mixture in gauze and apply on the back for half an hour. After removing the compress, be sure to wrap your back with a warm scarf.
You can do it even easier: grate the radish, put it in a cotton sock, then lie on top of it.
Note:
it is important to be careful when using folk remedies, do not touch your face with your hands. Radish and other plants, if it comes into contact with the eyes, can cause a corneal burn.
Physiotherapy
Physical exercises can only be done outside peak periods. In acute pain, you should avoid doing gymnastics, as this will only lead to increased pain.
An example exercise set might look like this:
- Lie on your back and straighten your legs. Pull the toe of the right foot toward you and the toe of the left foot away from you. This should be done in order.
- Lie on your back, put your hands behind the back of your head. The legs should be together and bent at the knees. The knees should lean to the left side and the head should turn in the opposite direction. Wait for just a few seconds. Then move your knees to the right and your head to the left.
- Lie on your back, arms along the body. You need to bend your knees and lift your pelvis. Stay in this position for a few seconds. As you exhale, lower your pelvis.
- Roll onto your side. Straighten your top leg and swing it back and forth.
- Starting position on all fours. Arch your back, hold for a few seconds, then arch your lower back.
- Roll onto your back. Pull the bent left knee to the right elbow and then vice versa.