Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis causes acute back pain in 67% of cases. Lack of timely consultation with a doctor, consultation and treatment can lead to consequences such as disruption of the functioning of internal organs, damage to the spinal cord and damage to the nerve roots of the spine. What is osteochondrosis, what types of treatment exist for patients and how is the disease diagnosed - read on.

What is osteochondrosis?

Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease that leads to thinning of the intervertebral cartilage. Hyaline cartilage and intervertebral discs begin to "wear out, " losing their ability to function fully.

Reference.In most cases, osteochondrosis of the spine is diagnosed in people aged 25 and older. According to the WHO, in 2021, 43% of the population aged 25 to 40 suffer from osteochondrosis, and more than 92% of older people. The onset and exacerbation of the disease can be caused by surrounding unfavorable factors.

Types of osteochondrosis

Each part of the spine is subject to degeneration processes. Among the types of osteochondrosis of the spine, 3 main ones can be distinguished: cervical, thoracic and lumbar (due to the high load, it is more common than others).

1. Lumbar osteochondrosis.The lumbar region consists of 5 vertebrae subject to deformation due to the negative impact of external and internal factors. When the nutrition and metabolic processes of the intervertebral discs are disrupted, pain occurs, caused by loss of elasticity and thinning of cartilage tissue.
2. Cervical osteochondrosis.The cervical spine is made up of 7 vertebrae regularly exposed to stress. Pathological processes are activated when the body's metabolic processes fail.
3. Thoracic osteochondrosis.The thoracic region is made up of 12 vertebrae. This type of osteochondrosis is the least common. The thoracic vertebrae are inactive. People who lead a passive lifestyle and regularly lift heavy objects are susceptible to the disease.

Causes of osteochondrosis

The number of people suffering from osteochondrosis is rapidly increasing every year. This is due to the fact that people spend most of their time standing, which puts maximum load on the intervertebral discs.

Important!With age/due to heavy loads, the discs and cartilage become deformed. Clefts and hernias may appear. As a result, compressed nerve roots, thinned discs, pathological processes in the spinal cord, muscle spasms and progressive pain.

The risk group includes: office workers, builders, hairdressers, sellers, drivers. Men and women are equally susceptible to the appearance of osteochondrosis.

Factors provoking osteochondrosis include:

• presence of osteochondrosis in family history;
• overweight, obesity;
• passive lifestyle;
• flat foot.

Impairment of spinal depreciation and its deformation can be caused by the following factors:

1. Self-neglect (complete lack of physical activity or excessive exercise).
2. Lack of awareness of correct postures to reduce stress on the spine.
3. Constant work involving lifting/moving heavy objects.
4. Injuries.

Osteochondrosis: 4 stages of development of the disease

There are 4 stages of development of spinal osteochondrosis:

1. First stage– there are no clear symptoms to diagnose the disease. Occasional back pain appears, often after physical exertion or overwork. Osteochondrosis in the early stages can be detected during a preventive examination or during a CT or X-ray examination.
2. Second step.The next stage is characterized by moderate pain. Cartilage tissue begins to deform and the distance between the intervertebral discs decreases. When contacting a doctor, drug treatment (to reduce pain) and physical therapy are prescribed.
3. Third step– the spine becomes deformed, fibrous areas and hernias appear, the pain intensifies and becomes more pronounced and frequent. At this stage, it all depends on the existing symptoms. The doctor will help determine the patient's treatment method (conservative or surgical).
4. Step four– irreversible deformation of spinal function. It is almost impossible for the patient to move independently. The pain is sharp, constant and increases with any physical activity. Pathological bone tissue fills the intervertebral space, the patient becomes disabled.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

As mentioned earlier, there are 3 types of osteochondrosis and each of them is characterized by individual manifestations. Let's look at all the symptoms in more detail.

Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis

How to understand that you suffer from lumbar osteochondrosis? You may notice characteristic symptoms:

• stiffness of movements;
• pain in the pelvis, sacrum, lower back and lower extremities, which becomes more intense with exercise or movement. The nature of the pain is aching, dull, sharp;
• pathological processes of the genitourinary system (problems with defecation and urination);
• weakness in the legs;
• deficiency/lack of sensitivity.

Important!Self-medication is strictly prohibited. When lumbar osteochondrosis is detected, diagnosis and effective treatment are mandatory. The consequences of lack of treatment are hernias, protrusions and paralysis of the lower limbs.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

How to understand that you suffer from cervical osteochondrosis? One or more symptoms may appear:

• frequent headaches;
• numbness of the upper and lower limbs;
• severe crunches in the cervical spine during physical activity;
• "spots, " dots in the eyes, opacifications, and darkening;
• burning sensation and discomfort in the heart region;
• the appearance of tinnitus, hearing loss;
• dizziness without cause;
• pain in shoulders, neck, arms.

Important!Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is considered one of the most dangerous for humans, as it complicates the process of saturation of the brain with blood. If it is not treated, protrusions appear, then hernias. Surgical intervention for cervical osteochondrosis carries a high risk of paralysis of the body. If symptoms appear, contact only qualified specialists.

Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis

How to understand that you suffer from thoracic osteochondrosis? Only a doctor (neurologist) can diagnose the disease, but the patient can assume the presence of osteochondrosis based on characteristic signs:

• discomfort, localized burning sensation in the chest;
• the appearance of pain when raising your arms, pain in the shoulder blades;
• dizziness and sudden loss of consciousness occur;
• chest pain.

Reference.When the disease transitions to the acute phase, dorsago (lack of air, sharp/stiff pain in the chest, "lumbago") and back pain (pain can be episodic or constant, sharp/dull in nature) mayoccur.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is difficult to diagnose. The disease is often confused with angina, heart attack or inflammatory processes in the lungs.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the spine

During a visit to the doctor, a history and physical examination of the musculoskeletal system begins.
the patient's device. The specialist will check the integrity of the reflexes and the level of sensitivity of the painful areas. Blood tests and other laboratory tests are then ordered. To clarify the diagnosis, the neurologist prescribes one or more types of imaging diagnostics:

1. Ultrasound of the vertebral arteries.
2. X-ray of the entire spine or certain areas (cervical, thoracic, lumbar).
3. Computed tomography of the spine allows you to identify the presence of degenerative processes, displacements, deformations of the spine and its structures.
4. MRI of the spine - identifies soft tissue pathologies, helps scan the spinal cord and intervertebral discs.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

How to treat osteochondrosis is determined by the attending physician, depending on the type of disease, the severity of symptoms and the degree of pathological changes. As therapeutic therapy can be used: physiotherapy, drug treatment, courses with a chiropractor, therapeutic massage, exercise therapy or surgical intervention (in the absence of positive dynamics from other treatment methods or in an advanced stage).

Drug treatment of osteochondrosis

When prescribing medical treatment with drugs, the doctor can use several groups of drugs at once:

• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - to relieve the symptoms of osteochondrosis, relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Can be used in tablet form or injection form (in severe cases). The duration of treatment is 7 to 14 days;
• chondroprotectors – to strengthen intervertebral discs and cartilage tissue;
• B vitamins;
• vascular drugs - to improve blood supply to the spine;
• glucocorticosteroids – used in the form of injections into the affected area (for severe forms of the disease);
• muscle relaxants - to relax muscles, relieve pain and inflammation.

Massage for osteochondrosis

A course of massage for osteochondrosis should be taken once every six months. Therapeutic massage eliminates tension, relieves tension and improves blood circulation in the affected area. Only a doctor can decide on the advisability of prescribing massage, the prerequisite being remission of the disease.

Traction (spinal traction)

Artificial traction of the spine is carried out only under the supervision of medical personnel, using special equipment. High-quality traction allows you to evenly distribute the vertebrae in the spine. Pain, pinching and inflammation are reduced.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy for osteochondrosis of the spine is used to correct the curvature. The specialist applies a targeted effect on the patient's muscular and skeletal system. After treatment, blood and lymphatic circulation improves, stiffness disappears and mobility appears.

Physiotherapeutic treatment of osteochondrosis

It is only practiced during the period of remission of the disease; in the acute phase, this method of treatment is prohibited. Physiotherapy is used as an auxiliary therapy, alongside drug treatment. To reduce the symptoms of osteochondrosis, specialists use laser, magnets and current (low frequency).

Acupuncture

The basis of acupuncture is the correct action on reflex zones and pain points. Therapy is prescribed only in combination with therapeutic massage to increase effectiveness. The therapy restores the ability to exert natural load on the spine without pain.

Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis

Physiotherapy is effective for all types of osteochondrosis and can be prescribed to patients of any age category. The type of exercises and the duration of their implementation are prescribed by the doctor. Moderate physical activity helps strengthen the back muscles, increase mobility and flexibility of the spine and improve the patient's condition.

The patient may be prescribed the following types of courses: physiotherapy, therapeutic swimming, health course, mechanotherapy.

Important!Exercise therapy classes are contraindicated during periods of exacerbation of osteochondrosis!

Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis

For osteochondrosis of the spine, surgery is rarely prescribed as the only treatment option. The human spine has a complex structure with numerous vertebrae and nerve endings that influence the coordinated functioning of the entire body. With surgery, the risk of complications is high, therefore it is prescribed only in the most difficult cases or in the absence of improvement by other methods of treatment.

Prevention of spinal osteochondrosis

Prevention is the best way to reduce the risk of developing osteochondrosis and achieve remission of existing spinal disease. The main thing to remember when carrying out preventive exercises is that they should be regular and only during the period of remission.

It is best to perform a set of simple gymnastic exercises at the same time. To avoid forgetting them, set a reminder on your cell phone or include them in your morning hygiene rituals.

1. Rest your forehead in your palm, tense your neck muscles. Execution – 3 sets of 5 to 7 seconds. Then repeat the same thing with the back of the head and the palm.
2. The position of the shoulders is flat, the head is straight. Slowly tilt your head as far as possible to the right, then to the left. Perform 5 times (slowly).
3. Slowly tilt your head back a little. Tighten your neck muscles and gradually move your chin toward your chest. Do 5 to 7 times.
4. Place your left palm near the left temporal area (then the right palm and the right temple). Apply pressure to your palm to tense your neck muscles. Execution – 3 times for 10 seconds.

Important!Don't rush when doing the exercises. It is also prohibited to perform circular movements with the head due to the high risk of injury and pinching of nerve endings.

The second set of preventive exercises against osteochondrosis can be performed at any time (especially after work or overwork), but also regularly:

1. Stand straight, feet together, arms relaxed, breathe deeply. Raise your arms, exhale. Approach – 6 to 8 times.
2. Lie on your stomach, arms at your sides, relaxed. Lean up, rest your hands, try to raise your head and feet. Stay in this position for 5 seconds. Return to the starting position. Repeat – 5 to 7 times.
3. Sit on a chair. Place your hands behind your head (take a deep breath), lean back 4-5 times so that your shoulder blades touch the back of the chair (exhale). Repeat – 5 to 7 times.
4. Stand up, lean back, take a deep breath. Relax your arms, lean forward, slowly lower your head and shoulders - exhale. Approach – 10 times.
5. Get on all fours. Go straight. Arch your back and stay in this position for 3 to 4 seconds. Return to starting position, repeat 5-7 times.

How to stand, lie down and sit with osteochondrosis?

Knowledge of correct postures that help evenly distribute the load across the entire spine is necessary not only for patients suffering from osteochondrosis, but for everyone. By following simple rules, you will see a significant improvement in your general condition and a reduction in the load on your back. Additionally, you can protect your spine from many diseases with severe and painful symptoms.

How to sit correctly?

We learn to sit loosely, without causing the risk of spinal deformation and the development of osteochondrosis:

• criteria for choosing a chair / chair: seat depth level - 2/3 of the length of the hips, seat height level should be equal to the length of the lower leg. This way your feet will rest on the ground. Short people should place a small step or bench under their feet;
• pay attention to the depth of the desk. It should be such that the legs should not be held to the side or strongly bent;
• When working in a seated position for a long time, take a break every 20 minutes. Change the position of your legs, walk, do light gymnastics;
• sit behind the wheel with minimal stress. Your back should rest against the seat; a small pillow or bolster placed between the chair and your lower back will help. If possible, get out of the car every 25 to 30 minutes to warm up;
• Heavily upholstered furniture is not good furniture for everyday use. For a uniform load on the spine, it is necessary to press the body on the ischial tuberosities, which is possible only when sitting on a moderately hard surface;
• Your back should always touch the back of your chair/task chair. Try to sit up straight, avoiding bending your neck too much;
• do not sit/lie in the same position for a long time.

How to behave correctly?

If a person stays in the same position for a long time, a strong load is exerted on the lumbar region (and the entire spine), which has a negative effect on it. To avoid putting too much strain on the spine and increasing the risk of deformation, follow simple rules:

• do not stay in the same position for more than 10 minutes, change the position of your legs and arms;
• relieve tension in the neck - tilt your head to the right and left, stretch your arms forward, bend your back forward and backward - relax your back and lower back;
• when lifting something from the ground, bend over, bend your knees or squat, find a point of support for your hands;
• move, walk short distances so as not to stay still;
• try not to bend over too much (back, head) during household chores (cleaning, ironing, cooking). When cleaning low or hard-to-reach surfaces, get on your knees.

How to lie down?

The ideal choice of sleeping surface is a bed with a medium-hard mattress (ideally orthopedic which preserves the physiological curves of the spine). The bed should not be made of wood or too soft.

How to lie down correctly if you have severe pain?

• back pain - lie on your stomach with a small pillow under your lower back (so as not to increase the pain by bending over);
• leg pain - place a cushion (a towel or blanket) under your knees. The pain syndrome will gradually decrease;
• neck pain - place your hand under your head or a cushion under your neck.

How to get up in the morning during an attack of osteochondrosis?

• do a short warm-up of the upper and lower limbs;
• change position;
• move from a lying position to a sitting position by hugging your leg with your hands bent at knee level;
• lower your legs to the ground one by one;
• get up gradually, any sudden movement can increase the pain.

How to lift and move weights correctly?

Improper lifting and carrying of heavy objects is one of the most common causes of hernias, osteochondrosis and protrusions. Lifting weights sharply leads to a sudden "shooting" in different parts of the spine and the appearance of sharp pain that will persist for a long time. It is also prohibited to turn the body when carrying heavy objects.

How to lift a heavy object?

1. Wear a wide belt.
2. Squat. Keep your neck and back straight.
3. Hold the object with both hands, stand up slowly, keep your back straight.

How to move a heavy object?

• distribute the load evenly on both hands, do not carry everything in one;
• in case of diagnosed osteochondrosis, it is not recommended to lift weights exceeding 15 kg;
• buy a backpack (an important condition is an orthopedic back and wide straps). The advantages of using a backpack are uniform load on the spine + free hands;
• Do not lean forward or backward suddenly.

Conclusion

Osteochondrosis of the spine most often develops between the ages of 25 and 40. The group at risk of morbidity includes people with a passive lifestyle, those who spend most of their time standing or in incorrect positions, with a significant load on the spine. Osteochondrosis can be cured by conservative methods, subject to timely consultation with a specialist. In advanced cases, surgical intervention is used. Self-medication is contraindicated.

Regular preventive exercises will help reduce the symptoms of osteochondrosis and maintain the functionality of the spine, protecting it from deformation. If you neglect your health, the patient may delay visiting the doctor until hernias, paralysis and disability appear.