Spinal osteochondrosis is a disease that affects the cartilage structures that make up the intervertebral discs in the human body. These discs ensure the mobility of the spine and give us the ability to move and be flexible.
Osteochondrosis disrupts the structure of such intervertebral discs, their structure changes. Since the process of destruction of these intervertebral discs is irreversible, a cure for the disease is impossible. But with the right treatment, you can stop the development of the disease, slow it down and gain time during which mobility of the spine is preserved.
If the disease is not stopped in time, after the destruction of the intervertebral discs, the destruction of the vertebrae themselves begins.
Important!Ignoring osteochondrosis inevitably leads to complications, a forced decrease in physical activity, a deterioration in the quality of life, and sometimes even disability.
Among the complications of osteochondrosis, osteophytosis is one of the most common. This is the name for bone growths that appear on the edges of the vertebra. The occurrence of such a growth can be caused by prolonged loading of the spine or an unstable motion segment of the spine.
Causes and symptoms of osteochondrosis
Experts cite incorrect load distribution on the spine as the main reason for the development of osteochondrosis.
However, the triggers of the process can also be hypothermia of a specific part of the body or the entire organism, excessive physical stress on the back in general and the spine in particular, as well as injuries to the spine (shocks to the spine, sharp turns, impacts and all physical shocks thatcan lead to vertebral displacement).
There are a variety of minor causes of osteochondrosis. Typically, a person who has received such a diagnosis can identify from this list 7-10 reasons that triggered the development of the disease in his particular case.
Below are smaller but important reasons that lead to the destruction of the intervertebral discs. This is what you should avoid in order not to find out what osteochondrosis is:
- Stooping and poor posture (they provoke a curvature of the spine)
- weak back muscles (as a result, the entire load falls on the spine)
- constantly being in an uncomfortable position
- excessive physical activity when lifting and carrying heavy objects, weight training
- Injuries to the vertebral acid
- Malnutrition or overnutrition, which causes metabolic disorders
- Overweight
- constant sitting
- stress
- hormonal disorders
- bad heredity
- aging
As you can see, there are several reasons for this. The symptoms of this disease are also varied. Osteochondrosis manifests itself differently in different people, but in general, the following symptoms are observed with osteochondrosis:
- severe back pain
- Numbness in the arms or legs (sometimes both at the same time)
- Headaches that turn into migraines
- Aches and pains in the neck and limbs
- Dizziness, colored spots in front of the eyes, sometimes loss of consciousness
- cold hands and feet
- characteristic pain in the chest (as in intercostal neuralgia) and in the heart area
- painful movements
The appearance of osteochondrosis
Interesting: Some doctors believe that osteochondrosis is not a pathology, but a natural change in the human body.
One way or another, it is difficult to find a centenarian who has never suffered from back pain in his life. According to various sources, osteochondrosis affects 40 to 80% of all people on Earth.
Typically, a person notices the first signs of osteochondrosis between 35 and 50 years old. That has a lot to do with his lifestyle.
And if in some people, due to poor heredity, the first symptoms appear in adolescence, for most people symptoms that appear after 50 years of age are considered the norm.
This is because by the age of 45, the human body stops accumulating water in the intervertebral discs and the level of collagen necessary for joint health inevitably begins to decline.
Some people can even experience bruising of the intervertebral discs. This causes pain and is called sciatica.
Stages of osteochondrosis
There are 4 main stages of development of osteochondrosis.
- It all starts with the nucleus pulposus undergoing dehydration. As the height of the intervertebral disc decreases, the fibrous ring becomes covered with cracks. At this stage, the pathology is difficult to detect, since all the changes take place in the intervertebral disc. No back or neck pain yet.
- As the height of the intervertebral disc decreases, the muscles and ligaments relax. This is due to the convergence of the attachment points of muscles and ligaments. Initially, they are attached to two adjacent vertebrae, but as the distance between these vertebrae decreases, this can only affect the muscle tissue.
- The third stage is characterized by the changes becoming clear. Incidents occur and also a phenomenon such as a herniated disc. Protrusion precedes the occurrence of a herniated disc. At this stage, the development of the disease can usually be stopped because the fibrous ring is still intact and attempts can still be made to restore it. However, because protrusion does not cause pain, few people seek medical attention at this stage.
- In the final stage the fibrous ring breaks. To counteract the excessive mobility of the vertebrae at the site of disc destruction, the body mobilizes and osteophytes form on the vertebra.
diagnosis
Before starting treatment for osteochondrosis, it is necessary to make a diagnosis and determine at what stage the disease is currently developing.
Important!The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is not possible without first taking an anamnesis.
If you notice symptoms of osteochondrosis, listen carefully to your body.
The more you tell the doctor about your feelings, the faster and more accurately he can make a diagnosis and start the right treatment. Do not think that there will be too much information: ask your relatives if they have experienced manifestations of this disease. A family history helps to more accurately determine the cause of osteochondrosis.
After the doctor has taken your medical history and, based on your complaints, comes to the conclusion that it is most likely osteochondrosis, he will suggest an X-ray examination.
If this type of examination is not suitable for you for any reason, your doctor may also suggest an MRI or CT scan. However, these examinations are not mandatory under statutory health insurance and must therefore be paid for by yourself. Consider their high cost.
As a last resort, myelography is used to diagnose osteochondrosis. This is a painful and dangerous procedure in which the doctor injects a dye directly into the spinal canal.
How is osteochondrosis treated?
Currently, the treatment of osteochondrosis is practiced in many clinics. Some procedures have a positive effect, others simply relieve pain. If you choose one of the treatment methods, discuss this method with your doctor before starting treatment for osteochondrosis.
The most popular procedures currently are:
- magnetic puncture effect
- Pharmacopuncture effect
- Reflexology with needles
- Vacuum effect
- electrical stimulation
- manual therapy
Many of these procedures are not a treatment for osteochondrosis, but rather a treatment for some of the symptoms of osteochondrosis. That's why the doctor has to coordinate the processes. This is especially true for patients diagnosed with cervical osteochondrosis.
The fact is that osteochondrosis that has developed in the cervical spine is characterized by symptoms such as numbness in the arms and legs. And that is no coincidence. The fact is that many nerve endings are concentrated in the neck area. And incorrectly chosen treatment in this case can turn your cervical osteochondrosis into a full-fledged disability.
Surgical treatment
Spinal surgery is such a serious undertaking that it is prescribed with great caution and only when osteochondrosis is complicated by a herniated disc. Such operations are not urgent, they are always carried out as planned. Before the operation, you will have to undergo numerous examinations and complete many tests.
Such operations are prescribed only when the doctor sees no other option for treatment and realizes that without surgery the person's quality of life will deteriorate significantly. Before surgery, doctors will try to provide pain relief and supportive care.
Drugs
Medications used to treat this condition are primarily aimed at relieving pain and increasing collagen levels in the body.
However, it should be borne in mind that collagen and other nutrients for cartilage are absorbed not only by the spine, but by the entire body. Therefore, the effectiveness of such drugs is not very high.
The ointments that doctors recommend for osteochondrosis are also intended primarily to relieve pain during an exacerbation.
Unfortunately, if you have osteochondrosis, you will most likely need maintenance therapy for the rest of your life. That is, from time to time your back hurts, you cannot exert too much physical strain, especially you need to avoid lifting heavy objects, which puts strain on your back and spine.
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis
High physical strain on the back muscles can worsen this disease. In addition, osteochondrosis can worsen due to colds or infections, hypothermia, stress, pregnancy and hormonal changes. Weight gain also leads to back pain.
prevention
As a preventive measure, doctors offer many patients physical exercises specifically designed for people suffering from this disease.
If your doctor has prescribed exercise therapy for you, you must clarify with him exactly which exercises are allowed for you. Exercises will help you keep your muscular corset in shape and reduce the load on the spine. In addition, these exercises will greatly help those who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
You may also be prescribed a massage for prevention. Depending on which part of the spine you have developed osteochondrosis, the masseur will work on this area. This not only relieves pain but also relaxes the muscles. In combination with exercise therapy, massage brings good results.
Avoid putting strain on your spine and do not lift heavy objects. If possible, dress warmly because. . . Any hypothermia can lead to an exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
A fulfilling life with this disease is entirely possible. Don't forget to take care of your body and yourself.