Osteochondrosis of the spine is a degenerative disease manifested by the destruction of cartilage and bone tissue. The pathology is chronic and occurs with frequent relapses. First of all, it affects the intervertebral disc, and then other structures of the axial column and the central nervous system.
Initially, spinal osteochondrosis was considered a disease of the elderly, but recently the pathology has become significantly younger. Today, degenerative changes are often diagnosed in people aged 23-45 years.
reasons
No single cause of osteochondrosis has been identified. Doctors from the old practice believe that the disease develops against the background of the deposition of calcium salts that are not completely absorbed by the bone tissue. Today, other versions of the occurrence of dystrophic destruction of the spine are presented.
The main ones are:
- back injuries;
- heredity;
- flat feet, congenital flat feet;
- obesity;
- sedentary work, passive lifestyle;
- metabolic disorder;
- poor posture;
- asthenic body type, natural weakness of muscles and ligaments;
- harmful working conditions (vibrations, shaking, shaking of the body);
- frequent lifting of heavy objects;
- hypothermia;
- stress;
- chronic inflammation of the tissues of an infectious nature.
For the fairer sex, uncomfortable high-heeled shoes can be a provoking factor. Frequent pregnancies also contribute to the development of spinal lesions.
Symptoms
Degenerative destruction that occurs in the body of the intervertebral disc leads to a loss of elasticity, inhibits the accumulation and release of fluid, and impairs the cushioning properties of the axial column.
As a result, the load on the fibrous ring increases, it thins and cracks, and the vertebrae come dangerously close to each other. Pathological compression of bone structures and cartilage develops.
The severe pain that occurs is accompanied by the following symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis:
- tingling, goosebumps, burning sensation in the affected area;
- reduced mobility;
- back muscle fatigue;
- reduced performance, fatigue.
The considered signs of osteochondrosis are general. The specific symptoms of the disease depend on which segment of the spine is destroyed.
With compression of the cervical spine, the blood flow in the vessels deteriorates, which leads to frequent migraines, vertigo and loss of consciousness. The patient may complain of tinnitus, spots before the eyes, pain in the shoulders and arms.
Structural destruction in the lower back forces a person into a forced posture, slowly standing up and sitting down. There is pain in the buttock, radiating to the limb as far as the lower leg and foot. Intermittent lameness develops.
Most symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine belong to the vertebral type. Disorders that form outside the axial column are called extravertebral syndromes. For example, vascular disorders in the brain caused by compression of the vertebral artery.
Kinds
Osteochondrosis of the back is classified according to the place of occurrence - cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral. More than half of the cases occur in the lumbar spine, a third of all diagnoses refer to the cervical segment.
Which doctor treats osteochondrosis?
If you experience severe back pain, you should postpone your appointment with a neurologist or neurologist. If such specialists are not available in your local clinic, you should contact your GP. After the initial examination, the doctor will prescribe treatment or refer you to other specialists.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis begins with interviewing the patient. The doctor is interested in the time of onset of symptoms, the intensity and nature of the pain and its location. After that, the specialist begins a visual inspection and palpation of the spine.
Due to the variety of symptoms, a mandatory element in the diagnosis of osteochondrosis is the use of instrumental studies:
- x-ray of the entire spine in 2 projections;
- MRI and CT;
- Doppler imaging of vessels and arteries of the cervical vertebrae.
Unfortunately, X-rays do not give a complete picture of the state of the soft structures of the spine - the spinal roots and disc tissue remain unexamined. In this case, the functional MRI comes to the rescue, which differs from the classical one in the location of the patient's body.
Treatment
How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine? To combat the disease, conservative and surgical therapy is used. The main goal of both techniques is to eliminate pain and prevent further destruction of bone tissue and cartilage.
Non-operative treatment of osteochondrosis of the back includes:
- massage;
- exercise therapy;
- traction on the entire spine;
- manipulative therapy;
- impact on hotspots.
The effectiveness of the methods largely depends on the persistence of the patient and the systematicity of the manipulations.
The intensive treatment period lasts 2-2. 5 months. At the beginning of the course, increased pain and discomfort in the back area is possible.
Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine is prescribed when the conservative approach is ineffective. An indication for surgery is the compression of the intervertebral space by 1/3 of the original distance. A leading method of intervention in osteochondrosis is discectomy - partial or radical removal of the affected disc.
After spine surgery, the patient needs rehabilitation for at least six months. During this period, the patient is recommended to visit sanatoriums, take a course of mineral baths, physiotherapy and massage.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely cure spinal osteochondrosis. Degenerative changes in bones and soft tissues are irreversible and manifest chronically. The process of destruction can only be slowed down and its inherent symptoms alleviated.
Complications
Complications of spinal osteochondrosis are often formed as a result of compression of the spinal cord and feeding arteries. Against this background, the patient develops discogenic myelopathy, limb paresis, impaired reflexes and sphincter dysfunction. A herniated disc can cause a spinal cord infarction.
Damage to the cervical vertebrae causes hearing loss, blurred vision and constant migraines. The patient develops memory problems and reduced ability to learn.
If osteochondrosis is not treated for a long time, severe damage to the pelvis and legs, paralysis of the limbs and intermittent lameness can develop. In women, long-term dystrophy of the spine often leads to infertility, in men, a decrease in potency is typical.
Prevention
No one is immune from a disease like osteochondrosis. In old age, the disease affects almost everyone. To prevent dystrophic changes, it is necessary to take care of the spine from an early age.
Moderate sports activity, a balanced diet with a sufficient amount of vitamins, a healthy lifestyle - all this will help you maintain your health for many years.
Prevention of spinal osteochondrosis includes more specific measures:
- avoiding stress;
- timely treatment of infections and pathologies of the musculoskeletal system;
- limiting the weight of lifting objects;
- strengthening the immune system.
Women can be advised to choose the right shoes and monitor the appearance of foot valgus.
The development of spinal osteochondrosis can significantly complicate the patient's life. Only long-term and systematic treatment will help to get rid of severe symptoms. The main thing is not to despair and fight for your health.