Osteochondrosis of the spine is a chronic disease, which is based on the process of degeneration of bone and cartilage tissue. All parts of the spine are affected by pathological processes.
Description of the disease
The disease is more common in the elderly, but recently there has been an increase in the number of young patients showing signs of the disease. Depending on the localization of the spinal lesions, it is customary to classify them into cervical, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis. The main sign and feature of posterior osteochondrosis is a dull pain of moderate intensity, caused by compression of the spinal cord root.
Pathogenesis and stage
The development of the disease is usually divided into several stages. The process begins with an asymptomatic course, when initial changes occur in the cartilaginous tissue and ends with the complete fusion of several vertebrae with each other.
First
The first stage is the most difficult to diagnose, because of the mild signs of the disease, it is also called preclinical. The patient has general weakness, discomfort in the back. These symptoms are often mistaken for fatigue. In medical practice, stage 1 osteochondrosis can only be diagnosed by chance, for example, during a preventive examination.
Second
During stage 2 osteochondrosis, the patient feels pain in the spine. This stage is a consequence of the first if no precautionary measures are required. There is an early process of destruction of the intervertebral disc. The fixation of the vertebrae is broken, the distance between them decreases, which leads to compression of the spinal nerve fibers.
Based on patient complaints, objective examination and X-rays, the doctor diagnoses "stage 2 osteochondrosis of the cervical area" and prescribes treatment. Subject to the implementation of all expert recommendations, the disease can be treated without serious consequences.
Third
The third stage is characterized by the beginning of an irreversible process in the fibrous ring cartilaginous tissue. The nucleus pulposus is dehydrated, resulting in a herniated disc. Pain occurs as a result of compression of the spinal nerves. At this stage, the destroyed intervertebral disc cannot be restored. Hernias are removed by surgical methods, treatment is carried out with the help of drugs.
Fourth
At this stage, the body adapts to the resulting changes in the spine. Compensatory bone tissue grows along the edges of the vertebrae (osteophytes) to strengthen the affected part. They can compress the roots of the spinal cord, causing pain. As a result, osteophytes grow together, causing complete immobility of certain segments of the spine.
Symptoms and types
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease. The alternation of periods of disease exacerbation and remission is a special feature. The symptoms of this disease are quite typical. They are manifested by aching pain in the back, with sudden movements and weight lifting, increased pain, there may be numbness in the limbs, fatigue with little physical effort, and depression.
Persistent pain leads to excessive restlessness and body fatigue. In chronic osteochondrosis, when the vertebral disc compresses nerve fibers, the pain syndrome can acquire a shooting character and radiate to the back of the head, shoulders and lower legs.
cervix
This is one of the most common and dangerous disease localizations, as there are a large number of nerve fibers and large major ducts in the cervical region.
With cervical osteochondrosis, the symptoms may be as follows:
- severe headache;
- pain radiating to shoulders and limbs, shooting to the head;
- there is restriction of neck movement;
- dizziness and loss of consciousness;
- noise in the ears;
- impaired movement coordination.
These symptoms are caused by impaired blood circulation in the cervical arteries due to inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms. With the emergence of vertebral artery compression syndrome and the lack of proper medical treatment, this leads to cerebral ischemia.
thorax
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is relatively rare. Signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are manifested in the form of pain and a burning sensation between the shoulder blades. In the case of compression of the ends of the intercostal nerve, this leads to intercostal neuralgia. It is expressed in the sensation of acute pain in the chest, which does not allow to take deep breaths.
Violations of blood circulation and lack of nutrients due to inflammatory processes can lead to diseases of internal organs located in this area, various pathologies of the heart. Qualified treatment in this case is essential.
Lumbar
More than 50% of cases occur in this department. Early signs of lumbar osteochondrosis are characteristic of aching pain in the lower back, which increases with sudden movements, weight lifting, and even changing weather. Symptoms such as varicose veins, numbness of the legs, joint pain are not excluded.
The appearance of osteophytes in the late stages of the disease often leads to inflammation of the sciatic nerve - sciatica, one of the possible complications. Lumbar radiculitis also refers to a complication of osteochondrosis. It manifests itself as pain in the back, spreading along the thighs and lower legs, up to the feet.
Causes and prevention
As a rule, the disease usually causes several causes at once, so it is also considered multifactorial. The main reasons for the development of osteochondrosis are:
- back injuries and bruises;
- accumulation diseases and metabolic disorders;
- sedentary lifestyle and being overweight;
- congenital and acquired postural disorders;
- descent.
Prevention of osteochondrosis comes to a simple but effective method. It is necessary to change the lifestyle to a more active one (go swimming), do not forget to do gymnastics for the back during long -term non -moving work. You should start eating properly, including in the diet as much as possible fruits and vegetables, dairy products.
Effective prevention also requires timely medical help when the first symptoms of the disease occur.
Treatment
The treatment of spinal osteochondrosis should be complex. The main directions of disease treatment are:
- drug therapy (NSAIDs, analgesics, chondroprotectors, vitamins);
- physiotherapy (electrophoresis, UHF);
- massage;
- exercise therapy;
- gymnastics (can be done at home);
- surgical treatment (discectomy).