Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the spine and surrounding tissues.The dystrophic process implies malnutrition and degeneration implies premature aging, as well as changes in the structure and properties of tissues.The degenerative process is involutive, i.e. the body's natural aging process.However, when exposed to various unfavorable factors, it accelerates and leads to the development of this disease.
The relevance of spinal osteochondrosis is due to the high frequency of its spread, especially in developed countries, affecting people of working age (30-60 years) with complete or partial loss of ability to work, the chronic course of the disease and the progression of the disease without adequate treatment and prevention.
Reasons for the development of osteochondrosis
1. Excessive stress
Degenerative processes of the intervertebral discs are understood as a discrepancy between their strength properties and the loads acting on them.Increased stress on the spine includes lifting weights, staying in the same position for a long time (sitting, standing), sudden movements, jumping from heights, injuries, curvature of the spine, poor posture and being overweight.
As a result of excessive stress, trauma to the spinal structures occurs.The intervertebral discs, which assume the function of shock absorption and, together with the facet joints, ensure movement in the spine, are particularly sensitive to overload.
2. Malnutrition of the intervertebral disc
Intervertebral discs have no blood vessels of their own and are nourished by the diffusion of interstitial fluid from the surrounding tissue.The diffusion process is facilitated by the motor activity of the spine and surrounding muscles.
Therefore, prolonged restrictions on movement of the spine, sedentary work and physical inactivity are accompanied by a decrease in the trophism of the intervertebral disc and lead to the development of osteochondrosis.
3. Other factors
Hereditary predisposition, metabolic disorders, hormonal changes, somatic diseases.
Under the influence of these factors, blood circulation and metabolic processes in the spine are disrupted and the fluid supply to the intervertebral disc decreases.In the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc, fibrous fibers dissolve, microcracks and cracks appear, which contributes to the migration of the nucleus pulposus and the formation of protrusions or hernias of the intervertebral disc.
The bulging disc irritates the sensitive nerve roots of the spinal nerves, causing pain in the back or along the affected nerve fibers.Reflex tension and cramps in the surrounding muscles occur, which are also accompanied by pain, a feeling of stiffness in the back and restricted movement.
Emerging changes in the surrounding tissues in the form of tension in the back muscles, functional blocks and irritation of the nerve roots contribute to the aggravation of existing disorders of blood microcirculation and metabolic changes and lead to the formation of a closed pathological cycle of development of spinal osteochondrosis.
Types of osteochondrosis
Depending on the localization, a distinction is made between osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine.When all departments are involved, it is called extensive osteochondrosis of the spine.
The lumbar spine is most commonly affected, accounting for about half of all cases of osteochondrosis.This is because the lower parts of the spine experience greater static load compared to other parts.
The second most common location is the neck region.It accounts for about a quarter of cases of osteochondrosis.This part of the spine most often suffers from the forced position of the head in one position - prolonged sitting at the computer, sedentary work, monotonous physical work.
The development of osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine is accompanied by limited mobility in this segment, which is fixed by the costosternal frame.
Symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis
Symptoms of osteochondrosis are divided into two main groups:
Local symptomslike pain in the back or in a specific part of it: pain in the neck, lower back, between the shoulder blades.Local symptoms also include tension, stiffness of the back muscles, a feeling of heaviness and discomfort.
Long-term symptomsthe occurrence of which is associated with the participation in the process of the nervous or vascular system of the spine, which is responsible for the innervation and blood supply of certain body structures.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by:Pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulder girdle, collar area.The pain may radiate to the arm, shoulder, elbow joint or hand, accompanied by arm numbness or “crawling” and limited mobility in the joints of the upper extremity.
Vertebral artery syndrome is often accompanied by osteochondrosis of the spine in this section.It occurs as a result of compression or spasm of the vertebral artery, which runs through the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae and is involved in the blood supply to the brain.Vertebral artery syndrome manifests itself as a throbbing headache, noise in the head and dizziness.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spinemanifested by pain between the shoulder blades, in the thoracic region of the back, which can spread along the intercostal spaces to the front of the chest in the form of intercostal neuralgia, simulating heart pain.In this case, the cardiac nature of the pain must be excluded.
If the lower thoracic vertebrae are affected, the pain can shift to the front abdominal wall, the abdominal area, and thus simulate diseases of the internal organs.
With osteochondrosis of the lumbar regionThe pain is localized in the lower back, buttocks, spreads down the leg and can be accompanied by numbness, tingling, spasmodic twitching of the leg muscles, their atrophy and dysfunction of the pelvic organs.
Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by chronic aching back pain that may worsen at night, with prolonged sitting or standing, or after physical activity.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
The diagnosis of spinal osteochondrosis is based on examining the patient's complaints, collecting a history of the disease, and clinical, neurological and orthopedic examination of the patient.
If necessary, laboratory diagnostic or instrumental diagnostic methods are prescribed, such as:B. Radiography, magnetic resonance imaging of the spine (MRI), computed tomography (CT), Dopplerography of the neck and intracranial vessels, electrocardiography.A detailed diagnosis is required to exclude more serious diseases of the spine, identify complications of osteochondrosis and select the optimal treatment tactics for osteochondrosis.
Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis
The Center for Vertebrology offers comprehensive treatment of spinal osteochondrosis.
To treat osteochondrosis, our center uses modern equipment and treatment methods and employs qualified specialists: a vertebrologist, an orthopedist-traumatologist, a neurologist and a chiropractor who will help you correctly diagnose a spinal disease and prescribe the necessary treatment procedures.
Depending on the stage of the disease, the clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis, the presence of concomitant diseases and contraindications to therapy, an individual treatment regimen is selected for each patient.
The center uses the following methods to treat spinal osteochondrosis:
Drug treatment of osteochondrosisaims to relieve the exacerbation and influence the pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease.
Back massage, spinal correctionallow you to normalize the tone and elasticity of the back muscles, improve blood supply, eliminate pinched nerve roots and restore mobility of the moving segments of the spine.
Spinal tractionUsed when osteochondrosis is accompanied by disc herniation and intervertebral hernia and there are symptoms of compression of the nerve roots.Traction is carried out under the supervision of the attending physician.
Therapeutic blockade- This is a local injection of a drug into the area of the pathological focus.With its help, you can achieve the maximum concentration of the drug in the desired range to achieve a therapeutic effect.To treat osteochondrosis, paravertebral blocks are mainly used - the introduction of drugs into the tissue surrounding the vertebrae near the roots of the intervertebral nerve.
Shock wave therapy- a new direction in the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis and its complications.The method was originally developed in Switzerland to break up stones in internal organs, but later showed high effectiveness in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.
In our center, the treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out using the American shock wave therapy device Pro-Ajuster, which was designed specifically for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the spine and surrounding soft tissues.The device allows you to diagnose the state of tissue density and tension and then act on the changed areas.
To treat osteochondrosis, various physiotherapeutic procedures are used, such as: magnetic therapy, laser treatment, ultrasound, myostimulation, electrical procedures.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
As you know, prevention is the best way to treat any disease.In order to prevent the development of osteochondrosis, questions about its prevention must be addressed in early childhood.
Through timely examinations by a pediatric orthopedist, postural disorders and deviations in physical development can be identified in a timely manner and existing changes can be corrected.From the first years of a child's life, it is necessary to engage in physical activity, play outdoor sports, play games, monitor posture and avoid overloading the spine.
Key activities that help maintain a healthy spine include:
- A rational work and rest program: avoid prolonged sitting, get up regularly, straighten your back, keep your back straight, pay attention to your posture, sleep on a semi-rigid bed;
- Elimination of overloads on the spine: do not lift heavy objects, especially in a bent position, avoid falls and jumps from heights, injuries to the spine, monitor body weight;
- Systematic exercises for the back;
- Proper nutrition;
- Timely diagnosis and elimination of pain and discomfort in the back.