Osteochondrosis is a spine problem, affecting literally every fourth inhabitant of the planet, at least according to experts from the WHO Center for Statistics.
In the top five most common diseases in the world, osteochondrosis occupies the "honorable" third place, only cardiovascular diseases are ahead of them. In 2012, the media giant British Broadcasting Corporation, the BBC, published data on medical research that is quite surprising: every year more than 5 million people die from diseases caused by lack of physical activity, namely a sedentary lifestyle. The real pandemic of decreased physical activity has covered a third of the earth's population, and the latest results of scientific work prove that the cause of many diseases that threaten health is not at all genetic predisposition or viruses, but an unhealthy lifestyle. Almost all back problems - intervertebral hernias (hernias), osteoporosis, osteochondrosis and many other diseases associated with osteochondrosis - are the result of long hours of sitting, whether in front of the TV, at a desk or in a car seat. About 80% of all reasons why the back suffers and spinal diseases develop are related to basic degenerative changes in the muscle corset and a reasonable lack of physical activity.
Osteochondrosis and spine
The structure of the spine in living things, both animals and humans, is basically the same. However, only humans have the proud title of Homo erectus, namely Homo erectus. Until recently, it was believed that an upright posture was the main cause of pathological changes in the spine. It is as if the vertical position of the body leads to an incorrect and uneven load on the spine. Static loads, which are most affected by the lower back and the sacrum, which consists of five vertebrae, are the most dangerous in terms of their destructive effect on the intervertebral tissues. dynamic loads, characterized by movement, cervical spineaffected. The structure of the spine is quite complex, consisting of many vertebrae connected by cartilaginous tissue - discs. The discs, in turn, are multi-layered rings with a liquid core in the center, which perform the function of shock absorption when the spine is moved. In addition, the spine is connected by a large number of muscles and other tissues. The elasticity of this entire connecting system ensures the normal state of the spine. Simply put, the more elastic and adaptive the intervertebral discs, the more flexible and healthy the spine, the less risk of osteochondrosis affecting it. Currently, the theory that upright posture is responsible for all degenerative diseases of the spine is being challenged. Statistics endlessly convince doctors that inactivity, physical inactivity is a provoking factor for spinal diseases associated with dystrophy and degeneration of intervertebral tissues. In addition, excess weight, which actually increases the load on the discs, can also exacerbate the destructive process and provoke osteochondrosis. Conclusion: movement is life. The phrase is not new, it seems very outdated, banal, but does not require proof. A vivid example of the fact that physical activity and flexibility can serve as the basis for spinal health is the example of people who regularly do gymnastics, yoga and other types of body exercises. Nature itself gives children the opportunity to be flexible, because children's spinal discs are very elastic, only in the core of the disc there is up to 80% fluid. With age, the amount of life-giving "lubrication" may decrease, but it can be maintained by consciously performing simple exercises and adhering to the basic rules of a healthy lifestyle. Osteochondrosis is a disease of people who are forced to sit or lie down for hours, for years, no matter for what reason - on duty or of their own free will, out of obligation, laziness or simply out of ignorance.
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a concept that includes all degenerative and dystrophic changes in the spine. It should be noted that in the European version of the classification of diseases there is not a word about osteochondrosis, there the disease is classified as rheumatism and dorsopathy. In the ICD-10, since 1999, indeed, a group of diseases with a characteristic manifestation of pain in the spine, not associated with a visceral cause, is defined as dorsopathy. Osteochondrosis, which is noted as dorsopathy, is in turn divided into three broad groups:
- Deforming diseases, dorsopathy - scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis, subluxation, spondylolisthesis.
- Spondylopathy - spondylosis, ankylosing spondylitis and other ossifying dystrophic pathologies that limit the mobility of the spine.
- Others, other dorsopathies are degenerative changes accompanied by hernias, protrusions.
Thus, osteochondrosis or osteochondrosis (from the Greek words - bone, cartilage and pain) is the general name for all problems in the spine caused by degeneration and malnutrition of the paravertebral tissues (degeneration and dystrophy). When deformed, the intervertebral shock-absorbing discs become thinner, flatten, which leads to an overload of the spine and a greater deformation in such a way that they begin to extend beyond the normal limits of the spine. Nerve roots with such a pathology are pinched, inflamed, pain appears.
Osteochondrosis affects almost the entire back, and depending on which part of the spine suffers more, the disease is referred to in clinical practice.
The most "popular", known to many, is lumbar osteochondrosis, there is also the definition of cervical, which ranks second in prevalence, there are sacral, thoracic and widespread osteochondrosis. There are also cross pathologies - lumbosacral or, for example, cervicothoracic.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis can be very diverse, but sooner or later they all improve and manifest clinically. Of course, it is much easier and faster to treat osteochondrosis in the early stages of its development, when the following signs are visible:
- Painful, dull aching sensation in the part of the spine affected by the degenerative process.
- Chronic muscle tension (especially characteristic of cervical osteochondrosis).
- Cracks when turning torso, neck.
- Headaches, including tension headaches (with cervical osteochondrosis).
- Painful pain in the chest, often reminiscent of cardiological pain (with thoracic osteochondrosis).
Osteochondrosis in the inflammatory stage has symptoms that make a person see a doctor, as they cause more pronounced discomfort:
- Pain irradiation in the limbs.
- Numbness in fingers or toes.
- Pain irradiation to the fingertips of the extremities.
- Severe pain in the spine when performing simple physical activities.
- Increases pain with small thrusts, vibrations, for example, when traveling in transport.
- Inability to perform simple work related to body rotation or tilt.
- General limitation of mobility, motor activity.
The factors that can provoke problems with the spine, called osteochondrosis, are very diverse, but the hypodynamics already mentioned are the first. Other reasons are as follows:
- Functional - monotonous work while maintaining the same posture.
- Biomechanics - flat feet, congenital anomalies in the development of the spine.
- Hormonal - changes in hormone levels due to age-related changes.
- Infectious - dystrophy of the intervertebral environment caused by the inflammatory process.
- Metabolic - overweight or underweight.
Factors provoking osteochondrosis, namely, deformation and dystrophy of the intervertebral discs, as a rule, act in combination and are almost never isolated.
The development of osteochondrosis is divided into the following stages:
- Changes in disc biomechanics as a result of tissue degeneration and dystrophic changes. This is the preclinical stage, when the signs, if any, are very weak, not manifesting. At this stage, the fibrous ring surrounding the disc begins to stretch or, conversely, shrink.
- The second stage is characterized by greater instability of the disc, the fibrous ring is not only stretched, the fibers are stratified, the ring begins to break. Due to the violation of the nerve roots, pain appears in the spine, degenerative changes develop. Collagen tissue continues to break down, the normal height of the intervertebral distance decreases.
- The disc often ruptures completely, this pathology is accompanied by inflammation, herniation and violation of nerve endings. The protrusion (prolapse) causes characteristic pain not only in the damaged area of \u200b\u200bthe spine, but also reflected in the limbs and nearby body parts.
- The most difficult stage, when spondylosis and other compensatory diseases of the spine are combined with dystrophy. Often, the vertebrae are flattened to compensate for the lost function, and the elastic tissue of the fibrous ring is gradually replaced by scarring and bone growth.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Almost everyone associated with intellectual activity, from schoolchildren to the elderly, suffers from one form of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is considered a disease associated with increased dynamic loads leading to degeneration of the intervertebral discs and their decrease. Hardening and growth of cartilage tissue leads to a violation of the shrinking properties of this part of the spine, head movements - oblique, circular movements, turns become difficult and are accompanied by characteristic signs of osteochondrosis.
Symptoms that can cause osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in the early stages of the development of the disease are non-specific and are similar to the signs of other pathologies not related to the skeletal system. The list of manifestations of osteochondrosis, which must be distinguished and determined in order to establish the correct diagnosis, is as follows:
- Severe headache resembling a migraine attack.
- The headache extends from the occiput to the neck.
- Headache that is aggravated by coughing, turning the head, sneezing.
- Headache radiating to the chest or shoulders.
- Dizziness, sensory disturbances - double vision, difficulty focusing. Noise in the ears, in advanced cases, impaired coordination of movements.
- Symptoms are similar to cardiological pain, in particular with pain in angina pectoris - pain in the heart, extending to the cervical region or arm, under the shoulder blades. The pain may increase and not decrease with taking heart medications.
- Pain similar to hypertension (heaviness in the back of the head).
Consequences and complications
However, before treating osteochondrosis, like any other disease, it is necessary to find out its cause, which is very difficult for degenerative pathologies of the spine. Factors provoking the deformation of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine are associated with the anatomical specifications of this zone. The cervical vertebrae are almost always strained due to insufficient general motor activity. If we consider the total "sedentary" lifestyle of more than half of the working population, then the problem sometimes becomes unsolvable. In addition, the cervical vertebrae are smaller than the vertebrae of other areas of the spine, and the internal canal is much narrower. A large number of nerve endings, a large number of blood vessels, the presence of the most important arteries that feed the brain - all this makes the cervical area very vulnerable. Even the smallest contraction of the intervertebral space leads to a violation of the nerve roots, swelling, inflammation and, accordingly, a decrease in the blood supply to the brain. Often, a decrease in mental activity is due to the fact that a person develops osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. There is a historical anecdote, dating back not too long ago, when Margaret Hilda Thatcher punished her employees with these words: "Your problem is not a headache or your own views on the issues that go to the ballot. The problem is, your spine is not connected to your brain, John. " This famous quote from the "iron" woman perfectly characterizes the condition that causes osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, when it sometimes happens - the spine does not provide proper "nutrition" to the head. As for the "nutrition", in fact, not only the spinal cord canal is involved, but also the arterial canals that pass through the transverse nerve processes. The vertebral arteries go to the skull to feed the cerebellum, and these arteries also supply nutrients and oxygen to the vestibular apparatus. The slightest disturbance of blood flow through these channels can provoke or worsen the course of the vegetative-vascular syndrome. In addition to VSDs, osteochondrosis of the cervical region causes the characteristic symptoms of the radicular syndrome (sciatica), when the pain radiates to the tip of the finger or one finger, pallor of the skin (marbling) is clearly visible. One of the most unpleasant complications provoked by cervical osteochondrosis is palmar fibromatosis, also called Dupuytren's contracture. With this disease, the aponeurosis (tendon plate) of the palm is affected and the flexion function of the fingers is disturbed.
Diagnosis of cervical spine osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is diagnosed by a specialist based on the patient's complaints, and can be confirmed and determined using x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography.
Treatment of cervical spine osteochondrosis
A complete cure for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is possible only at the initial stage, however, it is possible to save a person from the painful symptoms of the disease, prevent exacerbations, and get rid of some pathological changes in the spine. Therefore, we must not forget the importance of timely treatment of the disease.
How to treat osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is not easy to treat, as a rule, therapy is prescribed as completely as possible, including all available means of modern medicine. In addition to conservative drug treatment, proven phytotherapy drugs, acupuncture, a series of therapeutic exercises, and sometimes surgical operations that remove hernias and spinal subluxations are also used. It must be admitted that osteochondrosis and treatment are two concepts that a sick person will deal with for quite a long time, sometimes throughout his life. In addition to the initial stages, which are aimed at relieving pain symptoms, therapy involves constant restorative, rehabilitation and preventive measures. Complex multicomponent diseases are always treated for a long time. If a diagnosis is made - osteochondrosis, how to treat - this is the first question that is decided not only by the doctor, but also by the patient himself, due to his direct participation and responsible compliance, the fulfillment of all prescriptions often plays a decisive role. play a role in recovery.
What to treat?
List of drugs most often used as drugs for osteochondrosis:
- A complex and effective homeopathic preparation that needs to be used for a long time, like any other homeopathic (in ampoules or in the form of tablets).
- An effective external remedy that relieves muscle and joint pain well.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (in the form of an ointment - externally, in tablets - orally).
- Complex-effect ointments from the category of homeopathic remedies.
- Drugs in the form of tablets from the category of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
- Drugs from the category of glucocorticoids.
- Ointment from the category of external anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal agents.
- Gel from the category of external nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Drugs from the category of external nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
If we summarize everything that involves the treatment of a disease such as osteochondrosis, treatment can be divided into the following stages and types:
- The use of NSAIDs - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, is considered the gold standard in the treatment of all degenerative pathologies, dystrophy of the bone and muscular system. The first thing this drug does is reduce pain symptoms, the second is a significant reduction in inflammation.
- The drug is called myelorelaxant, because it is really able to relieve muscle clamps and spasms effectively.
- Traction therapy is traction treatment. In this rather painful, but effective process, there is a gradual stretching of the tissues, individual muscles surrounding the spine, the intervertebral distance increases, approaching the norm.
- Biogenic preparations, vascular agents that supply nutrients to areas of tissue dystrophy, B vitamins restore the functional abilities of the deformed spine well.
- A sedative that normalizes the state of the nervous system. Perfectly relieves muscle tension and acupuncture nerve endings.
- Physiotherapeutic procedures - electrophoresis, phonophoresis, UHF, massage, mud procedures, balneotherapy, magnetotherapy.
- Correction of the spine during the recovery period is carried out using manual therapy.
- Treatment of osteochondrosis involves and with the help of constant training of the physiotherapeutic exercise complex.
In the most extreme cases, when the course of osteochondrosis enters the final stage, surgical intervention is also indicated, which is carried out in the area of \u200b\u200bthe localization of the inflammatory process. Most often, hernias are operated on, and removal of deformed bone tissue from neighboring vertebrae is also possible.
Where to treat osteochondrosis?
Self-care for almostall diseases is a trend observed in almost all countries, but this is especially characteristic of post-Soviet countries, where traditional health care structures are still undergoing change. Confused by innovation, often simply out of ignorance, many of us try to deal with back, neck or lower back pain on our own. You can call this the first stage of treatment, although it is not very effective, because osteochondrosis only needs to be treated with the help of a doctor. The second stage, when independent measures do not lead to the desired and lasting result, a person thinks about a visit to the doctor and the question arises, osteochondrosis - how to treat, how to treat and, most importantly, where to treat osteochondrosis? First, you can contact a local therapist, who will most likely refer the patient for examinations - x-rays, blood tests and provide a referral to a neurologist. Second, you can immediately make an appointment with a neurologist, preferably before the consultation, at least undergoing an X-ray of the entire spine. In no case should you go to extremes and seek an experienced massage therapist, any massage, first of all, involves an initial scan of the state of the body, especially the state of the spine. The problem of osteochondrosis is also treated by vertebrologists and vertebroneurologists - doctors who specialize in diseases of the spine.
Osteochondrosis is a complex disease, but the examples of many people dealing with severe spinal cord injuries even prove that it is all feasible and achievable. The main thing is that at the first alarming signals the back gives us, analyze our motor activity and take appropriate action. You can immediately go to the doctor and start treatment, or, if the disease is not advanced, start moving, because, as Aristotle, the great teacher of Alexander the Great, who was very active, said, "Life requires and requires movement , otherwise thenit's not life. "
What does history say about osteochondrosis?
The etiology of osteochondrosis is still unclear, moreover, although the origins of this disease are clearly ancient, spinal diseases began to be taken seriously only in the 18th century. Since then, disputes and discussions about the true "enemy" that provokes degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs have not stopped. Meanwhile, long ago, even in the time of Hippocrates, there were treatises on bone cutting, which show that the ancient Hellenes also suffered from back pain. Hippocrates himself was also so interested in the topic of the spine that he carried out medical experiments that are dubious from a modern point of view: his students diligently tied the hands and feet of the patient in a horizontal plane with the back facing up, stretching the limbs as much as possible. possible. Then the great healer stood behind the sufferer and began to walk over him. The father of medicine sincerely believed that such fixation, stretching and massage would restore the health of the spine, which, according to the ancient Greek sages, was the key to many happy people. Some of the systematization of techniques that tell how to treat osteochondrosis began only at the end of the 17th century. At the same time, terminology has emerged that formalizes applied areas in medicine, among which is the regulation of bones. Two centuries later, it split into chiropractic and osteopathy. The first direction is purely practical, using force techniques, osteopaths are more theorists and researchers. At the intersection of these sciences, manual therapy gradually appeared, without which the treatment of osteochondrosis is almost unthinkable today.
As for the term that defines the disease "osteochondrosis", then a typical story occurs in osteochondrosis, which is typical for other diseases of unknown etiology. So not called - and lumboischialgia, and sciatica, and Schmorl's hernia, and sciatica, and spondylosis. It took almost a century for doctors to figure out osteochondrosis and reach a consensus.