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. The intervertebral disc is initially affected, then other structures of the axial column and the central nervous system.
Initially, osteochondrosis of the spine was considered a disease of older people, but recently the pathology has become significantly younger. Today, degenerative changes are often diagnosed in people aged 23-45.
causes
A single cause of osteochondrosis is not known. Doctors of ancient practice believed that the disease develops against the background of deposition of calcium salts that are not fully absorbed by bone tissue. Today other versions of the occurrence of dystrophic destruction of the spine are proposed.
The most important are:
- back injuries;
- heredity;
- Flat feet, congenital clubfoot;
- Obesity;
- sedentary work, passive lifestyle;
- metabolic disorder;
- bad posture;
- asthenic body type, natural weakness of muscles and ligaments;
- harmful working conditions (vibration, jerking, body tremors);
- frequent lifting of heavy objects;
- hypothermia;
- Stress;
- chronic inflammation of 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
The degenerative destruction of the disc body leads to loss of elasticity, impedes the accumulation and release of fluid, and deteriorates the shock-absorbing properties of the axial column.
This increases the load on the fibrous ring, it becomes thinner and tears, and the vertebrae move dangerously close to each other. There is a pathological compression of bone structures and cartilage.
The severe pain that occurs is accompanied by the following symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis:
- Numbness, goosebumps, burning in the affected area;
- reduced mobility;
- fatigue of the back muscles;
- reduced performance, fatigue.
The signs of osteochondrosis under consideration are of a general nature. The specific symptoms of the disease depend on which section of the spine was destroyed.
Due to compression of the cervical spine, blood circulation in the vessels worsens, which leads to frequent migraines, dizziness and loss of consciousness. The patient may complain of tinnitus, spots in front of the eyes, and pain in the shoulders and arms.
Structural destruction in the lower back forces a person to adopt a forced posture, slowly stand up and sit down. The pain occurs in the buttocks area and radiates down the limb to the lower leg and foot. Intermittent claudication develops.
Most of the symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis belong to the vertebral type. Disorders that form outside the axial column are called extravertebral syndrome. For example, vascular diseases in the brain that arise from compression of the vertebral artery.
species
Osteochondrosis of the back is classified according to the place of its occurrence - cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral. More than half of the cases occur in the lumbar spine area, and a third of all diagnoses affect the cervical spine section.
Which doctor treats osteochondrosis?
If you have severe back pain, you should postpone your appointment with a neurologist or neurologist. If such specialists are not available at your local clinic, you should contact your family doctor. After the initial examination, the doctor will prescribe treatment or refer you to other specialists.
diagnosis
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis begins with questioning the patient. The doctor is interested in the time of onset of symptoms, the intensity and type of pain, as well as its location. Then the specialist begins visual inspection and palpation of the spine.
Due to the variety of symptoms, the use of instrumental studies is a mandatory element in the diagnosis of osteochondrosis:
- X-ray of the entire spine in 2 projections;
- MRI and CT;
- Dopplerography of vessels and arteries of the cervical spine.
Unfortunately, x-rays do not provide a complete picture of the condition of the soft structures of the spine - the spinal roots and intervertebral disc tissue remain unexplored. In this case, functional MRI helps, which differs from the classic one in the position of the patient's body.
Treatment
How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine? Conservative and surgical therapy is used to combat the disease. The main goal of both techniques is to eliminate pain and prevent further destruction of bone tissue and cartilage.
Non-surgical treatment of back osteochondrosis includes:
- Massage;
- exercise therapy;
- traction of the entire spine;
- manipulative therapy;
- Effects on active points.
The effectiveness of the methods largely depends on the patient's persistence and the systematic nature of the manipulations.
Intensive therapy lasts 2–2. 5 months. At the beginning of the course you may experience increased pain and discomfort in the back area.
Surgical treatment of spinal osteochondrosis is prescribed when a conservative approach is ineffective. An indication for surgery is compression of the intervertebral space by 1/3 of the original distance. The leading method of intervention for osteochondrosis is discectomy - the partial or radical removal of the affected intervertebral disc.
After spinal surgery, the patient needs rehabilitation for at least six months. During this period, the patient is recommended to visit sanatoriums, take mineral baths, physiotherapy and massage.
Unfortunately, a complete cure for spinal osteochondrosis is not possible. Degenerative changes in bone and soft tissue are irreversible and chronic. The destruction process can only be slowed down and the associated symptoms alleviated.
Complications
Complications of spinal osteochondrosis often arise as a result of compression of the spinal cord and the supplying arteries. Against this background, the patient develops discogenic myelopathy, paresis of the limbs, impaired reflexes and dysfunction of the sphincters. A herniated disc can cause a spinal cord infarction.
Damage to the cervical spine leads to hearing loss, blurred vision and constant migraines. The patient develops memory problems and reduced learning ability.
If osteochondrosis remains untreated for a long time, it can cause severe damage to the pelvis and legs, paralysis of the limbs and intermittent claudication. In women, long-term spinal dystrophy often leads to infertility; in men, a drop in potency is typical.
prevention
No one is immune from a disease such as osteochondrosis. The disease affects almost everyone in old age. To prevent dystrophic changes, it is necessary to care for the spine from an early age.
Moderate physical activity, a balanced diet with sufficient vitamins, a healthy lifestyle – all of this will help you maintain your health for many years.
Prevention of spinal osteochondrosis includes more specific measures:
- Avoid stress;
- timely treatment of infections and diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- Limiting weight when 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 systemic treatment will help eliminate severe symptoms. The main thing is not to despair and fight for your health.