Interstitial osteochondrosis- Pathology from which the elderly mainly suffered earlier. Today, the disease is also found in young patients. This is due to the fact that more and more people are leading a sedentary lifestyle, spending a lot of time with the computer and not paying proper attention to physical activity. Osteochondrosis develops with an unnatural condition of the spine and weakness of the back muscles. The pathology is successfully treated, but it is important to consult a specialist as soon as possible!
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, characterized by damage to the intervertebral discs, as well as the tissues of the spine themselves. The pathology is dangerous with a number of complications, the most serious of which are spinal hernia and bulging. It is very important to avoid aggravation of the situation and start treatment of spinal osteochondrosis in time.
ᲛReasons
The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis,According to many experts, the load is incorrectly distributed on the spine. Excessive pressure results in a change in cartilage structure.
The development of osteochondrosis is also facilitated by factors such as:
- Hereditary predisposition
- Spinal cord injury
- Metabolic disease
- Lack of physical activity
- Pregnancy
- ᲡTress
- Extra work
- Excess weight
- ᲪCood habits
The morbidity risk group includes office workers, drivers, cashiers and athletes.
Stages of development
There are 4 stages in the development of the disease:
- The first stage. . . It is characterized by dehydration of the disc nucleus between vertebrates. The height of the disk is further reduced. At this point the patient does not experience significant discomfort. Sometimes unpleasant sensations can occur during active exercise or in an unusual state.
- The second stage. . . It is characterized by disc protrusion, during which the gaps between the vertebrae are reduced. As a result, the nerve endings become swollen, causing local pain with sudden movements of increasing intensity.
- The third stage. . . It is characterized by cartilage abrasion between the vertebral tissues. The symptoms of this stage are pronounced. Patients complain of severe pain that can only be relieved with strong medications
- Stage Four. . . It is characterized by complete or partial limited mobility.
It is best to start treatment for osteochondrosis of the spine with the first symptoms! In this case, the chance of a full recovery is quite high.
Types of osteochondrosis
There are several types of osteochondrosis according to the place of origin of the pathological process:
- Cervix. . . Such osteochondrosis occurs when there are disorders in the cervical spine. The most common symptoms of the pathology are severe pain when turning the head, wheezing and coughing and lumbago
- Pectoral. . . Such osteochondrosis is more rare than other forms. Acute pain is characteristic of pathology. Osteochondrosis is characterized by symptoms of a number of other diseases. Pain in the abdomen, for example, causes the patient to suspect angina
- Waist. . . Such osteochondrosis occurs more often than other forms. This is due to the fact that it is the lumbar spine that experiences increased stress. Patients complain of not only severe pain but also a feeling of numbness (including in the legs)
In some cases, coke osteochondrosis has been diagnosed. There is also the concept of mixed pathology in which 2 parts of the spine are involved in the pathological process. With diffuse osteochondrosis, all segments of the spinal column are affected.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis in adults
The main symptoms of abnormal changes in the spine in adult patients are:
- Pain that can occur in the neck, shoulders, lower back and even the ribs
- Feeling of heaviness in the back and lower back
- Numbness in the limbs
- Muscle spasm or feeling of weakness in them
- Chills and body aches
- Increased fatigue
- Dizziness and headache caused by trapped nerve endings
At an advanced stage, patients complain of sensory disturbances in the back, legs and arms, pain in the heart, dysfunction of the genital system (e. g. , difficulty urinating).
Symptoms of pathology often intensify after exposure to hard work, intense sports, low body temperature.
Complications
The destructive processes that affect the discs between the vertebrae reduce their density and cause a loss of shock absorption. This causes damage to muscles, joints and ligaments. With a long course of osteochondrosis, not only the individual nerve endings contract, but also the entire spinal cord, leading to complications of the nervous system.
Deterioration of blood supply throughout the body leads to an increase in the incidence of chronic diseases.
Osteochondrosis can also provoke pathologies such as:
- Lumbago(Acute pain in the lumbar region)
- Spondylosis(Destruction of the spine)
- Spinal stenosis, During which the work of the whole central nervous system is significantly impaired
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is made using many instrumental methods. The primary diagnosis is based on examination and collection of anamnesis.
The doctor questions the patient and explains:
- The time of onset of the first symptoms
- Duration of pain
- Characteristics of signs of a pathological condition
During the inspection:
- The patient's body position is assessed while standing and sitting
- The amount of traffic is determined
- They appreciate the walk and the changes in it
- The condition of the skin is examined to determine areas of peeling and redness
- Areas where the patient experiences painful sensations are examined
- The general condition of the body is assessed
- Areas where the muscles are spasmodic are identified
The main instrumental methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis include:
- X-ray examination. . . This allows you to identify gaps between individual vertebrae
- პიუComputed tomography. . . Such a study identifies vertebrates that were affected during the pathological process.
- MRI(Magnetic resonance imaging). This study is the most accurate and allows you to assess all the destructive processes in the spine.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis is always carried out in a comprehensive way.
Therapy includes:
- Taking medication
- ᲛMassage
- Perform special exercises
- Physiotherapy
- Traction (including underwater)
- Manual therapy
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervix, chest, lumbar spine largely depends on the symptoms.
ᲛMassageFor example, it is prescribed when the patient does not have severe pain. Sessions allow you to reduce muscle tone, improve blood circulation and strengthen the intervertebral discs.
PhysiotherapyAllows you to strengthen the spinal muscles, create a reliable corset that ensures the correct distribution of load on the spinal column. Tissue nutrition improves during the lesson, blood circulation increases. Physical therapy helps even with limited mobility. To achieve the desired result, exercise should be done regularly, slowly and smoothly, and control your breathing and heart rate. Be sure to consult your doctor before taking lessons. All exercises are supervised by an experienced instructor. Only in this case, treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar or other spine will relieve the symptoms of the disease and eliminate its underlying causes.
PhysiotherapyEffective in combating pain. Typically, patients are referred for exposure to ultrasound therapy, magnetotherapy, and low-frequency current exposure. Physiotherapy allows you to normalize metabolic processes, reduce inflammation, improve joint movement and relieve swelling.
Rehabilitation treatment
Rehabilitation treatment of spinal osteochondrosis is also carried out under the close supervision of a physician. It aims to restore health after pathology. Therapy is carried out only when the pain decreases and the patient no longer experiences severe discomfort.
The most popular recovery techniques include:
- Regular swimming
- Manual therapy
- ᲛMassage
- Electrophoresis and magnetotherapy
- Treatment by exposure to laser beams on the affected area
- Nutrition correction
- Work with a psychologist
- Visit to the sauna
- Hydromassage
- Use of healing mud
Patients are advised to undergo spa treatment in specialized facilities. Also, therapy can be conducted on an outpatient basis. Rehabilitation treatment of osteochondrosis of the lower spine and other sections is carried out in the complex, as well as in the main. In this case, its high performance is noted.
Prevention
If osteochondrosis is prevented in a timely manner, you will not have to deal with the pathology treatment.
Specialists have developed a whole range of preventive measures.
It consists of:
- Restriction of lifting heavy items
- Proper nutrition
- Maintain a daily routine and regular rest
- Swimming
- Taking special food supplementsContains valuable elements of cartilage tissue (mucopolysaccharides)
- Do a simple exercise
If you have to spend a lot of time at work or at home sitting, you need to take regular breaks, get up, walk, remove tension from your back.
All the recommendations for the prevention of osteochondrosis will be given by the doctor. By contacting him you can prevent the development of a dangerous pathological process.
Advantages of treatment in a professional clinic:
- It employs highly qualified doctors. They carry out a comprehensive diagnosis of osteochondrosis and treatment of this disease using modern techniques and the latest advances.
- Osteochondrosis is treated using a unique method of injection. This allows you to permanently and quickly eliminate pain and reduce inflammation in the tissues.
- The clinic employs doctors who skillfully perform blockades and perform other specialized treatments, eliminating the symptoms of the disease, even at an advanced stage.
- Specialists have successfully implemented rehabilitation techniques that combine the results of therapy and prevent the development of pathological processes. Thanks to this, patients, even in the advanced stages of the disease, maintain physical activity.
- Doctors prevent numerous complications of osteochondrosis, which include curvature of the spine, hernia, and paralysis of the limbs.
- Examinations, therapy and disease prevention are always conducted in a comfortable environment for the patient. Attention is paid to everyone who turns to professionals for help.
- Involve not only orthopedists but also other specialists in therapy.