Osteochondrosis is a spine problem that literally affects every fourth inhabitant of the planet, at least according to the experts of the WHO Statistics Center.
Among the five most common diseases in the world, osteochondrosis takes an "honorable" third place, only cardiovascular diseases are ahead of it. In 2012, the media giant of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the BBC, published medical research data that is simply shocking: more than 5 million people die every year due to diseases caused by physical inactivity, that is, a sedentary lifestyle. A real pandemic of reduced physical activity has already covered a third of the world, and the latest results of scientific work confirm that the culprit of many health-threatening diseases is not genetic predisposition or viruses, but an unhealthy lifestyle. Almost all back problems - intervertebral hernia (hernia), osteoporosis, osteochondrosis and many other diseases related to osteochondrosis - are the result of many 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 spine diseases develop are related to elementary degenerative changes of the muscular corset and lack of full-fledged reasonable physical activity.
Osteochondrosis and spine
In living things, whether animal or human, the structure of the spinal column is basically the same. However, only man holds the proud title of Homo erectus, or Homo erectus. Until recently, it was believed that vertical posture is the main cause of pathological changes in the spine. As if the vertical position of the body causes an incorrect, uneven load on the spine. Static load, which is most exposed to the lower back and the pelvis, which consists of five vertebrae, is the most dangerous in terms of destructive effects on the intervertebral tissues. Dynamic load, which is characterized by movements, damages the cervical spine. spineThe structure is quite complex, it consists of many vertebrae connected by cartilaginous tissue - discs. Discs, on the other hand, are multi-layered rings with a liquid core in the middle, which act as shock absorbers when the spine moves. In addition, the vertebrae are connected by a large number of muscles and other tissues. The elasticity of this entire connecting system ensures the normal position of the spinal column. Simply put, the more elastic and adaptable the intervertebral discs, the more flexible and healthy the spine, the lower the risk of getting osteochondrosis. Today, the theory that upright posture is responsible for all degenerative diseases of the spine is being questioned. Ruthless statistics convince clinicians that quite a lot of inactivity, physical inactivity is a provoking factor of spine diseases, which are associated with dystrophy and degeneration of intervertebral tissues. In addition, excess weight, which really increases the load on the discs, can alsoExacerbate destructive processes and provoke osteochondrosis. Conclusion: Movement is life. This phrase is not new, it seems painfully broken, banal, however, it does not need proof. A clear example of the fact that physical activity and flexibility can become the basis of spinal column health are examples of people who regularly do gymnastics, yoga and other types of physical training. Nature itself gives children the possibility of flexibility, because children's spinal discs are very elastic, only in the core of the disc there is up to 80% of fluid. With age, the amount of life-giving "lubrication" may decrease, but it can be maintained by consciously performing simple exercises and following the elementary rules of a healthy lifestyle. Osteochondrosis is a disease of people who are forced to sit or lie for hours, years, for whatever reason - on duty or of their own free will. , due to obligations, laziness or simply ignorance.
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a concept that includes all degenerative and dystrophic changes of the spine. It should be noted that in the European version of the classification of diseases there is no word about osteochondrosis, there such diseases are classified as rheumatic and dorsopathic. In ICD-10, since 1999, indeed, a group of diseases with a typical manifestation in the form of spinal pain, which is not related to visceral causes, is defined as dorsopathy. Osteochondrosis, which is registered as dorsopathy, is divided into three large groups:
- Deformation diseases, dorsopathy - scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis, subluxation, spondylolisthesis.
- Spondylopathy - spondylosis, ankylosing spondylitis and other ossifying dystrophic pathologies that limit the movement of the spine.
- Other, other dorsopathies are degenerative changes accompanied by hernia, rash.
Thus, osteochondrosis or osteochondrosis (from the Greek words - bone, cartilage and pain) is a general name for all problems of the spine, which are caused by degeneration and deficiency (degeneration and dystrophy) of paravertebral tissues. During deformation, the intervertebral shock-absorbing disc becomes thinner, flattened, which causes the vertebrae to overload and deform them even more to the extent that they begin to exceed the normal limits of the spine. Nerve roots with such a pathology are pinched, inflamed, pain occurs.
Osteochondrosis affects almost the entire back, and depending on which part of the spine is more affected, the disease is called in clinical practice.
The most "popular", known to many, is lumbar osteochondrosis, there is also a cervical definition, which is second in prevalence, is 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 increase and are clinically manifested. Of course, it is much easier and faster to treat osteochondrosis in the early stages of its development, when the following signs are noticeable:
- Painful, dull aching sensations in the part of the spine that is damaged by the degenerative process.
- Chronic muscle tension (especially characteristic of cervical osteochondrosis).
- A crack when turning the body, neck.
- Headache, including tension headache (with cervical osteochondrosis).
- Painful pain in the chest, often reminiscent of cardiological pain (with osteochondrosis of the chest).
In the inflammatory stage, osteochondrosis has symptoms that force a person to consult a doctor, because it causes more pronounced discomfort:
- Radiating pain in the limb.
- Numbness of fingers or toes.
- Pain radiating to the tips of the fingers of the limbs.
- Severe pain in the spine during simple physical activities.
- Intensification of pain with small shocks, vibrations, for example, when traveling by transport.
- Inability to perform simple tasks involving body rotation or bending.
- General restriction of movement, motor activity.
Factors that can provoke spine problems, which are called osteochondrosis, are very diverse, but the already mentioned hypodynamia is in the first place. Other causes include:
- Functional - monotonous work while maintaining the same posture.
- Biomechanical - flat feet, congenital anomalies in the development of the spine.
- Hormonal - changes in hormonal levels due to age-related changes.
- Dystrophy of the intervertebral environment caused by an infectious-inflammatory process.
- Metabolic - overweight or underweight.
Factors provoking osteochondrosis, that is, deformation and dystrophy of the intervertebral discs, usually 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 signs, if any, are very weak, undetectable. At this stage, the fibrous ring surrounding the disc begins to stretch or, conversely, contract.
- The second stage is characterized by greater instability of the disc, the fibrous annulus is simply not stretched, its fibers are stratified, the annulus begins to break. Due to damage to the nerve roots, pain appears in the spine, degenerative changes progress. Collagen tissue continues to break down, reducing the normal height of the intervertebral space.
- The disc often ruptures completely, this pathology is accompanied by inflammation, herniation and disruption of nerve endings. Protrusion (prolapse) causes characteristic pain not only in the affected area of the spine, but also affects the limbs and adjacent parts of the body.
- The most difficult stage is when dystrophy is joined by spondylosis and other compensatory diseases of the spine. Often, the vertebra flattens to compensate for the lost functions, and the elastic tissue of the annulus fibrosus is gradually replaced by scar tissue and bony formations.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Almost everyone who is involved in intellectual activities, from schoolchildren to the elderly, suffers from one or another form of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is considered a disease associated with increased dynamic loads, which causes degeneration of the intervertebral discs and their sinking. Hardening and growth of the cartilage tissue leads to a violation of the damping properties of this part of the spine, head movements - tilting, 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 disease are not specific and are similar to the signs of other pathologies that are not related to the bone system. The list of manifestations of osteochondrosis, which must be differentiated and clarified to establish the correct diagnosis, is as follows:
- A severe headache that resembles migraine attacks.
- Headache that extends from the back of the head to the neck.
- Headache, aggravated by coughing, turning the head, sneezing.
- The headache radiates to the chest or shoulder.
- Dizziness, sensory disturbances - double vision, difficulty focusing. Noise in the ears, in advanced cases, impaired coordination of movements.
- Symptoms that are similar to cardiac pain, in particular, angina pain - pain in the heart that spreads to the cervical region or the arm, under the shoulder blade. Pain may be increased and not relieved by 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 causes, which is very difficult when it comes to degenerative pathologies of the spine. Factors that cause deformation of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine are related to the anatomical specificity of this zone. Neck vertebrae are almost constantly under tension due to insufficient general motor activity. If we take into account the overall "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 huge number of nerve endings, an abundance of blood vessels, the most importantThe presence of an artery that feeds the brain - all this makes the cervical area extremely vulnerable. It causes disruption of nerve roots, swelling, inflammation and, therefore, deterioration of 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 that dates back not so long ago when Margaret Hilda Thatcher chided an employee with the following words: "Your problem is not your headache or your opinion on the issue on the ballot. The thing is, your spine just isn't connected to your brain, John. This famous quote from the "Iron Lady" perfectly characterizes the condition that causes osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, when sometimes it happens - the spine does not provide itself with the right "nourishment". As for "nourishment", in fact, it involves not only the spinal canal, but also the channel of the artery through the transverse nerve processes. The vertebral artery goes to the skull to feed the cerebrum, and this artery also supplies nutrients and oxygen to the vestibular apparatus. Slight disturbance of blood circulation through these channels can provoke or aggravate the course of vegetative-vascular syndrome. In addition to VSD, osteochondrosis of the cervical region causes typical symptoms of radicular syndrome (sciatica), when pain radiates to the fingertips 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 of the palm (tendon plate) is damaged and the flexion function of the fingers is disturbed.
Diagnosis of cervical spine osteochondrosis
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is made by a specialist based on the patient's complaints, it can be confirmed and specified using X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging and computer tomography.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be completely cured only in its initial stages, however, it is possible to save a person from the painful symptoms of this disease, avoid exacerbations and get rid of some pathological changes in the spine. Therefore, we should not forget the importance of timely treatment of the disease.
How to treat osteochondrosis?
Treatment of osteochondrosis is not easy, as a rule, therapy is prescribed as completely as possible, including all the means available in modern medicine. In addition to conservative drug treatment, proven phytotherapeutic agents, acupuncture, a therapeutic set of exercises and sometimes surgical operations are also used to eliminate spinal hernia and subluxation. We must admit that osteochondrosis and treatment are two concepts that the patient will encounter for a long time, sometimes throughout his life. In addition to the initial stage aimed at alleviating the pain symptom, therapy involves continuous restorative, rehabilitative and preventive actions. Complex, multicomponent diseases are always treated for a long time. If a diagnosis is made - osteochondrosis, how to treat it - this is the first question that is decided not only by the doctor, but also by the patient himself, because his direct participation and responsible compliance, the fulfillment of all prescriptions often play a decisive role. role in recovery.
What should I treat?
The list of drugs that are most often used to treat osteochondrosis:
- A complex, effective homeopathic preparation that requires long-term use, like any other homeopathy (in ampoule or tablet form).
- An effective external remedy that relieves muscle and joint pain.
- Anti-inflammatory non-steroidal agent (in the form of ointments - externally, in tablets - orally).
- Ointment of complex effects from the category of homeopathic remedies.
- The drug in the form of a tablet from the category of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- A drug from the category of glucocorticoids.
- Ointment from the category of external anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Gel from the category of external non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- A drug from the category of external anti-inflammatory drugs.
If we summarize everything that involves the treatment of a disease such as osteochondrosis, the treatment can be divided into the following stages and types:
- The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is considered the gold standard for the treatment of all degenerative, dystrophic pathologies of the bone and musculoskeletal system. The first thing these drugs do is to reduce the symptom of pain, the second is to significantly reduce inflammation.
- Medicines called myelorelaxants because they can really effectively relieve muscle cramps and spasms.
- Traction therapy is the treatment of traction. In this rather painful but effective process, the tissues and muscles that surround the vertebrae are gradually stretched, therefore, the intervertebral distance increases, approaching the norm.
- Biogenic drugs, vascular agents that nourish the dystrophic areas of tissues, B vitamins restore the functional capacity of the deformed spine well.
- Sedatives that normalize the state of the nervous system. Acupuncture perfectly relieves muscle tension and nerve endings.
- Physiotherapy procedures - electrophoresis, phonophoresis, UHF, massages, mud procedures, balneotherapy, magnetotherapy.
- During the recovery period, the spine is corrected using manual therapy.
- Treatment of osteochondrosis includes constant exercise and assistance from a complex of physiotherapeutic exercises.
In the most extreme cases, when the course of osteochondrosis moves to the last stage, surgical intervention is indicated, which is performed in the area of localization of the inflammatory process. Most often, a hernia operation is performed, and it is also possible to remove the deformed bone tissue of the neighboring vertebra.
Where to treat osteochondrosis?
Self-treatment of almost all diseases is a trend observed in almost all countries, but it is especially characteristic of post-Soviet countries, where the traditional health care structure is still undergoing changes. Confused by innovation, often simply out of ignorance, many of us try to deal with back, neck or lower back pain on our own. At this time, you can call it the first, although not very effective, stage of treatment, since the treatment of osteochondrosis is necessary only with the help of a doctor. The second stage, when independent actions do not lead to the desired, long-term result, a person thinks about visiting a doctor and the question arises, osteochondrosis - how to treat, how to treat and most importantly, where to treat osteochondrosis.? First of all, you can contact a local therapist, who will probably refer the patient for examination - X-rays, blood tests and refer to a neurologist. Secondly, you can immediately make an appointment with a neurologist, preferably before the consultation, at least undergo an X-ray examination of the entire spine. In no case should you go to the extreme and look for an experienced massage therapist, any massage, first of all, involves a preliminary scan of the condition of the body, especially the condition of the spine. The problem of osteochondrosis is also treated by vertebrologists and vertebronerologists - doctors who specialize in diseases of the spine.
Osteochondrosis is a difficult disease, but the examples of many people who overcome even severe spinal injuries prove that everything is possible and achievable. The main thing is to analyze our motor activity and take appropriate measures at the first warning signals that the back gives us. You can immediately go to the doctor and start treatment, or, if the disease is not advanced, start moving, because as Aristotle, the teacher of Alexander the Great, who was very active, said: "Life requires and needs movement. Otherwise, this is not life. "
What does history say about osteochondrosis?
The etiology of osteochondrosis is still not clear, moreover, despite the apparently ancient origin of this disease, diseases of the spine began seriously only in the 18th century. Since then, the debate and discussion about the true "enemy" that causes degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs has not stopped. Meanwhile, long ago, as early as the time of Hippocrates, there were treatises on bone cutting, which indicate that the ancient Hellenes also suffered from back pain. Hippocrates himselfHe was also interested in the topics of the spine, that he conducted medical experiments that were questionable from a modern point of view: his students diligently tied the patient's hands and feet on a horizontal plane with the back, stretching the limbs as much as possible. Then the great healer stood on the sufferer's back and began to walk on it. The founder of medicineFather was sincerely convinced that such fixation, stretching and massage would restore health to the spine, which, according to ancient Greek sages, was the key to a person's happy abundance. A certain systematization of techniques that told how to treat osteochondrosis began only at the end of the 17th century. At the same time, the terminology appeared, ROmeli also designed directions used in medicine, among which was bone tissue. Two centuries later it split into chiropractic and osteopathy. The first direction was purely practical, using power techniques, osteopaths were more theoreticians and researchers. Manual therapy gradually emerged at the intersection of these sciences, without which the treatment of osteochondrosis is almost unthinkable today.
As for the term that defines the disease "osteochondrosis", then a typical story happened with osteochondrosis, which is characteristic of other diseases of unknown etiology. Once they were called - and lumboischialgia, and sciatica, and Schmorl's hernia, and radiculitis, and spondylosis. It took almost a century for doctors to identify osteochondrosisto find out and reach a consensus.