Osteochondrosis is a problem of the spine, which affects literally every fourth inhabitant of the planet, at least according to experts from the WHO Statistical Center.
In the five most common diseases in the world, osteochondrosis takes the "honorable" third place, only cardiovascular diseases precede it. In 2012, the British Broadcasting Corporation's media giant, the BBC, published medical research data that is simply shocking: every year more than 5 million people die from diseases caused by physical inactivity, that is, a sedentary life. A real pandemic of reduced physical activity has already covered a third of the earth, and the latest results of scientific work prove that the culprit of many health-threatening diseases is not genetic predisposition or viruses at all, but an unhealthy lifestyle. Almost all back problems - intervertebral hernias (hernias), osteoporosis, osteochondrosis and many other diseases related to osteochondrosis - are the result of long hours of sitting, whether in front of the television, at the desk or in the car seat. About 80% of all reasons why the back suffers and spinal diseases develop are related to elementary degenerative changes in the muscle corset and the lack of reasonable physical activity.
Osteochondrosis and spine
The structure of the spine in living things, whether animals or humans, is basically the same. However, only man holds the proud title of Homo erectus, that is, Homo erectus. Until recently, it was believed that standing posture is the main cause of pathological changes in the spine. As if the vertical position of the body leads to an incorrect, uneven load on the spine. The static load, which is most exposed to the lower back and the sacrum, 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, the cervical spine is affected. The structure of the spine is quite complex, it consists of many vertebrae connected by cartilaginous tissue - discs. The discs, in turn, are multi-layered rings with a liquid core in the middle, which perform the function of absorbing shocks when the spine is put into motion. In addition, the vertebrae are connected to a large number of muscles and other tissues. The elasticity of this entire connection system ensures the normal condition of the spine. Simply put, the more elastic and adaptable the intervertebral discs are, the more flexible and healthy the spine is, the lower the risk of osteochondrosis hitting it. Today the theory that standing posture is responsible for all degenerative diseases of the spine is being challenged. Relentless statistics convince clinicians that rather inactivity, physical inactivity is a factor that causes diseases of the spine associated with dystrophy and degeneration of the intervertebral tissues. In addition, excess weight, which actually increases the load on the discs, can also aggravate the destructive processes and cause osteochondrosis. Conclusion: movement is life. The phrase is not new, it seems painfully hackneyed, banal, however, it does not require proof. An impressive example of the fact that physical activity and flexibility can serve as a foundation for spinal health are examples of people who regularly do gymnastics, yoga and other types of body exercise. Nature itself gives children the opportunity to be flexible, because children's vertebral discs are very elastic, only in the cores 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 observing the elementary rules of a healthy lifestyle. Osteochondrosis is a disease of people who are forced to sit or lie down for hours, for years, regardless of what reason - on duty or of their own volition, due to obligations, laziness or simply 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 no word for osteochondrosis, there such diseases are classified as rheumatic and spinal. In ICD-10, since 1999, indeed, a group of diseases with typical manifestations in the form of pain in the spine, not related to visceral causes, is defined as spinal. Osteochondrosis, which is recorded as dorsal, is in turn divided into three large groups:
- Deformative diseases, spinal - scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis, subluxation, spondylolisthesis.
- Spondylopathy - spondylosis, ankylosing spondylitis and other osteopoietic dystrophic pathologies that limit the mobility of the spine.
- Others, other spinal diseases 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 paraspinal tissues (degeneration and dystrophy). When it is deformed, the intervertebral shock-absorbing disc becomes thinner, it becomes flat, which leads to an overload of the vertebrae and even more deformation of them to such an 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 most affected, the disease is called in clinical practice.
The most "popular", known to many, is lumbar osteochondrosis, there is also a definition of the cervical uterus, which occupies the second place in prevalence, there is sacral, thoracic and widespread osteochondrosis. There are also cross pathologies - lumbosacral or, for example, cervicothoracic.
The symptoms of osteochondrosis can be very different, but sooner or later they all increase and manifest themselves clinically. Of course, it is much easier and faster to treat osteochondrosis in the initial stages of its development, when the following signs are evident:
- Aching, dull painful sensations in the part of the spine affected by the degenerative process.
- Chronic muscle tension (particularly characteristic of cervical osteochondrosis).
- Cracking when turning the body, neck.
- Headache, including tension headache (with cervical osteochondrosis).
- Aching pain in the chest, often reminiscent of cardiac pain (with thoracic osteochondrosis).
Osteochondrosis in the inflammatory stage has symptoms that make a person visit a doctor, because they cause more intense discomfort:
- Radiating pain in the limb.
- Numbness of the fingers or toes.
- Radiating pain in the tips of the fingers of the limbs.
- Severe pain in the spine when performing simple physical activities.
- Increasing pain with small pushes, shakes, for example, when traveling in transport.
- The inability to perform simple tasks involving rotations or tilts of the body.
- General limitation of mobility, motor activity.
The factors that can cause problems in the spine, called osteochondrosis, are very different, but the already mentioned weakness is in the first place. Other reasons include:
- Functional - monotonous work maintaining the same posture.
- Biomechanical - 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.
- Metabolically - overweight or underweight.
Factors that cause osteochondrosis, that is, 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, unmanifest. 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 annulus fibrosus does not simply stretch, its fibers are stratified, the annulus begins to break. Due to the attack of the nerve roots, pain occurs in the spine, degenerative changes progress. Collagen tissue continues to break down, the normal height of the intervertebral space decreases.
- The disc often breaks completely, this pathology is accompanied by inflammation, herniation and violation of nerve endings. Protrusion (prolapse) causes characteristic pain not only in the damaged area of the spine, but is also reflected in the extremities and nearby parts of the body.
- The most difficult stage, when spondylosis and other compensatory diseases of the spine join the dystrophy. Often, the vertebra flattens to compensate for the lost functions, and the elastic tissue of the annulus fibrosus is gradually replaced by scars and bony growths.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Almost everyone who is associated with spiritual activity, from students to the elderly, suffers from one form or another of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is considered a disease associated with increased dynamic loads that cause degeneration of the intervertebral discs and their subsidence. Hardening and growth of cartilaginous tissue leads to a violation of the damping properties of this part of the spine, head movements - tilts, circular movements, turns become difficult and are accompanied by characteristic signs of osteochondrosis.
The symptoms that can cause osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in the initial stages of the development of the disease are not specific and are similar to signs of other pathologies not related to the skeletal system. The list of manifestations of osteochondrosis, which must be differentiated and determined in order to determine the correct diagnosis, is as follows:
- Severe headaches that resemble migraine attacks.
- Headache extending from occiput to neck.
- Headache aggravated by coughing, turning the head, sneezing.
- Headache that radiates to the chest or shoulder.
- Dizziness, sensory disturbances - double vision, difficulty focusing. Noise in the ears, in advanced cases, movement coordination disorder.
- Symptoms similar to cardiac pain, especially angina pain - pain in the heart, extending to the neck or arm, below the shoulder blade. The pain may increase and is not relieved by taking heart medications.
- Pain similar to that of hypertension (heaviness in the back of the head).
Consequences and complications
Before treating osteochondrosis, however, 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 the deformation of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine are related to the anatomical peculiarities of this zone. The vertebrae of the neck experience almost constant tension due to insufficient general motor activity. If we take into account the total "sedentary" lifestyle of more than half of the working population, then the problem sometimes becomes insoluble. In addition, the cervical vertebrae are smaller than the vertebrae of other regions of the spine, and the internal canal is much narrower. A huge number of nerve endings, an abundance of blood vessels, the presence of the most important artery that supplies the brain - all this makes the neck area extremely vulnerable. Even the slightest contraction of the intervertebral discspace leads to damage to the nerve roots, swelling, inflammation and, consequently, to a deterioration of 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 to not-so-distant times, when Margaret Hilda Thatcher chastised her employee with the words: "Your problem is not a headache or your opinion on the matter put to a vote. The thing is, your spine isn't connected to your brain, John. ''This famous quote of the "iron" lady perfectly characterizes the condition that causes osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, when sometimes it happens - the spine does not provide proper "nutrition" to the head. As for "nutrition", in fact, not only the canal of the spinal cord is involved, but also the channel of the artery passing through the transverse nerve processes. The vertebral artery goes to the skull to supply the cerebellum, and this artery also supplies nutrients and oxygen to the vestibular apparatus. The slightest disturbance of blood flow through these channels can either cause or worsen the course of the vegetative-vascular syndrome. In addition to VSD, osteochondrosis of the cervical region causes typical symptoms of radicular syndrome (sciatica), when the pain radiates to the fingertips or one finger, pallor of the skin (marbling) is clearly visible. One of the most unpleasant complications caused by cervical osteochondrosis is palmar fibromatosis, also called Dupuytren's contracture. With this disease, the aponeurosis (tendinoid plate) of the palm is affected and the flexion function of the fingers is disturbed.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is diagnosed by a specialist based on the patient's complaints and can be confirmed and determined by X-rays, MRI and CT.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
A complete treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is possible 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?
Osteochondrosis is not easy to treat, as a rule, the treatment is prescribed as fully as possible, including all means available in modern medicine. In addition to conservative drug therapy, proven phytotherapeutic drugs, acupuncture, a therapeutic set of exercises, and sometimes surgical operations that eliminate hernias and subluxations of the vertebrae are also used. It should be recognized that osteochondrosis and treatment are two concepts that a sick person will face for some time, sometimes throughout his life. In addition to the initial stage, which aims to relieve the pain symptom, the treatment includes continuous rehabilitation, rehabilitation and prevention 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, since his direct participation and responsible observance, the fulfillment of all prescriptions often play a decisive role inrestoration.
What should I treat?
The list of drugs most often used as a treatment for osteochondrosis:
- A complex, effective homeopathic preparation that should be used for a long time, like any other homeopathic (in ampoules or in tablet form).
- An effective external remedy that relieves muscle and joint pain well.
- Anti-inflammatory non-steroidal agent (in the form of ointment - externally, in tablets - orally).
- Ointment of complex effects from the category of homeopathic medicines.
- The drug in tablet form from the class of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
- A drug from the class of glucocorticoids.
- Ointment from the class of external anti-inflammatory non-steroidal agents.
- Gel from the category of external non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- A drug from the class of external anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs.
If we summarize everything that involves the treatment of such a disease as osteochondrosis, the treatment can be divided into the following stages and types:
- The use of NSAIDs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, is considered the gold standard in the treatment of all degenerative, dystrophic pathologies of the bone and muscle systems. The first thing these drugs do is reduce the pain symptom, the second is a significant reduction in inflammation.
- Medicines called myelolytics, as they are actually capable of effectively relieving muscle spasms and spasms.
- Attraction therapy is an attraction therapy. In this rather painful, but effective procedure, there is a gradual stretching of the tissues, muscles surrounding the vertebrae, respectively, the intervertebral distance increases, approaching the norm.
- Biological preparations, vascular factors that supply nutrition to dystrophic tissue areas, B vitamins well restore the functional abilities of a deformed spine.
- Sedative drugs that normalize the state of the nervous system. It perfectly relieves muscle tension and acupuncture of nerve endings.
- Physiotherapy procedures - electrophoresis, phonophoresis, UHF, massage, mud procedures, bath therapy, magnetotherapy.
- Correction of the spine during the recovery period is carried out using manual therapy.
- The treatment of osteochondrosis also includes with the help of continuous exercise from the complex of physiotherapy exercises.
In the most extreme cases, when the course of osteochondrosis enters the last stage, surgery is also indicated, which is carried out in the area of localization of the inflammatory process. Most often, a hernia is operated, and it is also possible to remove the deformed bone tissue of the adjacent vertebrae.
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 structure of health care is still undergoing changes. Confused by the innovations, 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 time the first, although not very effective, stage of treatment, since it is necessary to treat osteochondrosis only with the help of a doctor. The second stage, when independent actions do not lead to the desired, 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, most likely, will refer the patient for examination - X-rays, blood tests and will refer to a neurologist. Secondly, you can immediately make an appointment with a neurologist, preferably before the consultation, at least undergo an X-ray of the entire spine. In no case should you go to extremes and look for an experienced massage therapist, each massage, first of all, includes a preliminary scan of the state of the body, especially the state of the spine. The problem of osteochondrosis is also faced by spondylologists and spinal neurologists – doctors who specialize in diseases of the spine.
Osteochondrosis is a complex disease, but the examples of many people who overcome even severe spinal injuries prove that everything is possible and achievable. The main thing is that with the first alarming signals that the back gives us, we analyze our motor activity and take appropriate measures. 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 the great Alexander, who was extremely active, said, "Life demands and needsmovement. , otherwise it is not life".
What does history say about osteochondrosis?
The etiology of osteochondrosis is still not clear, moreover, despite the clearly ancient origin of this disease, diseases of the spine began to be treated seriously only in the 18th century. Since then, disputes and discussions about the true "enemy" that causes degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs have not stopped. Meanwhile, long ago, even in the time of Hippocrates, there were treatises on cutting bones, which shows that the ancient Greeks also suffered from back pain. Hippocrates himself was also interested in spinal issues so much that he conducted medical experiments that were dubious from a modern point of view: his students painstakingly tied the patient by the hands and feet in a horizontal plane with his back, stretching the limbs sovery. as much as possible. Then the great healer stood on the sufferer's back and began to walk on him. The founder of medicine was sincerely convinced that such fixation, stretching and massage would restore health to the spine, which, according to the ancient Greek sages, was the key to a happy person. Some systematization of techniques telling how to treat osteochondrosis began only in the late 17th century. At the same time, terminology emerged that formalized applied fields of medicine, among which was bone formation. Two centuries later, it was split into chiropractic and osteopathy. The first direction was purely practical, using power techniques, osteopaths were more theoreticians and researchers. At the intersection of these sciences, manual therapy gradually emerged, 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 typical for other diseases of unknown etiology. Once it was not called - and lumbar, and sciatica, and Schmorl's hernia, and sciatica, and spondylosis. It took almost a century for doctors to understand osteochondrosis and reach a consensus.