A therapist with 50 years of experience once noted: "When I started working, there was not a single young patient on the site with osteochondrosis, and today almost every second 30-year-old person has this problem."
Sedentary lifestyle, metabolic disorders, spinal injuries, excess weight, unbalanced nutrition, prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, stress, hypothermia, smoking are modern ways to chronic degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs and subsequently in the vertebrae themselves.This is osteochondrosis (from the ancient Greek osteon - bone, chondros - cartilage).
Osteochondrosis is a disease caused by salt deposition in the spine
wrongThe intervertebral disc consists of the nucleus pulposus, the annulus fibrosus, and the hial cartilage that covers it above and below.When these elements are destroyed, the balance between the load on the spine and its carrying capacity is disturbed.As a result, the vertebrae begin to compress the surrounding nerve and muscle tissues and grow along the edges, forming the so-calledOsteophytes that produce a characteristic crunching sound when moving (patients mistakenly interpret it as "salt deposition").
If your back and neck hurt, then this is exclusively osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is not the only cause of back pain.Patients often make this diagnosis themselves.However, in addition to this pathology, which belongs to the group of degenerative-dystrophic changes of the spine, there is also osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and differentiation is possible only after a comprehensive examination.
Degenerative-dystrophic changes occur in 30-50% of cases at the age of 30-40, in 75-100% of people over 40 years of age.
These pathological processes make up 20.4% of the total disability structure of diseases of the osteo-articular system.
Prolonged walking is harmful to the spine
On the contrary.Physical activity has a positive effect on the functioning of the spinal column: it maintains muscle tone, maintains intervertebral mobility, stimulates blood circulation and metabolism.Physical inactivity and staying in one, particularly uncomfortable position for a long time are "to blame" for the progression of the disease.
Another thing is, if an overweight person walks a lot and carries heavy things, then the spine experiences stress.
Flat feet contribute to the development of osteochondrosis
That's right.The arches of the feet, like the physiological curves of the spine, are designed to absorb shock loads during walking, running and jumping.If the leg does not provide adequate protection when interacting with the support, then the spinal column receives additional stress, which significantly hinders the nutrition and functioning of its structures and accelerates the development of the disease.
Back pain is the only symptom of the disease
not really.As a rule, patients complain of constant pain in the back, which is often accompanied by numbness and a feeling of pain in the extremities.Over time, without treatment, limb muscles atrophy, spinal joints become less mobile, and muscle spasms appear.
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (see diagram), you may have pain in your hands and head.The so-called vertebral artery syndrome (noise in the head, dizziness, flashing "spots" and colored spots in front of the eyes, burning headache).This acute condition occurs due to spasm of arteries, both in response to the impact of bone formations, and due to disc herniation, intervertebral joint arthrosis, as a reflex reaction to irritation of spinal receptors.
If a person suffers from coronary or cardiovascular pathology, then the vertebral artery syndrome will aggravate the course.
In the case of osteochondrosis in the chest, pain appears in the chest (feeling as if a pole was stuck there) - in the area of the heart and other internal organs;With lumbosacral damage - in the lower part of the back (irradiation of sacrum, lower limbs, sometimes pelvic organs).
If complications of osteochondrosis develop (herniated intervertebral discs, bone formations, spondylolisthesis, spondyloarthrosis), then there is damage to the nerve roots - pain becomes shooting, sensitivity worsens, weakness in innervated muscles appears and the severity of reflexes decreases.
Osteochondrosis can cause dysfunction of various organs and tissues
That's right.Hippocrates also taught that all human diseases are related to the spine, because it is a kind of foundation of the body.
During osteochondrosis, the risk of blood circulation disorders in the cerebral, stem and occipital regions of the brain increases.There is a constant headache - first in the back of the head, then it spreads to the crown and temples, aggravated by neck movements (more often in the morning).Elderly people may lose consciousness if they turn suddenly.This is preceded by dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision and hearing, nausea and vomiting.
Sometimes there is pain in the heart area - prolonged, pressing, dull.With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, especially in old age, soft tissues often change - they become denser.
Degenerative processes of the spinal column can cause swelling of the gastrointestinal tract, disruption of the bronchopulmonary system, which is full of inflammatory and other diseases.
Vegetative-vascular dystonia, intercostal neuralgia - consequences of osteochondrosis
not really.One (by no means the only) reason for the development of these diseases may be osteochondrosis.As the intervertebral discs wear out and osteophytes grow, the intervertebral foramina and the vertebral artery canal narrow and deform, causing disruption of various structures.In particular, when the nerve roots are compressed, the signs of intercostal neuralgia appear, and when the vertebral artery is compressed, the same symptoms appear as in vegetative-vascular dystonia.
Osteochondrosis cannot be cured
Indeed, the structures of the spinal column that have undergone degenerative changes cannot be fully restored.Nevertheless, adequate comprehensive treatment can eliminate the symptoms of the disease, stop the development of the pathology and prevent complications.
For problems related to intervertebral discs, it is useful to apply heat to painful spots
wrongChanges in temperature, especially extreme ones (for example, a beginner's trip to the bathroom), can cause serious flare-ups.In complex treatment, moderate thermal procedures are used, but they must be prescribed by a doctor.
If you make circular movements with your head during osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, your health will deteriorate.
That's right.These exercises are best done for prevention - they help maintain range of motion in the intervertebral joints.In severe osteochondrosis, careless circular movements can worsen vertebral artery syndrome, radiculopathy, etc.
Treatment cannot be done without non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
not really.During the period of remission or when the pain is not strong, conservative therapy (physio-, reflexology and manual) is carried out;Physiotherapy and traction techniques are used.Drug treatment is indicated during an exacerbation and is aimed at alleviating pain, alleviating the inflammatory process and accelerating metabolic processes (intramuscular or intravenous injections).
Among the most effective drugs are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are prescribed to relieve inflammation and pain (meloxicam, diclofenac, ibuprofen);Novocaine blockade is used for severe pain;Steroid drugs (epidural, intramuscular injections);Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of ointments, gels and creams with pain-relieving and irritating effects (Diclofenac, Fastum gel, Nise, Capsicam, Finalgon);Muscle relaxants - to relieve muscle spasms (Midokalm, Sirdalud);B vitamins - to improve the metabolic processes of the spine (B1, B6, B12).
Osteochondrosis can cause serious consequences
Yes.Due to the compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots, osteochondrosis can cause paralysis, and in the case of compression of the vertebral artery - loss of consciousness.
Spinal "stretching" exercises help improve your condition
Extension, or traction, allows you to increase the intervertebral space, relieve pain and restore the anatomically correct shape of the spine.However, the individual load must be calculated correctly."Too much" can cause reflex contraction of the paravertebral muscles and worsen the condition.
Only an orthopedic traumatologist has the right to treat osteochondrosis.
wrongMost patients are monitored by a neurologist, and in case of significant severity of the pathology, a neurosurgeon or orthopedic vertebrologist.
A local doctor can also prescribe drug therapy to relieve flare-ups.