A certain therapist with 50 years of experience once said: "When I started working, there was not a single young patient with osteochondrosis on this site. And today almost every second 30-year-old has this problem."
Sedentary lifestyle, metabolic disorders, spinal injuries, excess weight, unbalanced diet, long stay in uncomfortable positions, stress, hypothermia, smoking are modern pathways to chronic degenerative processes in the intervertebral disc, and subsequently in the vertebra itself.This is osteochondrosis (from the ancient Greek osteon - bone, chondros - cartilage).
Osteochondrosis is a disease caused by the deposition of salt in the spine
wrongThe intervertebral disc consists of the nucleus pulposus, a fibrous ring and hyaline cartilage that covers it above and below.When these elements are destroyed, the balance between the load on the spinal column and the ability to bear it is disturbed.As a result, the vertebrae begin to compress adjacent nerves and muscle tissue and grow along the edges, forming the so-called.osteophytes, which produce a characteristic pulsating sound when moving (patients mistakenly explain it as "salt deposits").
If your back and neck hurt, then this is exclusively osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is not the only cause of pain in the spine.Patients often make this diagnosis themselves.However, in addition to this pathology, which is part of the group of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine, there is also osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and the distinction can only be made after a thorough examination.
Degenerative-dystrophic changes occur in 30-50% of cases in 30-40 years, in 75-100% of people older than 40 years.
This pathological process accounts for 20.4% of the total structure of disability from diseases of the osteoarticular system.
Long walks are not good for the spine
On the contrary.Physical activity has a beneficial effect on the function of the spine: it maintains muscle tone, maintains intervertebral mobility, stimulates blood circulation and metabolism.Physical inactivity and staying for a long time in one, especially uncomfortable, position are "to blame" for the development of the disease.
Another thing if overweight people walk a lot and carry heavy things, then the spine experiences increased pressure.
Flat feet contribute to the development of osteochondrosis
that's rightThe arch of the foot, like the physiological curve of the spine, is designed to absorb shock loads when walking, running, and jumping.If the legs do not provide sufficient protection when interacting with the support, then the spine receives additional pressure, which significantly affects its nutrition and structural function and accelerates the development of the disease.
Back pain is the only symptom of this disease
Not really.As a rule, patients complain of constant back pain, which is often accompanied by numbness and pain in the limbs.Over time, if not treated, the muscles of the limbs atrophy, the spinal joints become less mobile, and muscle spasms appear.
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (see diagram), your arms and head may hurt.The so-called vertebral artery syndrome (noise in the head, dizziness, flashing "spots" and colored spots in front of the eyes, burning throbbing headache).This acute condition occurs as a result of arterial spasm in response to the effects of bone growth, as well as due to disc herniation, intervertebral joint arthrosis, as a reflex response to spinal receptor irritation.
If a person suffers from coronary or cardiovascular pathology, then the vertebral artery syndrome will worsen the course.
With osteochondrosis in the thoracic region, there is pain in the chest (feeling as if a spike has been stuck there) - in the region of the heart and other internal organs;with lumbosacral lesions - in the lower back (irradiation to the sacrum, lower legs, sometimes to the pelvic organs).
If the complications of osteochondrosis develop (herniated intervertebral disc, bone growth, spondylolisthesis, spondyloarthrosis), then damage to the nerve roots is observed - pain becomes shooting, sensitivity worsens, weakness appears in the innervated muscles, and the severity of reflexes decreases.
Osteochondrosis can cause dysfunction of various organs and tissues
that's rightHippocrates also taught that all human diseases are linked to the spine, because this is a kind of foundation of the body.
With osteochondrosis, there is an increased risk of circulatory disorders in the cerebellar, stem and occipital regions of the brain.A persistent headache appears - first in the back of the head, then spreads to the crown and temple area, intensifies with neck movement (more often in the morning).Elderly people may lose consciousness if they turn their heads 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 in the spinal column can cause congestion in the gastrointestinal tract, disorders of the bronchopulmonary system, which are full of inflammatory diseases and others.
Vegetative-vascular dystonia, intercostal neuralgia - due to osteochondrosis
Not really.Osteochondrosis may be one of the reasons (not the only) for the development of this disease.When the intervertebral disc wears and osteophytes grow, the intervertebral foramina and the vertebral artery channels become narrow and deformed, and this leads to the violation of various structures.In particular, when the nerve root is compressed, signs of intercostal neuralgia appear, and when the vertebral artery is compressed, the same symptoms appear as vegetative-vascular dystonia.
It is impossible to cure osteochondrosis
Indeed, spinal structures that have undergone degenerative changes cannot be fully restored.However, adequate comprehensive treatment can eliminate the symptoms of the disease, stop the development of pathology and avoid complications.
For problems with the intervertebral disc, it is useful to heat the sore spot
wrongTemperature changes, especially extreme ones (for example, a beginner's trip to the bathhouse), can cause serious aggravation.Simple thermal procedures are used in complex treatments, 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 worsen
that's rightThis exercise is best done for prevention - it helps maintain the range of motion in the intervertebral joints.With severe osteochondrosis, careless circular movements can aggravate 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 severe, conservative therapy (physio-, reflexology and manual) is carried out;physical therapy and traction techniques are used.Drug treatment is indicated during an exacerbation and aims to relieve pain, relieve the inflammatory process and accelerate the metabolic process (intramuscular or intravenous injection).
Among the most effective drugs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are prescribed to relieve inflammation and pain (meloxicam, diclofenac, ibuprofen);for severe pain, novocaine blocks are used;steroid medication (epidural, intramuscular injection);NSAIDs in the form of ointments, gels and creams with analgesic and irritating effects (diclofenac, fastum gel, nise, capsicam, finalgon);muscle relaxants - to relieve muscle spasms (mydocalm, sirdalud);Vitamin B - to improve metabolic processes in the spine (B1, B6, B12).
Osteochondrosis can lead to serious consequences
yes.Due to compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots, osteochondrosis can cause paralysis, and if the vertebral artery is pinched, loss of consciousness.
Exercises to "stretch" the spine 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, individual loads must be calculated correctly."Too much" can cause reflex contraction of the paravertebral muscles and worsen the condition.
Only orthopedic traumatologists have the right to treat osteochondrosis.
wrongMost patients are observed by neurologists, and in cases of significant pathological severity, by neurosurgeons or orthopedic-vertebrologists.
Local doctors can also prescribe drug therapy to relieve the severity.