Under osteoarthritis refers to a degenerative process in the intervertebral discs. The spine is compressed, destroyed the discs between the vertebrae. With time they lose their elasticity, and it is now clamped and the nerve endings of the spinal cord.
Like any other disease, Osteochondrosis need to treat under the supervision of a physician. Next, we describe in detail, what it for an illness, why it occurs and which symptoms are typical for him.
What osteochondrosis is?
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, a characteristic feature of the degenerative-dystrophic lesions of the intervertebral discs, and then the tissues of the spine.
Degenerative changes in the disc lead to a weakening of the outer fibrous ring. Therefore arise in patients with osteochondrosis often such serious complications, as the projection (bulging parts of the plate) and spine fracture (overhang Disc nucleus pulposus in the spinal canal) to afford.
According to the results of medical research, problems with the spine, every second Person suffers from after 30 years. In 70% of cases the cause of pain in the area of the spine osteochondrosis, the to neurological diseases impact on the ligaments of the spine.is
Like any other disease, osteochondrosis can not arise, neither of which even of this, hit the back of acute pain. The first signs of osteochondrosis of the spine do not manifest themselves immediately, gradually.
Depending on the location of the origin of the pain there are three types of degenerative disc disease:
- Cervical spine;
- Thoracic;
- Lumbar spine.
Important! Among the most important complications of osteochondrosis, protrusion of the intervertebral disk, herniated disk s, ankylosis of the spine, narrowing of the roots of the spinal nerves and blood vessels Schmorl '.
Causes
According to many experts, led to the study of this disease, which is the cause of degenerative disc disease incorrectly distributed load on the spine. In consequence, the patients had, directly in the areas to the excessive physical pressure, a change in the structure of the cartilage tissue.
The causes of the emergence of osteochondrosis of the spine:
- Hereditary predisposition to the disease.
- The presence of diseases of the endocrine system – metabolic disorders.
- The development of orthopedic diseases, e.g., flat foot, curvature of posture, diseases of the musculoskeletal System.
- A variety of injuries, contusions of the spine.
- Lifestyle: lack of activity, poor diet, with a predominance of dishes from fast Food and unhealthy food.
- The presence of obesity.
- Harmful Habits – Smoking, Alcoholism.
- Stress, peruutusehdot.
- Pregnancy.
In most cases, the causes of the emergence of osteochondrosis is connected with the professional activity of the people. In the risk group of the following professional groups:
- Auditor;
- Cashier;
- IT staff;
- Office workers;
- professional athletes;
- Drivers of vehicles.
Found, however, that the signs of disc degeneration occur much more frequently in women, as in the case of the representatives of the stronger sex.
Stage of development
The development of osteochondrosis occurs in 4 selected Phase (in degrees):
Osteochondrosis Level 1
Characterized by the beginning of the pathological process in polipozom core of the intervertebral disc, there is a dehydration (drying out), and, in consequence, the height of the disc reduces. It membered Ring cracks chamfer begin to appear. In this stage the Patient usually does not feel any changes. Complaints can occur if you are for the people unfamiliar pose of sitting, or the active charge.
Phase 2
In the second Phase, the continuation of the osteochondrosis degenerative changes leads to a bulging Discs. Reduces the gaps between the vertebrae, the destruction of the fibrous of the capsule. As a result of the nerve roots are injured, what provoked the emergence of specific pain, the intensity of which increases with slopes, curves, other motions. Perhaps the appearance of weakness, decreased performance.
3 stages of osteochondrosis
Features delete cartilaginous strip between the discs, thinning of the material is well noticeable, if you renthenznimky. The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine, pronounced, intense character, and the pain attack is not going to happen, and you take it in the situation, only strong painkillers.
4 Phase
The fourth stage is a complex neurological disorders in the vertebral artery System, expressed in terms of a partial or complete restriction of mobility of the joints. In the case of such a diagnosis in the situation, on-the-spot connections of the spine bone growths (osteophytes) form, which bear branches of microtrauma nervous and the nearby segments of the spine.
In most cases, the symptoms of osteoarthritis 4 grade do not cause pain and unpleasant sensations, such as the joints refined look to purchase passes.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis in adults
Osteochondrosis – degenerative-dystrophic changes (destruction) of bone density in the spine, articular cartilage, ligaments, and intervertebral discs. In the course of the disease, abnormal mobility of the spine, in the soft injured parts, nerve fibres, and blood-formed vessels in the vicinity of the lesion, the pain arises.
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis:
- Pain in the back, neck, back, shoulders and even ribs;
- Complaints, stiffness of the back in certain movements, lifting something;
- Numbness of the extremities (arms and/or legs);
- a feeling of pain in the hands and feet, chills;
- Muscle cramps;
- Disorders of the sexual organs;
- Headache, Dizziness;
- Pain in the area of the heart;
- Violation of the sensitivity;
- Hypotonia;
- Fatigue, and sometimes eyes.
Contribute to the emergence of acute symptoms.excessive physical stress, fatigue, hypothermia, Trauma, concussion of a body, and the effects of vibration
Complications
Degenerative processes that lose the first thing, the intervertebral discs, lead to a reduction in their density, their damping properties of functions. The consequence of these changes is excessive mobility of the spine, and homeopathically on the facet joints, muscles and ligaments.
The destructive processes of paravertebral structures that cause compression (squeezing) of the spinal cord, its nerve endings. As a result, the Patient with osteochondrosis pain, accompanied with symptoms and diseases:
- severe headache, migraine;
- reduced visual acuity;
- partial loss of hearing;
- Radiculopathy (Sciatica);
- autonomic dysfunction (VSD);
- Functional disorders of the genitourinary system;
- Sciatica (the pinching of the sciatic nerve);
- foramina hernia;
- spondylarthrosis;
- Lumbago, Lumbalgia;
- osteophytosis, spondylosis;
- Spinal canal stenosis.
The worst thing is to appear together with osteochondrosis, you start and other diseases. The fact that in the case of damage, neurovascular bundle, deteriorating the blood supply, as a result of disease of the whole organism.
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis
In the spring, often to the aggravation of the lower parts of the spine occurs in the Winter, the chest of drawers-Department escalated. Aggravation can be in the case of a change of weather, Stress, physical stress. In the event of aggravation of the disease, painkillers, local ointments, medications, prescribe reduce swelling and muscle and reduces spasms. The use of diuretics in the case of strong swelling, but at the same time, the use of preparations of sodium and potassium must.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is based on the following methods:
- History — is the study of the complaints of the patient and clarification of the time of the occurrence, causes, duration, peculiarities of manifestations of the disease.
- Physiological Investigation:
- Diagnosis of the condition of the body, gait, mobility of the patient;
- examine the skin for the collection of parcels redness, scaling, rash;
- palpable painful areas for the determination of the local temperature, presence of edema, muscle cramps, seals;
- for the detection of the Phase of irradiation pain, percussion is performed with the fingers or a special Hammer;
- Tingling needle to help to determine pain sensitivity.
Instrumental methods of diagnosis of osteochondrosis:
- Radiological diagnosis plays an important role in this disease. Plain radiography makes it possible to identify, as the symptoms of the disease, such as the narrowing of the gap between the vertebrae.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – method of research, allowing an accurate diagnosis of the occurring processes in the area of the spine. With its help, in particular, you can determine whether grimestone drive and its localization.
- Computed tomography (CT) according to its diagnostic possibilities for the MRI. The disadvantage of CT is the presence of the radiation exposure during the examination.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine?
There is not a particular and only correct method for the treatment of Osteoarthritis – this process requires under all circumstances a comprehensive approach. If the doctor claims the opposite, should think about his professional qualification and to think about finding a different specialist.
A comprehensive program traditionally includes the following components:
- physiotherapy methods of exposure;
- special exercises and massages;
- Methods of manual therapy;
- drug treatment;
- Reflex zone massage, electrophoresis and the like;
- Traction.
Recommendations in the treatment of degenerative disc disease home:
- Avoiding harmful habits and a gradual transition to the acquisition of healthy habits. Smoking, alcohol lead to seizures and without the trapped vessels dorsal to the artery.
- Nutrition — waiver of fat and cholesterol foods contain: eggs, broths, furs, birds and pigs.
- Limit your intake of strong coffee and tea, gradually the herbal teas, and juices-Fresh.
- You can find the right mattress and pillow to sleep on, it is orthopedic desirable.
- The restoration of a normal blood circulation in Zatecka muscles, and data storage media by Massage, self-massage, to a complex of physiotherapy exercises, compresses, friction, and the taking of herbal teas and alcoholic herbal tinctures.
Drugs against osteoarthritis
Specialists in the treatment of this category of patients, prescribe drugs, with the following properties: relieve inflammation, rejuvenate the musculoskeletal system, promote the Regeneration of the fabrics of the intervertebral discs and cartilage, prevents the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration.
The treatment of osteochondrosis is the traditional way of treatment of many diseases of the musculoskeletal system: assigned NSAIDs for the elimination of the inflammation in the tissues, chondro protectors level for the restoration of the joint fluid and corticosteroids, if the first two types of drugs proved to be ineffective.
Massage
To get rid of osteochondrosis, use a variety of therapeutic procedures, including Massage. He has a lot of useful features — removes the muscle tension, the blood circulation in the area of the spine is stimulated, the intervertebral discs become stronger.
Manual therapy in osteochondrosis
Manual therapy relieves acute pain, supports the restoration of the posture. One of the most commonly used methods, the visceral therapy. In the course of the implementation of a qualitative study of the joints, the blood circulation, strengthens the immune system. Prevents the exacerbation of various chronic diseases.
Movement Therapy — Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy or exercise therapy for osteoporosis is very important. So special exercises to strengthen the back muscles, the formation of the muscular corset, which in turn ensures a uniform distribution of the load on the spine promote. In addition, thanks to regular exercise improves blood circulation and nutrition of tissues, including the intervertebral discs, the Patient produced the correct posture, increases range of motion in the spine.
To physiotherapy and gymnastics brought the expected effect, must observe the following rules:
- Exercises with osteochondrosis must perform on a regular basis.
- All movements should be smooth and slow.
- The breathing is shallow.
- Follow the frequency of the pulse.
- To reduce the occurrence of discomfort and pain in the muscles and the spine, the Amplitude and the intensity of the movements.
- And gymnastics can be a day of gymnastics in any time of the.
- For employment by medical gymnastics and gymnastics choose comfortable clothes made of natural fabrics.
- Before you start with the exercises and gymnastics must consult with the treating physician.
Physiotherapy
Effectively helps with pain symptoms in areas of localization of the pathological process. There are many kinds of physiotherapeutic action. Access is often on the use of magnetic field therapy, ultrasound therapy, as well as the impact of low-frequency currents.
Effects of this procedure can be like this:
- the normalization of metabolism in the affected areas;
- Increase the resistance of the organism;
- Analgesia;
- The improvement of micro-circulation in the spine and paravertebral tissue;
- The removal of edema;
- Reduce inflammation;
- Improving the mobility of the spine.
Osteochondrosis, like any other disease of the spine requires immediate treatment. At the first signs, you should go to the orthopedist. Stay healthy!