A certain therapist with 50 years of experience once remarked: "When I started working, there was not a single young patient with osteochondrosis on site. And today almost every second 30-year-old has this problem."
Lack of exercise, metabolic disorders, spinal injuries, excess weight, unbalanced diet, prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, stress, hypothermia, smoking are modern paths to chronic degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs and, as a result, in the vertebrae themselves. This is osteochondrosis (from ancient Greek osteon - bone, chondros - cartilage).
Osteochondrosis is a disease caused by salt deposits in the spine
Incorrect.The intervertebral disc consists of a 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 spine and its load-bearing capacity is disrupted.As a result, the vertebrae begin to compress the adjacent nerve and muscle tissue and grow at the edges, forming the so-called.Osteophytes that produce a characteristic crunching sound when moved (patients mistakenly explain it as “salt deposition”).
If the back and neck hurt, it 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 belongs to the group of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine, there is also arthrosis and osteoporosis, the differentiation of which can only be made after a comprehensive examination.
Degenerative-dystrophic changes occur in 30-50% of cases in 30-40 year olds and in 75-100% of cases in people over 40 years old.
These pathological processes account for 20.4% of the total structure of disability caused by diseases of the osteoarticular system.
Walking for long periods of time damages the spine
On the contrary.Physical activity has a positive effect on the function of the spine: it maintains muscle tone, maintains the mobility of the intervertebral vertebrae, and stimulates blood circulation and metabolism.Physical inactivity and prolonged stay in one position, especially an uncomfortable one, are “to blame” for the progression of the disease.
It's another matter if an overweight person walks a lot and carries heavy things, then the spine is exposed to increased stress.
Flat feet contribute to the development of osteochondrosis
That's right.The arches of the feet, like the physiological curvatures of the spine, are designed to absorb shock loads from walking, running and jumping.If the foot does not provide adequate protection when interacting with the support, the spine is subjected to additional stress, which significantly impairs the nutrition and function 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 constantly aching back pain, which is often accompanied by numbness and pain in the limbs.Over time, if left untreated, the muscles of the limbs atrophy, the joints of the spine become less mobile, and muscle spasms occur.
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (see figure), the 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 due to arterial spasm in response to the effects of bone growth, as well as due to intervertebral disc herniation and arthrosis of the intervertebral joint as a reflex response to spinal receptor irritation.
If a person suffers from coronary or cardiovascular disease, the course is aggravated by vertebral artery syndrome.
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, there is pain in the chest (a feeling as if a stake was stuck there) - in the area of the heart and other internal organs;with lumbosacral lesions - in the lower back (irradiation of the sacrum, lower extremities, sometimes the pelvic organs).
When complications of osteochondrosis occur (herniated disc, bone growth, spondylolisthesis, spondyloarthrosis), damage to the nerve roots is detected - the pain becomes stabbing, sensitivity increases, weakness appears in the innervated muscles, and the severity of reflexes decreases.
Osteochondrosis can lead to dysfunction of a wide variety of organs and tissues
That's right.Hippocrates also taught that all human diseases are related to the spine, as it is a kind of foundation of the body.
With osteochondrosis, there is an increased risk of circulatory disorders in the cerebellum, trunk and occipital areas.A constant headache occurs - first in the back of the head, then spreading to the area of the vertex and temples and intensifying when moving the neck (more often in the morning).Elderly people may lose consciousness if they suddenly turn their head.This is preceded by dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision and hearing, nausea and vomiting.
Sometimes there is pain in the heart area - persistent, pressing, boring.With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, especially in old age, there is often a change in the soft tissues - they become denser.
Degenerative processes in the spine can lead to obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract and disruption of the bronchopulmonary system, which is fraught with inflammatory and other complaints.
Vegetative-vascular dystonia, intercostal neuralgia - consequences of osteochondrosis
Not really.Osteochondrosis can be one of the reasons (by no means the only one) for the development of these diseases.As intervertebral discs wear and osteophytes grow, narrowing and deformation of the intervertebral foramina and vertebral artery canal occurs, resulting in injury to various structures.In particular, with compression of the nerve roots, signs of intercostal neuralgia appear; with compression of the vertebral artery, the same symptoms appear as with vegetative-vascular dystonia.
It is impossible to cure osteochondrosis
In fact, the structures of the spine that have undergone degenerative changes cannot be completely restored.Nevertheless, appropriate comprehensive treatment can eliminate the symptoms of the disease, stop the development of pathology and avoid complications.
If you have problems with intervertebral discs, it makes sense to warm up the sore areas
Incorrect.Temperature fluctuations, especially extreme ones (for example, a beginner's trip to the bathhouse), can lead to serious aggravations.In complex treatments, moderate thermal procedures are used, but they must be prescribed by a doctor.
If you make circular movements with your head with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, your health will worsen
That's right.These exercises are best for prevention - they help maintain mobility of the intervertebral joints.In severe osteochondrosis, careless circular movements can aggravate vertebral artery syndrome, radiculopathy, etc.
Treatment is not possible without nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Not really.During the remission period or if the pain is not severe, 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 relieving pain, relieving the inflammatory process and accelerating metabolic processes (intramuscular or intravenous injections).
The most effective medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are prescribed to relieve inflammation and pain (meloxicam, diclofenac, ibuprofen);for severe pain, novocaine blocks are used;Steroid drugs (epidural, intramuscular injections);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);B vitamins – to improve metabolic processes in the spine (B1, B6, B12).
Osteochondrosis can have 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 can occur.
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, 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.
Incorrect.Most patients are observed by a neurologist, and in cases of significant severity of the pathology - by a neurosurgeon or orthopedic vertebrologist.
A local doctor may also prescribe drug therapy to relieve an exacerbation.