Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which the intervertebral discs (and subsequently the body of the vertebrae, joints and ligaments) lose their ability to normal functioning.
The cause of osteochondrosis is currently considered a set of factors that affect the spine during a person’s life.An additional risk of osteochondrosis develops the resulting injuries of the spinal column, as well as disruption of posture.Some patients note the connection of the onset of the disease and hypothermia.
In practice, it is customary to consider
- cervical osteochondrosis,
- Osteochondrosis of the thoracic and
- lumbar spine.
Separately, it should be noted that osteochondrosis is common, characterized by damage to several spine parts at once.
The most common is the cervical and thoracic shapes, since it is these spine departments that are subject to the greatest loads.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis, patients describe symptoms such as:
- paroxysmal or shooting pain in the spine affected by osteochondrosis;
- increased pain after physical exertion, as well as in the morning;
- Pain can be given to the neck, arm or leg, as well as in the chest;
- Sensation of crunch when performing twisting.
Osteochondrosis is also characterized by symptoms of a neurological nature on the affected side:
- partial motion violations (paresis);
- unpleasant sensations in the form of goosebumps, tingling (paresthesia);
- On palpation, the tension of the muscles corresponding to the affected department is determined.
The disease begins and develops gradually, not sharply.
It is necessary to distinguish osteochondrosis of the spine from coronary heart disease (with coronary heart disease, the occurrence of pain is not associated with physical activity, but is due to side factors: cough, prolonged seat).
Treatment
The same symptoms can be signs of various diseases, and the disease may not occur according to the textbook.Do not try to be treated yourself - consult your doctor.
Osteochondrosis therapy always requires an integrated approach.In treatment, the attention of doctors such as therapist, rheumatologist, neuropathologist and physiotherapist is necessary.The treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine depends on the localization, the prevailing symptoms and the severity of the disease.
Conservative therapy is aimed at eliminating pain symptoms, as well as restoring the normal function of the spine.
Rational nutrition for osteochondrosis greatly facilitates the patient's condition and promotes more effective therapy.Read more about the principles of nutrition for osteochondrosis in our separate article.
About 10% of patients are sent for surgical treatment.The absolute indicator for surgical intervention in osteochondrosis is the appearance of neurological disorders due to pinching of the spinal cord itself.
Additional indicators for surgical treatment of osteochondrosis are considered to be the following:
- prolonged periodic attacks of pain;
- increased mobility and suspicion of instability in the spine;
- ineffectiveness of drug therapy for 3 months;
- Pronounced disorders that prevent the patient from leading a full life.
Methods of surgical treatment
Surgical interventions with minimal traumation:
- Preparations-injections-enzyme preparations are administered into the intervertebral disk after firing with the aim of scarring of the nucleus and the fibrous ring of the disk.
- Puncture nucleotomy - interrogation of the intervertebral disc for removing part of the poison.
- Disha denervation - a drug is introduced into the intervertebral disk that blocks the sensitivity of the nerve endings.
The remaining methods of surgical treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine are less gentle.These include:
- Full or partial removal of the intervertebral disc or its hernia - this operation is aimed at reducing compression symptoms.
- Prosthetics of the intervertebral discs - the main task is to fix the affected vertebral segments.
Operational methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine provide a forecast for a complete recovery in only 50% of cases.
With timely treatment, the prognosis for life is almost always favorable, but the prognosis for working capacity can be different due to a number of factors.
Exercises for osteochondrosis
Exercise 1.
Tilt your head forward, while pressing on the forehead with woven fingers.Closely press your fingers on the back of the head and whiskey - left, right.The head counteracts the pressure of the hands, and the hands - the pressure of the head.Spend 10 seconds.for every movement.
Exercise 2.
Put the tips of four fingers on the forehead against each other, gently press on the skin with the entire surface of the palm and with soft traction movements stretch it for 10-40 seconds.We can do the same stretching at the temple in the longitudinal and transverse direction.The same - on the ear - to stretch it in all directions, especially the lobe.That.You improve blood circulation in areas rich in biologically active points.
Exercise 3.
This type of massage improves blood flow in jugular veins, and the nutrition of the brain improves.Sit exactly, back is straight.Slowly take your head back, helping with your hand, pressing on the chin back and up.You can slowly turn your head a little left and right.Stay in this position for about a minute.For children, 10 seconds are enough.
Exercise 4.
This exercise improves the functioning of the cervical nervous plexus.Sit exactly, back is straight.Slowly tilt your head forward, trying to touch your chest chin.Put the woven fingers on the back of the head, press forward and up, raising the back of the head.Sit like that for about a minute.After 15 minutes you can repeat.
Exercise 5.
Raise your shoulders up, trying to get it to your ears, lower, free, faster - for 15 seconds.Now alternately - one shoulder up, the other is down, also 15 seconds.Pull the cervical spine with your palms.