Osteochondrosis

November 24, 2012

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Osteochondrosis - A disease in which there are degenerative-dystrophic processes in the tissues of the spine. Develops the defeat of the intervertebral discs, joint surfaces that are adjacent to them, vertebral, ligamentous apparatus. As a rule, initially with osteochondrosis lesions occur in the bones and ligaments. Moreover, the beginning of disease a person realizes only when it begins to suffer from complications such condition - back pain, sensory loss, muscle atrophy, disorders of the internal organs.

This disease is widespread among modern humans: According to various sources, osteochondrosis sick up to 90% of the world population. Generally the disease affects people who are over 30 years old. To date, most often detected lumbar osteochondrosis (about half the time).

Stages of osteochondrosis

The disease develops in humans gradually. In first stage   progression of the disease process starts dehydrating nucleus pulposus. As a consequence, reducing disc height decreases and in anulus fibrosus cracks. However, outside of the intervertebral disc lesions occur.

In second stage a convergence of two adjacent vertebrae as a result of lowering the height of the disk state, the point of attachment of muscles and ligaments. Because of the sagging muscles and ligaments appears excessive mobility of the vertebrae that provokes instability of the vertebral-motor segment. During this period, the vertebrae can slide or shift while forming spondylolisthesis .

To Third step   characterized by the development of osteoarthritis marked morphological changes in the intervertebral discs. It is the formation of prolapse and disc protrusion, developing subluxations in the intervertebral joints and vertebral joints, unko.

In the event of the fourth stage   adaptive changes occur in the affected vertebrae. In this case, the human body adapts to the mobility of the vertebrae is too strong, breaking it. Due to the immobilization of the spine appear osteophytes - Bony growths on the boundary surfaces of adjacent vertebral bodies. Osteophyte can injure the nerve root. Gradually fibrotic changes in the intervertebral discs and joints. As a result, it formed a kind of armor in the vertebral-motor segment, and display gradually disappear.

Causes of osteoarthritis

Experts express different assumptions about the causes that contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. These reasons are called mechanical spinal injury , Disturbances in the body's metabolic processes, predisposition to disease, having hereditary. However, a clear cause of the disease is difficult to determine because of the prevalence of the disease. It is common among the young and the elderly; in physically strong and have little training.

Sometimes you can hear the opinion that the symptoms of osteoarthritis are caused by salt deposits in the human spine. Patients often talk about the deposition of salts, if they hear the creaking and crunching in the joints. In fact, the disease develops as a result of eating disorders tissues. Consequently, their structure is slowly degenerating. In the tissues of bone and cartilage are constantly going renovation process. If a person has a regular adequate exercise, the tissue becomes firmer. But people who are largely sedentary lifestyle, such fabric is less sturdy.

In addition, the cause of degenerative disc disease can be overweight, impaired posture, adverse environmental conditions, especially position of the body during operation, the uneven development of musculoskeletal system, pregnancy , Stress, hypothermia, infection.

Thus, the range of factors that provoke the disease, is very wide. Not the least role in this process is played by characteristics of blood flow and nutrition of cartilage and bone. The vertebral discs of adults do not have the vessels, and therefore oxygen, and all the necessary nutrients wheels receive from the neighboring tissue. Therefore, for normal power drive of the spine need to blood circulation in the surrounding tissues are constantly active. You can speed up this process by providing active muscles.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

Manifestations of the disease can be varied and are directly dependent on what stage of the disease remains. The most pronounced symptoms of the disease manifest themselves in the propagation of the pathological process in the posterior part of the annulus fibrosus and posterior longitudinal ligament. During activation of the pathological process in the patient develops reflex   and Compression neurological syndromes .

Osteochondrosis can occur at many different parts of the body, so the symptoms of the disease is very wide. Patient with osteochondrosis may occur pain in the extremities or numbness, sometimes disturbed pain in the chest, dysfunctions of reproductive organs, headache. At the same time people do not realize that the cause of such manifestations - osteochondrosis.

If a patient develops a steohondroz thoracic spine , The symptoms may resemble symptoms of heart disease: angina . myocardial infarction . That is why the practice is sometimes mistaken treatment that leads to further progression of osteoarthritis. Therefore, in cases of suspected development of this disease the person should immediately consult a doctor and undergo the necessary research.

Osteochondrosis primarily causes pain and a strong sense of discomfort in the back. In some cases, the pain occurs periodically, is impermanent. For some time it may disappear. But for every person of the pain should be a very disturbing symptom and a cause for concern. It is important to think about and determine what caused the pain. For example, it could be a powerful exercise, heavy lifting, and others.

The following indicative symptoms that occur osteochondrosis of the cervical spine It considered numbness in hands   and Foot And pain in them. These symptoms are common to other kinds of degenerative disc disease. Most often, the pain develops in the left leg or arm, and sometimes gives the heart, in the ribs. In the case of symptoms such do not need to immediately rush to take medicine from the heart or other diseases, and should listen carefully and assess the nature of pain, it changes depending on what a person does at the moment. All his observations should detail retell the doctor, after which the patient is assigned to a massage, gymnastics, practiced by other treatments. Message to a specialist on the early stages of the disease will allow for more effective treatment of it.

So most patients diagnosed with low back pain, complain of discomfort in the spine in different places, on pain of varying intensity and character. They exhibit a higher level of fatigue, which manifests itself in physical and mental work. May disrupt the sensitivity in different areas of the body, most commonly in the legs. Also, patients can celebrate cold in the hands and feet. Manifestation of osteochondrosis of the cervical often dizziness   and headache. It can also significantly decrease visual acuity.

If the patient has a place osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine , In this case, may occur a variety of human disorders of the reproductive system. After the treatment of degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral men often report improvement potency . At the same time, if the sacral spine osteochondrosis develops in women, it can complicate the process of conceiving and carrying a pregnancy. In addition to these symptoms in osteochondrosis of the other possible symptoms: muscle spasms, difficulty in movement, shooting pains, and others.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis

The most important point in the diagnosis of degenerative disc disease is a medical history, and the most important point in the process becomes a survey of the patient, the doctor should state that all complaints in detail. If some of the symptoms of the disease are determined characteristic manifestations of osteochondrosis, then there are also many signs that it is important to differentiate from symptoms of other diseases. Violations of the functions of many organs, manifested in osteochondrosis, often similar to the symptoms gastritis . angina . stomach ulcers . That is why every symptom of osteochondrosis is subjected to a detailed study and analysis.

During the diagnosis the doctor takes into account the patient's age, the development of symptoms. To clarify the diagnosis, to apply additional methods of investigation. Most often, in this case the practice of radiological research. To determine the condition of the patient is carried out plain radiography of the spine. If there are more specific complaints, practiced aiming X-rays directed at the place of defeat.

Relatively complex method of diagnosis is considered myelography. This test involves the introduction into the spinal canal contrast fluid. In this case there is risk of damage to the spinal cord, as well as of allergic reactions. But while this method is considered to be informative, if necessary, to determine the presence of spinal hernia.

In addition, the practice of application of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging. However, they are relatively expensive, so practiced mainly if necessary make a differential diagnosis and to determine the presence of tumors of the spine.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

To the treatment of degenerative disc disease of the spine to take effect, it is necessary to provide not only accurate diagnosis, but also a comprehensive approach to the problem. A doctor usually prescribe treatment depending on what kind of spine was struck. The main methods of treatment of the cervical and thoracic and lumbar spine are massage . manual therapy . acupuncture . electrostimulation . physiotherapy . Vacuum Therapy . traction As well as other methods. Can practice a parallel treatment of folk remedies.

The doctor prescribes a treatment so as to ensure the removal of disturbing the patient's symptoms, and the causes that causes abnormalities of the spine. Cropped pain through the use of physical therapy, medications. Also practiced special exercises in spinal osteochondrosis.

One of the main methods of treatment of osteochondrosis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system is the use of physical therapy. To do this, use the special equipment for rehabilitation. With regular implementation of tailor-made specialist exercise can improve blood circulation, increase metabolism. As a consequence, improves nutrition of intervertebral discs, and the load on the spine is reduced.

The method involves physiotherapy effects on the various physical factors. With current low frequency magnetic fields, laser and others. Efficiently relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and the parallel medication is more effective. With the help of massage can relieve tension and pain of muscles, activate blood circulation. Chiropractic allows the relief of acute and persistent chronic pain in the joints and spine, increase range of motion, as well as providing an overall positive effect on the body. The procedure for spinal traction is used to relieve severe pain. It is performed using special equipment. In the process of increasing the intervertebral space, recovering form the spine. Drug treatment is practiced mainly in the period of exacerbation.

But in most cases, even an effective treatment can only slow down the progression of the disease, prevent relapse. Cure completely only in the early stages of degenerative disc disease. It is important to consider that the duration of treatment depends on how the disease started, therapies, as well as on how well the patient performs all appointments and doctor's advice. Typically, the period of active treatment lasts from one to three months. After surgery the man recovered about one year. If conservative therapy does not bring the expected results, and there are special indications, the doctor prescribes conduct surgery.

Preventing osteochondrosis

People who are already suffering from the symptoms of degenerative disc disease, you must try not to overload the spine and to minimize pressure in the intervertebral discs. It is advisable to always try to keep your back straight, avoid the trauma of the spine. Important comfortable bed for a night's sleep: it is necessary to choose the individual mattress. Do not lift weights weighing more than 10 kg, and to raise the subject, it is necessary initially to sit down, take the thing and then get up with him. Women should not wear shoes with very high heels. In addition, people who complain of pain in the back, should be every day to do exercises that strengthen the muscle corset. We recommend that you go swimming.