Many patients ask the question: "is it possible to completely cure osteochondrosis? ". In fact, it is almost impossible if the disease has reached a serious stage. With this diagnosis, the intervertebral disc gradually begins to deform and can no longer withstand the load, and eventually collapses completely, with prosthetics being the only way out. Therefore, whether osteochondrosis is treated depends on the degree of the disease, in the initial stage of which, a person can still be saved. So, how is the treatment of osteochondrosis - we will talk about it.
Characteristics of the disease
To understand what osteochondrosis is and how to treat it, you must first understand what the spine itself is. This is the basis of the skeleton, where all the vertebrae are interconnected, but remain mobile due to the presence of intervertebral discs. If osteochondrosis is not treated, then they gradually begin to disintegrate, which leads to friction between the bones, limited mobility and disability. To find out whether it is possible to cure osteochondrosis, you must first neutralize the causes of the diagnosis.
To date, the causes of the phenomenon have not been accurately identified, but experts note, due to which the disease can begin and progress:
- injury;
- hereditary factor;
- curvature of the spine, feet and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- obesity, which increases the load on the spine;
- Age;
- passive lifestyle;
- professional sports without due regard for safety;
- psychological factor, stress and nerves.
In order to begin effective treatment, it is necessary to neutralize the causes. Start leading a healthy lifestyle and try to get rid of excess weight by strengthening the muscles of the spine with the help of back exercises.
Symptoms of the disease
In the treatment of the disease, first of all, a thorough examination is carried out, they are sent for X-ray and magnetic resonance in order to find out precisely the condition of the spine. After all, the symptoms and treatment of the disease can be different depending on the stage of diagnosis:
- In the first stage, there are usually no symptoms. There may be slight discomfort during movement. The intervertebral disc is only slightly displaced to the side.
- Osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree already occurs in the patient in the form of back pain. Disc protrusion begins. In addition to pain, the patient constantly feels tired. Conservative methods are sufficient for treatment.
- The third degree is disc rupture. This process is already considered irreversible and it is impossible to completely cure the disease. Often there is a hernia. A deformed disc presses on the nerves and blood vessels, which, depending on the location, can cause headaches, discomfort in the limbs, and the internal organs also suffer.
- In the last stage, the intervertebral disc is already destroyed, and the destruction of blood vessels and the spinal cord continues. The patient is assigned a disability, there is a serious limitation of movement.
How is the treatment carried out?
Many do not even know which doctor treats osteochondrosis of the spine and determines effective methods for each specific case. This is a vertebrologist who studies in detail the spine and the musculoskeletal system as a whole, deals with all related diagnoses. Now everyone knows who treats osteochondrosis. In addition, this specialist correctly selects the treatment and points out possible contraindications for the diagnosis of osteochondrosis:
- It is primarily the use of certain foods, especially if you are overweight. The diet should be strictly followed. Therefore, if you want to know how to get rid of osteochondrosis, proper nutrition is your best medicine.
- The second point is the load. It is not necessary to ensure complete rest in the initial stages. However, in order to determine how to cure osteochondrosis, it is necessary to identify its stage and prescribe specific exercises. Professional sports are a clear contraindication.
After patients have decided which doctor to consult for osteochondrosis, they should visit this specialist as soon as possible. After a complete examination, he prescribes treatment: either conservative methods or surgical intervention.
Conservative methods
There are many options for what to do with osteochondrosis. Modern techniques include various back procedures, surgeries and medications. Depending on how long the disease lasts and what symptoms are present, help for osteochondrosis is selected. In the first two stages, conservative treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, which includes:
- Medicines, they can be tablets, injections or droppers for osteochondrosis.
- Physiotherapy courses. Specifically, Bernard currents.
- Strict adherence to diet.
- Certain physical therapy.
The composition of the dropper includes anti-inflammatory painkillers. They also take muscle relaxants that relax muscles and help them cope with overstrain. In addition, be sure to include chondroprotectors that can stop the destruction of cartilage tissue. Courses of these drugs provide effective treatment for osteochondrosis of the back. Help begins with relief from pain, and only after the acute syndrome is removed, the main treatment begins.
Another point that needs to be clarified in order to find out how to treat osteochondrosis of the back is the causes of the disease. It is important to neutralize them by starting to lead a healthy lifestyle (proper nutrition, diet), choosing vitamins for general strengthening of the body. Physiotherapy also helps tissues recover faster, promotes normal circulation and healing. It works great together with physiotherapy exercises, which strengthens the back muscles. Bernard currents are most often used, which bring excellent results.
Unfortunately, conservative advice on the treatment of osteochondrosis helps only in the first two stages of the disease.
Surgical
Surgery helps to resolve any serious diagnosis. Even in the case where one vertebra has grown into another, the disc is severely deformed or herniated. Modern medical experience and the latest technology help to cure even the most difficult situations. Two types of surgery are used to treat osteochondrosis:
- Hernia removal. This is a fairly simple intervention. The incision is made no more than one centimeter. The patient can move independently on the second day and is recovering quickly.
- Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis of the last stage consists only in the complete removal of the intervertebral disc. In its place, a new special prosthesis is installed, which enables the separation and cushioning of the vertebrae.
Patients should not be afraid of this technique. Thanks to surgery, the flexibility and mobility of the spine is often restored. Modern silicone prostheses easily cope with the loads of the musculoskeletal system. This is a relatively new technique in the treatment of osteochondrosis, but there are practically no contraindications and no long recovery period.
Complex treatment
Comprehensive treatment of osteochondrosis includes several procedures at once. Some of them are carried out in the hospital, while others must be carried out responsibly by the patient himself. The course of treatment in the day-care hospital includes Bernard currents. A special apparatus of diadynamic currents is ideal for deciding how to defeat osteochondrosis. This procedure is completely safe and has practically no contraindications.
The treatment regimen is applied when the acute phase has passed. Therefore, the best physiotherapy method in this situation is Bernard currents. In addition, it can be massaged. Physiotherapy exercises are a mandatory part of treating osteochondrosis at home. You learn different exercises under the guidance of a doctor, and then you regularly repeat them at home.
An important part of solving the question of how to deal with osteochondrosis is self-treatment at home. Here, in addition to exercise therapy, you can also turn to traditional medicine, but again under the supervision of a doctor. Consider several recipes for folk remedies that can be used as ointments:
- A spoonful of flour, half a package of butter, an egg and a spoonful of vinegar should be mixed until it becomes smooth, and then poured in a warm place. After that, you can rub the mixture into the affected area of the back.
- Honey, radish juice and vodka are mixed with each other in the proportions 1: 1, 5: 0. 1, the application is similar.
- The last recipe is quite spring-like: a glass of lilac flowers is soaked with half a liter of vodka for 10 days, and then an excellent rubbing mixture is obtained.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine outside the home? The fight against illness can be much more effective if you go on vacation for a spa treatment. So you can not only heal your back, but also restore your body after a long illness.
Rehabilitation and prevention
Rehabilitation is a set of measures after which a person who has overcome osteochondrosis can return to a normal full life. Elderly people can regain mobility only with the help of long-term rehabilitation procedures. The doctor carefully selects a complex, in which there must be exercises, a certain daily routine, a certain diet. Rehabilitation of osteochondrosis of the spine includes continuous treatment, as well as methods of disease prevention.
The first symptom of the disease is pain. Therefore, in case there is even the slightest discomfort in the back or there is a hereditary predisposition, it is necessary to pay enough attention to prevention. If you are overweight and other possible causes of the diagnosis, the situation is the same.
To prevent the onset of the disease, it is necessary to:
- maintain proper posture;
- engage in special exercises to strengthen the back;
- monitor nutrition;
- avoid obesity;
- get a corset if there is a curvature of the back
In the treatment of osteochondrosis, all these measures together will help to keep your back healthy and strong at any age. Take care of the spine, because it is the basis of the entire musculoskeletal system.