Such a disease as osteochondrosis of the back does not exist in modern medicine.First of all, it is worth clarifying that the term osteochondrosis itself is outdated and does not exist in the current edition of ICD-10.It was replaced by a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs.However, we will tell you about osteochondrosis of the back, its symptoms and treatment, because many patients refer to their condition as such.And they will understand what this article is about.
So, osteochondrosis is degeneration of intervertebral discs of dystrophic origin.Everything else is indirectly related to this disease.But to understand this process, it is worth taking a short excursion into anatomy and physiology.The main element of the human musculoskeletal system is the spinal column.With its help, a stable position of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity and chest is ensured.Inside the spine is the spinal cord, the structure that gives vitality to the entire body.The spine provides flexibility to the body, allowing you to walk independently and perform all movements with your hands.It is the connection between the head and the limbs.
The spinal column consists of individual vertebral bodies.They are interconnected by joints and ligaments.There are long longitudinal ligaments that start in the coccyx region and end in the nape of the neck.There are short transverse ligaments that connect adjacent vertebral bodies.Intervertebral discs consist of a dense outer sheath (annulus fibrosus) that can withstand even the most extreme loads.But the fibrous ring has one significant drawback - it completely lacks its own blood capillary network.It receives fluid only when the surrounding muscles are actively contracting and relaxing.Also, part of the nutrition is provided by the diffuse exchange between the intervertebral disc and the end plate that separates it from the vertebra.
If a person leads a sedentary lifestyle and his back muscles do not work actively and regularly, then the fibrous ring becomes dehydrated and cracks.In the initial phase, it takes fluid from the tissue of the nucleus pulposus, which is located inside it.This gelatinous body ensures the normal height of the disc and its cushioning ability to evenly distribute the applied load.
With the long course of this pathological process, the height of the intervertebral disc decreases.It loses its ability to protect the radicular nerves arising from the spinal cord from the pressure of the adjacent vertebrae.They become injured and radiculitis (inflammation of the radicular nerves) occurs.This is a dangerous situation.Therefore, the body takes measures to compensate for the lost capacity of the intervertebral discs.This causes excessive tension in the back muscles.As a result, the diffuse nutrition of the remaining cartilaginous tissues is further disturbed.Therefore, osteochondrosis of the back is considered a rapidly developing and spreading disease.Without treatment, it quickly affects all the intervertebral discs and the person becomes disabled.
If you are concerned about back pain associated with degeneration of the cartilage tissue of the spine, we recommend that you do not wait for everything to go away on its own.Seek medical attention immediately.Treatment of osteochondrosis without surgery is possible at any stage, except for hernia sequestration.If part of the nucleus pulposus has separated from the intervertebral disc, then only surgical intervention can help in this situation.
You can make an appointment with a vertebrologist or neurologist.They will be able to give you an accurate diagnosis and prescribe effective and safe treatment.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the back
The most common causes of back osteochondrosis are physical inactivity, excess body weight, sedentary work and refusal of regular physical activity.It is these factors that cause the destruction of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs at a young age.In the later period of life (after 50 years), osteochondrosis develops for slightly different reasons:
- hormonal changes that lead to leaching of calcium and phosphorus from bone tissue;
- gerontological degenerative changes in the body;
- capillary blood flow disorder on the background of atherosclerotic deformations of blood vessels;
- metabolic disorders, such as diabetes or changes in thyroid function;
- age-related decrease in muscle mass;
- changes in posture and curvature of the spine;
- chronic diseases of internal organs that reduce a person's physical activity.
In addition, potential causes of the development of osteochondrosis of the back can be traumatic injuries to the bodies of the vertebrae, their spinous processes, ligaments and tendons.Improper organization of sleeping and working space is of no small importance.If a person does not attach importance to the position of his body during a night's sleep, then his risk of destroying the spine and developing osteochondrosis increases sharply.
You should also stop smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.These two bad habits cause disruption of blood microcirculation in the area of the intervertebral discs, which causes their degenerative-dystrophic destruction.
The causes of osteochondrosis of the back can be diet and drinking regime.An adult should drink at least 2 liters of clean water a day to maintain water and electrolyte balance.Also, the diet should contain all the vitamins and minerals used in the regeneration of the hyaline cartilage that makes up the tissues of the fibrous rings.If the diet is dominated by fatty and refined food, the body quickly begins to feel the lack of certain nutrients.This does not allow him to restore the integrity of all tissues, including vertebrates.
Therefore, when carrying out complex treatment of osteochondrosis of the back, an experienced doctor will definitely correct the patient's diet.She will give him the necessary recommendations regarding the proper organization of his sleeping and working space.
With osteochondrosis, the muscles of the back experience serious overload.They are responsible for supporting the spinal column and ensuring the safety of the radicular nerves.With prolonged static tension, the blood circulation cycle in the capillaries changes.Myocytes begin to experience oxygen starvation and an ischemic reaction rapidly begins.At first it causes severe pain in the back muscles.Then the myocytes begin to die.Short-term inflammation can occur against the background of muscle tissue necrosis.Then the degeneration of muscle fibers begins.This entails a number of negative consequences.Patients may develop myofascial pain syndrome.It lasts for many years even after successful treatment of osteochondrosis.
Therefore, this process cannot be started.As soon as the first signs of osteochondrosis appear, seek medical help immediately.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the back
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic back is the rarest, because there is no wide range of mobility of the vertebral bodies.The height of the intervertebral spaces is additionally secured by attaching the costal arches.Therefore, we will not consider the symptoms of this type of disease separately.
Most often, osteochondrosis develops in the lumbar region, since it bears the main load that absorbs shocks and the physical load associated with any movements of the human body.Symptoms of the pathology include a characteristic shooting pain in the lumbar region.It can spread along the inner, outer or back surface of the thigh and lower leg, spreading to the heel or toes.Gradually, neurological clinical signs begin to appear, such as numbness, paresthesias, reduced muscle strength, pallor and coldness of the skin of the lower extremities.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical and cervicothoracic spine is not rarely diagnosed.This disease most often develops in people engaged in mental work.With prolonged static tension in the neck muscles, blood microcirculation is disturbed and cartilage tissue is destroyed.
Clinical symptoms in this localization of degenerative dystrophic changes in the cartilage tissue of the discs can be more diverse.The pain can radiate under the shoulder blade, in the region of the heart and in the upper limbs.Weakness of the muscles in the hands appears quickly.There are signs of impaired blood circulation in the posterior vertebral arteries.These are dizziness, reduced mental ability, frequent changes in blood pressure, drowsiness, apathy, etc.
If symptoms of osteochondrosis of the back appear, it is necessary to conduct a series of clinical studies.First of all, X-ray imaging of the affected part of the spine is prescribed.Based on them, the doctor can only make a preliminary diagnosis.A more detailed examination of the tissue condition of the spinal column is possible during an MRI examination.Doppler ultrasound, soft tissue ultrasound, biochemical and general blood tests, rheumatic tests, etc. may also be needed.
What to do and how to relieve the pain?
The first thing to do in the case of osteochondrosis of the back is to stop any physical activity and provide relative rest to the spine and muscles.In the first few days after the attack, it is better to adhere to strict bed rest.Treatment can only be prescribed by a neurologist or vertebrologist.Self-medication is not recommended.Not only can they have a negative impact on your health, but they can also make it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis in the future.
The only thing you can do to relieve back pain due to osteochondrosis and not harm your health is spinal traction.It is important to restore the normal height of the intervertebral spaces.This will remove the pressure from the radicular nerves and all pain will disappear without additional use of pharmacological drugs.Traction can be hardware, manual or with the help of physical exercises.Only a doctor can determine which method is appropriate in your individual case during the examination.
How to treat and cure osteochondrosis of the back?
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the back can be carried out exclusively by conservative methods, even in the prolapse phase of the intervertebral hernia.Doctors know how to cure osteochondrosis of the back without surgery.Osteopathy and massage, therapeutic exercises and kinesiotherapy, laser therapy, reflexology and much more are used for this purpose.
Before treating osteochondrosis of the back, the doctor gives the patient extensive individual recommendations, the application of which eliminates potential causes and risk factors.Then an individual course of therapy is developed.During the treatment, the damaged cartilage tissue is completely restored.If all recommendations are followed, relapses of osteochondrosis do not occur.