Many patients will ask: "Is it possible to completely cure osteochondrosis? ". In fact, this is almost impossible if the disease has reached a severe stage. With this diagnosis, the disc gradually begins to deform, can no longer bear the load, and eventually collapses completely, and the only way out is a prosthesis. Therefore, whether or not to treat osteochondrosis depends on the severity of the condition, and in the early stages, a person can still be saved. So what is the treatment for osteochondrosis - we will discuss this.
Disease characteristics
In order to understand what osteochondrosis is and how to treat it, you first need to understand what the spine itself is. This is the base of the skeleton, all vertebrae are connected to each other but remain mobile due to the presence of the intervertebral discs. If osteochondrosis is left untreated, they can gradually begin to break down, causing friction between bones, limited mobility, and disability. To determine whether it is possible to cure osteochondrosis, you first need to neutralize the cause of the diagnosis.
To date, the cause of the appearance has not been pinpointed, but experts note that so the disease can begin and progress:
- Injuried;
- genetic factors;
- Spinal curvature, foot and other musculoskeletal disorders;
- obesity, which increases the load on the spine;
- age;
- passive lifestyle;
- Occupational sports that do not pay attention to safety;
- Psychological factors, stress and nerves.
In order to initiate effective treatment, the cause must be eliminated. Start living a healthy lifestyle and try to shed excess pounds by strengthening your spinal muscles with the help of back exercises.
symptoms of disease
Treatment for the disease begins with a thorough examination, and they are sent for X-rays and MRI images to get an accurate picture of the condition of the spine. After all, depending on the stage of diagnosis, the symptoms and treatment of the disease can vary:
- In the first stage, there are usually no symptoms. There may be slight discomfort during exercise. The discs move only slightly to the sides.
- Secondary osteochondrosis has been reported to patients in the form of back pain. Disk protruding begins. In addition to pain, patients often experience fatigue. For treatment, a conservative approach is sufficient.
- The third degree is a ruptured disc. This process has been considered irreversible and a complete cure for the disease is not possible. Hernias are often present. The deformed disc compresses nerves and blood vessels, and depending on the location, may cause headaches, discomfort in the limbs, and affect internal organs.
- In the final stage, the intervertebral disc has been destroyed, and the destruction of the blood vessels and spinal cord continues. The patient was designated as disabled with severely restricted movement.
How does treatment work?
Many people don't even know which doctor treats osteochondrosis of the spine and determines what works for each specific case. This is a spondylologist who studies the spine and the entire musculoskeletal system in detail, handling all diagnoses associated with it. Now everyone knows who treats osteochondrosis. In addition, this expert correctly chose the treatment and highlighted possible contraindications to the diagnosis of osteochondrosis:
- This is mainly with the use of certain foods, especially if you are overweight. The diet should be strictly followed. So, if you are wondering 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 during the initial phase. However, in order to determine how to cure osteochondrosis, it is necessary to identify its stages and prescribe specific exercises. Professional sports are a clear contraindication.
After a patient decides to see a doctor for osteochondrosis, they should do so as soon as possible. After a thorough examination, he prescribed treatment: conservative methods or surgical intervention.
conservative approach
There are many options for treating osteochondrosis. Modern techniques include various back surgeries, surgeries and medical treatments. Choose help for osteochondrosis based on the duration of the disease and the symptoms present. In the first two stages, conservative treatment of spinal osteochondrosis includes:
- Medications, which can be tablets, injections, or droppers for osteochondrosis.
- Physical therapy courses. Especially Bernard currents.
- Strictly follow the diet.
- Certain physical therapy.
The ingredients of the dropper include anti-inflammatory pain relievers. They also take muscle relaxants, which relax the muscles and help them cope with overwork. Also, be sure to include chondroprotective agents that stop cartilage tissue destruction. These drug regimens provide an effective treatment for back osteochondrosis. Help starts with getting rid of the pain, and only after the acute syndrome is eliminated do they start the main treatment.
The second point that needs to be clarified in order to find out how to treat osteochondrosis of the back is the cause of the onset of the disease. It is important to neutralize them by starting to live a healthy lifestyle (proper nutrition, diet), choosing vitamins to enhance the overall strength of the body. Physical therapy also helps tissues recover faster, promoting normal circulation and healing. It works well in conjunction with physical therapy exercises that strengthen your back muscles. Most of the time, Bernard's current is used, which gives good results.
Unfortunately, conservative recommendations for osteochondrosis treatment only help in the first two stages of the disease.
Surgery
Surgery can help with any serious diagnosis. Even when one vertebra has grown into another, the disc has been severely deformed or hernia has developed. Modern medical experience and the latest technology help to cure the most difficult conditions. For the treatment of osteochondrosis, two types of surgery are used:
- Hernia excision. This is a fairly simple intervention. The incision does not exceed one centimeter. The patient was able to move independently the next day and recovered quickly.
- Surgical treatment for final stage osteochondrosis consists only of complete removal of the intervertebral disc. In its place is a new special prosthesis that provides separation and cushioning of the vertebrae.
Patients should not be afraid of this technique. It is because of the surgery that the flexibility and mobility of the spine is often restored. Modern silicone prostheses can easily cope with loads on the musculoskeletal system. This is a relatively new technique for treating osteochondrosis, but there are practically no contraindications and a long recovery period.
complex processing
Comprehensive treatment for osteochondrosis involves several procedures at a time. Some of these are performed in hospitals, while others must be performed responsibly by the patients themselves. The course of treatment at the hospital during the inpatient day includes Bernard currents. A special dual power current device is ideal for deciding how to beat osteochondrosis. The procedure is completely safe and has few contraindications.
The treatment regimen is applied when the acute phase has passed. Therefore, the best physical therapy in this situation is Bernard current. Also, it can be massaged. A mandatory part of treating osteochondrosis at home is physical therapy exercises. You learn various exercises under the guidance of a doctor, and then repeat them regularly at home.
An important part of working out how to deal with osteochondrosis is self-treatment at home. Here, in addition to exercise therapy, you can turn to traditional medicine, but again, under the supervision of a doctor. Consider several folk remedies that can be used as ointments:
- Combine a spoonful of flour, half a package of butter, an egg, and a spoonful of vinegar until smooth, then infuse in a warm place. After that, you can rub the mixture onto the affected area on your back.
- Honey, radish juice and vodka are mixed with each other in a ratio of 1: 1. 5: 0. 1, and the application is similar.
- The last recipe is quite spring: add half a liter of vodka to a glass of lilac for 10 days and get a nice rubbing mix.
How to treat spinal osteochondrosis outside the home? Fighting the disease is 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 the set of measures after which a person who has overcome osteochondrosis can return to a normal, fulfilling life. Older adults can regain mobility only with the help of long-term rehabilitation programs. The attending physician carefully selects a complex in which there must be exercise, a certain routine, a specific nutritional system. Rehabilitation for spinal osteochondrosis includes ongoing treatment as well as ways to prevent the disease.
The first symptom of this disease is pain. Therefore, once there is a slight back discomfort or a genetic predisposition, it is necessary to pay enough attention to prevention. The same is true if you are overweight and have other possible causes of the diagnosis.
To prevent the disease, it is necessary to:
- maintain correct posture;
- perform special exercises to strengthen the back;
- monitoring nutrition;
- avoid obesity;
- Wear a corset if the back is curved
All of these measures will help keep your back healthy and strong at any age when it comes to treating osteochondrosis. Take care of the spine as it is the foundation of the entire musculoskeletal system.