There is no such thing as osteochondrosis of the back in modern medicine.First, it is worth clarifying that the term osteochondrosis itself is obsolete and does not exist in the current version of ICD-10.It is replaced by a degenerative dystrophic disease of the cartilage tissue of the disc.However, we will tell you about osteochondrosis of the back, its symptoms and treatment, because many patients call their condition this.They will understand what the article is about.
Therefore, osteochondrosis is degeneration of the intervertebral disc caused by malnutrition.Everything else is indirectly related to the disease.But in order to understand this process, it's necessary to know a little bit about anatomy and physiology.The main component of the human musculoskeletal system is the spine.With its help, a stable position of the internal organs in the abdominal cavity and chest is ensured.Inside the spine is the spinal cord, the structure that energizes the entire body.The spine provides flexibility to the body, allowing you to walk independently and perform any movement with your hands.It is the link between the head and the limbs.
The spine is composed of individual vertebrae.They are connected to each other through joints and ligaments.There is a long longitudinal ligament that begins in the coccyx region and ends in the occipital region.There are short transverse ligaments that connect adjacent vertebrae.The intervertebral disc is composed of a dense outer shell (annulus fibrosus) that can withstand the most extreme loads.But the annulus fibrosus has a significant drawback—it completely lacks its own capillary network.It only receives fluid when surrounding muscles actively contract and relax.Additionally, part of the nutrition is provided by diffusional exchange between the intervertebral disc and the endplates that separate the disc from the vertebrae.
If a person leads a sedentary lifestyle and his back muscles do not work actively and regularly, then the annulus fibrosus becomes dehydrated and ruptures.In its initial stages, it draws fluid from the nucleus pulposus tissue located within it.This gel ensures the normal height of the disc and its shock-absorbing capacity to evenly distribute the applied load.
As this pathological process progresses over time, the height of the intervertebral disc decreases.It loses its ability to protect the root nerves arising from the spinal cord from pressure on adjacent vertebral bodies.They get injured and develop radiculitis (inflammation of the nerves in the roots).This is a dangerous situation.Therefore, the body takes steps to compensate for the loss of the disc.This can lead to excessive tension in the back muscles.As a result, the diffuse nutrition of the remaining cartilage tissue is further destroyed.Therefore, osteochondrosis of the back is considered a rapidly developing and spreading disease.If left untreated, it can quickly affect all of the spinal discs, leaving a person disabled.
If you are concerned about back pain related to degeneration of cartilage tissue in your spine, we recommend that you do not wait for it to go away on its own.Seek medical help promptly.Osteochondrosis can be treated without surgery at any stage, except for hernia isolation.If part of the nucleus pulposus separates from the disc, only surgical intervention can help resolve the situation.
You can make an appointment with a chiropractor or neurologist.They will be able to provide you with an accurate diagnosis and prescribe effective and safe treatments.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the back
The most common causes of osteochondrosis of the back are physical inactivity, excess weight, sedentary work, and refusal to engage in regular physical activity.It is these factors that lead to the destruction of disc cartilage tissue at a young age.Later in life (after 50 years), osteochondrosis develops for slightly different reasons:
- Hormonal changes lead to loss of calcium and phosphorus from bone tissue;
- Aging degenerative changes in the body;
- Disruption of capillary blood flow in the context of atherosclerotic deformation of blood vessels;
- Metabolic disorders, such as diabetes or changes in thyroid function;
- age-related loss of muscle mass;
- changes in spinal posture and curvature;
- Chronic diseases of internal organs that reduce physical activity in humans.
Additionally, potential causes of osteochondrosis of the back may be trauma to the vertebral bodies, spinous processes, ligaments, and tendons.Improper organization of sleeping and working spaces is very important.If a person does not pay attention to the position of his body during night sleep, his risk of damage to the spine and the development of osteochondrosis increases dramatically.
You should also stop smoking and drinking alcohol.These two bad habits disrupt blood microcirculation in the disc area, causing degenerative dystrophic destruction.
The causes of osteochondrosis of the back can be nutritional and drinking habits.An adult needs to drink at least 2 liters of clean water every day to maintain water and electrolyte balance.In addition, the diet should contain all vitamins and minerals required for the regeneration of hyaline cartilage, which forms the annulus fibrosus tissue.If your diet is based on fats and refined foods, your body will quickly begin to become deficient in certain nutrients.This does not allow it to restore the integrity of all tissues, including vertebrates.
Therefore, during complex treatment of osteochondrosis of the back, an experienced doctor will definitely correct the patient's diet.She will provide him with the necessary advice on the correct arrangement of his sleeping and working space.
With osteochondrosis, the back muscles are severely overloaded.They are responsible for supporting the spine and keeping the root nerves safe.As the electrostatic voltage is prolonged, the blood circulation cycle in the capillaries changes.Muscle cells become deprived of oxygen, and the ischemic response begins quickly.Initially, it causes severe pain in the back muscles.Then the muscle cells begin to die.Short-term inflammation may occur against the background of muscle tissue necrosis.Then the muscle fibers begin to degenerate.This can have many negative consequences.Patients may develop myofascial pain syndrome.Even after osteochondrosis is successfully treated, it can persist for many years.
Therefore, the process cannot start.At the first sign of osteochondrosis, seek medical help immediately.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the back
Thoracic osteochondrosis is the least common because the vertebral bodies do not have a wide range of motion.The height of the intervertebral space is additionally secured by tightening the rib arches.Therefore, we do not consider the symptoms of such diseases in isolation.
Most commonly, osteochondrosis occurs in the lumbar region, as it bears the major shock absorption and physical loads associated with any movement of the body.Pathological symptoms include characteristic shooting pain in the lumbar region.It can spread along the inner, outer, or back surfaces of the thighs and calves, extending to the heels or toes.Gradually, neurological clinical symptoms begin to appear, such as numbness, paresthesia, decreased muscle strength, and pale and cold skin of the lower limbs.
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical and cervicothoracic spine is equally common.This disease occurs most often in people who engage in mental work.Because the neck muscles are in a state of static tension for a long time, the blood microcirculation will be disturbed and the cartilage tissue will be destroyed.
The clinical symptoms of degenerative dystrophic changes in disc cartilage tissue may be more diverse.Pain can radiate below the shoulder blades, to the heart area, and to the upper limbs.Muscle weakness soon develops in the arms.The posterior vertebral artery showed signs of impaired blood circulation.These include dizziness, decreased mental performance, frequent changes in blood pressure, drowsiness, apathy, etc.
If symptoms of osteochondrosis of the back occur, a series of clinical studies are needed.First, an X-ray is taken of the affected part of the spine.Based on them, doctors can only make a preliminary diagnosis.The condition of the spinal tissue can be examined in more detail during an MRI exam.Doppler ultrasound, soft tissue ultrasound, biochemical and general blood tests, rheumatology tests, etc. may also be required.
What to do and how to relieve pain?
If osteochondrosis of the back occurs, the first thing to do is to stop any physical activity and allow the spine and muscles to rest.During the first few days after an attack, it is best to adhere to strict bed rest.Treatment can only be prescribed by a neurologist or chiropractor.Self-administration of medications is not recommended.Not only can they negatively impact your health, but they can also make it difficult to make an accurate diagnosis in the future.
The only thing you can do to relieve back pain caused by osteochondrosis without causing harm to your health is spinal traction.It is important to restore the normal height of the intervertebral space.This will remove pressure from the root nerve and all pain will disappear without the need for additional medications.Traction can be hardware traction, manual traction, or with the help of physical exercise.Only your doctor can determine during the examination which method is appropriate for your individual situation.
How is osteochondrosis of the back treated and cured?
Even in the stage of intervertebral hernia prolapse, treatment of osteochondrosis of the back can only be carried out with conservative methods.Doctors know how to cure osteochondrosis of the back without surgery.For this purpose, osteopathy and massage, therapeutic exercises and exercise therapy, laser therapy, reflexology, etc. are used.
Before treating osteochondrosis of the back, doctors will provide patients with comprehensive personal advice and eliminate potential causes and risk factors.An individualized treatment plan is then developed.During treatment, the damaged cartilage tissue is completely restored.If you follow all the recommendations, osteochondrosis will not come back.