A therapist with 50 years of experience once said: "When I started working, there was not a single young patient on the scene with osteochondrosis. Today, almost every second person in their 30s has this problem."
A sedentary lifestyle, metabolic disorders, spinal injuries, excess weight, an unbalanced diet, prolonged exposure to uncomfortable postures, stress, hypothermia, and smoking are all modern pathways to chronic degeneration of the intervertebral discs and, in turn, of the vertebrae themselves.This is osteochondrosis (from the ancient Greek osteon - bone, chondros - cartilage).
Osteochondrosis is a disease caused by salt deposits in the spine
Wrong.The intervertebral disc is composed of the nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, and hyaline cartilage covering the upper and lower parts of it.When these elements are disrupted, the balance between load and bearing capacity on the spine is disrupted.As a result, the vertebrae begin to compress adjacent nerve and muscle tissue and grow along the edges, forming what are called vertebrae.Osteophytes, which produce a characteristic crunching sound when moved (misinterpreted by patients as "salt deposits").
If your back and neck hurt, it's all osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is not the only cause of spinal pain.Patients often make this diagnosis themselves.However, in addition to this pathology, which belongs to the degenerative dystrophic changes of the spine, there are also osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, the identification of which can only be made after a comprehensive examination.
Degenerative malnutrition changes occur in 30-50% of people aged 30-40 years and in 75-100% of people over 40 years of age.
These pathological processes account for 20.4% of the overall structure of disability caused by diseases of the osteoarticular system.
Walking for a long time is bad for your spine
on the contrary.Physical activity has a beneficial effect on the function of the spine: it maintains muscle tone, maintains intervertebral mobility, stimulates blood circulation and metabolism.Lack of physical activity and staying in a particularly uncomfortable position for long periods of time are the main culprits in the progression of the disease.
It's another thing if an overweight person frequently walks and carries heavy objects, which puts more stress on the spine.
Flat feet can lead to osteochondrosis
That's right.The arch of the foot, like the physiological curve of the spine, is designed to absorb impact loads from walking, running and jumping.If the feet do not provide adequate protection when interacting with supports, the spine is placed under additional stress, which can seriously impair the nutrition and function of its structure and accelerate the progression of disease.
Back pain is the only symptom of the disease
Not true.Typically, patients complain of persistent back pain, often accompanied by numbness and soreness in their extremities.Over time, if left untreated, the muscles of the limbs will atrophy, the joint mobility of the spine will weaken, and muscle spasms will occur.
With cervical osteochondrosis (see picture), you may suffer injuries to your arms and head.So-called vertebral artery syndrome (noises in the head, dizziness, flashing "spots" and colored spots in front of the eyes, burning, throbbing headache).This acute condition occurs due to spasm of arteries (as a response to the effects of bone growth), and due to herniated discs and intervertebral joint arthritis (as a reflex response to stimulation of spinal cord receptors).
If a person has coronary artery or cardiovascular disease, vertebral artery syndrome can worsen the condition.
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, pain in the chest (feeling as if a stake is stuck there) - in the area of the heart and other internal organs; lumbosacral lesions - the lower back (radiation to the sacrum, lower limbs and sometimes to the pelvic organs).
If complications of osteochondrosis occur (disc herniation, bone hyperplasia, spondylolisthesis, spondyloarthrosis), damage to the nerve roots is noticed - pain becomes stinging, sensitivity worsens, weakness occurs in the muscles innervated by the nerve, the severity of reflexes decreases.
Osteochondrosis can lead to dysfunction of multiple organs and tissues
That's right.Hippocrates also taught that all human diseases are related to the spine because it is a foundation of the body.
Osteochondrosis increases the risk of circulatory disorders in the cerebellar, stem, and occipital regions of the brain.A headache that persists - first appearing at the back of the head, then spreading to the crown of the head and temple area, and worsening with neck movement (more commonly in the morning).Older people may lose consciousness if they turn their heads suddenly.This may be preceded by dizziness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision and hearing, nausea and vomiting.
Sometimes there is pain in the heart area - long lasting, urgent, boring.Due to osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, especially in old age, soft tissues often undergo changes - they become denser.
Degenerative processes in the spine can cause congestion in the gastrointestinal tract and damage the bronchopulmonary system, leading to inflammation and other diseases.
Vegetative vascular dystonia, intercostal neuralgia - consequences of osteochondrosis
Not true.Osteochondrosis may be one of the causes (by no means the only cause) of these diseases.When the intervertebral disc wears and osteophytes grow, the intervertebral foramen and vertebral artery canal become narrowed and deformed, causing damage to various structures.In particular, when nerve roots are compressed, signs of intercostal neuralgia occur, and when vertebral arteries are compressed, the same symptoms as in vegetative vascular dystonia occur.
Osteochondrosis cannot be cured
In fact, spinal structures that have undergone degenerative changes cannot be fully restored.Nonetheless, adequate comprehensive treatment can eliminate the symptoms of the disease, prevent the progression of pathology and avoid complications.
For disc problems, applying heat to sore spots can be helpful
Wrong.Temperature changes, especially extreme ones (for example, when a beginner goes to a bathhouse) can cause serious aggravations.Moderate heat therapy is used for complex treatments but must be prescribed by a doctor.
Your health may worsen if you make circular movements with your head during cervical osteochondrosis
That's right.These exercises are best used preventatively - they help maintain range of motion in the intervertebral joints.When osteochondrosis is severe, accidentally doing circular movements can aggravate vertebral artery syndrome, radiculopathy, etc.
Treatment is inseparable from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Not true.During remission or when pain is not severe, conservative treatment (physical therapy, reflexology, and manual therapy) is performed; physical therapy and traction techniques are used.Drug therapy is carried out during exacerbations of the condition and is aimed at relieving pain, alleviating inflammatory processes and accelerating metabolic processes (intramuscular or intravenous injection).
The most effective drugs include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the relief of inflammation and pain (meloxicam, diclofenac, ibuprofen); for severe pain, novocaine blockers; steroid drugs (epidural, intramuscular injection); NSAIDs in the form of ointments, gels and creams with analgesic and stimulating effects (diclofenac, fastum gel, nise, capsicam, finalgon); muscle relaxants -Relieves muscle spasms (mydocalm, sirdalud); B vitamins - improves metabolic processes of the spine (B1, B6, B12).
Osteochondrosis can have serious consequences
Yes.Osteochondrosis can cause paralysis due to compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots and, if the vertebral artery is pinched, loss of consciousness.
Exercises that "stretch" your spine can help improve your condition
Stretching or traction can increase the intervertebral space, relieve pain, and restore the correct anatomical shape of the spine.However, individual loads must be calculated correctly."Too much" can cause reflex contraction of the paravertebral muscles, worsening the condition.
Only an orthopedic traumatologist is authorized to treat osteochondrosis.
Wrong.Most patients are observed by a neurologist and, in severe cases, a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic spine surgeon.
Local doctors may also prescribe medication to alleviate worsening conditions.