Spinal osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of the spine (that is, associated with the gradual destruction of tissue and disruption of its function).The main changes are associated with the intervertebral disc (an elastic formation located between the vertebrae and is a kind of shock absorber that softens the shocks and vibrations of the vertebrae against each other when walking).In osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs become insensitive, harden and often protrude into the spinal canal, where they can compress the spinal cord or its roots, causing corresponding discomfort (pain in the arms and legs, back, numbness of the skin of the extremities).
Symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis.
- Pain in the back and neck: especially at night, after physical activity.
- Feeling of painful tension in the individual muscles of the back.
- Numbness of the skin on the arms or legs (fingertips or as a separate strip on the skin).
- Weakness in the muscles of the arms or legs.
- Atrophy (thinning) of the muscles of the arms and legs.
- Dizziness, headaches: when the vertebral artery that supplies the brain is compressed between the cervical vertebrae.
Forms
- Depending on which part of the spine the greatest changes are located, the following forms of spinal osteochondrosis are distinguished:
- osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
- osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine;
- osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
- Depending on the structural changes that have occurred in the intervertebral disc (elastic formation located between the vertebrae), the following stages of spinal osteochondrosis are distinguished:
- Stage 1: intradiscal movement of the nucleus of the disc (dense formation in its center) towards the edge;
- Stage 2: appearance of cracks in the annulus fibrosus of the disc (consisting of connective tissue) and instability of the spine (excessive mobility);
- Stage 3: complete rupture of the disc with its prolapse in the form of a hernia into the spinal canal, possible compression of the roots of the spinal cord;
- Stage 4: significant changes not only in the intervertebral discs, but also in the surrounding tissues (excessive growth of bone tissue, strong pathological fixation of the vertebrae to each other).
Reasons
- Excessive stress on the spine:
- occupational hazards: lifting heavy objects (for example, for loaders), prolonged work in a static (motionless) position;
- excess body weight, which increases the load on the spine;
- Lifting excessively large objects (exorbitantly heavy).
- Spinal injuries: vertebral fractures, ligament tears.
- Hereditary causes: tendency to gradual alteration of the nutrition of the vertebrae and the tissues that surround them (ligaments, intervertebral discs).
Diagnosis
- Analysis of complaints and medical history:
- How long ago did you first experience back pain, numbness in your fingers and toes, and other discomforts?
- whether work or home activities are associated with lifting heavy objects, prolonged maintenance of a motionless position of the back and neck (sitting at a desk, etc.).
- Neurological examination: search for signs of neurological disorders (altered sensation in the arms or legs, curvature of the spine, pain when palpating the muscles of the back and neck).
- Spinal x-ray: this method makes it possible to study the structure of the spine in one or more planes, detect the thinning of the intervertebral discs (elastic formation located between the vertebrae), their protrusion into the spinal canal, as well as the marginal growth of the bone tissue of the spine (osteophytes), which are also a consequence of malnutrition of the spine and can damage the spinal roots, causing pain and sensitivity disorders.
- CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the spine in the cervical and spinal regions - make it possible to study layer by layer the structure of the spine and surrounding tissues (intervertebral discs, ligaments) and detect the thinning of the intervertebral discs, the presence and size of protrusion (herniation) of the discs of the space between the vertebrae.
Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis.
- Limit the load on the spine (do not lift heavy objects).
- Proper distribution of the load on the spine: for example, carrying the bags not with one hand, but with both, which makes the load more uniform.
- Massage of the back and neck area.
- Physiotherapy: a set of exercises that strengthen the muscles of the spine.
- Swim.
- Acupuncture: influences the local processes of tissue destruction of the intervertebral disc through injections with small special needles.
- Painkillers.
- Medicines that reduce muscle tension (muscle relaxants).
- For advanced processes (prolapse of a hernia with compression of the roots of the spinal cord), surgical treatment (removal of the intervertebral disc, fixation of the affected part of the spine).
Complications and consequences.
- Chronic back pain.
- Paralysis (weakness in the arms or legs).
- Poor cerebral circulation (when the vertebral artery that supplies the brain is compressed between the cervical vertebrae).
Prevention of spinal osteochondrosis.
- Gentle work regimen: moderate weight lifting, refusal to lift excessively heavy objects, periodic changes in physical and mental work (to "stretch" the spine).
- Active recreation.
- Gymnastics, morning exercises: daily performance of simple exercises that involve the spine (twists of the torso, light bends).