Osteocondrosis is a disease of the spine in which intervertebral discs (and subsequently the body of the vertebrae, joints and ligaments) lose their normal operation capacity.
The cause of the osteocondrosis is currently considered a series of factors that affect the spine during a person's life.A further risk of osteochondrosis develops the resulting lesions of the spinal column, as well as the interruption of the posture.Some patients notice the connection of the onset of the disease and hypothermia.
In practice, it is customary to consider
- cervical osteochondrosis,
- Thoracic osteochondrosis e
- lumbar column.
Separately, it should be noted that osteochondrosis is common, characterized by damage to different parts of the spine at the same time.
The most common are the cervical and chest shapes, since these are these departments of the spine that are subject to larger loads.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis, patients describe symptoms such as:
- paroxysmal or shooting pain in the spine affected by the osteochondrosis;
- increase in pain after physical effort, as well as in the morning;
- The pain can be given around the neck, arm or leg, as well as in the chest;
- Sensation of creaking during the execution of the twist.
Osteocondrosis is also characterized by neurological symptoms on the affected side:
- Partial violations of the movement (paresis);
- Unpleasant sensations in the form of goosebumps, tingling (paresthesia);
- The tension of the muscles corresponding to the department concerned is determined to palpation.
The disease begins and develops gradually, not abruptly.
It is necessary to distinguish osteochondosis of the spine with coronary heart disease (with coronary heart disease, the presence of pain is not associated with physical activity, but is due to side factors: cough, prolonged seat).
Treatment
The same symptoms can be signs of various diseases and the disease may not occur according to the textbook.Don't try to be treated by yourself: consult your doctor.
Osteochondrosis therapy always requires an integrated approach.In the treatment, the attention of doctors such as therapist, rheumatologist, neuropathologist and physiotherapist is required.The treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine depends on the location, the prevalent symptoms and the severity of the disease.
Conservative therapy aims to eliminate pain symptoms, as well as restoring the normal function of the spine.
Rational nutrition for osteochondosis significantly facilitates the patient's conditions and promotes more effective therapy.Read more about the principles of nutrition for osteochondrosis in our separate article.
About 10% of patients are sent for surgical treatment.The absolute indicator for surgery in the osteocondrosis is the appearance of neurological disorders due to the pinching of the spinal cord itself.
Further indicators for the surgical treatment of osteocondrosis are considered the following:
- periodic attacks of prolonged pain;
- greater mobility and suspicion of instability in the spine;
- ineffectiveness of drug therapy for 3 months;
- Pronounced disorders that prevent the patient from conducting a full life.
Surgical treatment methods
Surgical interventions with a minimum trauma:
- The preparations of preparations-injecting are administered on the intervertebral disc after shooting with the aim of scar cores and the fibrous ring of the disc.
- Puncture nucleotomy - Question of the intervertebral disc for the removal of part of the poison.
- Disha Denvation - A drug is introduced into the intervertebral disc that blocks the sensitivity of nerve endings.
The remaining methods of surgical treatment of osteochondosis of the spine are less delicate.These include:
- Complete or partial removal of the intervertebral disc or its hernia: this operation aims to reduce compression symptoms.
- Protective intervertebral discs: the main task is to correct the vertebral segments concerned.
The operating methods for the treatment of osteochondosis of the spine provide a forecast for complete recovery only in 50% of cases.
With timely treatment, the prognosis for life is almost always favorable, but the prognosis for work ability can be different due to a series of factors.
Exercises for osteochondrosis
Exercise 1.
Take your head forward, pressing on the forehead with intertwined fingers.Press your fingers on the back of the head and whiskey - left, right.The head contrasts the pressure of the hands and hands - the pressure of the head.Spend 10 seconds.For each movement.
Exercise 2.
Put the tips of four fingers on the forehead against each other, gently press on the skin with the entire surface of the palm and with the soft traction movements stretch it for 10-40 seconds.We can make the same extension to the temple in the longitudinal and transversal direction.The same - on the ear - to stretch it in all directions, in particular the lobe.That.It improves blood circulation in areas rich in biologically active points.
Exercise 3.
This type of massage improves blood flow in the jugular veins and brain nutrition improves.Sit exactly, back is straight.Take your head slowly, helping with your hand, pressing on the chin back and on.You can slowly turn your head a little left and right.Stay in this position for about a minute.For children, 10 seconds are sufficient.
Exercise 4.
This exercise improves the functioning of the cervical nerve plexus.Sit exactly, back is straight.Slowly tilt your head forward, trying to touch the thoracic chin.Put your fingers intertwined on the back of the head, press forward and up, lifting the back of the head.Sit for about a minute.After 15 minutes you can repeat.
Exercise 5.
Raise your shoulders, trying to put it in the ears, lower, free, faster - for 15 seconds.Now alternately - one shoulder upwards, the other is falling, even 15 seconds.Pull the cervical column with the palms of the hands.