Osteochondrosis – a degenerative-dystrophic lesions of the spine, which leads to shape change and Erasure of the intervertebral discs, vertebral bodies or surfaces of the joints. Usually the degenerative processes primarily affect the bones and ligaments. This disease is one of the most common causes of back pain.
The most cases, diagnosis of degenerative disc disease falls on the lumbar. Such statistics naturally, since the spine bears the load of the entire upper body. In osteochondrosis, there is a shift of the vertebrae, and as a result, can develop a disc herniation or constriction of blood vessels and nerve endings. Low back pain is a very painful disease that gives Khvorov a lot of discomfort and is difficult to treat.
ViDi degenerative disc disease and stage of its development
There are four types of osteoarthritis. The disease is divided into groups according to the localization:
- osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine;
- osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
- osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine;
- common low back pain – lose two or more parts of the spine.
The explanation of the localization of the osteochondrosis is very simple – the disease develops in those parts which are exposed to the greatest pressure and have a high mobility.
The disease develops in stages, moving from local symptoms to the common symptoms. The stage of development of osteochondrosis are as follows:
- Instability of the vertebrae caused by discrepancies in the location of the intervertebral disc. At this stage, the patient feels discomfort during movements involving the affected diseases of the spine. At this stage of osteochondrosis of the spine is very prone to injury.
- The destruction of the fibrous ring discs, intervertebral gap is reduced in size.
- Stage is characterized by rupture of the fibrous ring and protrusion of one or several cores of discs. The connection is intervertebral hernia and deformed spine line.
- Because the bone growths movement of the patient is limited, pain white pronounced. Costeniuc ligaments of the spine.
At any of these stages, successful treatment of osteochondrosis is still possible, but the farther, the harder it becomes to get rid of its consequences, and in the last stage of getting rid of the disease completely is almost impossible.
The reasons for the development of osteoarthritis
A complete list of the causes of osteoarthritis is very high. It includes both individual factors and their combinations, which cause displacement of the intervertebral discs. Ale most often, osteochondrosis develops due to such reasons:
- heredity – if one of the parents was low back pain, the person falls into a risk group, because the structure of the intervertebral cartilage is often inherited;
- hard work, loads, which exceed the permissible sanitary standards for workers;
- long stay in one position also may be an important factor. Often the osteoarthritis is diagnosed in people of sedentary occupations;
- various diseases keeps leading to curvature of the spine;
- vitamin deficiency and hypovitaminosis;
- injury keeps;
- infectious diseases;
- birth defects of the spine, which lead to a rapid Erasure of the intervertebral discs;
- natural aging;
- obesity;
- constant stress;
- hypothermia.
Symptoms of degenerative disc disease
Depending on the localization of the disease, its symptoms can vary significantly. It POV due to the fact that bulging discs and a pinched blood vessels affects nearby tissues and organs, causing a range of symptoms that are unique to this zone of the spine. Therefore, treat the symptoms of various types of degenerative disc disease should be separately.
Symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine
Lumbar-sacral (and lumbar) low back pain is the most common form of this disease. Across to act as a cushion when the majority of movements and turns performed by a person. The symptoms localization of the disease in this Department are as follows:
- lower back pain, aggravated by exercise, sharp turns or staying for an extended period of time in one position. The pain is typically aching, sharp pain in the early stage occur very rarely and can be a symptom of intervertebral hernias;
- leg pain caused by pinching the roots of the spinal cord. This pain can be radiating, aching, distributed just on one side of the thigh;
- limited mobility, the patient has pain when turning, bending and sitting. If the patient takes a comfortable posture for him, the pain of passing.
If You experience these symptoms, immediately consult a doctor. It is easier to prevent disease than to deal with the consequences.
Diagnosis
To diagnose degenerative disc disease keeps the neurologist appoints such studies of the spine, such as:
- radiography;
- computed tomography;
- magnetic resonance imaging.
How to treat degenerative disc disease
In most cases treatment of degenerative disc disease is conservative. Doctor who specializiruetsya for the treatment of osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine is called a spine. They are always assigned to several types of treatment including medications, physical therapy and other methods. The most common can treatment of degenerative disc disease:
- physiotherapy;
- different types of massage;
- medications;
- traction;
- reflexology;
- chiropractic;
- LFK.
Razglyadev each of these methods closer.
Physical therapy
Almost always used in the treatment of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. While physical therapy involves a laser, ultrasound, and magnetic oscillations that help to reduce pain. It also helps to neutralize the inflammation. This method allows to reduce the dose of medicines required to suppress the pain. No side effects.
Therapeutic massage
Therapeutic massage gives such positive outcomes as physical therapy. But it cannot be used in that hour, when the disease is in the acute stage. Massage course in the period of remission has a positive effect on the nervous system, relieves pain and excessive soft asove tension, stimulates blood circulation and strengthens the walls of blood vessels. In addition, therapeutic massage can enhance the body's resistance to diseases and to normalize the process of metabolism.
Ale to therapeutic massage and there are some contraindications which may make its application impossible. These include skin diseases, open wounds, any inflammation in the body.
Medications
Medical treatment of degenerative disc disease of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar is almost always. Usually, medicines are used in acute diseases, and their action is aimed at reducing painful symptoms. Tablets, ointments, gels and capsules are divided into types depending on the spectrum of action and its types. There are funds for reconstruction of cartilage tissue, ointments to stimulate circulation, gels with the warming effect and the other can establish the function of the propulsion system.
Reflexology
Reflexology is usually applied in combination with massage treatments. It is based on the correct actions to pressure points and reflex zones. As an independent method such therapy is not applied, but it can serve as a good complement to other ways of treatment of degenerative disc disease of the cervical and other types of this disease. Reflexology relieves pain, restores the natural load at various points of the spine, but very short effect.
Physical therapy
Physiotherapy is the main method of treatment of osteoarthritis, regardless of its location. This is a very effective method that using limited stress on the joints and soft muscles, strengthens m atovi corset keeps. Exercises with cervical osteochondrosis are performed only under the supervision of an instructor or in accordance with its recommendations. To do gymnastics at any age and with any form of osteoarthritis, except in cases when the disease is in the acute stage, and a significant injury keeps that can increase. Physical therapy helps to get rid of back pain back spine flexibility and improve overall health of the patient.
Medical gymnastics in osteochondrosis includes a set of exercises that do not require great physical effort and focused on the slow normalization of muscle tone of the patient. They can be performed by the patient at physician participation, and with additional training equipment. Physical therapy to include such types of techniques:
- mechanotherapy – this exercises are performed the patient on special machines and simulators. Method is used when severe destruction of the spine osteochondrosis, when it is difficult human movement. This method also helps with the development of certain muscle groups and improves posture;
- kinesitherapy is a set of breathing and exercise, the effect of which is aimed directly at the zone of development of osteochondrosis. The course is developed individually for each patient and helps to improve joint mobility, tone muscles, and the elasticity of ligaments and tendons;
- health path – Hiking in which to enter the complex of simple exercises and physical activities. Using this method it is possible to achieve improvement of the cardiovascular system, increase stamina and build respiratory function;
- hydro-kinesitherapy – exercises, exercises which are performed in the pool. Usually held in seawater or warm water. Exercise helps strengthen muscles, joints and ligaments, and improve the health of the patient;
therapeutic swimming is a good method for the prevention and treatment of various types of degenerative disc disease. Helps to develop correct posture and to make the natural position of the shoulder spine. Swimming can even help in correcting deformation of the spine.
Treatment of osteoarthritis with the help of exercise
Low back pain of any kind needs to be treated by the method of small loads and exercises. This approach not only helps quickly eliminate pain and discomfort, but also accelerates the overall healing process, restores posture and improves flexibility of the spine. Every kind of osteoarthritis treatment involves various types of exercises. Depending on the localization of disease complexes can be directed at a specific group of muscles and vertebrae.
Exercises in lumbar osteochondrosis
The most effective method of treating lumbar osteochondrosis is considered to be swimming. Also recommended a set of special exercises in the gym and therapeutic gymnastics. Most of the exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles keeps. One of the most common exercises is the "Bicycle". It is performed lying on the back. The patient performs a kicking motion simulating pedaling a Bicycle. Another popular exercise is based on bent elbows need to bend a few times in the thoracic and fix the pose for 4 seconds. Repeat the exercise five times for one set. The degree of load should be adjusted by the patient. If health allows, then they can gradually increase, and if the patient when performing gymnastics feels pain, the exercises should cease or temporarily suspend.
Exercises with cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease requires the use of gymnastics the two types:
- exercises for the cervical spine, in which the amplitude of movements is minimal. The patient himself creates the resistance to motion of the neck hand. Exercises are aimed at overcoming this resistance, with the result that the group is strengthening of the neck muscles;
- the second part of the technique includes dynamic exercises and circular turns of the head, improve the joint mobility of the cervical. All the exercises associated with strengthening the neck should be performed at a slow pace, without sudden movements and without heavy loads.
As a Supplement to the exercises can be assigned a path and therapeutic swimming. Both can treatment is aimed at the same as the physical therapy to increase mobility of the cervical.
Exercises with osteochondrosis of the thoracic
A feature of the treatment of thoracic degenerative disc disease is that most exercises are performed standing with him. The most common variant, allowed the majority of patients with this diagnosis – arm swing and trunk bending. Warm up before you perform the gymnastics to be held in a sitting position on the chair. On inspiration the patient puts hands on head and bend back until pressed against the top of the back of the chair. On the exhale, the patient lowers his hands along the body.
Another exercise treatment of complex thoracic osteochondrosis – progibanija on all fours. All types of exercises should be performed slowly without any sudden movements. Patients with osteochondrosis of the thoracic are also useful swimming, hydrotherapy and hydro-kinesitherapy.
Danger
Low back pain without proper treatment leads to such complications as:
- vegetovascular dystonia;
- sciatica;
- disc herniation;
- violation of oxygen supply to the brain.