Osteochondrosis symptoms and signs of the disease, the treatment

Osteochondrosis spine is a disease caused by the destruction of bone and cartilage tissue cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.

Especially during the progression of the disease varies central part of the disk, the femur is called the nucleus gelatinous. Because of this the spine loses part of its superior dampening properties, and the fibrous ring of the periphery of the disc formed of the subtlety and crack.

The continuation of the progression of the degenerative disc disease of the spine causing complications of the disease – the parish priest of disks or breaking the ring and fibrous intervertebral hernia, as his investigation. The instability of the spine in the exposed surface leads to pain and limitation of mobility of the head during osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, as well as a mobility of the trunk osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine and lumbar spine.

In 75% of cases it is osteochondrosis of the spine is the cause of the pain in the back. With age the risk of wasting of the tissues of the spine significantly increases, therefore, on average, the symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the spine were observed in all the inhabitants of the planet for over 30 years.

The causes of degenerative disc disease of the spine

Osteochondrosis of the spine

Provoking factors in the development of degenerative disc disease of the spine are considered to be injuries to the back, or systematic of the load on the back during training, work or employment in conditions of vibration. If you have a lot to do handling and unloading, purchase the tail from the lift to your car.

Early symptoms of the degenerative disc disease of the spine called low physical development, the flat feet or overweight. There is also a genetic predisposition to the cluster of the structure of the intervertebral disc and abnormalities of the structure of the spine. Adverse in terms of the health of the spine are also intense workouts in the gym, to the violation of the rules for the distribution of the load on the back, a sedentary lifestyle and a poor diet.

The symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the spine

The disease is manifested by a number of the typical symptoms. For degenerative disc disease of the spine is characterized by: aching pain in the back, a numb feeling within ravaged by the department of the vertebral column, the decrease of the amplitude of the movements, the intensification of the pain during the climb of the severity, sudden movement, the tension when coughing or sneezing.

Chronic pain, such as one of the symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the spine, is the cause of the fatigue. When the pressure of the nerve roots of the discs in the spinal column, pain can be more intense and bring a scathing "shooting" in nature. Its location in this case, are not limited to the area of the back and feel the person in the region of the ends.

The stage of degenerative disc disease of the spine

The severity of the symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the spine depends on the stage of the disease. The first phase of the degenerative disc disease of the spine pain that are not included, except that a slight discomfort and lack of stability of the spine to injury. The destruction of the fibrotic ring, to decrease the size of the vertebrates, slits, and pain of varying intensity is a symptom of degenerative disc disease of the spine of the second phase.

The third stage of the disease is characterized by bone deformities and vertebral tissue until the appearance of inguinal hernias. The symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the spine, the heaviest and the fourth step are mass and bone expansion, limited mobility, intense pain and complete or partial paralysis of limbs, caused by compression of the blood vessels of the nerve root.

The symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is often led to violations of the circulation of the blood due to the compression of the arteries unite their efforts. This leads to an intense headache, dizziness, and fainting. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine sometimes we can observe a syndrome of the vertebral artery. It is characterized by a sensation of noise in the head, flashing "flies" or spots before the eyes. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are also pain in the shoulders or the hands.

The symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine may aggravate the various cardiac pathologies. The progression of the disease causes of intercostal neuralgia (compression of the nerves are the intercostal). Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine there is pain in the chest and the feeling of "cola" in the center of the chest.

The symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine leads to the development of any of the following diseases: sciatica, lumbago, and so-called lumbar of sciatica.

Sciatica, as one of the complications of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, characterized by lesions of the sciatic nerve, pain in the gluteal region, is a hypotension (low tone) of the calf and gluteal muscles.

When back pain a symptom of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine plays a sharp pain in the lower back caused by the displacement of the vertebrae or of the loss of disc vertebral.

Lumbar sciatica, another complication of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine causing herniation of the lowest disc of the spine. It is accompanied by pain in the buttocks to the back of the surface of the hip, popliteal the hole of the leg and foot.

The diagnosis of degenerative disc disease of the spine

A preliminary diagnosis "osteochondrosis of the spine", establishes a doctor-neurologist after the first inspection because of the patient's complaint to the pain in the back and limited mobility. The stage of degenerative disc disease of the spine, it is found as a function of the degree of deformation of the vertebral column, of the state of the posture of the patient and the number of affected discs.

All these symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the spine are diagnosed with the help of sympathy arrangements feelings back to the patient. The doctor also draws attention to the state of muscle tone. As in most cases, the disease is accompanied by hypertonia of the muscles of the back.

Using tests of flexion of the spine is determined by the amplitude of the movements of the patient. Through the use of the x-ray, CT scan, and MRI, the diagnosis is confirmed and determined, the future tactics of treatment of degenerative disc disease of the spine.

The treatment of degenerative disc disease of the spine

In the treatment of degenerative disc disease of the spine apply conservative and surgical methodology. The objective of the two – eliminate the syndrome of the pain and prevent further progression of the deformity of the spine.

By doing this, the surgical treatment of degenerative disc disease of the spine applies only if the conservative treatment of the disease proved to be ineffective.

The phase of application of the methods of conservative and lasts on average 2 months. At the beginning, it is possible in the short term, a strengthening of the syndrome of the pain caused by the body's reaction to medications, curative physical education (PHYSIOTHERAPY) and physiotherapy. In a conservative treatment of degenerative disc disease of the spine also apply massage, manual therapy, hood and reflexology. The effectiveness of treatment of degenerative disc disease of the spine depends on the systems, procedures, and the perseverance of the patient in the achievement of complex PHYSIOTHERAPY.

The surgical treatment of degenerative disc disease of the spine is carried out in case of herniated disc, for which seniority is more than 6 months. Indication of the operation is to reduce the gap between the vertebrae up to 1/3 of the initial size and the compression of the nerve roots of the spinal cord.

The main method in the surgical treatment of degenerative disc disease of the spine — discectomy, that is to say, the suppression of deformation of the disc. The operation can be minimally invasive, performed with the help of endoscopic tools, the method microdiscectomy, B-Twin system, as well as punktsionnoy the laser vaporization of the kernel deformed with the disk.

After the surgical treatment of degenerative disc disease of the spine requires a period of rehabilitation within a period of 6 months. While the patient is directed to a thermal cure to follow this course, physiotherapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, etc

The treatment of degenerative disc disease medications

At the present time of low back pain suffers from a large number of people. Many of them are not aware of the existing problem. Meanwhile, if the time is not to start the treatment, it will complications to make themselves known to the rest of your life. Osteochondrosis, like many other diseases, "young", and to a large extent, affects the quality of life, embossing of its usual pace.

In our article, we have a little study by the disease, as well as the detail, let us dwell on a method of treatment.

Osteochondrosis and its types

Osteochondrosis is a deformation of the articular cartilage, bone of the spinal column and the intervertebral discs.

Osteochondrosis is:

  • lumbar (sciatica),
  • cervical,
  • chest.

The Causes of disc degeneration:

  • stand,
  • the curvature of the spine,
  • injuries of the spine,
  • flat feet
  • frequent lifting of heavy loads,
  • the frequent changes of position of the torso,
  • long-term stay in uncomfortable positions,
  • the overload of the spine,
  • physical inactivity and obesity,
  • malnutrition,
  • conditions of stress.

The stages of development of degenerative disc disease

  1. Due to some changes in the intervertebral disc appears the instability of the vertebrae. The spine is very prone to injury.
  2. Arrives in the beginning of the destruction of the fibrotic ring of the intervertebral disc. Decreases intervertebral slit.
  3. There is a rupture of the fibrotic ring. The gelatinous nucleus of the intervertebral disc bulges. Due to the formation intervertbral hernia caused deformation of the vertebral column.
  4. Arises clearly expressed pain syndrome. Due to the formation of outgrowths of bone, and ossification of the ligaments of the spine of the movement is dwindling.

The symptoms of the degenerative disease disk

The treatment of degenerative disc disease of the spine

Lumbar (sciatica) department:

  • The persistent pain in the back whining nature.
  • Sensation of pain and numbness in the limbs.
  • Reduction of physical activity.
  • An increase in pain at the sudden movements, you lift weights, exercise, during sneezing and coughing.
  • Pain in the arms and shoulders, headaches.
  • The syndrome of the vertebral artery (tingling, throbbing headache, dizziness, buzzing in the head, spots of color and "flies" before the eyes).
  • The pain in the internal organs, especially the chest (the"account" in the chest) and the region of the heart.

The definition of a diagnosis

The diagnosis is established, at a reception in the home of a neurologist on the basis of patient's complaints (pain syndrome, reduction of mobility, etc). The spine is visualized by him in the position of the patient, standing, sitting and lying (at rest and in motion). During the examination of the back draws the attention on the posture, the characteristics of the structure of the torso, the lower angles of the blades, the lateral edges of the neck and the size, the position of the shoulder girdle, etc, After this, the doctor generally sends the patient to x-ray, ct scan or MRI, with the help of which accurate and takes the form of a diagnosis, define the level of the lesion, as well as the notification is hidden for the deviation from the norm. On the basis of the data neurologist will appoint a proper treatment. Generally, it is a comprehensive therapy, which includes the application of drugs, massage, PHYSIOTHERAPY and other methods.

The treatment of degenerative disc disease medications

For a start, it should be noted that the phase of development of the degenerative disease of the disk, in some cases, you can do it without drugs. Will be sufficient for the application of gymnastics, all kinds of applicators (roll "Lyapko", iplikator Kuznetsova), as well as the reduction of expenses and to eliminate other causes of the disease. If the symptoms are growing, and studies have shown changes in characteristics, it is necessary to connect the medication helps to affect both the cause and the symptoms of the degenerative disease of the disc.

The treatment of degenerative disc disease of the drugs indicated in the period of its aggravation, and the vise to the lifting of the inflammatory process, relief of pain and the strengthening of the metabolic processes from the inside, the reception and / or administration of medications through injection.

Due to the fact that osteochondrosis is a systemic illness, with effects on the various organs and systems, treatment must be comprehensive. Drugs for the treatment of degenerative disc disease perform the following tasks:

  • analgesia,
  • the removal of the inflammation,
  • improvement of the blood circulation in the tissues,
  • cartilage repair,
  • the return of mobility to the joints,
  • the elimination of depression caused by constant pain.

The symptoms of the degenerative disease disk

The disease affects different parts of the back. The vertebrae may begin to deform within the neck, the chest or the back. Manifest usually, these symptoms are not immediately, osteochondrosis may not be uncomfortable. Gradually appear pain, especially in the evening hours, a weakness in the arms and legs, dizziness. However, each type of this degenerative disease of the spine has its own characteristics.

The symptoms of this disease, such as cervical osteochondrosis the following:

  • headaches, that don't help the pill;
  • the paralysis of the hand;
  • ringing in the ears;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • hiccups and shortness of breath during the day.

The signs of degenerative disc disease, and thoracic are:

  • the pain in intercostal region;
  • frequent coughing;
  • the sensation of a coma in the throat;
  • angina wrong with the high blood pressure;
  • the pain during appendicitis.

Lumbar osteochondrosis has symptoms of this plan:

  • the pain in the lower abdomen;
  • numbness of the lower limbs;
  • "the back pain" in the back;
  • a paralysis of the legs;
  • a tingling sensation in the legs.

All these signs of the degenerative disease of the disc are a direct indication of your doctor. It is extremely important not to ignore the pain in the neck, the chest and the back. They can be a symptom of heart and lung diseases.