Osteochondrosis of the spine is a degenerative disease of the spine (that is, associated with the progressive destruction of tissues and disruption of their 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 shocks and vibrations of the vertebrae relative to each other when walking).With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs become calloused, harden and often protrude into the spinal canal, where they can compress the spinal cord itself or its roots, causing corresponding complaints (pain in the arms and legs, in the back, numbness of the skin of the extremities).
Symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis
- Back and neck pain: especially in the evening, after physical activity.
- Painful feeling of tension in certain back muscles.
- Numbness of the skin of the arms or legs (of the fingertips or as a separate strip on the skin).
- Weakness of arm or leg muscles.
- Atrophy (thinning) of the muscles of the arms and legs.
- Vertebrae, headaches: when the vertebral artery supplying the brain is compressed between the cervical vertebrae.
Forms
- Depending on which part of the spine the most significant changes are localized, 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 (made up 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 herniation in 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 (proliferation of bone tissue, strong pathological attachment of the vertebrae to each other).
Reasons
- Excessive stress on the spine:
- occupational risks: lifting heavy loads (for example, for loaders), long-term work in a static (immobile) position;
- excess body weight, which increases the load on the spine;
- lifting objects that are too large (exorbitantly heavy).
- Spinal injuries: vertebral fractures, ligament ruptures.
- Hereditary causes: tendency to progressive disruption of the nutrition of the vertebrae and the tissues surrounding it (ligaments, intervertebral discs).
Diagnosis
- Analysis of complaints and medical history:
- How long has it been since you first experienced back pain, numbness in your fingers and toes, and other symptoms?
- if work or household activities are associated with lifting heavy objects, long-term maintenance of an immobile position of the back and neck (sitting at a desk, etc.).
- Neurological examination: looking for signs of neurological disorders (altered sensitivity of the arms or legs, curvature of the spine, pain when feeling the muscles of the back and neck).
- X-ray of the spine: this method allows you to study the structure of the spine in one or more planes, detect thinning of the intervertebral discs (elastic formation located between the vertebrae), their protrusion towards the spinal canal, as well as marginal growth of the bone tissue of the spine (osteophytes), which are also a consequence of malnutrition of the spine and can damage the roots of the spine, causing pain and sensitivity disorders.
- Computed tomography (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the spine in the cervical and spinal regions: allow you to study layer by layer the structure of the spine and surrounding tissues (intervertebral discs, ligaments) and detect thinning of the intervertebral discs, the presence and size of protrusion (herniation) of the discs in the space between the vertebrae.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine
- Limit the load on the spine (do not lift heavy objects).
- Proper distribution of the load on the spine: for example, carry the bags not in one hand, but in both, which makes the load more uniform.
- Back and neck massage.
- Physiotherapy: a series of exercises that strengthen the muscles of the spine.
- Swimming.
- Acupuncture: influence on local processes of tissue destruction of the intervertebral disc using injections with special small 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 supplying the brain is compressed between the cervical vertebrae).
Prevention of spinal osteochondrosis
- Gentle work regime: moderate weight lifting, refusal to lift too heavy objects, periodic changes in physical and mental work (to “stretch” the spine).
- Active leisure.
- Gymnastics, morning exercises: daily performance of simple exercises using the spine (torso turns, slight bends).