Osteochondrosis of the spine is a degenerative disease of the spine (i.e. it involves the gradual destruction of tissues and disruption of their function).The main changes are related to the intervertebral disc (an elastic formation located between the vertebrae, which is a type of shock absorber that softens the shocks and vibrations of the vertebrae relative to each other during walking).In the case of osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs become numb, harden, and often protrude into the spinal canal, where they can compress the spinal cord itself or its roots, causing the corresponding complaints (arm and leg pain, back pain, numbness of the skin of the limbs).
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine
- Pain in the back and neck: especially in the evening, after physical activity.
- Painful feeling of tension in some muscles of the back.
- Numbness of the skin on the arms or legs (in the form of fingertips or 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, headache: when the vertebral artery supplying the brain is compressed between the neck vertebrae.
Forms
- Depending on which part of the spine the greatest changes are localized, the following forms of osteochondrosis of the spine are distinguished:
- osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
- osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine;
- osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
- Depending on the structural changes in the intervertebral disc (an elastic formation located between the vertebrae), the following stages of osteochondrosis of the spine can be distinguished:
- Stage 1: intradiscal movement of the disc nucleus (dense formation in the middle) towards the wind;
- Stage 2: appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring of the disc (consisting of connective tissue) and instability of the spine (excessive mobility);
- Stage 3: complete rupture of the disc, with its fall into the spinal canal in the form of a hernia, possible compression of the roots of the spinal cord;
- Stage 4: gross changes not only in the intervertebral discs, but also in the surrounding tissues (overgrowth of bone tissue, strong pathological attachment of the vertebrae to each other).
Reasons
- Excessive stress on the spine:
- occupational hazards: heavy lifting (e.g. with forklifts), long-term work in a static (immobile) position;
- excess weight, which increases the load on the spine;
- lifting excessively large objects (too heavy).
- Spine injuries: vertebral fractures, ligament tears.
- Hereditary causes: a tendency to gradually disrupt the nutrition of the vertebrae and surrounding tissues (ligaments, intervertebral discs).
Diagnostics
- Analysis of complaints and medical history:
- since when did you first experience back pain, numbness in your fingers and toes and other complaints?
- whether work or household activities are related to lifting heavy objects, maintaining a motionless position of the back and neck for a long time (sitting at a desk, etc.).
- Neurological examination: looking for signs of neurological disorders (sensitivity of the arms or legs, curvature of the spine, pain when palpating the muscles of the back and neck).
- X-ray of the spine: with this method, the structure of the spinal column can be examined in one or more planes, the thinning of the intervertebral discs (elastic formation between the vertebrae), their protrusion towards the spinal canal, and the marginal growth of the bone tissue of the spine (osteophytes) can be detected, which are also the consequences of pain and sensory damage to the spine and damage to the spinal root.
- CT (Computed Tomography) and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of the spine in the cervical and spinal cord regions: it allows layer-by-layer examination of the structure of the spine and surrounding tissues (intervertebral discs, ligaments), as well as the presence and size of intervertebral disc thinning and disc herniation.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine
- Limiting the load on the spine (do not lift heavy objects).
- Proper distribution of the load on the spine: for example, do not carry bags in one hand, but in both, which makes the load more even.
- Massage of the back and neck-collar area.
- Physiotherapy: a series of exercises to strengthen the muscles of the spine.
- Swimming.
- Acupuncture: influencing the local tissue destruction processes of the intervertebral disc by means of injections with special small needles.
- Pain relievers.
- Medicines that reduce muscle tension (muscle relaxants).
- For advanced processes (hernia prolapse with compression of spinal roots), 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 neck vertebrae).
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine
- Gentle work schedule: moderate weight lifting, refusal to lift excessively heavy objects, periodic changes in physical and mental work ("stretching" of the spine).
- Active recreation.
- Gymnastics, morning exercises: performing daily simple exercises affecting the spine (torso twists, slight bends).