Humans are the only mammals with an upright back.In this regard, the spine experiences great overload.On the one hand, a sedentary lifestyle prevails, on the other hand physical activity involves lifting heavy objects, sudden movements and even taking public transport;All these factors contribute to the appearance of such a common disease as osteoarthritis.Furthermore, this disease is often found in the working population.
What is osteoarthritis, its types and stages
Osteonecrosis is a process in which the elasticity of the intervertebral discs is reduced.Under the influence of unfavorable factors, the intervertebral disc loses fluid, becomes compressed and less flexible.This happens due to the load placed on the spine during movement: pressure on the axis of the intervertebral disc squeezes fluid out of it.During a night's rest, the spine needs to be completely restored, but with a sedentary lifestyle this does not happen, since muscles and ligaments gradually lose their ability to stretch and therefore fully recover.
Cervical spine degeneration
This type of osteoarthritis is considered the most dangerous.The vertebrae that make up the neck are very close together.Even a small deformation of one of them causes serious consequences: headaches, increased pressure, heart attack.If the disease progresses, numbness in the limbs, tinnitus, difficulty breathing and vision problems may occur.Some symptoms can be easily confused with frequent headaches or fatigue, but if symptoms recur frequently, you should see your doctor as soon as possible to ensure a timely and accurate diagnosis.
Osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine
The main symptom of this type is chest pain.Usually it appears on one side and is defined as painful or stabbing.A characteristic feature is the connection with movement and with static loads, pain increases.There are two types of chest pain: one is acute but lasts only a short time, the other is mild but lasts.If you see a doctor promptly, the disease can be cured without resorting to surgery.
Lumbar spine degeneration
This is the most common type of osteoarthritis.It affects both men and women with equal frequency.In the area where the lumbar region transitions to the sacral region, acute pain occurs.The main problem is the deterioration of cartilage tissue, which leads to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae and this is a direct path to the formation of an intervertebral hernia.Pain can appear for many reasons: compression of nerve endings, narrowing of veins, compression of the sciatic nerve.The exact cause will be determined by your doctor.
Damage to two or more parts of the spine
Osteonecrosis affects the entire spine or certain parts, worsening a person's general condition.The possibility of hernia increases many times.Constant pain makes it impossible to lead a normal lifestyle.Before the process of changing cartilage tissue becomes irreversible, it is necessary to begin treating the disease as early as possible.
The disease has four stages of development:
- The first stage is characterized by mild and short-term pain due to unstable spinal function;
- In the second stage, the vertebrae are displaced, causing the distance between them to shorten;
- In the third stage, the intervertebral discs can be severely deformed, leading to the formation of a hernia;
- In the final stage, the patient feels stiff when moving, which may be accompanied by acute pain.
Symptoms and signs
The onset of the disease is difficult to trace because there are no obvious symptoms.Sometimes your back becomes numb after sitting or lying in one position for a long time and a pins and needles feeling appears in your legs.All these unpleasant feelings quickly pass, you just need to move or massage your stiff leg.Acute pain comes, as always, unexpectedly: a person stumbles, turns suddenly - and a painful syndrome appears, in which it is scary to think about the next step.Pressing on the disturbed area will cause pain, restricted movement, and tight muscles.A protective contraction occurs;In this way, the body protects the painful area from further movements.This condition usually lasts about 24 hours until the muscles can relax.
Therefore, signs of osteoarthritis include discomfort in many different parts of the body, accompanied by pain.Pain can be concentrated in the neck, shoulders, back, and chest.Symptoms described may include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, heart pain and loss of sensitivity in the extremities.Based on determining the location of the pain syndrome, the doctor will be able to determine where in the spine the changes begin.
Reasons for development
Causes of the disease include factors that interfere with proper nutrition of the intervertebral disc and prevent the disc from recovering:
- the body stays for a long time in positions that have a negative effect on the activity of the spine (mainly sitting);
- injury;This point especially applies to people participating in sports with heavy loads on the spine (for example, weightlifting);
- work involving long-term static loads (e.g. assembly line workers, hairdressers, etc.);With such work, congestion in the muscles and poor circulation are observed.
Since the main cause of the development of osteonecrosis is the uneven distribution of loads on the spine, other factors that at first glance may seem unimportant can also affect human health.Only carrying a bag with one hand, the habit of sitting hunched over, slouching, sleeping on a soft fur bed, bending the neck when sleeping (high pillow), wearing uncomfortable shoes (even if fashionable) - all this is also a precursor to back diseases.An unhealthy lifestyle, obesity and scoliosis in adolescence can make the condition worse.
Risk factors include:
- Tall people have underdeveloped back muscles;
- all people with a sedentary lifestyle;
- people forced by their profession to lift weights;
- truck driver suffered prolonged shaking;
- former athlete;
- people who have had the same disease in their family;
- pregnant women and women in menopause;
- old person;
- smoker.
How to diagnose the disease
If the patient detects the above symptoms, he should see a local doctor, who will refer the patient to a neurologist.To clarify the diagnosis, the neurologist may refer the patient to a more specialized specialist - a spine specialist (a doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the spine).A good chiropractor can also detect the disease by palpating the back.If the patient suspects a hernia, a trauma surgeon is indispensable.
Instrumental methods are also used for diagnosis:
- x-ray of the spine;
- myelography (this is an image not only of bones but also of nerve endings and other structures);
- reflex test (the infamous hammer of a neurologist);
- computed tomography;
- nuclear magnetic resonance (the most accurate and safe diagnostic method);
- magnetic resonance imaging (an indispensable method for disc disease).
Doctors also prescribe routine tests for patients.
In a general blood test, you should pay attention to the white blood cell count and ESR.An increase in values will indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.A low level of hemoglobin will indicate a lack of protein foods, which can directly affect the development of the degenerative process.
A general urine test will show the proportion of mineral salts that exist in the body.An increased ratio indicates a violation of the correct balance of nutrients in food.
High blood sugar also shows that the patient is not eating properly.In addition, this can be the first symptom of diabetes, leading to complications for all organs in the human body.
Analyzing blood cholesterol levels is also important because it shows the condition of blood vessels.
Treatment of osteoarthritis
At the initial stages of the disease, drug treatment is used in minimal quantities.Medicines are needed to alleviate the patient's condition, reduce inflammation and improve metabolism.If these procedures are still not enough, the doctor will prescribe a blockade, that is, an injection, which is quite an effective cure.Elderly people are prescribed drugs that do not accumulate in the body.
Physical therapy is a good complement to drug treatment.Physiotherapy methods include: ultrasound, use of magnetic fields, low-frequency current, laser therapy, etc.The principle of action is aimed at dilating blood vessels and enhancing blood circulation.In this way, an analgesic effect will be achieved and the weakened immune response will be normalized.
Physical therapy also has good effects on the spine.A properly selected set of exercises can help even the most neglected patients get back on their feet.Under the influence of physical activity, not only are impaired functions restored, but the patient's general mental state also improves.It is the prescription of such therapy that gives the patient confidence that he will be able to return to his normal lifestyle.A simulation device such as a special treatment table has proven its excellence.This is a cheap and effective way to restore spinal function.
The action of massage is based on complex metabolic processes.Thanks to this, blood and lymph circulation in the affected area is improved, helping to promote metabolism, relax muscle tone, joint mobility and improve skin condition.Massage reduces pain, fatigue and improves the body's physical condition.
Manual treatment should only be performed by a specialist, since an illiterate specialist can harm the patient.This therapy is a set of measures that can radically improve a person's condition.A good specialist can free the patient from functional blockade and restore the full use of the affected organ.Impact is performed using pressure, twisting, pushing, jerking, etc.
Spinal traction gives good results.It can be underwater or dry.Used to increase space between disks.Underwater, as the name suggests, takes place underwater and dry - on the table there is special equipment.The extension can be vertical or horizontal, depending on the position of the body.
Complications of ignoring illness
It is believed that everyone has chondrosis.But this is no reason to ignore the problem.This is not a completely harmless diagnosis.In particularly severe cases, the disease can lead to disability.
If treatment is ignored, the following complications may occur:
- hernia;
- protrusion (initial change in the disc);
- kyphosis (hump in the back);
- radiculitis;
- salt reserves;
- spinal cord stroke;
- circulatory disorders;
- leg paralysis
Untreated cervical spondylosis can cause headaches, dizziness and insomnia.Chest turns into intercostal neuralgia.Belting causes consequences such as sciatic nerve inflammation and reproductive system problems.The main condition for the treatment of osteoarthritis is compliance with the stages, and only constant targeted efforts will bring good results.
Disease prevention
Prevention plays an important role in maintaining a healthy spine.The first step is to reduce the risk of workplace injuries.This applies to dynamic and static loads.If there is such a possibility, you should move to another workplace when you first feel back pain.If not, you need to take the necessary measures: constantly change your body position, optimize your workplace, exercise or at least some exercises.Yoga classes can play a special role.This ancient Indian system of postures, called asanas, can help remove any tension in the body, relax and stretch the spine.
Proper exercise with weights is of great importance in prevention.
There are several rules that every person protecting his or her back must follow:
- Do not lift weights with outstretched arms;it will be correct if you sit down and press the heavy object to your chest, standing up straight;
- You cannot carry the load with one hand;it would be correct to divide its weight into two approximately equal parts;
- Even if your luggage weighs little, you need to periodically stop and rest;
- The spine must be prepared for the load;A regular set of exercises to strengthen the back, i.e. a corset, can help with this.
If you can't exercise regularly, you can replace it with a more familiar walk.You should walk at least 8,000 steps a day but ensure correct posture and combine steps with proper breathing;While walking, you can try different walking options: tiptoe, heel, leg raise, race walk.If you don't have time for this, even a short but energetic walk to work and back will benefit your body.
Swimming combines the opportunity to relax the vertebrae and feel physical activity.In water, Archimedes's law is applied which reduces the weight of the human body, due to which the muscles relax and the spine stretches.In addition, swimming also helps you stay in shape.
Running can also serve as a disease prevention.It must be remembered that both lack of physical activity and overactivity are harmful to the spine.You need to carefully monitor the condition of your body and avoid pain.
If signs of inflammation appear, an applicator may help.When the needle comes into contact with the patient's skin, nerve endings are stimulated, blood vessels dilate, blood circulation improves, and the pain syndrome weakens.Longer exposure, up to 40 minutes, helps relax muscles.
A reasonable diet is one of the most effective ways to prevent disease.
It should pursue several goals:
- fight against excess weight;
- required amount of vitamins and minerals;
- Prevents dehydration of the body;
- slow down the destructive process.
For the diet to achieve its goals, foods must be low in calories and include dairy products, fish, eggs, herbs and vegetable oils.Doctors advise eating broth-based dishes: soups, borscht, jellied meat, aspic.Indeed, such foods contain substances that protect cartilage tissue.But older people should approach such a diet with caution, because the fat contained in concentrated broth can clog blood vessels in the brain.
The health of the spine is in each person's hands.If from the first pain you start exercising, sign up for a swimming pool and review your diet, you can not only slow down the process of destruction of the vertebrae, but also improve the health of the body as a whole.If you don't have the time or desire to lead an active lifestyle then you need to follow the basic safety rules described above in this article.