Osteochondrosis: signs, causes and methods of prevention, the doctor answers

Ph.D., neurologist, Belgorod Regional Clinical Hospital

osteochondrosis – damage to the cartilage of the intervertebral disc, which is a fibrous plate with a nucleus in the middle. The disc serves as a shock absorber when jumping, lifting weights and other physical activity. It maintains the required distance between the vertebrae. The source of nutrients for the disc is the back muscles, with their degenerative changes, osteochondrosis develops.

Its first signs – acute pain in the affected area. At first, the changes are imperceptible, in the future, if there are reasons for this, deviations continue to develop. Localization distinguishes cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral osteochondrosis. The latter is diagnosed in 50% of cases, since it is this area that accounts for most of the load when walking, lifting weights.

Trigger

Causes of degenerative changes:

• genetic predisposition;

• metabolic disorders;

• transferred infections;

• intoxication;

• overweight;

• improper diet with a lack of important micronutrients;

• lack of fluid in the body.

Osteochondrosis develops after spinal injuries, with its curvature and as a result of poor posture. Degenerative changes are possible with hypermobility, for example, against the background of increased gymnastics and dancing.

Important factors that give the start to osteochondrosis, – flat feet, a sedentary lifestyle, work associated with lifting weights and with a sharp change in the position of the body – turns, bends.

Suffer from a disease employees who are forced to sit during the working day. People who suddenly give up sports training are at risk. The disease can progress with hypothermia. With age, the likelihood of back pain is much higher.

Prevention

• Do not overload the spine and do not create conditions for increasing pressure on the intervertebral discs. To do this, limit vertical loads, do not make sudden movements, avoid jumps and falls from a height. If you sit at the computer for a long time, change your body position more often, keep your back straight, do physiotherapy exercises. When standing, change your supporting leg more often.

• Make sure you have a good night’s rest. While we sleep, the spine is less stressed, but provided that the mattress by the bed is fitted correctly. It should be quite rigid, preferably orthopedic, this also applies to the pillow. It is necessary to get out of bed without sudden movements.

• Do stretching exercises at the start of your workout at the gym. and only after that proceed to the main lesson. Do exercises aimed at strengthening the muscle corset. When choosing a sport, give preference to swimming. It is impossible to make a mistake with the load during a lesson in the pool, so the help of a coach is not required.

• Do not carry bags in one hand. Hold a massive object in front of you as close to your body as possible, but not on outstretched arms.

• Evaluate your diet. It should contain all the necessary trace elements, B vitamins.

• Watch your weight. Joints do not like excessive stress, as, by the way, and a state of rest.

When to see a doctor

If there are pains accompanied by numbness in the arm or leg, or if the discomfort increases with sudden movements, lifting weights, or coughing, consult a neurologist. Among the diagnostic procedures that a specialist will prescribe are computed tomography, radiography, MRI. After research, complex conservative treatment is used with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants (they relieve muscle spasms), B vitamins, chondroprotectors. Prescribe physical therapy, physiotherapy, light massage, underwater traction, reflexology. If within six months the treatment does not give a result, the patient receives a referral to a neurosurgeon.

It is important to knowthat in the case of osteochondrosis, not everything depends on the doctor, much depends on the patient. It will not be possible to heal instantly, for this it is necessary to strengthen the muscles of the back, because the cartilage receives nutrition from them. Even with a good result after the operation, it is important to maintain the condition, since the effect without physical activity will not last forever.

Sharp moment

Many patients believe that chiropractor procedures are a panacea. For example, there is an opinion that he can correct the disc that has jumped out. This is the deepest delusion. In certain cases, for example, with a herniated disc, manual therapy can harm, therefore, it is contraindicated. You cannot prescribe such treatment yourself, you should visit a neurologist, he will make a decision. Osteochondrosis is a condition that a patient can cope with on his own, following the advice of a doctor.