Osteoarthritisis a disease of the spine, its characteristic feature is degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs, and then to the vertebral tissues themselves.
Dystrophic changes in the intervertebral disc lead to weakening of the outer annulus fibrosus.Therefore, patients with osteoarthritis often experience serious complications such as protrusion (partial bulging of the disc) and vertebral herniation (dangling of the nucleus pulposus into the spinal canal).
According to the results of medical research, every second person has spinal problems after 30 years.In 70% of cases, the cause of spinal pain is considered to be osteoarthritis, which is a neurological disease that affects the ligaments of the spine.
The first signs of spinal spondylosis do not appear immediately but appear gradually.
Depending on the location of pain, there are three types of osteoarthritis:
- Cervical region;
- Thoracic department;
- Lumbar region.
According to many experts who have studied this disease, the main cause of osteoarthritis is incorrectly distributed load on the spine.As a result, in patients, even in places of excessive physical pressure, structural changes in cartilage tissue occur.
Causes of spondylosis:
- Genetic predisposition to this disease.
- The presence of diseases of the endocrine system is metabolic disorders.
- The development of orthopedic diseases, for example, flat feet, bowed posture, diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
- Various injuries, bruises in the spine.
- Lifestyle: lack of activity, poor diet with a predominance of harmful foods.
- Have excess weight.
- Bad habits - smoking, alcoholism.
- Stress, fatigue.
- Pregnant.
In most cases, the cause of osteoarthritis is related to a person's occupational activities.
Stages of development
The development of osteonecrosis occurs in four distinct stages:
Osteoarthritis stage 1
It is characterized by the onset of a pathological process in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc - dehydration (dehydration) occurs and then the height of the intervertebral disc decreases.At the same time, cracks begin to appear in the fiber ring.At this stage, patients usually do not feel any changes.Discomfort can occur when sitting in a sitting position that is unusual for a person or during active exercise.
Stage 2
In the second stage of osteochondrosis, further degenerative changes lead to disc protrusion.The space between the vertebrae is reduced and the fibrous capsule is destroyed.As a result, the roots of the spinal nerves are compressed, causing the appearance of point pain, the intensity of which increases when bending, turning and other movements.There may be weakness and reduced performance.
Stage 3 osteoarthritis of the spine
It is characterized by the wearing away of the cartilage between the discs;tissue thinning can be clearly seen if you take an X-ray.Symptoms of spinal spondylosis appear clearly and intensely, the pain does not subside and only strong painkillers can relieve the pain.medicine.
Stage 4
The fourth stage is the most complex neurological disorder in the spinal system, manifested in partial or complete limitation of joint mobility.With this diagnostic condition, bone growths (osteoporosis) form at the site of the vertebral joints, causing microscopic injuries to nerve branches and adjacent segments of the spine.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis in adults
As the disease progresses, pathological mobility of the spine develops, in which soft tissues, nerve fibers and blood vessels located near the lesion are violated - this is how pain occurs.
Main symptoms of osteoarthritis:
- pain in the back, neck, lower back, shoulders and even ribs;
- discomfort, back stiffness when performing certain movements or lifting something;
- numbness of extremities (arms and/or legs);
- feeling of pain in the limbs, chills;
- muscle spasms;
- dysfunction of genital organs;
- headache, dizziness;
- pain in the heart area;
- sensory disorders;
- muscle hypotension;
- increased fatigue, sometimes even in the eyes.
Excessive physical activity, overwork, hypothermia, trauma, physical shock, and exposure to vibrations can contribute to acute symptoms.
complications
Degenerative processes mainly affect the intervertebral disc, leading to a decrease in density and loss of shock-absorbing function.As a consequence of such changes, excessive mobility of the spine, facet joints, muscles and ligaments are affected.
Paravertebral structures participate in the destructive process causing compression (compression) of the spinal cord and its nerve endings.As a result, patients with osteochondronecrosis feel pain, accompanied by the following symptoms and diseases: severe headaches, migraines, vision loss, autonomic dysfunction (VSD), genitourinary system dysfunction, sciatica (sciatica nerve compression), intervertebral hernia, spondylosis, lumbar pain, spinal stenosis.
Specific methods to diagnose osteoarthritis:
- X-ray diagnosis plays an important role in this disease.Plain X-rays can reveal signs of the disease, such as narrowing of the space between vertebrae.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a research method that allows accurate diagnosis of processes occurring in the spinal region.In particular, with its help it is possible to determine the presence of a herniated disc and its location.
- Computed tomography (CT) has diagnostic capabilities similar to MRI.The disadvantage of CT is the presence of radiation exposure during the study.
Treatment of osteoarthritis
There is no specific and single correct treatment for osteochondrosis - this process, in any case, requires an integrated approach.
The comprehensive program traditionally includes the following components:
- Impact physical therapy methods;
- special exercises and massages;
- manual therapy;
- drug treatment;
- acupressure, electrophoresis, etc.;traction.
When treating this category of patients, experts prescribe drugs with the following properties: reduce inflammation, restore the function of the musculoskeletal system, stimulate tissue regeneration of intervertebral discs and cartilage, and prevent the progression of osteoarthritis.
Treatment of osteoarthritis follows the traditional path for treating many diseases of the musculoskeletal system: NSAIDs are prescribed to eliminate the inflammatory process in tissues, chondroprotective drugs to restore the level of synovial fluid, and corticosteroids if the first two drugs are ineffective.
To get rid of osteonecrosis, various therapeutic procedures are used, including massage.It has many beneficial properties - muscle tone is reduced, blood flow to the spine is stimulated, intervertebral discs become stronger.
Manual therapy relieves acute pain and helps restore posture.One of the most commonly used methods is organotherapy.During the procedure, high-quality joint treatment is performed, blood circulation improves and the immune system is strengthened.Allows you to prevent exacerbation of various chronic diseases.
Physical therapy or exercise therapy for osteoarthritis is very important.Therefore, special exercises to strengthen the back muscles contribute to the formation of a corset, thereby ensuring an even distribution of the load on the spine.In addition, thanks to regular exercise, blood circulation and tissue nutrition, including intervertebral discs, improve, the patient develops correct posture and the range of motion in the spine increases.
Physiotherapy effectively helps to combat painful manifestations in places where the pathological process is localized.There are many types of physical therapy interventions.Typically, they use magnetic therapy, ultrasound therapy, and exposure to low-frequency electric current.
prevent
If osteoarthritis is prevented promptly, treatment may not be necessary.The problem needs to be approached comprehensively:
- Limit lifting heavy objects (less than 10 kg);
- carry only symmetrical loads (distribute weight on both hands);
- perform simple physical exercises aimed at strengthening the spine, muscles and joints;
- Swimming regularly;