Osteoma is a degenerative-dystrophic disease that is caused by intervertebral discs, disease types, symptoms and treatment methods.
The central part (medullary nucleus) of the disc first bulges and then contracts, losing its shock-absorbing properties. And the fibrous annular, located along the periphery of the disc, becomes thin and cracks form in it.
When the nucleus pulposus penetrates this crack, it will appear convex and concave, if the fibrous nucleus is broken, the colloidal nucleus will fall out forming a herniated disc. With age, the risk of developing osteonecrosis increases significantly.
Important
Osteochondrosis can have different localizations. The most common type is lumbosacral (in 50% of cases). Cervical osteosarcoma is often found (in 25% of cases), less often osteonecrosis of the thoracic spine. In 12% of cases, the defeat of the discs affects several parts of the spine at once - this is the most severe form of the disease.
Regardless of its location, the disease has several stages.
First stagecharacterized by instability of the segments of the spine, manifestations of a violation of the intervertebral disc.
Phase 2It is shown that the vertebrae are less fixed together due to the disc protrusion. The distance between the vertebrae decreases.
OnStage 3There have been severe deformities of the spine, such as destruction of annular fibers and herniated disc formation. The pain syndrome and other symptoms largely depend on the location of the hernia, its shape, and size.
OnStage 4Patients have difficulty moving, sudden movements lead to acute pain. Sometimes the pain subsides and the patient's condition improves, but this is only an obvious progression related to the fact that bone tissue develops between the vertebrae, which connect the two.
Test yourself
With cervical osteonecrosis, there is:
- pain in the neck or low back, radiating to the shoulder blades, back of the head, or hands;
- muscle tension of the neck, to the touch - painful sensations;
- numbness of the tongue, swelling;
- goosebumps and tingling sensations in the neck and arms;
- neck and shoulder weakness.
With thoracic osteonecrosis:
- periodically there are sharp pains, as if there are piles in the chest;
- feeling of squeezing in the chest;
- have intercostal pain when walking. The pain increases with breathing and does not go away after taking nitroglycerin, but it is usually short-lived.
Bright zone osteonecrosis is characterized by:
- pain in the lower back, sometimes because they cannot straighten their back;
- pain spreading to the legs, sacrum, groin;
- loss of leg sensitivity, impaired mobility;
- cold feet, goosebumps and tingling.
On a note
Many people think of sciatica as an independent disease. In fact, this is one of the manifestations of osteonecrosis. Injury to the disc results in adjacent vertebrae being closer together and can invade the bundles of nerve fibers that extend from the spinal cord. A herniated disc can also compress nerve roots. In this case, the pain occurs, propagates along certain nerve fibers and so it travels to one or another part of the body, usually the lower back and one of the legs, less often. more than the neck or arm. .
There is also the term "low back pain". This is the name for acute pain in the lower back. It can happen with a strong movement, lifting weights, unsuccessful turning, staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time. During pain, patients often try to be in a forced position, any attempt to move increases the pain, often a spasm of the lumbar muscles. Low back pain is often also caused by degenerative bone disease of the spine.
Risk factors
People of tall stature with poor posture or weak muscles in the back and abdomen are prone to osteonecrosis; Fat; office workers, who mainly lead a sedentary lifestyle, as well as drivers, construction workers, who often carry heavy loads. This is also common for professional drivers with prolonged exposure to vibration.
Sports injuries caused by improper training lead to osteonecrosis. This disease often occurs with former professional athletes who have abruptly ended high-intensity training.
Osteosarcoma is much more dangerous than imagined. It often becomes the cause of dysfunction of many organs and systems. Sometimes the disease leads to severe unbearable pain and compression of nerve roots - leading to partial or complete paralysis of an arm or leg.
If left untreated, cervical spondylosis can cause dizziness, headaches, and insomnia. The onset of thoracic fibroma is fraught with complications such as intercostal neuralgia. Lumbar osteosarcoma is dangerous with consequences such as progressive curvature of the spine and even more destruction of the discs, inflammation of the sciatic nerve (sciatica), serious disturbances in functioningorgans of the genitourinary system.
Patient Memo
To treat exacerbations of osteonecrosis, in most cases, conservative treatment is used. Its main goal is to relieve pain and eliminate reflex muscle tension that causes pain and stiffness with movement. For this, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants are used.
In addition, drugs are used to help speed up recovery: B vitamins, agents that improve blood supply to the spine and nutrition of nerve roots, biological stimulants, as well as sedatives. Nervous system support, exhaustion due to prolonged pain.
To improve blood circulation and reduce tissue edema, muscle stimulation, physiotherapeutic methods are used: magnetic and ultrasonic therapy, electrophoresis and electrophoresis, darsonvalization reaction, electromyographic stimulation. Acupuncture, manual therapy, massage, and mud are also used.
To unload the spine, increasing the distance between the vertebrae, traction therapy is used. Prognosis of successful recovery is not possible without physical therapy exercises, with the active participation of the patient in the treatment process.
Surgical treatment is used in severe, advanced cases.