Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion localized in the vertebral tissues. The disease causes a pathological process in the intervertebral discs, adjacent surfaces of joints, as well as the ligamentous apparatus of the spine.
The disease has a significant impact on human health. Damaged bones and ligaments. The onset of the disease is signaled by painful symptoms, muscle atrophy, and impaired function of internal organs. The most common age for a person to develop osteonecrosis is over 30 years of age.
Why does osteonecrosis occur?
In medicine, there is a lot of information about the causes of disease. These include reception of a mechanical injury, a genetic predisposition, and a decline in metabolism. It is difficult to find out what contributes to the development of the disease, as osteonecrosis can occur in both adults and adolescents.
A common factor for the development of the disease is the deposition of vertebral salts. With the help of X-rays, growth of the vertebrae is diagnosed, while the joints creak and creak when walking.
You can also develop osteonecrosis in the case of an existing infectious disease, a constant overload of the spine, chemical exposure, and postural impairment. At risk are those who lead an unhealthy lifestyle, abuse tobacco and alcohol, are overweight, and are often under stress.
Symptoms of osteonecrosis are determined depending on the type(s) of the existing disease. What are the types of osteonecrosis and how they manifest themselves, we will analyze in more detail.
Cervical bone necrosis
The main symptoms of osteonecrosis of the cervical spine:
- headache;
- impaired coordination;
- violation of the auditory, voice and visual systems;
- the appearance of snoring.
The most common symptom is headaches, which negatively affect a person's lifestyle habits. Usually, the neck, throat, and teeth are sore. The pain radiates down the shoulder and arm and increases with movement.
Medicine divides all the symptoms of cervical osteonecrosis into several groups:
Root symptoms. In other words, sciatic nerve pain. The pain originates in the neck, down the shoulder blades, and down the back of the body to the fingers.
reflex symptoms. A common symptom is pain, which is characterized by sharpness and burning. Location of localization - neck or occipital region. Most often, the pain spreads to the heart and thoracic spine, moreover, a person confuses osteonecrosis with the presence of heart disease.
Symptoms of the vertebral artery. The most common symptom is headache. There may be impairment of the auditory and visual systems.
heart symptoms. It seems like the heart will hurt, but it is not. This is just an irradiation of pain in the heart, but not a heart disease. In this case, the symptoms are similar to those of angina. There are cases where doctors misdiagnose and treat non-existent diseases.
Do not self-treat for cervical osteochondrosis.
Before prescribing the necessary treatment, the doctor makes a diagnosis. The main diagnostic method is x-ray. Treatment should be comprehensive, including eliminating the source of the disease as well as the symptoms.
The early stages of the disease involve manual therapy and exercise therapy. The treatment of osteonecrosis requires more radical treatment and sometimes surgical intervention. As soon as the main treatment is finished, the doctor prescribes exercise.
Thoracic bone tumor
Thoracic spina bifida is manifested by intermittent cramping pain in the heart, sternum, back, sides of the body, and upper abdomen. In other words, full body pain.
Sensation of pain in the heart can raise suspicion of a pathological process such as angina. The difference is that the cardiac pain in the case of thoracic osteonecrosis does not stop with nitroglycerin, and the electrocardiogram shows no pathological changes in the heart. And the pain doesn't go away after taking heart medication.
Intercostal neoplasms of the thoracic spine are characterized by symptoms depending on the location of the pathological process:
Radiculopathy develops with a herniated disc. In case the tumor of the intercostal bone of the thoracic spine covers the upper segment, there is pain in the shoulder, shoulder blade, back, and heart.
When compressing the spinal cord. In other words, it is the compression of the spinal cord. A rather rare phenomenon, manifested by pain, numbness and weakness in the lower extremities.
The clinical symptoms that belong only to osteonecrosis of the thoracic spine are as follows:
Neurological symptoms - constant pain, which increases with coughing and deep inhalation.
- cervical spondylosis;
- vertebral symptoms.
Visceral syndrome - pain in the heart, aggravated with exertion, turning.
Comprehensive treatment of osteonecrosis of the right thoracic spine. A special place is occupied by manual therapy, exercise therapy, physiotherapy.
Lumbar bone tumor
Intercostal fibroids of the lumbar spine are characterized by pain in the lumbar and dorsal regions of the body. Irradiation can be observed in the thighs, buttocks, and legs, very rarely the heart.
Osteomyelitis is characterized by disturbances in urination and defecation, impaired sweating, tingling in the lower extremities, and dryness and peeling of the skin.
Treatment of degenerative lumbar spine by a neurologist. Before establishing a treatment, the doctor performs the necessary diagnostic measures, including a personal examination and exploration of the vertebrae. X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans are also required. Based on the results of such studies, treatment is prescribed.
Treatment of lumbar spondylosis should include measures to eliminate pain and restore normal functioning of the injured area.
Comprehensive treatment includes:
- medical methods. With the help of drugs, you can reduce pain, inflammation, swelling.
- Physiotherapy treatment. With the help of such a treatment, you can also significantly reduce pain and discomfort, as well as progress toward full recovery.
- exercise therapy. Prevention and treatment with the help of therapeutic and sports complexes significantly improves health and complete recovery. Do not perform exercise therapy during an exacerbation of the disease! Along with physical education, it is necessary to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, eat a balanced diet, and fight stress.
Diagnostic measures
As a rule, the diagnosis of osteonecrosis consists of several stages:
- Stage 1. The doctor listens to the person's complaints and learns the medical history: area of concern, time of discomfort, cause of pain, reason for pain relief.
- Stage 2. The doctor examines the skin to determine or note the absence of redness, peeling, and rash. The doctor palpates the acne-affected skin to determine the temperature regime of the skin, determine swelling, and pain.
- Stage 3. X-ray examination is necessary to determine pathological mobility of the vertebrae, displacement, salt deposition, and osteoblast formation.
- Stage 4. CT helps identify nerve root compression, fractures, types of changes, and proliferative margins.
MRI contributes to the examination of the condition of blood vessels, nerve processes and discs.
Treatment at home
In the case when painful sensations are observed (in other words, a period of exacerbation), various active actions are strictly prohibited. Do not knead or massage the affected area with your hands as the pain can only get worse. The body must be at rest: in the most comfortable position, where the manifestation of pain is minimal. It also requires muscle relaxation. Sometimes doctors recommend using a bra for more freedom of movement.
In thoracic and lumbar osteonecrosis, you should warm the affected area. The most effective method of warming is to use a belt made of wool or dog hair. Thanks to the belt, pain is eliminated and the inflammatory process is weakened. Straps can be found in almost any pharmacy. In some cases, it is possible to visit a bath, which should warm the affected area. Bathing is only allowed during the healing period.
The old lady's recipe worked, too. You can apply various tinctures by rubbing them on the affected area. no less effective are various ointments that can be made at home or bought in a pharmacy. But such ointments should be used with caution, as they can cause skin burns. That is why it is important to read the instructions before use.
Gymnastics for osteonecrosis
Exercise therapy contributes to the treatment of osteonecrosis and is also an excellent preventive measure. Physical education should be specifically designed and tailored to each individual case.
Complex therapy and physical culture should be performed only during the remission phase, but not during the exacerbation phase. At the same time, exercise helps strengthen the ligaments and muscles of the back. Thanks to physical education, you can skip the main drug treatment.
Precautions
In order not to aggravate your health and prevent the development of osteonecrosis in any part of the spine, special precautions are required. Its main rules are:
Drink water before participating in physical activities or exercising. This is necessary to maintain the exchange of moisture in the discs and prevent their dehydration.
A good preventive measure is a back massage, which can be performed by the person at home. Massage helps increase blood flow throughout the body, as well as speeding up metabolism.
Under no circumstances should you lift and hold heavy objects and things at arm's length. This increases the load. To lift an object, you can squat down, keeping your spine straight.
Do not make sudden movements, turns and inclinations.
There should be an even distribution of the loads.
Prevention of osteonecrosis includes a proper lifestyle and good nutrition. No need to run any disease. Getting to the hospital in time for treatment will help avoid negative consequences.