Back pain is a nuisance and not a rare occurrence. It brings tangible discomfort and can signal the onset of deforming spondylarthrosis - chronic degenerative spine disease. He is referred to the group of "age-related" diseases, since about 80% of patients are elderly, but there is a tendency to "rejuvenate" this ailment.
Symptoms of deforming spondylarthrosis
This disease occurs against the background of osteochondrosis, due to damage to the intervertebral joints. Deforming spinal cord spondylarthrosis begins with the appearance of dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs, they lose their elasticity and deform, which entails the defeat of the bone tissue of the vertebrae. The disease proceeds in chronic form, and the destructive process passes from one vertebra to the other, squeezing the nerve endings. This provokes the occurrence of constant pain in the back. Pain syndrome is the main sign of the onset of the disease. As the disease develops, the following are attached to it:
- partial loss of mobility;
- weakness in the legs;
- irradiation of pain in different parts of the body;
- impaired excretory system function;
- neuralgia of the sciatic nerve.
Deforming spondylarthrosis of the lumbar spine
This pathology, as a rule, occurs after a prolonged static load. Deforming spondylarthrosis of the lumbar spine is diagnosed in patients who spend most of their time sitting or standing. At the end of the day, they feel a painful aching pain in the lumbar region, which is the main sign of the onset of the development of this disease. If you do not respond in time to this alarm, then over time, the pain becomes permanent and new symptoms occur:
- painful tension of the muscles in the lumbar region, which leads to morning stiffness of movements, it can be reduced with the help of a small workout;
- sharp pain when changing the position of the body, which occurs after a prolonged static load;
- pain often radiates to the thigh area, especially during walking;
- at palpation, the inflamed area causes strong painful sensations which can be lowered, if slightly to bend forward;
- when flexing the torso, a characteristic crunch is heard.
Deforming spondylarthrosis of the thoracic spine
This type of disease is relatively rare. The thoracic spine protects the ribs. It is not as mobile as other parts of the skeleton pillar, and therefore more resistant to damage. Deforming spondylarthrosis of the thoracic region is a serious illness, the consequences of which are treated surgically. It manifests itself by such signs:
- aching unilateral pain in the affected area;
- shortness of breath, shortness of breath;
- a feeling of squeezing in the chest;
- limitation of mobility;
- the appearance of palpable discomfort in the stomach or liver;
- compression of the dorsal muscles;
- pain symptom increases after static tension;
- formation of scoliosis and kyphosis;
- development of intercostal neuralgia.
Deforming spondylarthrosis of the cervical spine
Most experts agree with the opinion that the deforming spondylarthrosis of the cervical spine develops against the background of already existing osteochondrosis. Timely diagnosis and proper treatment of a provoking disease will help to avoid serious complications. The main signs of the disease, which should not be ignored, are the following:
- pain syndrome in the form of constant aching sensations in the neck;
- pathological spasm of the muscles causing chronic pain, giving back to the nape and hand;
- with time, there is numbness in the shoulder area, stiffness of movements, coordination is impaired;
- hearing and vision may be impaired;
- at turns and inclinations of a head a characteristic crunch is heard;
- disturbed sleep;
- Sometimes neuralgia develops.
Diagnosis of spondylarthrosis
The definition of this disease consists of careful collection of anamnesis in the patient and instrumental research. Assign a spondylography - an x-ray in two projections. Additionally, the spine is examined using computed tomography (CT), angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging. In MRI images, signs of deforming spondylarthrosis are present in the form of pathological bone growths and strong curvature of the spine. This method of diagnosis helps to detect the disease at different stages of its course.
Spondylarthrosis - treatment
This disease can not be cured completely, so all therapeutic measures are aimed only at eliminating pain and slowing the progression of the disease. When the doctor is diagnosed correctly, an adequate treatment is prescribed. It includes various methods:
- For cupping the pain syndrome, the medication of spondylarthrosis is used.
- To strengthen the back muscles, patients are prescribed physiotherapeutic procedures, exercise therapy and massage.
- It is recommended to wear special corsets.
- Sharp and prolonged pain is eliminated by introducing steroids directly into the epidural space.
- The patient is treated with a surgical procedure at stages 3 and 4.
Deforming spondylarthrosis of the lumbar spine - treatment
Effective therapy of the disease depends on the data of the instrumental research, the general well-being of the patient, and includes all the methods listed above. They are aimed at relieving inflammation and pain. Since deforming spondylarthrosis of the lumbar spine can lead to complete immobilization of the lower body, intraarticular injections are used to treat it.
Deforming spondylarthrosis of the cervical spine - treatment
Completely cure the deforming spondylarthrosis of the cervical spine is impossible, but if the diagnosis is made on time - you can prevent further development of the disease. Two methods are used:
- physiotherapy;
- drug treatment.
- Physiotherapy method used at the beginning of the disease. It consists of several activities:
- professional therapeutic massage;
- complex of therapeutic exercises;
- Spinal traction under water;
- acupuncture;
- use of medical leeches;
- folk methods of cupping the pain syndrome;
- osteopathy.
Medical treatment of deforming spondylarthrosis of the cervical spine is used during the period of exacerbation of the disease. All medications have serious side effects. Therefore, they should be taken strictly individually. To remove the pain syndrome and eliminate the inflammatory process, doctors recommend:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- non-narcotic analgesics;
- alkaloid preparations;
- multivitamins;
- ointments and lotions;
- preparations based on chondroitin and glucosamine.
Each patient is prescribed medications by courses, guided by indications and contraindications, and also taking into account the individual characteristics of the organism.
Spondylarthrosis of the thoracic spine - treatment
Removal of signs of the disease in the thoracic area is also carried out in a complex manner. A group of NSAID medicines and courses of chondroprotective therapy are prescribed. Since this type of ailment often has intercostal neuralgia, steroid preparations can be used, and with a very pronounced pain syndrome, a novocain blockade is performed. Spondylarthrosis of the thoracic region requires long sessions of physiotherapy:
- HILT-therapy;
- electrostimulation;
- magnetotherapy ;
- cryotherapy.