Osteochondrosis can occur unnoticed for a long time, the first symptoms of the disease appear in significant changes in the intervertebral discs. To stop the destruction of the intervertebral disc promptly seek medical attention and fulfill all of its purposes.

Causes of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis - a disease which is based on degenerative-dystrophic (exchange) changes in the intervertebral discs. This disease is caused as a rule, not one but several reasons. The main reason for today is considered hereditary features of the structure of the connective tissue that makes up the cartilage of the intervertebral disc. It heredity "fault" in the development of early forms of osteoarthritis, including degenerative disc disease of children and youth.

But hereditary disorders may be expressed in varying degrees, however, as a rule, one of the reasons for developing osteoarthritis small. Thus, juvenile osteochondrosis develops most often on the back of high loads on the spine - sport, long stay in an awkward position (eg, in the classroom), obesity and so on.

In adults, the threat of developing osteoarthritis increases with age, because it reduces the intensity of cellular metabolism Metabolism: The basis of life of all living things That leads to a decrease in the volume of the intervertebral disc. The main problem of the adult population is now sedentary, which leads to a decrease in muscle tone back, and overweight (excess load on the spine). These two are the main reasons for the development of osteoarthritis.

What happens to the spine in osteochondrosis

Spinal (intervertebral) discs - a special pad Feminine pads - talk about wings   between the vertebrae operating amortization function and prevent injury to the vertebrae. The disc consists of a fibrous ring, inside of which is a special nucleus pulposus.

At the beginning of disc disease as it dries out, loses fluid, then a fibrous ring there are small cracks, thinning, cracked disc may protrude into the spinal canal and compress the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots - a condition called disc protrusion. There are several options disc displacement, such as diffuse protrusion (diffuse osteochondrosis Osteochondrosis - learn how to properly distribute the weight   - This is a misnomer) - a condition in which the displaced fragment stretches the annulus. The next stage - a complete rupture disc nucleus pulposus and compression of the spinal cord and spinal nerves - a herniated disc. Depending on in which region of the spinal cord such changes have occurred, or that manifested symptoms of osteochondrosis Symptoms of osteoarthritis - pain and disturbance of sensitivity .

Classification of osteochondrosis

Depending on which part of the spine amazed intervertebral osteochondrosis is divided into cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral. Common osteochondrosis - is osteochondrosis of spine or low back pain, in which the pathological process involves two or more parts of the spine. Polysegmental osteochondrosis covers several segments of the spine (one segment of the spinal cord corresponding to one vertebra).

Changes in the intervertebral discs are divided into four stages:

• the first stage of osteochondrosis - intervertebral discs decrease in volume, "dry out";
• the second stage of osteoarthritis - a protrusion of the disc, reducing the distance between the vertebrae pinching spinal nerves;
• The third stage of osteochondrosis - intervertebral hernia;
• fourth stage of osteochondrosis - overgrowth of bone and a decrease in the mobility of the spine, ie, a combination of degenerative disc disease and deforming spondylarthrosis.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

The symptoms of osteoarthritis of the spine depends on which part of the spine and struck the stage of disease. The initial stages of the disease occur, as a rule. Behind the scenes. The main manifestations of osteoarthritis associated with infringement of spinal nerve roots, and with compression of the spinal cord.

In addition to the cervical spine are typical symptoms that appear at squeezing the arteries supplying the spinal cord, in close proximity to the spinal cord.

Scoliosis of the lumbar - quite a common disease. There are scoliosis thoracolumbar and lumbar spine, as well as combined scoliosis with two primary curvatures - thoracic and lumbar. The cause of scoliosis is often a long sitting at the wrong table or desk picked up at school age.

Lumbar scoliosis and causes of

Scoliosis - a curvature of the spine to the right or to the left. If you do not detect changes in the spine in the early stages, it may eventually cause quite serious health problems. The most common changes in the scoliotic thoracic spine, but they may be affected and some departments are located - cervical and lumbar.

When lumbar scoliosis changes in the spine may develop due to the inherent characteristics of the connective tissue (congenital scoliosis), due to extensive post-traumatic or post-surgical scars on the body, leading to the displacement of the center of gravity of the spine (gravitational scoliosis), muscle weakness against various diseases (myotic scoliosis ).

Also, distinguish structural and nonstructural scoliosis Scoliosis - when the spine is curved . Structural scoliosis is characterized by a change in the structure of the vertebrae, and in unstructured or functional scoliosis these changes yet, so it is easy to correct.

With long flowing lumbar scoliosis of the spine begins to twist about its axis, which leads to pain in the chest, waist and lower extremities.

Symptoms of lumbar scoliosis

The magnitude of the lumbar scoliosis curvature of the spine is divided into four degrees: 1 degree - curvature of the spine at 5-10˚, 2 degree - 11-30˚, grade 3 - 31-60˚, 4 degree - 60-90˚ and more.

Scoliosis 1 degree of the lumbar almost imperceptible, it can be detected only on radiographs or during the inspection of a specialist (orthopedic traumatologist). Scoliosis 2 degrees of the lumbar more noticeable: already clearly visible light asymmetry of the triangle in the waist and the deviation of the spinous processes of the lumbar midline. In addition, the convex side of the curvature (scoliosis arc) formed by the roller.

When scoliosis 3 degrees Scoliosis 3 degrees - may need surgery   clearly visible skew pelvis and tilt to one side. With further progression of lumbar scoliosis has been increasing natural forward protrusion of the spine (lumbar lordosis) in combination with thoracic kyphosis (protrusion of the spine back into a hump), or the formation of a lumbar kyphosis combined with thoracic lordosis.

Scoliosis of the lumbar spine is shown by the fact that the patient concerned about severe pain in the lumbar region and fatigue, worse after exercise or being in a forced position. As a result of spinal deformity can change gait, impaired general patient mobility. The muscles along the spine, gradually atrophy and can not support it, which leads to compression of the nerve endings, reducing the sensitivity in the extremities and increased back pain.

Scoliosis of the lumbar: Diagnosis

Localization and degree of curvature of the spine is detected during the inspection of a specialist and confirmed by radiographic examination of the spine. Sometimes, to clarify the diagnosis carried out a computer or magnetic resonance imaging (CT or MRI).

Treatment of scoliosis of the lumbar spine

Scoliosis Treatment should begin as soon as possible. If you only have functional disorders of the spine may complete his recovery. In advanced stages it is also possible to help the patient: the partial restoration of spinal function allows you to remove or significantly reduce pain.

Treatment of lumbar scoliosis should be carried out under the supervision of an orthopedic traumatologist. Appointed complexes of medical gymnastics, massage, manual therapy, reflexology Reflexology - a policy of non-drug therapies . Drug therapy helps to relieve muscle spasm and reduce back pain. Correction of the curvature of the spine is possible by wearing a special corset which is made individually for each patient, taking into account its physiological characteristics.

Of great importance is a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, organization of work (properly selected table or desk), fizkultpauzy with a long stay in a sitting position. Sleeping Dreams: how to understand our dreams   also must be organized properly, the bed should not be too soft and with a smooth surface. Patients are encouraged to swimming lessons, walking.

Lumbar scoliosis requires a long persistent and timely treatment.

Galina Romanenko