Osteochondrosis refers to progressive degenerative-dystrophic lesions of spinal and joint tissue. The more the disease is neglected, the more pronounced the symptoms, affecting the patient's lifestyle and ability to work. When the structure of the spine is damaged, a person will face such problems, such as how to live with pain, how to sleep with cervical spondylosis.
In practice, pathologies of various parts of the spine, coccyx and joints often occur. Previously, only people over the age of 25 had the disease, but recently there is a trend of "rejuvenating" the disease. Symptoms of osteonecrosis in adolescence or young adulthood have become common.
The reasons
The causes of osteonecrosis can vary and depend on which part of the body is damaged. After any trauma, the normal structure of the spine, coccyx will be disturbed and the process of salt deposition and destruction of disc structure begins. People who are overweight, have a sedentary lifestyle, and athletes are prone to this condition.
During pregnancy, the risk of disease is increased due to weight gain and vitamin deficiency. Lymph nodes also enlarge during pregnancy. The heart, other organs suffer like this, combined with bone necrosis is very dangerous. The load on the shoulders, knees, neck and coccyx increases.
With age, most people develop osteonecrosis of the spine. Jobs that involve sitting for long periods of time, monotonous movements are a threat to the neck, lower back and tailbone. The following conditions affect the occurrence of the disease:
- genetic predisposition;
- pregnancy process;
- endocrine, infectious diseases;
- poisoning or exposure to drugs, toxic substances and chemicals;
- eating disorders, lifestyle.
In addition to the spine, cases of osteonecrosis are common. Dangerous pathology for knees, elbows, shoulder joints, coccyx. When considering osteoarthritis of the knee, attention should be paid to causes such as obesity or undernutrition, a lifestyle associated with excessive carrying in the legs, as well as trauma or inflammatory processes in the body.
The muscles of the legs withstand a very large load, unlike the joints, so the latter is more often subjected to it.
Symptoms of elbow joint damage may be observed along with existing osteonecrosis of the neck or chest region. Often the pathology is combined with arthritis or arthritis. Injuries and constant overuse of the elbow joint are predisposing factors.
Due to the constant movements of the neck and head, as well as the hands, over time, the joints begin to wear down, salt deposits appear. This leads to osteonecrosis of the cervical spine and shoulder joints. The cause may be congenital, due to compression of the nerve plexus in the shoulder and neck region, or due to external factors. Injury to the neck, shoulder blades, or hands causes osteonecrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the spine
Osteoma of the spine occurs in different parts. The most common is the pathology of the waist. This disease is associated with severe stress in the lower back and is dangerous because it threatens to compress the sciatic nerve and form hernias.
Symptoms, such as pain, are worse at night or with exercise. It is difficult to find the right position when sleeping and when resting. There may be "low back pain" in the lower back or reduced sensitivity of the legs, especially the knee joints, tailbone. As it gets worse, the lymph nodes become inflamed.
The coccyx is often affected, making it difficult to sit properly. If the sciatic nerve in the coccyx is inflamed, the pain will radiate down the lower extremities, buttocks, up to the knee joint. To ease the pain, it is better for the person to be in a comfortable position and take antispasmodics, relaxants, or pain relievers.
During pregnancy, osteonecrosis of the lower back sometimes makes a vaginal delivery difficult. Then you need to perform the operation. Antispasmodics are taken during this period carefully so as not to harm the fetus.
In diseases of the spine, doctors use the identification of specific symptoms to make a diagnosis - that is, a symptom of Lasegue disease. For a neurologist, symptoms of Lasegue are important to determine the extent of the disease.
Symptomatic Lasegue is always performed when a neurological disorder is suspected. With the Lasegue method, the doctor slowly lifts the leg straight up, without letting the knee bend. The Lasegue sign is tested in three stages by flexing and extending the leg. Based on the occurrence of pain in certain positions. During pregnancy, the Lasegue method is not performed.
Ankle bone tumors are often associated with shoulder and elbow injuries. Appears pain in the neck, head, spreading to the shoulder blades and arms, there is a sharp pain in the heart. They are purchased with antispasmodics. There is noise in the ears, vision is impaired.
The pain is worse when moving the neck, head, or shoulder blades. In the acute stage, there may be swollen lymph nodes, muscle pain in the neck and elbow joints. At that time, urgent treatment is needed to prevent complications in the heart, brain, and blood vessels.
Patients are often tormented by the question: how to sleep with cervical spondylosis and put the head in the right posture?
This is especially true for women during pregnancy. Only antispasmodics and supportive treatment.
Thoracic disease is less common. Symptoms of pain in the heart, neck and shoulder areas were noted. The lymph nodes are swollen, sometimes because of the pain, it is impossible to raise the hand, take a deep breath. Osteonecrosis is often confused with heart disease. If taking antispasmodics, muscle pain, heart stop. If the disease is advanced, antispasmodics do not always work and the following symptoms appear:
- violation of the sensitivity of the legs;
- pain increases at night, with movement, breathing;
- burning sensation, itching in the heart area, scaly area, along the ribs.
Usually, in practice, osteonecrosis affects several parts of the spine. Pregnancy symptoms are especially unpleasant, when antispasmodics are not wanted. Rescue promptly start treatment.
Diagnosing osteonecrosis involves performing hardware studies, questioning, and examining the patient. It is important to pay attention to specific signs such as symptoms of Lasegue. To rule out pathology in the heart and other internal organs, ultrasound and electrocardiogram are performed. X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans are done to examine the spine.
Treatment of osteonecrosis must be lengthy and complex. Treatment is divided into symptomatic therapy and rehabilitation therapy. Against pain, muscle relaxants, NSAIDs, analgesics, antispasmodics are prescribed. Muscle relaxants can not only relieve pain in the long run, but also improve mobility. Relaxation drugs have peripheral and central effects. Which drug to choose, the doctor decides.
Treatment methods include a combination of physical therapy, massage, and acupressure. Treatment allows manual therapy, banking, ointments and folk methods.
Osteoarthritis
Often have diseases of the elbow, knee, and shoulder joints. Osteoarthritis of the knee often occurs in pregnant women and is accompanied by pain and limitation of movement. The elbow joint is characterized by symptoms such as pain with movement, swelling, and deformity. Choosing the wrong hand position brings discomfort and pain. In the affected area, the lymph nodes become inflamed. Furthermore, lymph nodes may be affected not only in the affected area, but may also occupy nearby lymph nodes.
For accurate diagnosis, people use X-ray, CT, and MRI methods to examine, palpate and check symptoms of Lasegue disease. To restore the function of muscles and joints, complex treatment is required. You need massage, ERT, antispasmodics, NSAIDs, relaxants. In advanced cases, an operation is performed. But first of all, conservative treatment is always indicated, especially during pregnancy.