Many patients ask themselves the question: "Is it possible to completely cure osteochondrosis? ". In fact, this is almost impossible when the disease has reached a serious stage. With this diagnosis, the intervertebral disc gradually begins to deform, no longer withstands the load and finally collapses completely, where only a prosthetic is the way out. So, whether to treat osteochondrosis depends on the degree of the disease, at the initial stage of which a person can still be saved. How is the treatment of osteochondrosis - we'll talk about it.
characteristics of the disease
To understand what osteochondrosis is and how to treat it, you must first understand what the spine itself is. This is the basis of the skeleton in which all the vertebrae are connected but remain mobile due to the presence of intervertebral discs. If osteochondrosis is not treated, they gradually begin to break down, causing friction between the bones, reduced mobility and disability. To find out whether it is possible to cure osteochondrosis, you must first neutralize the causes of the diagnosis.
To date, the causes of occurrence have not been accurately identified, but experts note, due to which the disease can begin and progress:
- Injury;
- hereditary factor;
- curvature of the spine, foot and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- obesity, which increases the load on the spine;
- age;
- passive lifestyle;
- professional sport without due regard for safety;
- psychological factor, stress and nerves.
In order to start an effective treatment, it is essential to neutralize the causes. Start a healthy lifestyle and try to get rid of excess weight by strengthening the muscles of the spine with the help of back exercises.
symptoms of the disease
In the treatment of the disease, first of all, a thorough examination is carried out, they are sent to an X-ray and an MRI scan to accurately know the condition of the spine. Because the symptoms and treatment of the disease may differ depending on the stage of diagnosis:
- In the first stage, there are usually no symptoms. There may be slight discomfort during movement. The intervertebral disc is only slightly shifted to the side.
- Second-degree osteochondrosis is already presenting itself in the form of back pain in the patient. The disc protrusion begins. In addition to the pain, the patient constantly experiences fatigue. Conservative methods are sufficient for treatment.
- The third degree is a herniated disc. This process is already considered irreversible and it is impossible to completely cure the disease. Often there is a hernia. The deformed intervertebral disc presses on the nerves and blood vessels, which, depending on the location, can lead to headaches, limb problems and internal organs.
- In the last stage, the intervertebral disc has already been destroyed and the destruction of the blood vessels and spinal cord continues. The patient is assigned a disability, there is a severe restriction of movement.
How is the treatment carried out?
Many do not even know which doctor treats osteochondrosis of the spine and determines the effective methods for each case. This is a vertebrologist who examines the spine and the entire musculoskeletal system in detail and deals with all the diagnostics related to it. Now everyone knows who treats osteochondrosis. In addition, this specialist correctly selects the treatment and highlights possible contraindications to the diagnosis of osteochondrosis:
- This is primarily the use of certain foods, especially if you are overweight. Diets should be strictly followed. Therefore, if you want to know how to get rid of osteochondrosis, your best medicine is proper nutrition.
- The second point is the load. It is not necessary to ensure complete rest at the initial stage. However, in order to determine how to cure osteochondrosis, it is necessary to identify its stage and prescribe specific exercises. Professional sport is a clear contraindication.
After patients have decided which doctor to turn to for osteochondrosis, they should see that specialist as soon as possible. After a full examination, he prescribes treatment: either conservative methods or surgical intervention.
conservative methods
There are many options for what to do with osteochondrosis. Modern techniques include various back procedures, surgeries and medications. Depending on how long the disease lasts and what symptoms are present, help with osteochondrosis is chosen. In the first two stages, conservative treatment of spinal osteochondrosis, which includes:
- Medication, it can be tablets, injections or droppers for osteochondrosis.
- Physiotherapy courses. In particular, the Bernard currents.
- Strict adherence to the diet.
- Certain physical therapy.
The composition of the pipette includes anti-inflammatory painkillers. They also take muscle relaxants, which relax muscles and help them cope with overexertion. Also, make sure you include chondroprotectors that can stop the destruction of cartilage tissue. Courses of these drugs provide effective treatment for osteochondrosis of the back. Help begins with the elimination of pain, and only after the removal of the acute syndrome do they begin the main treatment.
The second point that needs to be clarified in order to figure out how to treat osteochondrosis of the back is the causes of the onset of the disease. It is important to neutralize them by starting to lead a healthy lifestyle (proper nutrition, diet) and choosing vitamins for general strengthening of the body. Physiotherapy also helps tissues recover faster, promotes normal blood flow and healing. It works great with physiotherapy exercises that strengthen the back muscles. Most often, Bernard currents are used, which bring excellent results.
Unfortunately, conservative advice on the treatment of osteochondrosis will help only in the first two stages of the disease.
surgical
Surgery helps to cope with serious diagnoses. Even if one vertebra has grown into another, the intervertebral disc has been severely deformed or a hernia has occurred. Modern medical experience and the latest technology help to heal even the most difficult situations. Two types of operations are used to treat osteochondrosis:
- Removal of hernias. This is a fairly simple procedure. An incision is made no more than a centimeter. Already on the second day, the patient can move independently and recovers quickly.
- Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis of the last stage consists only in the complete removal of the intervertebral disc. A new special prosthesis is used in its place, which ensures that the vertebrae are separated and cushioned.
Patients should not be afraid of this technique. It is thanks to the operation that the flexibility and mobility of the spine often returns. Modern silicone prostheses easily cope with the strain on the musculoskeletal system. This is a relatively new technique in the treatment of osteochondrosis, but it has practically no contraindications and a long recovery period.
complex treatment
Comprehensive treatment of osteochondrosis includes several procedures at once. Some of them are carried out in the hospital, while others have to be carried out under the responsibility of the patient. The course of treatment in a hospital with a day stay includes Bernard's currents. A special apparatus of diadynamic currents is ideal for deciding how to defeat osteochondrosis. This procedure is absolutely safe and has practically no contraindications.
The treatment regimen is used when the acute stage has passed. Therefore, the best method of physiotherapy in this situation is Bernhard currents. In addition, massage can be applied to it. A mandatory component of the treatment of osteochondrosis at home is physiotherapy exercises. You will learn various exercises under the guidance of a doctor and then repeat them regularly at home on your own.
An important part of solving the problem of how to deal with osteochondrosis is self-treatment at home. In addition to movement therapy, you can also turn to conventional medicine here, but again under medical supervision. Consider several recipes for folk remedies that can be used as ointments:
- A spoonful of flour, half a packet of butter, an egg and a spoonful of vinegar should be mixed until smooth, and then infused in a warm place. After that, you can rub the mixture into the affected area of the back.
- Honey, radish juice and vodka are mixed together in a ratio of 1: 1. 5: 0. 1, the application is similar.
- The last recipe is more spring-like: a glass of lilac flowers is infused with half a liter of vodka for 10 days, and then an excellent mixture for rubbing is obtained.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine outside the home? The fight against the disease can be much more effective if you go to a spa treatment while on vacation. So you can not only heal your back, but also rebuild the body after a long illness.
rehabilitation and prevention
Rehabilitation is a set of measures, after which a person who has overcome osteochondrosis can return to a normal, full life. Older people can only become mobile again with the help of long-term rehabilitation procedures. The attending physician carefully selects a complex in which there must be exercises, a certain daily routine, a certain nutritional system. Rehabilitation for spinal osteochondrosis includes continued treatment, as well as methods of preventing the disease.
The first symptom of the disease is pain. Therefore, in the case of the slightest back pain or hereditary predisposition, sufficient attention must be paid to prevention. If you are overweight and have other possible causes for the diagnosis, the situation is the same.
To prevent the occurrence of the disease, it is necessary:
- maintain correct posture;
- perform special exercises to strengthen the back;
- monitor nutrition;
- avoid obesity;
- Get a corset if there is a curve in the back
When treating osteochondrosis, all of these measures together will help keep your back healthy and strong at any age. Pay attention to the spine, because it is the basis of the entire musculoskeletal system.