Many patients ask the question: "is it possible to completely cure osteochondrosis? ". In fact, this is almost impossible if the disease has reached a serious stage. With this diagnosis, the intervertebral disc gradually begins to deform and can no longer withstand the load, and eventually collapses completely, where the only way out is the prostheses. So, whether osteochondrosis is treated depends on the degree of the disease, at the initial stage from which a person can still be saved. So, what is the treatment of osteochondrosis like - we will talk about it.
Characteristics of the disease
To understand what osteochondrosis is and how to treat it, you first need to understand what the spine itself is. This is the base of the skeleton, where all the vertebrae are interconnected but remain mobile due to the presence of intervertebral discs. If osteochondrosis is not treated, they gradually begin to break down, leading to friction between the bones, limited mobility, and disability. To find out whether it is possible to cure osteochondrosis, you first need to neutralize the causes of the diagnosis.
To date, the causes of the appearance have not been precisely identified, but experts note, because of which the disease can begin and progress:
- loss;
- hereditary factor;
- curvature of the spine, foot and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- obesity, which increases the load on the spine;
- was;
- passive lifestyle;
- professional sports without due attention to safety;
- psychological factor, stress and nerves.
To start an effective treatment, it is imperative to neutralize the causes. Start leading a healthy lifestyle and try to get rid of excess weight by strengthening your spine muscles with the help of back exercises.
disease symptoms
In the treatment of the disease, first of all, a thorough examination is carried out, they are sent for an x-ray and an MRI to accurately know the condition of the spine. After all, 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 the movement. The intervertebral disc is only slightly shifted to the sides.
- 2nd degree osteochondrosis is already reporting to the patient in the form of back pain. The disk overhang begins. In addition to pain, the patient constantly experiences fatigue. For treatment, conservative methods are sufficient.
- The third degree is a ruptured disc. This process is already considered irreversible and it is impossible to completely cure the disease. There is often a hernia. The deformed disc puts pressure on nerves and blood vessels, which, depending on the location, can cause headaches, discomfort in the limbs and internal organs as well.
- In the last stage, the intervertebral disc has already been destroyed and the destruction of blood vessels and spinal cord continues. The patient is assigned a disability, there is a severe limitation of movement.
How is the treatment performed?
Many do not even know which doctor treats osteochondrosis of the spine and determines the effective methods for each specific case. This is a vertebrologist who studies the spine and the musculoskeletal system as a whole in detail, deals with all diagnoses associated with it. Now everyone knows who treats osteochondrosis. In addition, this specialist correctly selects the treatment and highlights possible contraindications for the diagnosis of osteochondrosis:
- This is mainly the use of certain foods, especially if you are overweight. Diets must be strictly followed. So, if you want to know how to get rid of osteochondrosis, proper nutrition is your best medicine.
- The second point is the load. It is not necessary to guarantee complete rest in the early stages. However, to determine how to cure osteochondrosis, it is necessary to identify its stage and prescribe specific exercises. Professional sports are a clear contraindication.
Once patients have decided which doctor to contact for osteochondrosis, they should visit that specialist as soon as possible. After a thorough examination, he prescribes treatment: 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 is selected for osteochondrosis. In the first two stages, conservative treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, which includes:
- Medications, such as pills, injections or droppers for osteochondrosis.
- Physiotherapy Courses. In particular, Bernard's currents.
- Strict adherence to diet.
- Some physical therapy.
The composition of the dropper includes anti-inflammatory pain relievers. They also take muscle relaxants, which relax the muscles and help them deal with overexertion. Also, be sure to include chondroprotectors that can prevent cartilage tissue from being destroyed. Courses of these medications provide effective treatment for osteochondrosis of the back. Help begins with the elimination of pain, and only after removing the acute syndrome do they start the main treatment.
The second point that needs to be clarified to find 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), choosing vitamins for general strengthening of the body. Physical therapy also helps tissues to recover faster, promotes normal circulation and healing. It works great in conjunction with physical therapy exercises, which strengthen the back muscles. Most of the time, Bernard currents are used, which bring excellent results.
Unfortunately, conservative advice in the treatment of osteochondrosis only helps in the first two stages of the disease.
surgically
Surgery helps to deal with any serious diagnosis. Even in the event that one vertebra has turned into another, the disc has been seriously deformed or a hernia has appeared. Modern medical experience and the latest technology help to heal even the most difficult situations. For the treatment of osteochondrosis, two types of operations are used:
- Hernia removal. This is a very simple intervention. An incision is made no more than one centimeter. The patient can now move independently on the second day and recover quickly.
- Surgical treatment of late-stage osteochondrosis consists only of complete removal of the intervertebral disc. In its place, a new special prosthesis is installed, which provides separation and cushioning of the vertebrae.
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 handle loads on the musculoskeletal system. This is a relatively new technique in the treatment of osteochondrosis, but it has practically no contraindications and no long recovery period.
complex treatment
Comprehensive treatment of osteochondrosis includes several procedures at the same time. Some of them are carried out in the hospital, while others must be carried out responsibly by the patient himself. The course of treatment in a hospital in a one-day stay includes the Bernard currents. A special diadynamic current apparatus is ideal for deciding how to defeat osteochondrosis. This procedure is completely safe and has practically no contraindications.
The treatment regimen is applied when the acute phase passes. Therefore, the best method of physiotherapy in this situation is Bernard's currents. Also, massage can be applied to it. A mandatory part of treating osteochondrosis at home is physical therapy exercises. You study various exercises under the guidance of a doctor and then regularly repeat them at home on your own.
An important part of resolving the issue of how to manage osteochondrosis is self-treatment at home. Here, in addition to exercise therapy, you can resort to traditional medicine, but again under the supervision of a doctor. Consider several recipes for folk remedies that can be used as ointments:
- A spoon of flour, half a packet of butter, an egg and a spoon of vinegar should be mixed until smooth and then infused in a warm place. After that, you can rub the mixture on the affected area of the back.
- Honey, radish juice and vodka are mixed together in proportions of 1: 1, 5: 0, 1, the application is similar.
- The last recipe is quite spring: a glass of lilac flowers is infused with half a liter of vodka for 10 days, then an excellent mixture for rubbing is obtained.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine outside the home? Fighting the disease can be much more effective if you go on vacation for a spa treatment. So you can not only heal your back, but also restore your 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 and full life. Seniors can regain mobility only with the help of long-term rehabilitation procedures. The attending physician carefully selects a complex, in which there should be exercises, a certain daily routine, a specific nutrition system. Rehabilitation for osteochondrosis of the spine includes ongoing treatment as well as methods to prevent the condition.
The first symptom of the disease is pain. Therefore, if there is even the slightest discomfort in the back or a hereditary predisposition, it is necessary to pay close attention to prevention. If you are overweight and have other possible causes of the diagnosis, the situation is the same.
To prevent the occurrence of the disease, it is necessary:
- maintain correct posture;
- engage in special exercises to strengthen the back;
- monitor nutrition;
- avoid obesity;
- get a corset if there is a curve in the back
In treating osteochondrosis, all these measures together will help keep your back healthy and strong at any age. Take care of the spine, as it is the basis of the entire musculoskeletal system.