Many patients ask the question: "is it possible to completely cure osteochondrosis? ". In fact, this is almost impossible if the disease has reached a severe 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 prosthetics. Thus, the method of treating osteochondrosis depends on the degree of the disease, in the initial stages of which a person can still be saved. So, how is osteochondrosis treated - we will talk about it.
Characteristics of the disease
In order to understand what osteochondrosis is and how to treat it, you must first understand what the spine is. It is the base of the skeleton where all the vertebrae are connected but remain mobile due to the presence of the intervertebral discs. If osteochondrosis is not treated, they gradually begin to break down, leading to friction between the bones, limited movement and disability. To find out if it is possible to cure osteochondrosis, you must first neutralize the causes of the diagnosis.
To date, the causes of its appearance have not been precisely identified, but experts note that the disease can begin and progress:
- injury;
- hereditary factor;
- curvature of the spine, foot and other diseases of the locomotor system;
- obesity, which increases the load on the spine;
- circle;
- passive lifestyle;
- professional sport without adequate attention to safety;
- psychological factor, stress and nerves.
In order to start 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 back exercises.
Symptoms of the disease
In the treatment of the disease, first of all, a thorough examination is carried out, and an X-ray and MRI scan is carried out in order to accurately determine 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. Slight discomfort may occur during movement. The intervertebral disc is only slightly displaced to the side.
- Osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree already appears in the patient in the form of back pain. The plate begins to protrude. In addition to pain, the patient constantly experiences fatigue. Conservative methods are sufficient for treatment.
- The third degree is a ruptured disc. This process can be considered irreversible and it is impossible to completely cure the disease. There is often a hernia. The deformed disc presses on the nerves and blood vessels, which, depending on the location, can cause headaches, discomfort in the limbs, and the internal organs also suffer.
- In the last stage, the intervertebral disc has already been destroyed, and the destruction of blood vessels and the spinal cord continues. The patient is disabled, severely restricted in mobility.
How is the treatment done?
Many people do not even know which doctor treats osteochondrosis of the spine and determines effective methods in each case. This is a vertebrologist who studies the spine and the entire musculoskeletal system in detail, deals with all related diagnoses. 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 primarily the consumption of certain foods, especially if you are overweight. The diet must be strictly followed. Therefore, if you want to know how to get rid of osteochondrosis, proper nutrition is the best medicine.
- The second point is the load. In the initial stage, it is not necessary to ensure complete rest. However, to determine how to cure osteochondrosis, it is necessary to determine its stage and prescribe special exercises. Professional sports are a clear contraindication.
After patients have decided which doctor to turn to for osteochondrosis, they should visit this specialist as soon as possible. After a complete 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 treatments, surgeries and medications. Depending on how long the disease lasts and what symptoms appear, help is selected for osteochondrosis. In the first two stages, conservative treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, which includes:
- Medicines, it can be tablets, injections or droppers for osteochondrosis.
- Physiotherapy courses. Especially Bernard currents.
- Strict adherence to the diet.
- Some physical therapy.
The composition of the dropper contains anti-inflammatory pain relievers. They also take muscle relaxants, which relax the muscles and help them cope with overuse. In addition, be sure to include chondroprotectors, which can stop the destruction of cartilage tissue. Courses of these drugs provide effective treatment for osteochondrosis of the back. Help begins with getting rid of pain, and only after the acute syndrome is removed, the main treatment begins.
The second point that needs to be clarified in order to find out how to treat osteochondrosis of the back is the causes of the development of the disease. It is important to neutralize them by starting a healthy lifestyle (proper nutrition, diet), choosing vitamins to strengthen the body in general. Physiotherapy promotes faster tissue recovery, promotes normal circulation and healing. It works well with physiotherapy exercises that strengthen the muscles of the back. Most often, Bernard currents are used, which give excellent results.
Unfortunately, conservative advice on the treatment of osteochondrosis helps only in the first two stages of the disease.
Surgically
Surgery helps to cope with any serious diagnosis. Even if one vertebra grew on top of another, the disc was severely deformed or herniated. Modern medical experience and the latest technology help to cure even the most difficult situations. Two types of surgery are used to treat osteochondrosis:
- Hernia removal. This is a fairly simple intervention. The incision is no more than one centimeter. The patient can move independently on the second day and recovers quickly.
- Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis of the last stage consists only of complete removal of the intervertebral disc. A new special prosthesis is installed in its place, which ensures the separation and cushioning of the vertebrae.
Patients need not fear this technique. Thanks to the surgery, the flexibility and mobility of the spine often returns. Modern silicone prostheses easily cope with the loads of the locomotor 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 these are performed in the hospital, while others must be performed responsibly by the patient. During the one-day hospitalization, Bernard's currents are also included. The special device of diadynamic currents is ideal for deciding how to overcome osteochondrosis. This procedure is completely safe and has practically no contraindications.
The treatment regimen is used after the acute stage has passed. Therefore, in this situation, the best physiotherapy method is Bernard currents. It can also be massaged. Physiotherapy exercises are a mandatory part of the home treatment of osteochondrosis. You learn different exercises under the guidance of a doctor, and then regularly repeat them at home alone.
Self-treatment at home is an important part of solving the question of how to treat osteochondrosis. Here, in addition to exercise therapy, you can also turn to traditional medicine, but again under medical supervision. Consider several recipes of 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, then cooked 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 in a 1: 1, 5: 0, 1 ratio, the application is similar.
- The last recipe is quite springy: a glass of purple flowers is infused with half a liter of vodka for 10 days, and then you get an excellent mixture for rubbing.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine outside the home? The fight against the disease can be much more effective if we go on vacation for a spa treatment. In this way, 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 full life. The mobility of the elderly can only be regained with the help of long-term rehabilitation procedures. The attending physician carefully selects a complex, which must include exercises, a certain daily routine, and a specific nutritional system. Rehabilitation of osteochondrosis of the spine includes continuous treatment, as well as methods of disease prevention.
The first symptom of the disease is pain. Therefore, if there is the slightest discomfort in the back, or if there is a hereditary tendency, sufficient attention should be paid to prevention. If you are overweight and there are other possible reasons for the diagnosis, the situation is the same.
In order to prevent the development of the disease, the following is necessary:
- maintaining correct posture;
- engage in special exercises to strengthen the back;
- monitors nutrition;
- avoid obesity;
- buy a corset if you have a curved back
In the treatment of osteochondrosis, all these measures together help to maintain the health and strength of the back at any age. Take care of the spine, because it is the basis of the entire musculoskeletal system.