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 bear the load and finally collapses completely, where the only way out is the prosthesis. Thus, whether osteochondrosis is treated depends on the degree of the disease, at the initial stage of which, a person can still be saved. So how is the treatment of osteochondrosis - we will 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 base of the skeleton, where all the vertebrae are connected to each other, but remain mobile due to the presence of intervertebral discs. If osteochondrosis is not treated, then 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 must first neutralize the causes of the diagnosis.
To date, the causes of the occurrence have not been precisely identified, but experts note, due to which the disease can begin and progress:
- damage;
- hereditary factor;
- curvature of the spine, leg and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
- obesity, which increases the load on the spine;
- age;
- passive lifestyle;
- professional sports without due attention to safety.
- psychological factor, stress and nerves.
In order to begin effective treatment, it is imperative to neutralize the causes. Start leading 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 for X-ray and MRI in order to know precisely the condition of the spine. Besides, 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 slightly displaced laterally.
- Osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree already refers to the patient in the form of back pain. Disc protrusion 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. A hernia is often present. The deformed disc presses on the nerves and blood vessels, which, depending on the location, can cause headaches, discomfort in the extremities, and 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 has a disability, there is a severe limitation of movement.
How is the treatment done?
Many do not even know which doctor treats osteochondrosis of the spine and determines the effective methods for each specific case. This is a spondologist who studies in detail the spine and the musculoskeletal system as a whole, deals with all the diagnoses related to it. Now everyone knows who cures osteochondrosis. In addition, this specialist correctly selects the treatment and points out 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. Therefore, if you want to learn how to get rid of osteochondrosis, proper nutrition is your best medicine.
- The second point is the load. It is not necessary to ensure complete rest in the initial stages. However, to determine how to treat osteochondrosis, it is necessary to determine its stage and prescribe specific exercises. Professional sports are a clear contraindication.
Once patients have decided which doctor to see for osteochondrosis, they should see that specialist as soon as possible. After a complete examination, he prescribes treatment: either conservative methods or surgery.
Conservative methods
There are many options for what to do with osteochondrosis. Modern techniques include various back procedures, surgeries and drugs. Depending on how long the disease lasts and what symptoms are present, help is chosen 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.
- Physical therapy classes. Specifically, Bernard currents.
- Strict adherence to diet.
- Some physical therapy.
The composition of the dropper includes anti-inflammatory painkillers. They also take muscle relaxants, which relax the muscles and help them cope with overexertion. Additionally, be sure to include chondroprotectants that 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 removing the acute syndrome, they start the main treatment.
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 appearance of the disease. It is important to neutralize them by starting a healthy lifestyle (proper nutrition, diet), choosing vitamins for general strengthening of the body. Physiotherapy also helps tissues recover faster, promotes normal circulation and healing. It works great together with physiotherapy exercises, which strengthen the back muscles. Most often, Bernard currents are used, which bring excellent results.
Unfortunately, conservative advice on the treatment of osteochondrosis helps only in the first two stages of the disease.
Surgical
Surgery helps to treat any serious diagnoses. Even if one vertebra has grown into another, the disc has become severely deformed or herniated. Modern medical experience and the latest technology help to treat even the most difficult conditions. For the treatment of osteochondrosis, two types of operations are used:
- Hernia removal. This is a fairly simple intervention. An incision is made no more than one centimeter. The patient can already move independently on the second day and recovers quickly.
- Surgical treatment of late-stage osteochondrosis consists only of complete removal of the intervertebral disc. A new special prosthesis is placed in its place, which provides separation and absorption 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 is often restored. Modern silicone prostheses easily cope with loads 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 involves several procedures at the same time. Some of these are carried out in the hospital, while others must be carried out responsibly by the patient himself. The course of treatment in a day-stay hospital includes Bernard's currents. A special direct current device is ideal for deciding how to beat osteochondrosis. This procedure is absolutely safe and practically has no contraindications.
The treatment regimen is applied when the acute stage passes. Therefore, the best method of physiotherapy in this situation is Bernard currents. In addition, massage can be applied to it. Physiotherapy exercises are a mandatory part of treating osteochondrosis at home. You study various exercises under the guidance of a doctor and then regularly repeat them at home on your own.
An important part of solving the question of how to deal with osteochondrosis is self-treatment at home. Here, in addition to exercise therapy, you can turn to traditional medicine, but again, under the supervision of a doctor. Consider various recipes for folk remedies that can be used as ointments:
- A spoonful of flour, half a pack 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 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 rather spring: a glass of lilac flowers is infused with half a liter of vodka for 10 days, and then an excellent mixture is obtained for rubbing.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine outside the home? Fighting the disease can be much more effective if you go on holiday to a spa treatment. Thus, you can not only heal your back, but also restore 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. The elderly can only regain mobility 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 diet 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, in case there is the slightest discomfort in the back or there is a hereditary predisposition, it is necessary to pay enough 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 proper posture.
- participate in special exercises to strengthen the back.
- monitors diet.
- avoid obesity;
- get a corset if there is a curvature of the back
In the treatment of osteochondrosis, all these measures together will help you keep your back healthy and strong at any age. Take care of the spine, because it is the basis of the entire musculoskeletal system.