Many patients ask the question: "Is it possible to completely cure osteochondrosis? ". In fact, this is almost impossible when the disease reaches a serious stage. With this diagnosis, the intervertebral disc gradually begins to deform and can no longer withstand the load and eventually completely collapses, where the only way out is a prosthesis. Thus, the treatment of osteochondrosis depends on the degree of the disease, a person can still be saved at the initial stage. So, how is the treatment of osteochondrosis - we will talk about it.
Features of the disease
To understand what osteochondrosis is and how to treat it, you must first understand what the spine itself is. It forms the basis 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 gradually they begin to break down, causing friction between the bones, limitation of mobility and disability. In order to find out whether it is possible to treat osteochondrosis, you must first neutralize the causes of the diagnosis.
To date, the causes of the appearance have not been precisely determined, but experts note that the disease can begin and develop for this reason:
- injury;
- hereditary factor;
- curvature of the spine, other diseases of the leg and musculoskeletal system;
- obesity that increases the load on the spine;
- age;
- passive lifestyle;
- professional sports without proper attention to safety;
- psychological factor, stress and nerves.
It is important to neutralize the causes to start effective treatment. Start a healthy lifestyle and try to get rid of excess weight by strengthening the muscles of the spine with the help of exercises for the back.
Symptoms of the disease
In the treatment of the disease, first of all, a comprehensive examination is carried out, X-ray and MRI are sent to determine the exact condition of the spine. After all, the symptoms and treatment of the disease can be different 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 slides only slightly laterally.
- Grade 2 osteochondrosis already manifests itself to the patient in the form of back pain. Disc herniation begins. In addition to pain, the patient experiences constant fatigue. Conservative methods are sufficient for treatment.
- Third degree is a herniated disc. This process is considered irreversible and the disease cannot be completely cured. There is often a hernia. A deformed disc presses on nerves and blood vessels, which, depending on the location, can cause headaches, discomfort in the limbs and internal organs.
- In the final stage, the intervertebral disc has already been destroyed, and the destruction of blood vessels and the spinal cord continues. The patient is diagnosed with disability, there is a serious limitation in movement.
How is the treatment done?
Many do not even know which doctor treats osteochondrosis of the spine and prescribes effective methods for each specific case. This is a vertebrologist who studies the spine and the musculoskeletal system as a whole, 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 use of certain foods, especially if there is excess weight. Diets must be strictly followed. Therefore, 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 provide complete rest at the initial stage. However, in order to determine how to treat osteochondrosis, it is necessary to determine its stage and prescribe special exercises. Professional sports are an obvious contraindication.
After deciding which doctor to consult for osteochondrosis, patients should consult 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 surgeries, surgeries and medications. Depending on how long the disease lasts and what symptoms are present, help for osteochondrosis is selected. Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine in the first two stages includes:
- Medicines for osteochondrosis can be tablets, injections or drops.
- Physiotherapy courses. Specifically, Bernard currents.
- Strict adherence to diet.
- Certain physical therapy.
The drops include anti-inflammatory pain relievers. They also take muscle relaxants that relax the muscles and help them cope with excessive tension. In addition, be sure to include chondroprotectors, which can stop the destruction of cartilage tissue. Courses of these drugs provide effective treatment for back osteochondrosis. Help begins with getting rid of pain, and only after eliminating the acute syndrome, they start the main treatment.
In order to find out how to treat osteochondrosis of the back, the second point that needs to be clarified is the causes of the onset of the disease. It is important to choose vitamins for a healthy lifestyle (proper nutrition, diet), for general strengthening of the body, and neutralize them. Physiotherapy also promotes faster tissue regeneration, promoting normal circulation and healing. It works great in combination with physical therapy exercises that strengthen the back muscles. Bernard currents are often 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 when one vertebra grows into another, the disc is severely deformed or herniated. Modern medical practice and the latest technology help to cure even the most difficult conditions. Two types of surgery are used to treat osteochondrosis:
- Removal of hernias. This is a fairly simple intervention. An incision of no more than one centimeter is made. The patient can move independently on the second day and recovers quickly.
- Surgical treatment of end-stage osteochondrosis consists only of complete removal of the intervertebral disc. A new special prosthesis is placed in its place, which ensures 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 is often returned. 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
Complex treatment of osteochondrosis includes several procedures at the same time. Some are performed in the hospital, while others must be performed responsibly by the patient himself. The course of treatment in the hospital for a day includes Bernard currents. The special apparatus of diadynamic currents is ideal for deciding how to defeat osteochondrosis. This procedure is completely safe and practically has no contraindications.
The treatment regimen is applied when the acute stage has passed. Therefore, the best physiotherapy method in this case is Bernard currents. In addition, massage can be applied to it. Physiotherapy exercises are a mandatory part of the treatment of osteochondrosis at home. You learn various exercises under the guidance of a doctor and then repeat them regularly at home.
An important part of solving the problem of how to fight osteochondrosis is self-treatment at home. Here, in addition to exercise therapy, you can turn to traditional medicine, but still under the supervision of a doctor. Consider several recipes for folk remedies that can be used as ointments:
- A spoonful of flour, half a package of butter, an egg and a spoonful of vinegar should be mixed until smooth, then brewed in a warm place. The mixture can then be applied to 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 quite springy: a glass of lilac flowers is brewed with half a liter of vodka for 10 days, and then a mixture is obtained, which is excellent for rubbing.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine outside the home? The fight against illness can be more effective if you go to a spa treatment on vacation. Thus, you can not only treat your back, but also restore the body after a long illness.
Rehabilitation and prevention
Rehabilitation is a complex of measures by which a person who has overcome osteochondrosis can return to a normal full life. Elderly people can regain mobility only with the help of long-term rehabilitation procedures. The attending physician carefully selects a complex that should include exercises, a certain daily regimen, and a certain nutritional system. Rehabilitation of osteochondrosis of the spine includes continuous treatment, as well as disease prevention methods.
The first symptom of the disease is pain. Therefore, if there is even the slightest discomfort in the back or there is a hereditary tendency, it is necessary to pay enough attention to prevention. The situation is the same if there is excess weight and other possible reasons for the diagnosis.
To prevent the occurrence of the disease, the following is necessary:
- maintain proper posture;
- doing special exercises to strengthen the back;
- monitor nutrition;
- avoid obesity;
- buy a corset if you have a curve in the back
All these measures in the treatment of osteochondrosis together will help to keep your back healthy and strong at any age. Pay attention to the spine because it forms the basis of the entire musculoskeletal system.