The danger, the consequences and complications of degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar
The Degenerative processes affecting the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, and spinal joints, are dangerous, because cause pain and make it impossible to move freely. In his personal life is a torment threatens with refusal from usual way of activities, interferes with work and study.
Complications of degenerative disc disease that can sometimes be even more dangerous, lead to disability or even to stable disability. It is encouraging that prevention and persistent desire to overcome the disease can prevent the worst consequences.
disease Stage
disorders of posture, a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, poor diet lead to degenerative changes of the intervertebral discs.
First, there are areas with deficiency of nutrition, which formed cracks and scars of fibrous fibers and thinning. The nucleus of the disc loses moisture.
The Next stage is the formation of a protrusion of the disc when the nucleus pulpous protrudes and physiological changes the shape of the disc. If the deformation affects a nerve root, the patient feels pain when driving or a prolonged stay in one position.
Already the first two stages of osteoarthritis may be a spinal instability.
The scenario Further development of the disease may go the way of the formation of the spinal disc herniation: when a pulpous nucleus will tear the cartilage ring or the distance between adjacent vertebras will be reduced due to pathological thinning of the disc. The latter option is complicated by the formation of calcium growths up to fusing the vertebrae.
In Addition to thinning of intervertebral disc, growth of osteophytes, degenerative changes are, and the joints of the spine (facet, uncovertebral). As a rule, these changes are carried out according to the type of osteoarthritis.
According to studies, osteoarthritis of the joints of the spine causes up to 10-15% of back pain and spine among the population.
For each of the stages of degradation of the spine occur characteristic symptoms, which were named independent diseases.
- protrusion
- radiculopathy
- vertebral artery syndrome
- herniated disc
- listeth;
- spinal stenosis, etc.
the Dangers of localization
depending on the location of the crumbling discs and the degree of degeneration, there are multiple complications. Impaired functions of organs and systems due to:
- the compression of nerve endings
- defective blood supply;
- by muscle spasm.
In the book by A. V. Tereshina "Concept" is a table in which many common diseases are associated with incorrect mutual position of vertebrae.
a Detailed description of the segment | Internal organs and body parts, on the functions which can influence the position of the vertebrae and intervertebral disc pathology | Symptoms of malposition of the vertebrae or a herniated disc |
C1 | Brain, pituitary, inner ear, sympathetic nervous system | Pain in head, migraine, nervousness, increased blood pressure |
C1-C2 | Eye, the optic and auditory nerves, temporal bone | visual impairment, hearing loss, fainting, allergic |
C2 C3 | Cheek, facial nerve, teeth, outer ear | Neuralgia, neuritis |
C3 C4 | Nose, lips, mouth | hearing loss, adenoids |
C4 C5 | Throat ligaments | Sore throat, laryngitis, tonsillitis |
C5 C6 | muscles of the neck, forearms | Pain in the neck, shoulders, and nape |
C6-C7 | Shoulder and elbow joints and the thyroid gland | impaired mobility, pain in the shoulders and elbows, hypothyroidism |
C7-T1 | the Hands, wrists, palms. The esophagus and trachea | the Pain and numbness in the arms and hands. Asthma, cough |
Th1 | the Hands, wrists, palms. The esophagus and trachea | chest Pain, arrhythmia, ischemic heart disease |
Th2-Th3 | Lungs, bronchi, breast | Bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia |
Th3-Th4 | Gall bladder, bile ducts | gallstones, jaundice. Problematic digestion of fats |
Th4-Th5 | Liver, solar plexus | Disorder of liver function, jaundice, blood clotting disorder |
Th5 Th6 | Liver, solar plexus | Gastritis, stomach ulcers, digestive disorders |
Pancreas, duodenum | Diabetes, stomach ulcers, indigestion and chair | |
Th8 Th7 segments | Spleen, diaphragm | digestive Disorders, respiratory disorder |
Th8 Th9 | Adrenals | Allergies, decreased immunity |
Th9 Th10 | Kidney | kidney Disease, fatigue, weakness |
Th10 Th11 | Kidneys, ureters | Chronic kidney disease, urination disorders |
Th11 Th12 | Fat and small intestine, inguinal rings, fallopian tube | digestive Disorders, diseases of female genital organs, infertility |
Th12 L1 | the Appendix, abdominal cavity, cecum, upper thigh | Hernia, constipation, diarrhea, colitis |
L1 L2 | the Appendix, abdominal cavity, cecum, upper thigh | Appendicitis, intestinal colic, pain in the hip and groin |
L2 L3 | Sex organs, bladder, knees | disorders of the bladder, impotence, knee pain |
L3 L4 | the Prostate gland, legs, feet | dysuria, sciatica, lumbago, pains and discomfort in my knees and feet |
L4 L5 | legs, feet, and toes | Swelling, numbness and pain in the feet and toes |
Sacrum | Thigh buttock | Pain in the sacrum |
Coccyx | rectum, anus | Hemorrhoids, the dysfunction of pelvic organs |
the Latest survey on the theme of communication pathology of the spine and digestive organs confirmed the hypothesis Tereshina. 50% of young patients with dysfunction of the digestive system revealed scoliosis, and among older (over 60 years) – 100% found degenerative changes at the sites Th6-Th11 and L4-S1.
Not all his ideas have scientific support, but the functions of the organs in many cases improve after the recovery of the spine.
Complications of cervical osteochondrosis
disruption caused by degeneration, occur most frequently in the lower segments of the cervical spine. This is due to constant load directed to one side. Pain in the neck, head and sensory disturbances due to spasm of the muscles, compression of the vertebral artery or the nerve root being pinched. Under threat are most likely segments C6-C7-C8-T1.
vertebral artery Syndrome is a vivid illustration to the topic "how dangerous is cervical osteochondrosis". The disease is characterized not only functional, but also organic changes due to violations of cerebral circulation.
At the first stage the patient complains of throbbing headaches, speech impairment, vision or hearing, nausea, disorders of the vestibular apparatus. It is not excluded that transient ischemic attack (a sudden fall off of consciousness or loss of consciousness for a short time) is the consequences of cervical degenerative disc disease.
"Heart rate and blood pressure are controlled by an oblong brain. The lack of nutrition and oxygen when the infringement of the vertebral artery leads to failure in the work of the centre, and hence to violation of the controlled bodies. These processes underlie high blood pressure and arrhythmia with degeneration of the vertebrae in the cervical spine."
No less dramatic complications are cervical degenerative disc disease pinching nerves that monitor the operation of the deltoid muscle, shoulder and forearm. Numbness, weakness, wasting of muscles may take a hand to the little finger. Stenosis (narrowing) of the canal in this area can cause paralysis.
the Results of the pathology of the spine in the thoracic region
The Pain caused by osteochondrosis of the thoracic, is often confused with heart. But she does not pass after taking heart medication. Sharp, like the stab of a knife, it penetrates the area between the shoulder blades. Lumbago (Dorigo) affects people with spinal curvature or those who are forced to sit. Attack cause spasm of the muscles of the back.
Monotonous pain in the thoracic region, aggravated by motion, is characteristic of another echo of osteochondrosis – dorsalgia. The third consequence is called intercostal neuralgia. The pain spreads along the ribs to the sternum. In all cases found difficulty in breathing.
The Pain on inhale and exhale, as a consequence of thoracic back pain, is confused with pneumonia and pleurisy. Unlike respiratory diseases, low back pain is not accompanied by a cough.
The Canal of the vertebral column in the thoracic region is normal for than on other sites, so any, even minor, the narrowing can cause compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots. This, in turn, disturbs the innervation of the muscles of the chest, heart and lungs.
acne back
The Effects of degenerative disc disease in the Sacro-lumbar spine is called sciatica. In front of the eyes draws the image of a man surrounded with a warm shawl. Don't be fooled – dystrophyvertebrae in the lumbar spine significantly younger due to a sedentary lifestyle.
The results of medicine called terms:
- lumbago (backache) acute pain after a sharp turn, tilt, or excessive exercise;
- sciatica – pain radiates to the leg;
- sciatica, burning increasing pain in the lower back that radiates to the leg.
In some cases, the pain is in the nature of the reflected and hides under pyelonephritis. The spinal stenosis at the site Th12L1-L5 is characterized by increased pain with motion.
The Problem does not always end pain. Lumbar degenerative disc disease can manifest in the form of loss of sensitivity, tingling, weakness in the legs, urinary incontinence, disorders of defecation, paresis. Men complain about the reduced potency, and women to lack of orgasm.
Innervation of the lumbar area leads to the pathology of blood flow: venous insufficiency or spasm of the arteries of the lower limbs.
Sources:
- Barinov A. N. Comprehensive treatment tunnel neuropathies pelvic girdle pathology of the lumbar spine / A. N. Barinov // Attending physician. – 2013. – № 7 – Pp. 87-92.
- Vertebrosacral reflex interaction in patients with functional disorders of the digestive tract / G. A. Ivanichev, R. F. Akberov, I. P. Sakowski [and others] // the vertebral neurology. – 2007. – № 1-2. – S. 36-40.
- Dorosh Zh. V Painful form of degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine as the disease, screening exacerbation of chronic cholecystitis / J. V. Dorosh, L. B. Lazebnik // Clinical and experimental gastroenterology. – 2014. – P. 28-29.
- S. K. Ziatdinov of Vertebral dyskinesia biliary tract / K. S. Ziatdinov, E. N. Nosov // Actual problems of neurolog I neirohirurgii. – Lviv, 1996. – P. 152.
- Patiashvili L. M. Early diagnosis of osteoporosis in patients with osteochondrosis of the spine against irritable bowel syndrome / L. M. Patiashvili, A. B. Andrusha, A. V. Paravina // Smana medicine. – 2011. – No. 3. – P. 94-96.
- Popelansky J. J. Orthopaedic neurology. Vertebrologie: a guide for physicians / Ya. Yu Popelenskii. – Kazan, 1997. – Vol. 1: Syndromology. – 554 S.