Spinal osteosarcoma is a disease characterized by degenerative-dystrophic changes in the vertebrae and discs.
Scientists call this a "disease of civilization", as it is associated with a person's upright posture and the increasing load on the spine in the modern world. Usually, osteonecrosis begins to develop in young people 20-25 years old.
Reason
The exact cause of the development of osteonecrosis of the spinal cord remains unknown. Experts point out the factors that contributed to its development.
Trauma factor. Continuous excessive loads (minor trauma) of the spine contribute to faster wear of the spinal discs. Antiphysiological positions (working in a bent position for a long time, lying for a long time in one position) lead to the formation of compression foci in the disc joints.
Pathology of the development of the musculoskeletal system. Flat feet, short one leg, spondylolisthesis and other similar pathologies increase the load on the spine and as a result accelerate the degenerative process.
Age factor. The condition of cervical spondylosis is considered by many doctors to be a manifestation of the natural aging process of the human body.
Vascular factors. A relationship has been established between a decrease in blood flow (ischemic processes) and an acceleration of pathological processes in the spine.
Factors that change hormone levels. Natural hormonal changes in the body (pregnancy, lactation, menopause, menopause) accelerate degenerative processes.
Factors of endocrine-hormonal diseases. Diseases such as obesity, diabetes, myxedema (inflammation of the thyroid gland) and others contribute to the development of osteonecrosis of the spine.
Classification and symptoms
Symptoms depend on the localization of the pathological process.
Cervical spine tumor. The cervical spine contains the blood vessels that feed the brain. With degenerative changes in this part, the organs of the head are not supplied with adequate blood. This often leads to a cerebrovascular accident.
The main symptom of cervical spine tumor is headache. This pain is usually permanent, worse in the morning and with movement. It arises at the back of the head and radiates to the temporal-parietal region. Pain syndrome is often accompanied by dizziness, flashes before the eyes "flies", color spots.
In addition, a pinched nerve often contributes to scalp, sore throat, and neck pain. Pain syndrome sometimes catches the arm, shoulder. It can be weakened or strengthened by turning the head or changing the position of the body.
Signs of cervical osteonecrosis include:
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- tinnitus, hearing loss;
- blind;
- violation of coordination of movements and gait;
- hoarseness or voice impairment;
- Caries;
- snoring while sleeping.
Tumor of thoracic spine. Manifestations can be diverse and depend on the location of the disease, the severity of the disease. Compression of the thoracic nerve roots leads to intercostal neuralgia. It is manifested by acute pain in the chest, which becomes more intense with inhalation, certain movements, coughing and laughing. Pain syndrome that intensifies after a long period of time in one position or after exertion. Tumors of the thoracic spine are often the cause of diseases of the stomach, lungs, heart and other human organs.
Lumbar spine tumor. It usually strikes people who spend a long time at "sedentary work" (drivers working on computers).
A symptom of degenerative lumbar spine disease is characterized by severe pain, intensified by sudden movements (lifting weights, sneezing, coughing) and lying in one position for a long time. After the stooped position, the patient can hardly straighten his back, sometimes the pain is so intense that it hinders even movement. Pain is markedly reduced in the horizontal position of the body. Squatting or lying on your side is healthy for a feeling of relief.
The pain syndrome in lumbar spondylosis is usually localized in the lower back, spreading down the legs, sacrum and often to the pelvic organs. Overloading the muscles of the spine due to clumsy movements, lifting weights causes back pain. Fibroids of the lumbar spine often present with reduced sensitivity, numbness in the painful area. The patient may experience a tingling, "stinging" sensation. Often, the arteries in the feet are constricted, a drop in the temperature of the skin in the legs, and a cold feeling in the legs are added to the symptoms. Some patients have dry and flaky skin, impaired sweating.
If you think you have osteonecrosis of the spine and the symptoms are characteristic of this disease, then you should seek the advice of your chiropractor or therapist.
Treatment
Therapy for this disease is aimed at eliminating pain, restoring the functions of the spine, and preventing the development of dystrophy in the spine.
The duration of treatment for spina bifida depends on the severity of the disease, the patient's age, and the treatment methods.
In the complex treatment of the disease, the following methods of treatment are used.
- Physical therapy. This is one of the main methods for the treatment of osteonecrosis. Physical therapy exercises include joint gymnastics and rehabilitation equipment exercises. Its result is the normalization of nutrition of the intervertebral discs, metabolism, the formation of the correct muscle corset and a reduction in the load on the spine.
- Physical therapy. This method uses the effects on the body of lasers, ultrasound waves, magnetic fields, and low-frequency electric currents to treat. Due to the use of physical therapy, the treatment time is significantly reduced, increasing the effectiveness.
- Massage. An effective method to relieve muscle pain, tension, improve blood circulation, nourish the body.
- Manual therapy. This spinal osteonecrosis treatment restores normal organ mobility, improves blood supply, lymphatic circulation, and prevents exacerbations of the disease.
- Traction (traction) force of the spine. With the help of special equipment, the disc space is increased. This helps to restore the correct shape of the spine, eliminating pain.
- Acupressure. It includes the impact of special techniques on the acupuncture points and reflex zones of the human body.
Surgical treatment of osteonecrosis of the spine is performed when conservative treatment is ineffective or for special indications. The amount of surgery depends on the extent of the lesion and the symptoms of the disease.