According to the data of carried out researches for last decades it has been established, that the osteochondrosis of the spine can be considered as one of the forms of congenital or acquired functional ailment - insufficiency of connective tissue. A confirmation of what has been said can be the fact that osteochondrosis often combines with flat feet, violation of posture, varicose veins. In its development, the main role is assigned to traumatic injuries, autoimmune processes, endocrine and metabolic shifts, hypothermia, infection, intoxication, hereditary factors, anomalies in the development of the spine.
Already by the age of 20 (the completion of the formation of the skeleton), the vessels of the intervertebral disc are emptied, and the exercise of its nutrition is only due to purely physical phenomena of diffusion and osmosis. Under such conditions, development of trophic changes, violation of the support and spring function of the disc is possible. First of all, this applies to those parts of the spine, where the boundaries between mobile and inactive parts of it: lower-lumbar, lower-cervical divisions, as well as lumbosacral and cervico-thoracic transitions. On localization distinguish cervical, thoracic, lumbar and widespread osteochondrosis. In children, the most common lesions of the thoracic and lumbar regions.
Development of the disease
Degenerative changes in the children's spine for a long time can occur without clinical manifestations. The provoking moment, that is, the cause of osteochondrosis, is trauma, hypothermia, and a dramatically increased physical load.
Conditionally it is possible to speak about primary osteochondrosis as an independent disease having its own nature, and about secondary osteochondrosis as a manifestation (symptom) or outcome of another disease, most often having an inflammatory nature: osteomyelitis, specific inflammation, osteochondropathy, trauma.
The gross neurologic manifestations of osteochondrosis in children, unlike adults, are only 7.4%. But more often than adults, there are radicular, manifested by pain in the neck, in the chest and lumbar pain.
Pain syndrome in children is not expressed in most cases, but is stable. The intensity of pain decreases after rest, sleep, light heat effects, the use of anti-inflammatory ointments. Movement disorders are usually absent, a sensitivity disorder is rarely observed, the general state of health does not suffer. Complaints about unpleasant sensations in the back, stiffness in the interblade area, a feeling of fatigue at the base of the neck become ordinary and do not cause proper attention of the parents.
To reveal an osteochondrosis in time
Fuzzy clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis in children explain certain diagnostic difficulties. Many patients are initially recommended to be examined by pediatricians and doctors with other specialties. They put various diagnoses - from renal colic to idiopathic scoliosis and other, completely unrelated to osteochondrosis, diseases. Accordingly, and his treatment initially goes on the wrong track.
When examining children with osteochondrosis at first sight, a violation of posture is determined. (It is very important that the child is prepared for the examination, not be constrained, overcome the feeling of shyness, modesty). Disorders of posture are from mild asymmetry to a pronounced (antalgic) setting with persistent pain. Attention is drawn to the pronounced stoop, round fixed back (fixed kyphosis), smoothed lumbar concavity of the spinal column (flat back).
The disease is more often diagnosed in children, seriously engaged in sports, having sports achievements. But we should not think that sports inevitably lead to the development of osteochondrosis. The fact that young athletes are more often examined by a doctor, so the higher detection of osteochondrosis in them is, rather, the result of close medical supervision. It is established that wrestling, rowing, gymnastics, jumping into the water do not contribute to the increased morbidity, these figures are slightly higher for those engaged in judo and much lower for swimmers.
The main leading method for diagnosis of osteochondrosis is radiological. It allows not only to detect changes in the spine, but also to determine their nature, severity. In the future, children with osteochondrosis are important to correctly orient themselves - they are counter-indicative of labor associated with constant microtraumatism, vibration, increased physical exertion, frequent and prolonged hypothermia.
Therapeutic tactics for children with osteochondrosis have their own peculiarities. The growing, forming spine is a complex dynamic system, active therapeutic interventions used in adults are unacceptable in children. At the same time, a number of specific therapeutic and prophylactic measures (they will be appointed by a doctor) allow to remove pain and stop the development of the disease.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine should begin already in childhood with the creation of a rational mode of work and rest, adequate nutrition with inclusion in the diet of a sufficient amount of protein, vitamins, calcium and trace elements.
IMPORTANT! A number of diseases of the skeleton, which proceed for a long time in secret, begin to inexorably progress in the adolescent period. Therefore, I recommend 11-12-year-old girls and 13-year-old boys to consult an orthopedist twice a year.
Correct posture - the guarantee of health of the spine
Great importance for the body has a pose, i.e. the position of the body, determined by various activities, whether it is work at the bench or watching TV. In an uncomfortable position, additional motor units are involved in the work, the pulse becomes faster, the amplitude decreases and the respiratory rate increases. There are also visual impairments, stagnation in the bloodstream of the legs and small pelvis, squeezing of the vertebral discs, fast-onset fatigue. Here it is still important to take into account that junior schoolchildren have less perfect device of the neuromuscular apparatus, so it is difficult for them to withstand long static loads.
The position of the body is considered correct if stable static equilibrium is maintained. At the same time, normal activity of the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive systems, auditory and visual analyzers is provided, psychoemotional comfort is maintained for a long time.
How to sit properly
The first rule is to avoid very soft furniture. You can not allow the body mass to over press on the area of the spine. It is very important to ensure the support of the body with sciatic hocks, and this can be achieved only on hard seats. It is also important to have enough legroom under the table so that they do not have to be bent too much. If you have to sit for a long time, you need to warm up slightly every 15-20 minutes, change the position of your legs.
How to stand correctly
Every 10-15 minutes, it is necessary to change the posture, rest on one or the other leg, which should significantly reduce the burden on the spine. Very good at walking on the spot. This exercise is often recommended in the treatment of osteochondrosis. It is useful from time to time to make deflections back with arms outstretched. Hands need to be wound behind the head - this exercise is designed to relieve fatigue, when resting not only the muscles of the shoulder girdle, but also the neck, neck, back.
Proper lifting and moving of weights
One of the primary causes of osteochondrosis and its treatment is subsequently the formation of herniated intervertebral disc. Especially it is subject to the lumbosacral section during lifting and carrying of weights. Senior students often flaunt their physical strength, arranging stupid competitions. Acute sudden pain in the lower back arises when the heaviness is lifted sharply, jerkily.
Before lifting the object from the floor, it is necessary to squat or to tilt with the hand to the knee, while keeping the spine as straight as possible. It is better to divide a heavy load, carry a load in both hands. For schoolchildren, it is very convenient to become a backpack with wide straps - weight distribution in a full backpack occurs evenly throughout the spine, and hands remain free.
Lying too, you need right!
The most suitable for sleeping is a semi-rigid bed, on which the body lying on the back retains all the characteristics of physiological curves (thoracic kyphosis, cervical and lumbar lordosis). To achieve this, you can put a shield of fiberboard across the entire width of the bed or sofa, put a mattress 5-10 cm thick on top. It's best to cover it with a wool blanket and put a sheet on it.
Many children like to sleep on their stomachs - while the waist is strongly bent. This is also a common cause of osteochondrosis. To prevent this from happening, a small pillow should be placed under the abdomen. The height of the pillow under the head should be such that when the position on the side of the neck was on the axis of the spine.