Juvenile (adolescent) osteochondrosis is a disease that is based on degenerative-dystrophic changes of intervertebral discs in adolescence. These changes are caused by the teens’ rapid growth, possible skeleton formation disorders, as well as inadequate physical activity on the growing spine. Osteochondrosis can develop in case of wearing a heavy bag on one shoulder and long sitting in an unnatural pose while studying.
Previously, spine osteochondrosis was considered to be an age-related disease. People over 45 visit neurologist in case of back pains. But in recent decades, spinal diseases have significantly “become younger” and more and more children and adolescents complain about the back pain. Later it turns out that osteochondrosis is its main reason.
Symptoms of juvenile osteochondrosis
Juvenile osteochondrosis proceeds somewhat different than adult one. The main complaints in case of cervical spine osteochondrosis in children are: frequent dizziness, intermittent sick and vomiting headache, rapid fatigability from mental and physical exertion, spontaneous faintness, i.e. the vascular abnormalities, which are associated with circulatory disorders in the vertebral arteries system, dominate in the clinical appearances.
Usually cervical and lumbar spine changes are not accompanied by an acute pain syndrome. Children complain about aching, mild neck or lower back pain. An important distinctive feature of children suffering from osteochondrosis is the absence of sensory and motor disorders, as well as pelvic organs disorders.
Meanwhile, osteochondrosis continues to develop, and very often protrusions and hernia of intervertebral discs are already diagnosed on MRI in children of school age. Therefore, if a child often complains of headaches, fatigue, fainting, dizziness, this should alert their parents.
The thoracic spine osteochondrosis is characterized by periodical chest and left hip side pain, abdominal pain, which can simulate the internal organs diseases. Gastroenterologists and paediatricians mistakenly diagnose gastritis, pancreatitis, and dyskinesia of the biliary tract in such children. Such complaint as respiratory affection brings these children to cardiologist and pulmonologist.
Juvenile lumbar spine osteochondrosis has a similar clinical picture with the adult disease. For pain syndromes that occur on the background of osteochondrosis, a blurred clinical picture and vagueness of symptoms are characteristic, which lead to difficulties in the differential diagnosis and the incorrect diagnosis.
Diagnostics of juvenile osteochondrosis
The most important method of diagnosis is always a narrow examination of the patient. Such an exam should be carried out in all positions: standing, lying, sitting, with movements and inclinations. The neurologist should draw attention to the child's posture, position of the shoulder blades, shoulders, and location of the median back sulcus.
During the examination, it is also possible to determine the muscle tension in certain local pain areas. In addition, a spine x-ray examination comes to an aid. Typical of osteochondrosis radiological signs (narrowing of the intervertebral spaces, osteophytes presence) in children are detected less frequently. Very often you can detect Schmorl's node (cartilaginous nodes in the vertebral bodies), located solitary or in groups.
Juvenile osteochondrosis preventing measures
Prevention of osteochondrosis should be carried out from an early age, taking into account the modern children sedentary lifestyle and their computers and tablets affection. Particular importance should be given to prophylaxis of osteochondrosis, especially if the child has a spine diseases liability. Such factors include spinal column impaired development, degenerative-dystrophic musculoskeletal diseases in parents, natural or acquired cartilage tissue functional insufficiency. It is advisable to undergo the preventive check-ups with doctors (2 times a year).
Such children should regularly practice health gymnastics, moderate physical therapy, swimming; a great attention must be paid to the muscular back corset strengthening, which will allow the back bone to be in the right physiological rest position, removing the unnecessary strain.
It is necessary to teach children to lift weights correctly, avoid hypothermia, often change the position of the body while studying, do not sit in one position for a long time. Of course, the child himself is not able to control the implementation of all these recommendations, so all the responsibility falls on their parents’ shoulders.
You also need to pay attention to the child’s nutrition - it must be balanced, diverse, and rich in proteins, calcium, vitamins and micronutrients necessary for a proper skeleton growth.
Juvenile osteochondrosis treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis must be complex and lengthy, and it should be started as soon as possible. This is a time-taking and important process, because the further harmonious development of the entire child's organism, child's posture and health directly depend on this process. Treatment should begin with a correction of the child's lifestyle and body weight.
In "Bersenev's Medical Centre" the unique metameric therapy methods are used for the juvenile osteochondrosis treatment. The specialists of our clinic develop an individual treatment program. All procedures are carried out in a certain sequence and according to the physician’s prescribing.
Metameric treatment sessions, which are carried out by neurologists, are repeated certain areas chipping by the neurotrophic property medicine.
As a result, sensory, reflex and trophic disorders are normalized in the affected metamer. Thus, the treatment of osteochondrosis and the restoration of damaged intervertebral discs is carried out.
The complex treatment program also includes a metameric acupressure, which has a direct impact on the main reflexogenic zones of the compromised metamer. In addition, it has a positive effect on the functions of various organs and systems that are “under control” of a particular neurometamer. Metameric acupressure is performed in a massage room by the specialists of our clinic, who have undergone specialized training.
It must be remembered that juvenile osteochondrosis treatment is a long process, since the recovery of cartilaginous tissue (intervertebral disks) depends on the speed of biological and physiological processes. To stop the process of osteochondrosis and restore damaged discs is really possible with the help of metameric methods of treatment applied within “Bersenev’s Medical Centre”. With an early treatment, it is possible to inhibit the disease and spinal deformities development.
To make an appointment for a consultation or a juvenile osteochondrosis treatment session, please, call (044) 272-11-82 (children’s department) or (044) 238-22-31 (call centre). The booking is carried out by previous appointment.
