What is osteochondrosis, its causes and symptoms, disease treatment

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Osteochondrosis is a spinal pathology that millions of people of all ages face.

Degenerative and dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs, the proliferation of osteophytes cause pain syndrome, reduce the mobility of the supporting column. Symptoms depend on the affected area.

In most cases, negative manifestations affect not only the supporting pillar and the paravertebral area, but also spread to other areas.

In the absence of treatment, the disease progresses, the functioning of organs and systems is interrupted, the state of health visibly worsens, constant pain and complications in the context of the pathology can lead to disability.

It is important to know what osteochondrosis is, the causes of a common disease, methods of treatment and prevention.

The reasons for the development of the disease

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Degenerative and dystrophic processes in intervertebral discs, excessive ossification in the affected area develops in the following cases:

• back injuries;
• high loads on the support pole during hard work, professional sports, carrying loads;
• congenital defects of the support column;
• vitamin and mineral deficiency, deterioration of pillow quality;
• violation of mineral metabolism;
• hormonal disorders, endocrine disorders;
• lack of movement, sedentary work;
• severe obesity;
• decreased elasticity of the intervertebral discs in the elderly, with the aging of the body;
• excessive consumption of strong coffee, carbonated and alcoholic beverages, acidic foods, smoked meats, smoking;
• tumor process in the paravertebral area, causing damage to the elastic structures of the spine.

Types and Steps

Osteochondrosis affects all parts of the supporting spine. Degenerative processes are most actively manifested in mobile regions: lumbar and cervical, in the thoracic area, damage to the vertebrae, bone tissue is less common.

Depending on the affected area, there are several types of osteochondrosis:

• cervical;
• chest;
• lumbosacral.

Pathology stages:

• First step- the development of chondrosis. Lack of nutrients impairs disc quality and cushion cushion elasticity decreases. High loads in contrast to the thinning of the cartilaginous tissue cause mild to moderate pain in the spine;
• second stage.Deformations of elastic structures are more pronounced, pain appears not only during loads, but also when bending and turning. Defeat of the fibrous ring leads to pinching of sensitive structures, increased friction of bone elements;
• third phase.The integrity of the fibrous ring is disrupted, the disc protrudes beyond the vertebra, the pain syndrome is pronounced. It is difficult for the patient to go without medications that reduce discomfort. In the context of the destruction of the elastic pad, the mobility of the support column decreases, protrusions and intervertebral hernias appear;
• fourth stage.The cartilaginous layer is practically absent, osteophytes appear in the spine. Bone growth is an attempt to compensate for the excessive load on the affected vertebrae. Dense elements stabilize the column, but at the same time reduce the mobility of the problem area of the support column. In the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, the pain subsides, but the patient has difficulty performing simple movements. If changes occur in the lumbosacral area, lower body paresis or paralysis may occur. Often, in the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, the patient develops a deficiency.

On a note!Supportive spine disease occurs with periods of remission (several months to a year or more) and exacerbations (duration of relapse, pain intensity depends on many factors).

first signs and symptoms

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The manifestation of the disease depends on the stage and on the affected section.

The more negative factors, the greater the risk of pain syndrome, damage to other areas.

Blood circulation deteriorates, mineral metabolism is impaired, protrusions, vertebral hernias develop, excessive ossification appears in the affected area.

Self-medication, the lack of qualified assistance, combined with the reluctance to periodically visit a vertebrologist, negatively affects the state of the vertebral structures.

Cervical

The main signs are:

• radicular syndrome with severe disc damage;
• pain in the back of neck, neck, crown;
• dizziness, fainting;
• headaches;
• discomfort in the muscles of the shoulders, neck;
• numbness of the cervical area, hands, fingers;
• discomfort in the chest region;
• impaired mobility of the cervical spine;
• decreased or loss of shoulder muscle reflexes;
• "shivering" sensation in hands, fingers;
• with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, a person is plagued by insomnia, depressive conditions, irritability in the context of excruciating or aching pains in the neck and head.

Thoracic osteochondrosis

Typical signs:

• with a long stay in one position, heavy loads appear, turns, bends, chest pain;
• with deep breathing, discomfort of varying strength is felt in the mid-back;
• when lifting the arms, moving the body, the pain increases;
• with the progression of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, problems arise in the functioning of the digestive system;
• in the hands there is an unpleasant "shivering" feeling;
• depending on the degree of damage, doctors distinguish back pain—painful sensations in the affected spine and back—high-intensity sharp, excruciating pain, restricted breathing, causing muscle spasm;
• develops intercostal neuralgia;
• pain or sharp pain in the area of the shoulder blades;
• reproductive disorders occur.

lumbosacral region

The main symptoms are:

• discomfort of varying intensity in the lower back;
• muscle weakness, development of paresis;
• coldness and numbness of the lower extremities;
• the pain syndrome is pronounced with heavy loads or lifting loads;
• low back pain appears: pain radiates from the lower back to the gluteal area, groin, legs;
• intermittent claudication develops;
• nerve compression negatively affects the work of Organs pelvic organs: with a severe degree of lumbosacral osteochondrosis, urinary incontinence, involuntary defecation is possible;
• tiredness appears, it is difficult to stand up, the long walk causes weakness in the legs.

Diagnosis

To clarify the spinal condition, you will need to contact a vertebrologist. In the absence of a physician of this specialization, it is necessary to consult an orthopedic neurologist or traumatologist.

Diagnostic measures:

• Examination of the patient, examination of complaints.
• Magnetic resonance.
• CT.
• Spine radiography in various projections.
• Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels.
• Electromyography.

Effective treatments

How to treat osteochondrosis? Chronic pathology requires attention from both the physician and the patient. Do not expect the negative symptoms to go away within a week of starting the course of therapy. Only an integrated approach gives results. The patient must understand that drugs alone cannot eliminate the degenerative-dystrophic changes of the discs, prevent the proliferation of osteophytes.

For the successful treatment and prevention of osteochondrosis, it is important to:

• perform an exercise therapy complex;
• attending massages and physiotherapy;
• Healthy food;
• organize the work and sleeping place, taking into account the doctor's recommendations;
• do not lift weights;
• periodically takes vitamins, mineral complexes to maintain disc elasticity, bone tissue strength;
• refuse very intense training;
• avoid back injuries and bruises;
• monitor your weight.

There are other important rules:

• don't cool too much;
• treat pathologies that adversely affect the condition of the discs;
• take breaks, warm up while working on the computer;
• move more, do physical education;
• give up excessive consumption of coffee and alcohol, forget about smoking;
• avoid prolonged static / dynamic loads;
• sleeping on an orthopedic mattress and a low pillow;
• less nervous;
• allow 7 hours for at least a night's sleep;
• Periodically visit a vertebrologist, monitor the condition of vertebral structures.

Medicines

Effective groups and names:

• chondroprotective. . . They restore cartilage tissue, slow down the process of disc destruction. Course - 4 months or more;
• Ines. . . Medicines relieve pain, eliminate swelling and inflammation. Local remedies have a good effect: ointments, gels, plasters;
• B vitamins. . . The drugs restore nerve regulation, improve neuron nutrition, and reduce the strength of the pain syndrome. Injections (in the first few days during an exacerbation) and pills (for a long course of treatment and prevention) are effective;
• muscle relaxants. . . It means dealing with muscle spasms, which are the main cause of pinched nerve endings;
• compositions that normalize blood circulation.Most of the time, drugs in this group are prescribed for cervical osteochondrosis, against which the brain suffers;
• spinal blocks, injection in the paravertebral area. This type of exposure helps with excruciating lumbago and pain in the context of pinched nerves in the third or fourth stage of osteochondrosis. Corticosteroids and excipients are added to analgesics to increase the effect;
• drugs from the GCS group.Steroid formulations are essential for severe pain. Injections are often prescribed for lumbosacral osteochondrosis, in a context of painful low back pain development.

exercise and gymnastics

Exercises for the cervical, lumbosacral and thoracic regions are prescribed after the relief of acute pain, attenuation of the inflammatory process. For each zone, doctors have developed an exercise therapy complex with varying degrees of stress.

The first sessions are conducted under the guidance of a physical therapist. After studying the complex, the patient continues training at home. It is important to observe the duration and frequency of sessions to obtain the therapeutic effect. In addition to physical education, vertebrologists advise going to the pool: swimming is the ideal type of positive effect on the spine.

physiotherapy procedures

Effective methods of influence:

• ozokerite applications;
• laser therapy;
• radon and turpentine baths;
• shock wave therapy;
• electrical procedures;
• mud therapy;
• phonophoresis and drug electrophoresis;
• magnetotherapy.

The following methods provide a good effect in the treatment of osteochondrosis:

• acupuncture;
• hirudotherapy;
• reflexology;
• using a needle applicator;
• manual therapy;
• dry and underwater traction of the spine;
• medical ipplikator.

It is very difficult to prevent the development of osteochondrosis, but doctors advise to remember the factors that cause dystrophic and degenerative processes in vertebral structures. The more attention a person pays to a healthy lifestyle, the lesser the risk of developing negative changes in the intervertebral discs.