What is osteochondrosis, its causes and symptoms, disease treatment

Osteochondrosis is a pathology of the spine 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 spine. 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 work of organs and systems is disrupted, the state of health noticeably worsens, constant pain and complications against the background of 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

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

• back injuries;
• high loads on the support pole during hard work, professional sports, cargo transportation;
• congenital defects of the supporting column;
• vitamin, mineral deficiency, deterioration of the quality of the cushion pad;
• violation of mineral metabolism;
• hormonal disturbances, endocrine diseases;
• lack of movement, sedentary work;
• severe obesity;
• a decrease in the 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, which causes damage to the elastic structures of the spine.

Types and stages

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

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

• cervical;
• chest;
• lumbosacral

Stages of pathology:

• First stage- the development of chondrosis. The lack of nutrients affects the quality of the disc and the elasticity of the cushion pad decreases. High loads in the context of thinning of the cartilage 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, turning. The defeat of the fibrous ring leads to pinching of sensitive structures, increased friction of bone elements;
• third stage.The integrity of the fibrous ring is ruptured, the disc protrudes beyond the vertebra, the pain syndrome is pronounced. It is difficult for the patient to do without drugs that reduce discomfort. Against the background of the destruction of the elastic pad, the mobility of the supporting spine decreases, protrusions and intervertebral hernias develop;
• fourth stage.The cartilaginous layer is practically absent, osteophytes appear in the spine. Bone growths are an attempt to compensate for the excessive load on the affected vertebrae. The dense elements stabilize the spine, but at the same time reduce the mobility of the problem area of the supporting spine. In the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, the pain weakens, 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 has a disability.

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

First signs and symptoms

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

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

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

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

Cervical

The main signs are:

• root syndrome with severe disc damage;
• pain in the back of the head, neck, crown;
• dizziness, fainting;
• Headaches
• discomfort in the muscles of the shoulders, neck;
• numbness of the cervical area, hands, fingers;
• discomfort in the chest area;
• reduced mobility of the cervical spine;
• decreased or loss of shoulder muscle reflexes;
• feeling of "goose bumps" on hands, fingers;
• with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, a person is tormented by insomnia, depressive conditions, irritability against the background of excruciating or painful pains in the neck and head.

Thoracic osteochondrosis

Typical signs:

• with a long stay in one position, heavy loads appear, twists, bends, chest pain;
• with a deep breath, a discomfort of varying force is felt in the middle of the back;
• when raising the arms, moving the body, the pain increases;
• with the progression of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, problems appear in the work of the digestive tract;
• on the hands there is an unpleasant feeling of "goose bumps";
• depending on the degree of damage, doctors distinguish dorsalgia (painful painful sensations in the affected spine and back), sharp and excruciating pains of high intensity, restricting breathing and causing muscle spasms;
• intercostal neuralgia develops;
• sharp or aching 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;
• pain syndrome manifests itself with heavy loads or lifting loads;
• A painful lumbar lumbago appears: the pain radiates from the lower back to the gluteal area, groin and legs;
• intermittent claudication develops;
• compression of the nerves negatively affects the work of the pelvic organs: with a severe degree of lumbosacral osteochondrosis, urinary incontinence, involuntary defecation is possible;
• Fatigue appears, it is difficult to stand, prolonged walking causes weakness in the legs.

Diagnostics

To clarify the condition of the spine, you need to contact a vertebrologist. In the absence of a doctor of this specialization, you should visit an orthopedic neurologist or traumatologist.

Diagnostic measures:

• Examination of the patient, examination of complaints.
• Magnetic resonance.
• CONNECTICUT.
• Spinal X-ray in various projections.
• Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels.
• Electromyography.

Effective treatments

How to treat osteochondrosis? Chronic pathology requires the attention of both the physician and the patient. Do not expect negative symptoms to disappear one week after the start of the course of therapy. Only an integrated approach works. The patient must understand that drugs alone cannot eliminate degenerative-dystrophic changes in the discs, prevent the proliferation of osteophytes.

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

• perform a complex of exercise therapy;
• attend massages and physical therapy;
• Healthy food;
• organize a workplace and sleeping place, taking into account the recommendations of a doctor;
• don't lift weights;
• periodically take vitamins, mineral complexes to maintain the elasticity of the discs, the strength of bone tissue;
• refuse too intense workouts;
• avoid injuries and bruises on the back;
• control your weight.

There are other important rules:

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

Medicines

Groups and effective names:

• chondroprotectors. . . They restore cartilage tissue, slow down the process of disc destruction. Course - 4 months or more;
• NSAIDs. . . Medications relieve pain, remove swelling and inflammation. Local remedies give a good effect: ointments, gels, plasters;
• Vitamins B. . . Medications restore nerve regulation, improve the nutrition of neurons and reduce the strength of the pain syndrome. Injections (the first days - during an exacerbation) and tablets (for a long course of treatment and prevention) are effective;
• muscle relaxants. . . It means dealing with muscle spasms, which are the main cause of pinching of nerve endings;
• Compositions that normalize blood circulation.Most often, drugs of 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 low back pain and pain in the context of pinched nerves in the third or fourth stage of osteochondrosis. Corticosteroids and excipients are added to pain relievers to increase the effect;
• GCS group drugs.Steroid formulations are essential for severe pain. Often injections are prescribed for lumbosacral osteochondrosis, against the background of which a painful lumbago develops.

Exercise and gymnastics

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

The first sessions are carried out under the guidance of a physiotherapist. After studying the complex, the patient continues to train at home. It is important to observe the duration and frequency of the sessions to achieve the therapeutic effect. In addition to physical education, vertebrologists advise going to the pool - swimming is an 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;
• drug phonophoresis and electrophoresis;
• magnetotherapy.

The following methods give 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 quite difficult to prevent the development of osteochondrosis, but doctors recommend remembering the factors that cause dystrophic and degenerative processes in vertebral structures. The more attention a person pays to a healthy lifestyle, the lower the risk of developing negative changes in the intervertebral discs.