The most common degenerative-dystrophic disease of the spine is osteochondrosis. Its peculiarity is that in the initial stages it does not manifest itself in any way, which is why many patients go to the doctor when the processes of tissue destruction have already advanced. But even in this case, the diagnosis is not made immediately, but after a series of instrumental and laboratory examinations. It is very important to correctly diagnose osteochondrosis, because the sooner treatment is started, the greater the chances of preventing complications. It is for this reason that it is necessary to identify the symptoms of osteochondrosis in time and consult a doctor.
Causes and mechanism of development
Osteochondrosis begins with destructive processes in the intervertebral discs. They gradually dry out and decrease in volume. This leads to the fact that the disks can no longer perform their functions correctly. They can collapse and then a hernia develops. But most often this condition leads to the development of osteochondrosis.
After all, the intervertebral disc protects the vertebrae from destruction, serves as a shock absorber during various movements and keeps the vertebrae in the correct position. As their volume decreases, the vertebrae move. Instability of a segment of the spine leads to the formation of osteophytes, bone growths that hold the vertebrae at a distance. Otherwise, pinching of the nerve roots and compression of the blood vessels may occur. All of these processes cause the presence of many different signs of osteochondrosis, which is why it is so difficult to diagnose it in time. But if you know why this pathology develops, people at risk can be more careful.
Osteochondrosis is usually caused by the following reasons:
- congenital disorders in the development of the spine or connective tissue defects;
- injuries or constant overload, heavy physical work;
- poor posture, flat feet, wearing uncomfortable shoes;
- staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time, sedentary lifestyle;
- obesity, poor nutrition, excess weight;
- exposure to chemicals, for example, having bad habits, taking certain medications;
- frequent stress;
- natural processes that occur during the aging of the body;
- Constant vibration effect on the column.
Osteochondrosis develops after a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc, after which the vertebrae themselves begin to collapse.
Therefore, it is necessary to carefully monitor your health in order to consult a doctor at the first symptoms. This is especially important for athletes, porters, drivers, gymnasts and women, who often worry about their loved ones and experience stress because of this.
Symptoms
Signs of osteochondrosis depend on the stage of the disease, as well as which part of the spine is affected by degenerative processes. Very often, at first the patient does not even feel back pain, just a slight stiffness in the morning. In the process of destruction of the intervertebral disc due to the displacement of the vertebrae, the nerve roots are pinched and pain occurs. Depending on the location of the disease, they may appear not only in the back area. Often the pain radiates to the shoulder blade, chest, arm or leg, and headaches may occur.
A feature of osteochondrosis in the initial stages is also that the pain intensifies with physical activity and disappears after rest. Even after adopting a comfortable body position, the patient feels better. Painful sensations worsen after hypothermia, stress, prolonged stay in a static position, for example, when working at a computer or while sleeping in an uncomfortable bed. Very often, with osteochondrosis, stiffness of movements, muscle weakness and constant fatigue are observed. The patient tries to adopt a comfortable position in which he feels less pain.
The main sign of lumbar osteochondrosis is pain and stiffness during movement.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis.
The most common location of degenerative-dystrophic processes is the lumbar spine. It can withstand the heaviest loads not only when moving, but also when a person sits for a long time in one position. Due to the sedentary lifestyle of modern people, the muscular corset here is weak, so any overload can lead to destruction of the discs or displacement of the vertebrae.
In addition to general pain and stiffness, there are special symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis in the lumbar region. If the following signs appear from time to time, it is necessary to make an appointment with a neurologist:
- the lower extremities become numb;
- skin sensitivity is disturbed, paresis may develop;
- pain is felt in the pelvic organs, their functioning is disturbed;
- The patient cannot turn or bend, pain is felt even when sitting.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
It is especially important to know what symptoms the patient with cervical osteochondrosis experiences. After all, sometimes you don't even feel pain in the neck, and other symptoms are similar to vascular disorders that a person tries to treat with medications. If destructive processes in the cervical spine are not stopped, this can lead to a disruption of blood supply to the brain and even complete paralysis of the body.
Therefore, it is very important to pay attention in time to the following signs:
- headaches that cannot be relieved with conventional pain relievers;
- dizziness occurs when turning the head;
- pain may be felt in the shoulders, neck and arms;
- vision deteriorates, colored spots or spots are seen before the eyes;
- there is hearing loss, tinnitus;
- the tongue and fingers become numb;
- coordination of movements is affected.
With cervical osteochondrosis, headaches and tinnitus are often observed.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Signs of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region are easily confused with diseases of the internal organs. And although the main symptom is back pain, it has its own characteristics. Patients describe this sensation as if a ring was squeezing their chest. The pain intensifies when inhaling and exhaling, which is why many attribute these sensations to cardiac pathologies.
With thoracic osteochondrosis, the pain will intensify with hypothermia, raising the arms, and also at night. You may experience skin numbness, goosebumps, and coldness in your extremities. Alterations often occur in the functioning of the digestive system.
Diagnosis
To prevent complications of osteochondrosis, it is very important to consult a doctor as soon as the first signs appear. These are stiffness in movement and back pain after exercise. This pathology is treated by a vertebrologist or neurologist. An experienced doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis during an examination and conversation with the patient.
But some symptoms of the disease are very nonspecific and resemble the manifestations of many other pathologies. Therefore, differential diagnosis is very important, which will help exclude diseases in which vascular and neurological symptoms also develop. It can be angina, hypertension, peptic ulcer, pyelonephritis. The main difference between osteochondrosis and them is that it has a chronic course and develops slowly, with periodic exacerbations, and the pain usually disappears with rest.
But without a special diagnosis, it is still difficult to make a correct diagnosis. Most often, instrumental examination methods are used for this: x-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, myelography and others. Sometimes laboratory tests may also be necessary. They will help identify the presence of an inflammatory process and an increase in the concentration of calcium in the blood.
The most common diagnostic method at the initial stage of the disease is x-ray.
Bone scan
At the initial stage, X-ray diagnostics are required to confirm the diagnosis. This is the main method of examination for osteochondrosis. It is the simplest, most accessible and has the least side effects. After determining the location of the pain, photographs are taken of this area of the spine. They are usually performed in two projections: direct and lateral.
If the diagnosis is made correctly, the following radiological signs will indicate this: the distance between the vertebrae is reduced, atrophy of the intervertebral discs is observed, osteophytes are seen, there may be destruction of vertebral tissue or a change in shape. of the spine.
myelography
This is a more complex method, may have side effects, and is not suitable for everyone. After all, myelography is based on the injection of a special contrast liquid into the spinal canal. This can cause an allergic reaction or even damage to the spinal cord. After this, an x-ray of the spine is performed.
This method allows you to examine the spinal canal and determine where it is damaged by degenerative processes. Additionally, myelography can determine the presence of intervertebral hernias at the initial stage.
MRI is a more informative examination method, therefore it is used when differential diagnosis is necessary.
Tomography
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis using CT or MRI is performed less frequently, since these methods are not yet available everywhere. Therefore, they are used in difficult cases, as well as if it is necessary to differentiate osteochondrosis from other diseases. But with an MRI or CT scan, the spine and surrounding tissues can be examined in great detail.
These diagnostic methods allow you to see the condition of blood vessels, the presence of hernias, compression of nerve roots and the shape of intervertebral discs. They are necessary for the differential diagnosis of osteochondrosis with osteomyelitis, spinal cord tumors, spondylitis, ankylosing spondylitis and syringomyelia.
Timely identification of the symptoms of osteochondrosis and their correct diagnosis will help to start treatment on time. This will prevent the development of complications, alleviate the patient's condition and reduce the number of exacerbations.