What is osteochondrosis, its causes and symptoms, treatment of the disease

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

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

In most cases, the negative manifestations do not only affect the pillar of support and the paravertebral zone, but also spread to other areas.

In the absence of treatment, the disease progresses, the work of organs and systems is disrupted, health deteriorates significantly, constant pain and complications in the background of pathology can lead to disability.

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

Reasons for disease development

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

• back injuries;
• heavy loads on the support pillar during hard work, professional sports, carrying loads;
• congenital defects of the supporting column;
• lack of vitamins, minerals, deterioration of the quality of the pads;
• violation of mineral metabolism;
• hormonal disorders, endocrine diseases;
• lack of movement, sedentary work;
• severe obesity;
• decreased elasticity of intervertebral discs in the elderly, with aging of the body;
• excessive consumption of strong coffee, carbonated and alcoholic beverages, sour foods, smoked meats, smoking;
• tumor process in the paravertebral zone, causing damage to the elastic structures of the spine.

Types and phases

Osteochondrosis affects all parts of the supporting column. Degenerative processes are more actively manifested in the mobile regions: lumbar and cervical, in the thoracic zone, vertebral damage, bone tissue are less common.

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

• cervical;
• chest;
• lumbosacral.

Stages of pathology:

• The first phase- development of chondrosis. Lack of nutrients impairs the quality of the disc, and reduces the elasticity of the pads. Heavy loads in the background of thinning of the cartilaginous tissue cause mild to moderate pain in the spine;
• second phase.Deformations of elastic structures are more pronounced, pain occurs not only during loading, but also when bending, turning. Defeat of the fibrous ring leads to crushing of sensitive structures, increased friction of bone elements;
• third phase.The integrity of the fibrous ring is disturbed, the disc protrudes beyond the vertebrae, and the pain syndrome is pronounced. It is difficult for the patient without medications that reduce discomfort. In the background of the destruction of the elastic base, the mobility of the supporting column decreases, protrusions and intervertebral hernias develop;
• fourth phase.The cartilaginous layer is practically absent, osteophytes appear on the spine. Bone growths try to compensate for the excessive load on the affected vertebrae. Dense elements stabilize the spine, but at the same time reduce the mobility of the problem area of the support column. In the fourth phase of osteochondrosis, the pain weakens, but the patient has difficulty performing simple movements. If changes occur in the lumbosacral area, then paresis or paralysis of the lower body may occur. Often, in the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, the patient expresses disability.

On a side note!The support pillar disease occurs with periods of remission (from a few months to a year or more) and exacerbation (duration of relapse, severity of pain depends on many factors).

The first signs and symptoms

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

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

Blood circulation deteriorates, mineral metabolism is disturbed, protrusions appear, vertebral hernias, excessive ossification occurs in the affected area.

Self-medication, lack of qualified help, combined with unwillingness to visit a vertebrologist occasionally, negatively affect the condition of the spine.

Cervical

The main signs are:

• radicular syndrome with severe disc damage;
• pain in the back of the head, neck, scalp;
• dizziness, fainting;
• headaches;
• discomfort in the muscles of the shoulders, neck;
• numbness of the cervical zone, hands, fingers;
• chest discomfort;
• decreased mobility of the cervical spine;
• reduction or loss of shoulder muscle reflex;
• feeling "itchy" in hands, fingers;
• with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, a person suffers from insomnia, depressive states, irritability on the background of terrible or painful pain in the neck and head.

Chest osteochondrosis

Typical signs:

• with a long stay in one position, heavy loads, turns, bends, chest pain appear;
• when inhaling deeply in the middle part of the back, discomfort of varying intensity is felt;
• when raising the arms, moving the body, the pain increases;
• with the progression of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region there are problems in the work of the digestive tract;
• there is an uncomfortable feeling of "shivering" in the hands;
• depending on the degree of damage, doctors distinguish dorsalgia - painful painful sensations in the affected spine and dorsago - acute, unbearable pain of high intensity, restrictive breathing, causing muscle spasm;
• intercostal neuralgia develops;
• pain or acute pain in the shoulder blade area;
• 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 is expressed at high loads or lifting loads;
• painful lumbar lumbago appears: pain radiates from the lower back to the gluteal zone, groin, legs;
• occasional claudication develops;
• nerve compression adversely affects the work of the pelvic organs: with severe lumbosacral osteochondrosis, urinary incontinence, unintentional emptying is possible;
• fatigue occurs, it is difficult to stand, long walks cause weakness in the legs.

Diagnosis

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

Diagnostic measures:

• Patient examination, review of complaints.
• MRI.
• CT.
• X-ray of the spine in several projections.
• Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels.
• Electromyography.

Effective treatments

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

For successful treatment and prevention of osteochondrosis it is important:

• report complex exercise therapy;
• attend massage and physiotherapy;
• Healthy food;
• organize work and sleeping space, taking into account the recommendations of doctors;
• do not lift weights;
• occasionally take vitamins, mineral complexes to maintain the elasticity of the discs, the strength of bone tissue;
• refuse too intense exercise;
• avoid back injuries and bruises;
• track your weight.

There are other important rules:

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

Medications

Effective groups and names:

• chondroprotectors. . . They restore cartilage tissue, slow down the process of destroying the disc. Course - 4 months or more;
• NSAIDs. . . Medications relieve pain, remove swelling and inflammation. Topical medications give a good effect: ointments, gels, patches;
• B vitamins. . . Medications restore nervous regulation, improve neuronal nutrition, and reduce the severity of pain syndrome. Injections (first days, during exacerbation) and tablets (for a long course of treatment and prevention) are effective;
• muscle relaxants. . . The remedies deal with muscle cramps, 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 blockade, injection into the paravertebral zone. This type of exposure helps with terrible lumbago and pain on the background of nerve contraction in the third or fourth phase of osteochondrosis. Corticosteroids and excipients are added to analgesics to increase the effect;
• drugs from the GCS group.Steroid formulations are necessary for severe pain. Injections are often prescribed for lumbosacral osteochondrosis, on the background of which painful lumbago develops.

Exercises and gymnastics

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

The first sessions are conducted under the guidance of a physiotherapist. After studying the complex, the patient continues training at home. It is important to observe the duration and frequency of the sessions in order to achieve a therapeutic effect. In addition to physical education, vertebrologists also 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;
• phonophoresis and drug 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 applicator.

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