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

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

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

In most cases, the negative effects affect not only the support column and paravertebral area, but also spread to other areas.

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

It is important to know what osteochondrosis is, the causes of 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 in the affected area develops in the following cases:

• back injuries;
• heavy loads on the support column during heavy work, professional sports, carrying loads;
• congenital defects of the supporting column;
• deficiency of vitamins, minerals, deterioration of the pillow;
• disturbance of mineral metabolism;
• hormonal disorders, endocrine diseases;
• lack of movement, sedentary work;
• severe obesity;
• reduction of the elasticity of the 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, provoking damage to the elastic structures of the spine.

Types and stages

Osteochondrosis affects all parts of the support column. Degenerative processes are more active in the mobile regions: lumbar and cervical, thoracic, vertebral damage, 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. Lack of nutrients impairs the quality of the disc and reduces the elasticity of the pillow. High loads on the background of thinning of cartilage tissue provoke mild to moderate pain in the spine;
• second stage.The deformations of the elastic structures are more pronounced, the pain appears not only during loads, but also during 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 violated, the disc protrudes beyond the vertebrae, the pain syndrome is pronounced. The patient can hardly do without drugs that reduce discomfort. Against the background of the destruction of the elastic pad, the mobility of the support column decreases, protrusions and intervertebral hernias develop;
• fourth stage.The cartilage layer is practically absent, osteophytes appear on the spine. Bone growths are an attempt to compensate for the excessive strain on the affected vertebrae. The dense elements stabilize the spine, 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 region, then paresis or paralysis of the lower body may occur. Often, in the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, the patient develops a disability.

On a side note!The disease of the supporting column occurs with periods of remission (from several months to a year or more) and exacerbations (duration of relapse, the severity of pain depends on many factors).

First signs and symptoms

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

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

The blood circulation deteriorates, the mineral metabolism is disturbed, protrusions, spinal hernias develop, excessive ossification appears in the affected area.

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

The cervix

The main signs are:

• radicular syndrome with severe disc damage;
• pain in the back of the head, neck, crown;
• dizziness, fainting;
• headache;
• discomfort in the muscles of the shoulders, neck;
• tingling in the neck, hands, fingers;
• chest discomfort;
• impaired mobility of the cervical spine;
• reduction or loss of shoulder muscle reflexes;
• feeling of "goosebumps" in the hands, fingers;
• with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, a person suffers from insomnia, depression, irritability on the background of excruciating or pain in the neck and head.

Chest osteochondrosis

Typical signs:

• during a long stay in one position, heavy loads, bends, turns, chest pain appear;
• with deep breathing there is discomfort with varying strength 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;
• there is an unpleasant feeling of "goosebumps" in the hands;
• depending on the degree of damage, doctors distinguish dorsalgia - painful painful sensations in the affected spine and dorsago - sharp, excruciating pain of high intensity, restricting breathing, causing muscle spasm;
• intercostal neuralgia develops;
• pain or sharp pain in 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 tingling in the lower extremities;
• the pain syndrome is expressed in heavy loads or lifting loads;
• painful lumbar lumbago appears: the pain radiates from the lower back to the gluteal area, groin, legs;
• periodic claudication develops;
• nerve compression adversely affects the work of the pelvic organs: in severe lumbosacral osteochondrosis, urinary incontinence, involuntary defecation is possible;
• fatigue occurs, it is difficult to stand, prolonged walking provokes weakness in the legs.

Diagnosis

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

Diagnostic measures:

• Examination of the patient, consideration of complaints.
• NMR.
• CT.
• Radiography of the spine in several projections.
• Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels.
• Electromyography.

Effective treatment

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

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

• performing a set of therapy exercises;
• attend massage and physiotherapy;
• Healthy food;
• organize work and sleeping space, taking into account the recommendations of a doctor;
• do not 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;
• keep track of your weight.

There are other important rules:

• do not overcool;
• treatment of 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;
• sleep on an orthopedic mattress and low pillow;
• less nervous;
• set aside at least 7 hours for a night's sleep at least;
• periodically visit a vertebrologist, monitor the condition of the vertebral structures.

Medicines

Effective groups and names:

• chondroprotectors. . . They restore cartilage tissue, slow down the process of destruction of the disc. Course - 4 months or more;
• NSAIDs. . . Medications relieve pain, eliminate swelling and inflammation. Local remedies give a good effect: ointments, gels, plasters;
• B vitamins. . . The drugs restore nervous regulation, improve the nutrition of neurons and reduce the severity of the pain syndrome. Injections (first days, during exacerbations) and tablets (for a long course of treatment and prevention) are effective;
• muscle relaxants. . . Remedies deal with muscle spasms, which are the main cause of pinching of nerve endings;
• compositions that normalize blood circulation.Most often, drugs from this group are prescribed for cervical osteochondrosis, against which the brain suffers;
• spinal blockages, injection into the paravertebral area. This type of exposure helps with excruciating lumbago and pain on the background of pinched nerves in the third or fourth stage of osteochondrosis. Corticosteroids and excipients are added to the analgesics to increase the effect;
• drugs from the GCS group.Steroid forms are essential for severe pain. Injections are often prescribed for lumbosacral osteochondrosis, against which painful lumbago develops.

Exercises and gymnastics

Exercises for the cervical, lumbosacral and thoracic areas are prescribed after relieving acute pain, attenuation of the inflammatory process. For each area, doctors have developed a set of exercises with varying degrees of stress.

The first sessions are conducted under the guidance of a physiotherapist. After studying the complex, the patient continues his education 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 advise to go to the pool: swimming is an ideal kind of positive effect on the spine.

Physiotherapeutic procedures

Effective methods of influence:

• ozokerite applications;
• laser therapy;
• radon and turpentine baths;
• shock wave therapy;
• electrical procedures;
• mud therapy;
• phonophoresis and electrophoresis with drugs;
• magnetic therapy.

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 spinal structures. The more attention a person pays to a healthy lifestyle, the lower the risk of developing negative changes in the intervertebral discs.