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 causing pain syndrome, reducing the mobility of the supporting column. Symptoms depend on the affected area.

In most cases, adverse manifestations not only affect the support column 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, the state of health deteriorates markedly, constant pain and complications due to pathology can lead to disability.

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

The causes of the development of the disease

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 post during hard work, professional sports, load-bearing loads;
• congenital defects in the support column;
• lack of vitamins, minerals, deterioration of the quality of the pillow;
• violation of mineral metabolism;
• hormonal disorders, 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 meat, smoking;
• tumor process in the paravertebral zone, causing damage to the elastic structures of the spine.

Types and stages

Osteochondrosis affects all parts of the support column. Degenerative processes are more actively manifested in the mobile regions: the 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;
• breast;
• lumbosacral.

Stages of pathology:

• First stage- the development of chondrosis. Lack of nutrients degrades the quality of the disc and the elasticity of the pillow decreases. High loads due to 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 under loads, but also during bending, twisting. Annulus fibrosus defeat leads to squeezing of sensitive structures, increased friction of the bone elements;
• third stage.The integrity of the annulus fibrosus is broken, the disc protrudes beyond the vertebra, the pain syndrome is pronounced. It is difficult for the patient to do without medication that reduces discomfort. Against the background of the destruction of the elastic pad, the mobility of the support column decreases, protrusions and intervertebral hernia develop;
• fourth stage.The cartilaginous layer is practically absent, osteophytes appear on the spine. Bone growth is an attempt to compensate for excessive strain on the affected vertebrae. Dense elements stabilize the spine, but at the same time reduce the mobility in the problem area in the support column. In the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, the pain weakens, but the patient has difficulty performing simple movements. If changes occur in the lumbosacral area, paresis or paralysis of the lower body may occur. Often in the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, the patient develops a disability.

On a note!The disease of the support columns occurs with periods of remission (from several months to a year or more) and exacerbations (duration of relapse, pain intensity 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, injuries in other areas.

Blood circulation deteriorates, mineral metabolism deteriorates, protrusions, vertebral hernia develops, excessive ossification occurs in the affected area.

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

Cervical

The main characters 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;
• numbness in the cervical zone, hands, fingers;
• discomfort in the chest area
• decreased mobility of the cervical spine;
• decrease or loss of reflexes in the shoulder muscles;
• feeling of "goosebumps" in hands, fingers;
• with osteochondrosis of the cervix, a person is afflicted with insomnia, depressive states, irritability due to unbearable or sore pain in the neck and head.

Breast osteochondrosis

Typical characters:

• with a long stay in one position, heavy loads, turns, bends, chest pains appear;
• with a deep breath, discomfort of varying strength is felt in the middle part of the back;
• when one lifts the arms, moves the body, the pain increases;
• with the progression of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region, problems occur in the work of the digestive tract;
• in the hands there is an unpleasant feeling of "goosebumps";
• depending on the degree of injury, doctors distinguish dorsalgi - sore painful sensations in the affected spine and dorsago - acute, excruciating pain of high intensity, limiting breathing, causing muscle spasms;
• intercostal neuralgia develops;
• sore or acute pain in the area around 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 in the lower extremities;
• pain syndrome is pronounced with heavy or lifting loads;
• painful lumbar lumbago appears: pain radiating from the lower back to the gluteal zone, groin, legs;
• intermittent claudication develops;
• compression of the nerves adversely affects the work of the pelvic organs: with a severe degree of lumbosacral osteochondrosis, urinary incontinence, involuntary bowel movements are possible;
• fatigue appears, it is difficult to stand, long walk causes weakness in the legs.

Diagnostics

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

Diagnostic measures:

• Examination of the patient, examination of complaints.
• MR.
• CT.
• X-ray of the spine in several protrusions.
• Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels.
• Electromyography.

Effective treatments

How is osteochondrosis treated? Chronic pathology requires attention from both the physician and the patient. Do not expect negative symptoms to disappear one week after the start of treatment. Only an integrated approach yields results. The patient must understand that medication alone cannot eliminate degenerative-dystrophic changes in the discs, prevent the spread of osteophytes.

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

• perform a complex of exercise therapy;
• participate in massage and physiotherapy;
• Healthy food;
• organize a workplace and sleeping place 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;
• refuses intense training;
• avoid back injuries and bruises;
• monitor your weight.

There are other important rules:

• do not overcool;
• treat pathologies that adversely affect the condition of the discs;
• taking breaks, warming 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;
• set aside 7 hours for a night's sleep, at least;
• regularly visit a vertebrologist, monitor the condition of the vertebral structures.

Medicine

Effective groups and names:

• chondro protectors. . . They restore cartilage tissue, slowing down the process of destruction of slices. Course - 4 months or more;
• NSAIDs. . . The drugs relieve pain, eliminate swelling and inflammation. Local remedies give a good effect: ointments, gels, patches;
• B vitamins. . . The drugs restore nervous regulation, improve the nutrition of neurons and reduce the severity 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. . . Means for coping with muscle spasms, which are the main cause of squeezing nerve endings;
• compositions that normalize blood circulation.Most often, drugs from this group are prescribed for cervical osteochondrosis, against which the brain suffers;
• spinal cord blockages, injection into the paravertebral zone. This type of exposure helps with intolerable lumbago and pain due to 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, against which background painful lumbago develops.

Exercise and gymnastics

Exercises for the cervical, lumbosacral and thoracic regions are prescribed after relief of acute pain, 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 conducted under the guidance of a physiotherapist. After examining the complex, the patient continues to exercise at home. It is important to observe the duration and frequency of the sessions in order to achieve the therapeutic effect. In addition to physical education, vertebrologists advise walking in 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 electrophoresis with drugs;
• 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 applicator.

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