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

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

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

In most cases, negative manifestations affect not only 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 significantly, persistent pain against the background of pathology and complications can lead to disability.

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

due to the development of the disease

Degenerative and dystrophic processes in the intervertebral disc, excessive fracture in the affected area develop in the following cases:

• back injuries;
• high load on the support post during hard work, professional sports, load-carrying;
• Congenital defects of the support column;
• lack of vitamins, minerals, deterioration in the quality of cushion pads;
• violation of mineral metabolism;
• hormonal disruptions, endocrine diseases;
• lack of movement, sedentary work;
• severe obesity;
• decrease in 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, damages the elastic structures of the spine.

types and stages

Osteochondrosis affects all parts of the support column. Degenerative processes are more actively manifested in mobile areas: lumbar and cervical, in the thoracic region, damage to the vertebrae, bone tissue is less common.

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

• cervical;
• Chest;
• Lumbosacral.

Stages of pathology:

• first stage- the development of chondrosis. Natural deficiency worsens the quality of the discs, and the elasticity of the cushion pads decreases. High loads against the background of thinning of the cartilage tissue provoke mild to moderate pain in the spine;
• second stage.deformation of elastic structures is more pronounced, pain appears not only during loads, but also when bending, twisting. The defeat of the annulus fibrosus leads to pinching of sensitive structures, increased friction of bone elements;
• third step.The integrity of the annulus fibrosus is broken, the disc protrudes beyond the vertebrae, 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 pads, supportthe mobility of the column decreases, protrusions and intervertebral hernias develop;
• Fourth stage.The cartilaginous layer is practically absent, osteophytes appear on the spine. Bone growth is an attempt 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 columndo. In the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, the pain subsides, but the patient has difficulty performing simple movements. If there are changes in the lumbosacral region, paresis or paralysis of the lower body may occur. Often, of osteochondrosisIn the fourth stage, the patient is drawn to disability.

On a note!Support column disease is accompanied by periods of remission (several months to a year or more) and exacerbations (duration of recurrence, strength of pain depends on many factors).

First signs and symptoms

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

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

Blood circulation deteriorates, mineral metabolism is impaired, protrusions, vertebral hernias develop, excessive fractures appear in the affected area.

Self-medication, the lack of qualified assistance, coupled with the reluctance to periodically visit a vertebrologist, negatively affect the condition of the vertebral structures.

Cervical

The main indications 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 of the cervical region, hands, fingers;
• discomfort in the chest area;
• impaired mobility of the cervical spine;
• decreased or loss of reflexes of the shoulder muscles;
• feeling of "goose bumps" in the hands, fingers;
• With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, a person is tormented by insomnia, depressive states, irritability against the background of aches or pains in the neck and head.

chest osteochondrosis

Specific signs:

• With a long stay in one position, heavy loads, twisting, bending, chest pain appear;
• With a deep breath, discomfort of varying strength is felt in the central part of the back;
• When raising the hand, the pain increases when moving the body;
• with the progression of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, problems appear in the work of the digestive system;
• There is an unpleasant feeling of "goose bumps" in the hands;
• Depending on the degree of damage, doctors distinguish dorsal - pain of painful sensations in the affected spine and dorsago - acute, excruciating pain of high intensity, causing breathing difficulties, muscle spasms;
• Intercostal neuralgia develops;
• pain or intense pain in the region of the shoulder blades;
• Reproductive disorders arise.

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;
• The pain syndrome is pronounced with heavy lifting or lifting;
• Painful lumbar lumbago appears: pain spreads 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 defecation are possible;
• Fatigue appears, it is difficult to stand, long walks cause weakness in the legs.

diagnosis

To clarify the condition of the spine, you need to contact a vertebrate specialist. In the absence of a doctor of this expertise, you need to visit a neurologist or orthopedic traumatologist.

Diagnostic Remedies:

• Examination of the patient, investigation of complaints.
• MRI.
• CT.
• X-ray of the spine in multiple projections.
• Doppler ultrasonography 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 the start of therapy. Only an integrated approach gives results. The patient should understand that drugs alone discsCan not eliminate degenerative-dystrophic changes in, inhibit the proliferation of osteophytes.

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

• perform a complex of exercise therapy;
• participate in massage and physiotherapy;
• healthy meal;
• organize working and sleeping places, taking into account the recommendations of the doctor;
• do not lift weights;
• periodically take vitamin, mineral complexes to maintain the elasticity of the discs, the strength of bone tissue;
• refuse too intense workouts;
• Avoid back injuries and bruises;
• Monitor your weight.

Other important rules are:

• do not over-cool;
• treat deformities that adversely affect the condition of the disc;
• 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 orthopedic mattresses and low pillows;
• less nervous;
• set aside at least 7 hours for a night's sleep;
• Periodically visit a vertebrologist, monitor the condition of the vertebral structures.

medicines

Effective group and name:

• chondroprotectors. . . they restore cartilaginous tissue, slowing down the process of disc destruction. Course - 4 months or more;
• NSAID. . . drugs relieve pain, eliminate swelling and inflammation. Local remedies give a good effect: ointments, gels, ointments;
• B vitamins. . . drugs restore nerve regulation, improve the nutrition of neurons, and reduce the strength of the pain syndrome. Injections (on the first day, during an exacerbation) and tablets (for a long course of treatment and prevention) are effective;
• muscle relaxants. . . means counteract 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 cord obstruction, injection into the paravertebral zone. This type of exposure helps with painful lumbago and pain against the background of pinched nerves in the third or fourth stage of osteochondrosis. Corticosteroids and excipients are added to enhance the effect in analgesics;
• Medicines of the GCS group.Steroid formulations are necessary for severe pain. Often, injections are prescribed for lumbosacral osteochondrosis, against the background of which painful lumbago develops.

exercise and gymnastics

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

The first session is conducted under the guidance of a physiotherapist. After studying the premises, the patient continues training at home. It is important to observe the duration and frequency of sessions to achieve the therapeutic effect. In addition to physical education, Vertebrologists recommend visiting the pool: swimming is an ideal kind of positive effect on the spine.

physiotherapy procedures

Effective methods of influence:

• ozokerite applications;
• laser therapy;
• radon and turpentine baths;
• shock wave therapy;
• electrical processes;
• mud therapy;
• phonophoresis and electrophoresis with drugs;
• Magnet 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 spinal column;
• 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 pays to a healthy lifestyle, the negative in the intervertebral discsThe less the risk of developing a change.