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

In most cases, negative manifestations not only affect the supporting pillar and paravertebral area, but also spread to other areas.

In the absence of treatment, the disease progresses, the work of organs and systems is disturbed, the state of health noticeably worsens, constant pain and complications against the background of pathology can lead to disability.

It is important to know what osteochondrosis is, the causes of a 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;
• high loads on the support post during heavy work, professional sports, carrying loads;
• birth defects of the support column;
• deficiency of vitamins, minerals, deterioration of the quality of the cushion;
• violation of mineral metabolism;
• hormonal disturbances, 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 drinks, acidic foods, smoked meats, tobacco;
• 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: lumbar and cervical, in the thoracic zone, lesions of the vertebrae, bone tissue are 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. The lack of nutrients impairs the quality of the disc and the elasticity of the pad decreases. High loads against the background of thinning of cartilage tissue cause mild to moderate pain in the spine;
• Second step.Deformations of elastic structures are more pronounced, pain appears not only during loads, but also when bending, rotating. The defeat of the fibrous ring leads to pinching of sensitive structures, increased friction of bone elements;
• third step.The integrity of the fibrous ring is broken, the disc protrudes from the vertebra, the pain syndrome is pronounced. It is difficult for the patient to do without medications that reduce discomfort. Against the background of the destruction of the elastic cushion, the mobility of the supporting column decreases, protuberances and intervertebral hernias develop;
• fourth step.The cartilage layer is practically absent, osteophytes appear on the spine. Bone growths are 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 column. In the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, the pain subsides, but the patient has difficulty in performing simple movements. If changes occur in the lumbosacral region, paresis or paralysis of the lower body may occur. Often in the fourth stage of osteochondrosis the patient draws a disability.

On a note!Support column disease occurs with periods of remission (from several months to a year or more) and exacerbations (the duration of the relapse, the strength of the pain 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 there are, the greater the risk of pain syndrome, damage to other areas.

Blood circulation deteriorates, mineral metabolism is impaired, protuberances, vertebral hernias develop, excessive ossification appears in the affected area.

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

Cervical

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;
• numbness in the cervical area, hands, fingers;
• discomfort in the chest area;
• reduced mobility of the cervical spine;
• decrease or loss of reflexes of the shoulder muscles;
• sensation of "goosebumps" in the hands, fingers;
• with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, a person is tormented by insomnia, depressive states, irritability against the background of excruciating or aching pains in the neck and head.

Thoracic osteochondrosis

Typical signs:

• with a long stay in one position, heavy loads, bends, turns, chest pain appears;
• with deep breathing, discomfort of varying strength is felt in the middle part 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;
• in the hands there is an unpleasant feeling of "goose bumps";
• depending on the degree of damage, doctors distinguish back pain - painful aching sensations in the affected spine and back pain - sharp and excruciating pains of high intensity, constraining breathing, causing muscle spasms;
• intercostal neuralgia develops;
• aching 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 numbness of the lower limbs;
• pain syndrome is pronounced with heavy loads or lifting loads;
• painful lumbar lumbago appears: the pain radiates from the lower back to the buttock area, groin, legs;
• intermittent claudication develops;
• compression of the nerves negatively affects the work of the pelvic organs: with a severe degree of lumbosacral osteochondrosis, urinary incontinence, involuntary defecation is possible;
• fatigue appears, it is difficult to stand, a long walk causes weakness in the legs.

Diagnostic

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

Diagnostic measures:

• Examination of the patient, examination 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 attention from both the doctor and the patient. Do not expect negative symptoms to go away within a week of starting treatment. Only an integrated approach gives results. The patient should understand that drugs alone cannot eliminate degenerative-dystrophic changes in the discs, prevent the proliferation of osteophytes.

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

• perform exercise therapy complex;
• attend massages and physiotherapy;
• Healthy food;
• organize a place of work and sleep, 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 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;
• take breaks, warm up while working at the computer;
• move more, do physical education;
• give up excessive consumption of coffee and alcohol, forget to smoke;
• avoid prolonged static / dynamic loads;
• sleep on an orthopedic mattress and a low pillow;
• less nervous;
• set aside at least 7 hours for a night's sleep;
• periodically consult a vertebrologist, monitor the condition of vertebral structures.

Medications

Groups and effective names:

• chondroprotectors. . . They restore cartilage tissue, slow down the process of disc destruction. Course - 4 months or more;
• NSAIDs. . . Medicines relieve pain, eliminate swelling and inflammation. Local remedies give a good effect: ointments, gels, plasters;
• B vitamins. . . The drugs restore nerve regulation, improve the nutrition of neurons and reduce the strength of the pain syndrome. Injections (the first days, during an exacerbation) and tablets (for long and preventive treatment) are effective;
• muscle relaxants. . . Means cope 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 relieve lumbago and excruciating pain against the background of pinched nerves in the third or fourth stage of osteochondrosis. Corticosteroids and excipients are added to pain relievers to increase the effect;
• drugs of the GCS group.Steroid formulations are essential for severe pain. Often injections are prescribed for lumbosacral osteochondrosis, against the background of which painful lumbago develops.

Exercise and gymnastics

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

The first sessions take place under the direction of a physiotherapist. After studying the complex, the patient continues his training at home. It is important to respect the duration and frequency of the sessions in order to obtain the therapeutic effect. In addition to physical education, vertebrologists 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 electrophoresis with drugs;
• 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 ipplikator.

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