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

Osteochondrosis is a spinal pathology faced by millions of people of all ages.

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 affect not only the supporting spine and the paravertebral area, 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, persistent pain and complications on the background of pathology can lead to disability.

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

Reasons for the development of the disease

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

• back injuries;
• high loads in the support post during hard work, professional sports, carrying loads;
• congenital defects of the supporting column;
• lack of vitamins, minerals, deterioration of the quality of the pillow cushion;
• violation of mineral metabolism;
• hormonal disruption, endocrine disease;
• lack of movement, sedentary work;
• severe obesity;
• a 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 meat, smoking;
• tumor process in the paravertebral area, provoking damage to the elastic structures of the spine.

Types and stages

Osteochondrosis affects all parts of the supporting column. Degenerative processes are most actively manifested in the mobile regions: lumbar and cervical, in the chest area, damage to the vertebrae, bone tissue is less common.

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

• cervix;
• chest;
• lumbosacral

Stages of pathology:

• The first phase- development of chondrosis. Lack of nutrients impairs the quality of the disc and the elasticity of the pillowcase is reduced. High loads against the background of thinning cartilage tissue provoke mild to moderate back pain;
• the second stage.Deformations of elastic structures are more pronounced, the pain appears not only during loads, but also when bent, turns. Loss of annulus fibrosus leads to capture of sensitive structures, increased friction of bone elements;
• the third stage.The integrity of the fibrosus ring is broken, the disc protrudes beyond the vertebrae, the pain syndrome is pronounced. It is difficult for the patient to do without medications that reduce anxiety. Against the background of the destruction of the elastic cushion, the mobility of the supporting column decreases, protrusions and intervertebral hernias develop;
• fourth stage.The cartilaginous layer is practically absent, osteophytes appear in the spine. Bone growths are an attempt to compensate for the excess load on the affected vertebrae. Dense elements stabilize the spine, but at the same time reduce the mobility of the problem area of the supporting column. In the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, the pain subsides, 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 develops a disability.

On a note!Supportive spine disease occurs with periods of remission (from several months to a year or more) and exacerbations (duration of recovery, strength 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 impaired, extensions, vertebral hernias develop, excessive ossification appears 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.

Cervix

The main signs are:

• radicular syndrome with severe disc damage;
• pain in the back of the head, neck, crown;
• dizziness, fading;
• headache;
• discomfort in the muscles of the shoulders, neck;
• numbness of the cervical area, hands, fingers;
• discomfort in the chest area;
• impaired mobility of the cervical spine;
• decrease or loss of shoulder muscle reflexes;
• feeling of "goose bumps" on hands, fingers;
• with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, a person suffers from insomnia, depressive conditions, nervousness on the background of excruciating or painful pain in the neck and head.

Chest osteochondrosis

Typical signs:

• with a long stay in one position, large loads, bends, bending, chest pain appear;
• with a deep breath, discomfort of varying intensity is felt in the middle of the back;
• when you raise your arms, move your 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 dorsalgia - painful pain in the affected back and dorsago - acute, excruciating pain of high intensity, restricting breathing, causing muscle spasms;
• intercostal neuralgia develops;
• acute or acute pain in the shoulder area;
• reproductive disorders occur.

Lumbosakral region

The main symptoms are:

• discomfort of varying intensity in the lower back;
• muscle weakness, development of paresis;
• cold and numbness of the lower extremities;
• pain syndrome is expressed by heavy loads or lifting loads;
• painful lumbar lumbago appears: pain radiates from the lower back to the gluteal area, groin, legs;
• permanent fading develops;
• nerve compression adversely 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, long walking provokes weakness in the legs.

diagnostic

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

Diagnostic measures:

• Examination of the patient, examination of complaints.
• MRI.
• c T
• 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 physician and the patient. Do not expect the negative symptoms to disappear a week after starting the course of therapy. Only an integrated approach gives results. The patient should understand that medications alone can not eliminate degenerative-dystrophic changes in the discs, prevent the spread 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 food;
• arrange a workplace and sleeping area, taking into account the recommendations of a doctor;
• do not lift weights;
• take vitamins periodically, mineral complexes to maintain the elasticity of the discs, the strength of bone tissue;
• refuse too intense training;
• avoid back injuries and bruises;
• monitor your weight.

There are other important rules:

• do not cool it too much;
• treat pathologies that negatively affect the condition of the discs;
• take vacations, 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 a low pillow;
• less nervous;
• leave 7 hours to sleep overnight, at least;
• periodically visit a vertebrologist, monitor the condition of vertebral structures.

medications

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;
• Vitamin B. . . Medications restore nerve regulation, improve neuronal nutrition, and reduce the severity of pain syndrome. Injections (first days, during a worsening) and tablets (for a long course of treatment and prevention) are effective;
• muscle relaxants. . . Means face muscle spasms, which are the main cause of catching nerve endings;
• compositions that normalize blood circulation.Most often, drugs of this group are prescribed for osteochondrosis of the cervix, against which the brain suffers;
• spinal blockages, injection into the paravertebral area. This type of exposure helps with torturous lumbago and pain on the background of tight nerves in the third or fourth stage of osteochondrosis. Corticosteroids and adjuvants are added to analgesics to increase the effect;
• GCS group drugs.Steroid formulations are essential for severe pain. Often, injections are prescribed for lumbosacral osteochondrosis, against the background of which painful lumbago develops.

Exercises and gymnastics

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

The first sessions take place under the guidance of a physiotherapist. After studying the complex, the patient continues training at home. Importers It is important to observe the duration and frequency of sessions in order to achieve the therapeutic effect. In addition to physical education, vertebrologists advise to go to the pool: swimming is an ideal kind of positive effect on the back.

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