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, 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 affect not only the support pillar 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 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 hard work, professional sports, carrying loads;
• congenital defects of the support column;
• deficiency of vitamins, minerals, deterioration in the quality of the cushion pad;
• violation of mineral metabolism;
• hormonal disruptions, 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, 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 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;
• chest;
• lumbosacral.

Stages of pathology:

• First stage- the development of chondrosis. Lack of nutrients impairs the quality of the disc, and the elasticity of the cushion pad decreases. High loads against the background of thinning of the cartilage tissue provoke mild to moderate pain in the spine;
• second stage.Deformations of elastic structures are more pronounced, pain appears not only during loads, but also when bending, turning. The defeat of the annulus fibrosus leads to pinching 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 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 cartilaginous 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. At the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, the pain weakens, 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, at the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, the patient draws up a disability.

On a note!The disease of the support column 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 sensation 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 higher the risk of pain syndrome, damage to other areas.

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

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

Cervical

The main signs are:

• radicular syndrome with severe disc damage;
• pain in the back of the head, neck, crown;
• dizziness, fainting;
• headaches;
• 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 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 conditions, irritability against the background of excruciating or aching pains in the neck and head.

Chest osteochondrosis

Typical signs:

• with a long stay in one position, heavy loads, turns, bends, chest pain appears;
• with a deep breath, 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 dorsalgia - aching painful sensations in the affected spine and dorsago - acute, excruciating pains of high intensity, constraining breathing, causing muscle spasm;
• intercostal neuralgia develops;
• aching or acute pain in the area of 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 extremities;
• pain syndrome is pronounced with heavy loads or lifting loads;
• painful lumbar lumbago appears: pain radiates 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 is possible;
• fatigue appears, it is difficult to stand, long walking provokes weakness in the legs.

Diagnostics

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

Diagnostic measures:

• Examination of the patient, examination of complaints.
• MRI.
• CT.
• X-ray of the spine in several projections.
• Doppler ultrasonography of blood vessels.
• Electromyography.

Effective treatments

How to treat osteochondrosis? Chronic pathology requires attention from both the doctor and the patient. Do not expect that negative symptoms will disappear a week after the start of the course of therapy. Only an integrated approach gives results. The patient must 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 a complex of exercise therapy;
• attend massage and physiotherapy;
• Healthy food;
• organize a working 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 the 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 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;
• periodically visit a vertebrologist, monitor the condition of the vertebral structures.

Medications

Effective groups and names:

• chondroprotectors. . . They restore cartilaginous tissue, slow down the process of disc destruction. Course - 4 months or more;
• NSAIDs. . . The drugs 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 strength 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 cope with 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 blockages, injection in the paravertebral zone. This type of exposure helps with excruciating lumbago and pain against the background of pinched nerves in the third or fourth stage of osteochondrosis. Corticosteroids and excipients are added to analgesics to increase the effect;
• drugs of the GCS group.Steroid formulations are essential for severe pain. Often, injections are prescribed for lumbosacral osteochondrosis, against which painful lumbago develops.

Exercise and gymnastics

Exercises for the cervical, lumbosacral and thoracic regions are prescribed after the 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 classes are conducted under the guidance of a physiotherapist. After studying the complex, the patient continues training 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 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 spinal column;
• medical ipplikator.

It is quite difficult to prevent the development of osteochondrosis, but doctors advise remembering 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.