Osteochondrosis of the spine - symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Osteochondrosis of the spine is a degenerative-dystrophic destruction caused by the gradual thinning of cartilaginous tissue in the intervertebral discs.All people are susceptible to this disease, since due to upright posture the human spine experiences enormous loads.If we take into account the damaging factors, then by the age of 40-50, osteochondrosis of the back is found in almost every person.The pathology cannot be completely cured.It is impossible to stop the age-related degenerative process, but with proper treatment it can be slowed down.You must learn how to properly deal with the symptoms of osteochondrosis.

General characteristics of the pathology

The disease develops in three parts of the ridge - cervical, thoracic and lumbar.Cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis is most often diagnosed, since these areas have greater mobility.The more active movement a person can make in their joints, the more prone the intervertebral discs are to injury and degeneration.Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region occurs less frequently, but is more serious.

The pathology is insidious because it contributes to the appearance of other degenerative diseases in the body, including intervertebral hernia.In the initial stages, the patient does not feel pain, but persistent metabolic changes in calcium-phosphorus metabolism appear, which disrupt the bone structure of the spine.Blood circulation in the affected area deteriorates, which leads to premature degeneration.

The intervertebral disc contains a fibrous ring covered with microfissures.A nucleus pulposus appears on the surface of the damage - parts of it begin to gradually leak out.Against the background of degenerative processes, the fibrous ring begins to weaken and stretch, which leads to an increase in the area of microdamage.When the fibrous ring breaks, the nucleus pulposus comes out.This is how an intervertebral hernia of the spinal cord appears.

If you slow down the degeneration process that causes osteochondrosis, hernias and protrusions appear later.The sooner treatment is started, the easier it will be to combat signs of deterioration.Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the back depend on the location on the ridge and the effect of concomitant diseases on the body.

Causes that provoke osteochondrosis of the spine

In most situations, the disease is hereditary.In other cases, the disease occurs against the background of common adverse conditions that can provoke an exacerbation, including:

1. Previous back injuries, including damage to bones, joints and tendons.
2. Problems with the musculoskeletal system, including poor posture and flat feet.
3. History of metabolic disorders, including endocrine pathologies.People with uncompensated hypothyroidism and diabetes are at risk of developing bone problems.These problems negatively affect calcium absorption.
4. Being overweight.With obesity and a high body mass index, a person experiences premature wear and tear on their joints.Heavy weight puts pressure on the musculoskeletal system, which negatively affects spinal health.
5. Poor nutrition.A daily diet low in nutrients and microelements causes hypovitaminosis, which causes the human body to suffer systemically, which can negatively affect the condition of the spine.
6. Physical inactivity.It has been proven that a sedentary lifestyle leads to fragility of bones.Moderate physical activity is beneficial.
7. Lifting weights.Just like insufficient muscle activity, excessive overstrain is fraught with microtrauma and damage, which provokes diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
8. Previous viral or bacterial infections.Examples: osteomyelitis, polio.
9. Have bad habits.Alcohol and nicotine abuse causes deterioration in blood circulation, which negatively affects the state of the skeletal system.

Factors that influence the occurrence of the disease:

1. Congenital spinal defects.
2. Bad posture.
3. Have flat feet.
4. Prolonged stay in a sitting or standing position.
5. Belonging to the female gender.Women during pregnancy and menopause experience increased bone loss.With prolonged deficiency of calcium and other minerals, a degenerative process occurs in the spine, contributing to the appearance of osteochondrosis.
6. Hypogonadism.With a deficiency of steroid hormones in both sexes, calcium is practically not fixed in bone tissue.As a result, the patient suffers from age-related osteochondrosis.At a young age, these conditions occur very rarely.In this case we are talking about mutations.

Considering the above risk factors, you should try to maintain a relaxed lifestyle.

Stages of disease development

The disease has 4 disease stages, including the following picture:

1. The initial phase is the phase of degenerative metabolic processes.The patient has no symptoms, as the cartilaginous tissue has not yet begun to actively deteriorate.Deformation of the intervertebral disc begins.As there is no protrusion yet, the patient does not feel back pain.Typically, at the initial stage of osteochondrosis, the disease is rarely discovered, more often by chance.Not every specialist can notice the first signs of degeneration.In rare cases, the patient may experience minimal discomfort associated with overwork.The patient's back begins to hurt when standing or sitting for a long time.Furthermore, this pain is associated with excessive tension and weakness of the muscular structure.
2. In the second stage, active destruction of the fibrous ring begins, which causes a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc.At this stage, the attentive patient already turns to the specialist, as he feels more vivid symptoms.The head may start to hurt frequently and unexplained pressure spikes may occur.It often hurts in the lower back, neck or shoulder blades.The patient no longer tolerates prolonged exercise and becomes tired quickly.At this stage, osteochondrosis is detected by radiography.
3. In the third stage, the disease causes protrusion of the fibrous ring.During diagnosis, the patient is diagnosed with a protrusion or small intervertebral hernia, which creates serious problems in everyday life.The cartilage is already weakened and the patient feels very unwell.The third phase is transitional in terms of treatment.At this stage, it is still possible to use conservative treatment to make the patient feel better and delay the development of the hernia.
4. Step 4 – terminal.The vertebrae lose elasticity and mobility.The patient feels pain not only during the day during movements, but also at night.Sleep is disturbed and neurological symptoms appear as the discomfort is chronic.Chronic fatigue syndrome is getting worse.At this stage, significant hernias are already diagnosed, interfering with the patient's normal life.In this case, surgical intervention to remove the osteophytes is indicated.Conservative treatment in advanced cases does not bring relief.

The earlier osteochondrosis is detected, the easier it will be to combat it.At stages 1-2, it is still possible to reverse the development of pathology if you unconditionally follow doctor's prescriptions.

Types of spinal osteochondrosis

The spine consists of 3 sections, including the lower back, thoracic region, and neck.Depending on the individual situation, degenerative injuries most often occur in one of the departments.Less commonly, the pathology affects multiple segments of the ridge.The cervical and lumbar regions are the most affected, as increased mobility is observed in these locations.If the thoracic spine is affected, the pathology is more serious due to the anatomical characteristics of the ridge in this area.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is more common.The prevalence of pathology is associated with increased load on the lower part of the body.Furthermore, this part of the back is more prone to the formation of hernias and protrusions.If a patient with this history develops complications, problems with mobility, bowel movements, and urination will arise.Advanced cases require serious correction and surgical intervention.

With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, severe pain and shooting in the head occur.Most often, the disease occurs against the background of prolonged sedentary work and increased physical activity.Patients with this disease also require an integrated approach to therapy.Damage to the cervical spine is also due to the presence of greater mobility in the shoulders and head.

Thoracic osteochondrosis occurs less frequently, since due to well-developed muscles and reduced mobility, this area is less susceptible to such a pathological process.This type of osteochondrosis is difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms of the pathology resemble diseases of the heart, lungs or stomach.In thoracic osteochondrosis, pain radiating to the region of the ribs and heart is more frequently observed, which is why the disease is confused with ischemic heart disease and signs of a heart attack.An important diagnostic criterion is that if, when complaining of chest pain, no heart problems are detected, you should consult a neurologist or traumatologist.

The older the patient, the greater the risk of spinal joint degeneration affecting multiple parts of the spine.

Spinal osteochondrosis symptoms

Symptoms can be divided into general and specific.The second option is typical for osteochondrosis of any part, depending on the location.Common signs of degenerative back disease include:

1. Pain, discomfort and discomfort.Considering the degree and location of the pathological process, the patient experiences varying degrees of pain.In the initial stages, the discomfort is minor, pressing.At night, the discomfort temporarily subsides.As spinal degeneration progresses, the pain becomes stronger and more frequent.At worst, the pain won't stop and prevents you from sleeping at night.
2. Weakness, constant fatigue.Spinal problems are often associated with impaired nerve conduction and poor blood flow.If a patient actively develops osteochondrosis, chronic fatigue syndrome occurs over time.The patient becomes increasingly unable to perform work tasks and the person does not get enough sleep.The more advanced the pathology, the worse the patient feels.
3. Decreased mobility in a specific part of the spine.During the period of exacerbation, not only persistent pain occurs, but also the mobility of the affected area of the back is significantly limited.This phenomenon is associated not only with the inflammatory process, but also with muscle spasticity.
4. Muscle spasm in the affected part of the spine.Osteochondrosis is not just the result of natural degenerative processes in the body.Physical inactivity often triggers the disease.In the absence of motor activity, the muscles atrophy and cannot adequately remove the load from the spine.As a result, persistent tension arises, fraught with severe deterioration.The patient has multiple spasms that must be relieved with medication.
5. Radicular syndrome.This phenomenon is typical for all types of osteochondrosis without exception.When the pathology is complicated by the appearance of hernias, there is an increase in pressure from the protruding nucleus pulposus on the nerve segments.As a result, adverse effects occur - limited mobility, pain, low back pain, paresthesia, and in severe situations - loss of sensitivity in the fingers and lower extremities.
6. Other vegetative manifestations.These include symptoms reminiscent of vegetative-vascular dystonia, neurological disorders, signs from the heart, lungs and stomach.

Distinctive symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include:

1. Headache.It occurs suddenly, and the attack itself often turns into a migraine, accompanied by dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness and pressure surges.The condition is often associated with persistent poor circulation in the affected area and compressed nerve roots.
2. Pain in the neck, trapezius or upper back.This symptom is associated with increased muscle spasticity.The spine cannot support the load, so these muscles become overloaded.Furthermore, this condition occurs more frequently among office workers.The nature of the pain is dull, embarrassing and painful.
3. Increased pressure.If an intervertebral hernia compresses the vascular bed, the patient suffers a hypertension crisis that is not associated with problems with the cardiovascular system.
4. The appearance of a feeling of tightness in the neck and throat.The phenomenon is also associated with muscle spasticity, which causes compression of the neck vessels.
5. Shots in the fingers, collarbones and arms.This is a purely neurological symptom associated with pinched nerve roots.
6. Shortness of breath, heart and throat pain are less common.

Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis look like this:

1. Feeling of tightness in the chest.
2. The appearance of attacks of intercostal neuralgia.
3. Pain in the region of the heart not associated with cardiac pathology.
4. Complaints of shortness of breath, pain in the bottom of the chest.
5. Cough not associated with respiratory system problems.
6. Discomfort in the stomach or esophagus.
7. Pain in the interscapular area.Characterized by a chronic course.More often it occurs against the background of static muscle overload.
8. Numbness in the arms, collarbones and fingers.Less often - in the lower back.

This is how the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis manifest themselves:

1. Pain in the lower back.
2. Pulling sensations in the kidney area or lower abdomen.
3. The occurrence of compression of the sciatic nerve.
4. The appearance of a symptom of tight piriformis muscle.If this muscle spasms, it compresses the sciatic nerve, which causes specific symptoms, including burning and shooting along the leg, starting in the gluteal region and ending in the thigh and lower leg.This neurological symptom usually indicates spinal problems.
5. Problems with bowel movements and urination.When a hernia or protrusion compresses the lower parts of the nerve endings, the contraction force of the smooth muscles of the intestine and bladder weakens significantly over time.As a result, intestinal atony and urinary retention develop.Such conditions are extremely dangerous and require qualified medical care.
6. Over time, the patient's gait changes and lameness appears in one leg.The condition is also associated with compression of nerve endings.

If the patient has several symptoms in a specific part of the spine, reminiscent of advanced osteochondrosis, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible.There are no specific diagnostic criteria that would allow you to detect the disease on your own.It is necessary to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis, after which the exact cause of the disease will be determined.

Diagnosis of back osteochondrosis

The primary diagnosis consists of taking an anamnesis.A neurologist or traumatologist asks about complaints and examines the patient's back.If the patient is not sure whether they need to see these specialists specifically, they should initially consult a therapist.A general practitioner will examine the patient, record complaints on a card and forward them to a specialist.

The main problem in diagnosing spinal osteochondrosis is that the pathology gives many false signals that indicate other diseases.Therefore, it is necessary to consult specialists several times to ensure that there are no pathologies associated with the cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive systems.

What types of diagnostics are usually prescribed:

1. Radiography.This type of exam is quick and does not require large financial costs.The image can be obtained free of charge if the patient undergoes the procedure at the outpatient clinic at the registration location.An X-ray image can superficially assess the condition of the ridge.If there are gross defects or signs of decreased distance between the intervertebral spaces, the patient will be referred for other procedures to clarify the diagnosis.
2. Ressonância magnética ou tomografia computadorizada.These types of studies clearly see soft tissues, therefore they are the main diagnostic methods that recognize various degenerative processes - dislocations, herniated discs, protrusions.Com a ajuda de tais diagnósticos, não apenas a osteocondrose é detectada, mas também hérnias, saliências e nervos comprimidos.
3. Laboratory tests.Sometimes it is necessary to take a series of blood tests that will help find hidden diseases that negatively affect the course of the disease.Typically, tests are performed in combination - OBC, OAM, sugar, calcium-phosphorus metabolism regulators, rheumatological tests.

Based on the data obtained, the doctor makes a final diagnosis.After receiving the conclusion, it is necessary to follow the specialist's recommendations to endure the course of the spine disease in a less painful way.There are pathologies that cannot be completely cured.This includes osteochondrosis.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

There are many treatment options for this spinal disease.They are used depending on the stage of the complication.If the pathology is at an early stage, the best remedies are medications and conservative treatment.In advanced cases it is rare, but surgical intervention may be necessary when medications do not help and the patient loses sensitivity in their limbs, becoming disabled.

What is used among medical products:

1. NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.These medications quickly relieve pain associated with inflammation or irritation.The therapeutic effect is achieved quickly, within a day.Therefore, such medicines are the first choice.Disadvantages of NSAIDs - you cannot inject them for more than two days.In oral form, some types of medication are used for a maximum of three weeks.This limitation of use is explained by the high gastrotoxicity of the medicines.People suffering from peptic ulcers or gastritis are also prescribed medications to protect the gastric mucosa.
2. Corticosteroids are hormonal painkillers.In case of severe pain and degenerative processes, special medications are administered intra-articularly to eliminate local inflammation.It is recommended to use prolonged components.The active ingredient lasts up to 3-4 weeks.For some patients, one injection is enough to forget about the pain for a long time.
3. Chondroprotectors are medications used to strengthen and nourish cartilaginous tissue.In many patients suffering from spinal osteochondrosis, cartilage and bone tissue are weak, so it is necessary to strengthen them.Chondroprotectors do not prevent the development of the disease and the formation of cartilaginous tissue, but they help to slow down degenerative processes.They are carried out over a long course.
4. Muscle relaxants.Medicines used to relax tense muscles.The duration of therapy is 2 to 4 weeks.
5. B vitamins. Neurotropic substances - B1, B6 and B12 help in treating sciatica or compression of the sciatic nerve.In large doses, these substances have an analgesic effect and nourish damaged nerve fibers.

Conservative treatment methods include:

1. Manual therapy.The method allows you to relax tense muscles through the work of a specialist's hands.During an exacerbation, this type of treatment should not be used.
2. Exercise therapy.With the help of physiotherapy, you can strengthen your muscles.It has been proven that back pain is most often associated with muscle weakness, since the spine cannot support the load, which is why fatigue and discomfort occur.For the patient to feel relief, it is necessary to perform the exercises consistently 2 to 3 times a week.Physical education improves posture and eliminates pain.
3. Massage.With the help of a massage therapist, it is possible to improve blood flow in damaged muscles, which has a positive effect on well-being.Increased blood flow nourishes and relaxes tissues, which helps combat spasms.The procedure is contraindicated in the acute period and is performed only during rehabilitation.
4. Physiotherapy.Conservative treatment aims to improve blood flow in damaged tissues using a hardware method.Using current or magnetic radiation, muscle communication is improved, which helps combat spasms and chronic pain.Physiotherapy allows the local use of systemic medications, which penetrate well under the skin.

Disease prevention

Osteochondrosis of the spine can be prevented if you follow a healthy lifestyle, including giving up bad habits, eating properly and combating physical inactivity.You also need to monitor your body weight.Obese patients experience greater stress not only on their backs, but also on their entire bodies.It is recommended to wear orthopedic shoes and monitor your posture.