Osteochondrosis is a disease that develops due to degenerative processes in the cartilaginous tissue of the spine.In fact, this term is applicable to any joint, but most often osteochondrosis affects the intervertebral discs, which is why in the vast majority of cases we talk about spinal osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis symptoms
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis are pain and numbness, which can be generalized or cover a specific area of the back.The pain intensifies with physical activity, sudden movements and sometimes even coughing and sneezing.The body reflexively tries to protect itself from pain, so muscle tension increases at the site of the injury.This is how the restriction of motor activity occurs - another characteristic sign of osteochondrosis.
Without treatment, the manifestations of the disease worsen: the pain intensifies, spreading to the limbs, limiting their mobility (if the cervicothoracic region is affected, the arms suffer; if it is the lumbar region, the legs).In severe cases, limbs may even partially atrophy - losing their inherent strength and mobility.A herniated disc is one of the most common and serious complication of osteochondrosis, in which the disc itself is displaced and the nerve roots are compressed, causing severe sharp pain in the back.
When each part of the spine is affected, there are specific symptoms:
- Cervical region: headaches, dizziness, pain and numbness in the shoulders and arms.In some cases, vertebral artery syndrome forms: the artery that supplies the brain and spinal cord is compressed, which causes a throbbing, unbearable headache in the temple or back of the neck.Unpleasant symptoms also appear: tinnitus, imbalance, darkening of the eyes, and with significant constriction - sudden attacks of dizziness with nausea and vomiting.All of these symptoms usually occur with sudden head turns.
- Thoracic: sensation of “a stake in the chest”, pain that patients often consider to be related to the heart or internal organs.
- Lumbosacral region: pain and numbness in the lower back and legs, and there may be discomfort in the pelvic region.
Causes of osteochondrosis
The main cause of osteochondrosis is degenerative changes in the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral disc, as a result of which they lose firmness and elasticity.The spinal disc decreases in volume, becomes dense and no longer fully absorbs shock.Even during normal walking, the hard vertebrae, made of bone tissue, do not bounce very elastically in the cartilaginous layers between them, but practically touch each other, compressing the nerve fibers.Because of this, the mobility of the spine is limited, constant pain appears, which spreads to the back and limbs, caused by compressed nerve roots.
The causes of dystrophic changes can be different.The main predisposing factor is eating habits.From birth, cartilaginous tissue receives the necessary substances in two ways: from blood vessels and from intervertebral fluid.By the age of 23-25, the vessels are completely grown, leaving only one form of nutrition left.Nutrition of cartilaginous tissue through intervertebral fluid is possible during movement of the spine, when fluid circulation occurs: during compression and expansion of the discs, fluid breaks down into nutrients.Therefore, after 30 years, the risk of degeneration of the cartilaginous tissue of intervertebral discs increases sharply, especially with insufficient physical activity.
The dystrophic processes of disc destruction are aggravated by intense training (especially without warming up), injuries and any skeletal pathology (including flat feet and poor posture), as it changes the distribution of the load on the spine.Excess weight has the same effect.There is also a genetic predisposition to osteochondrosis - loose cartilaginous tissue prone to degenerative processes.
Stages of spinal osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a progressive disease, but the transition to each subsequent stage occurs gradually.One of the stages in the development of osteochondrosis is the so-called herniated disc.The discs are composed of a hard shell called an annulus fibrosus and a semi-liquid core.Herniated discs occur when the fibrous ring of the disc becomes thinner and ruptures, the nucleus protrudes through the gap and the nerve roots are compressed, which is accompanied by increased pain and a further decrease in the shock-absorbing properties of the disc.The rate of development of symptoms depends on lifestyle, treatment and individual characteristics of the body.
Stage 1
Characteristic, constant or periodic complaints appear.They are often provoked by physical activity or forced body position.The x-ray shows minimal or normal narrowing of the intervertebral spaces.
Stage 2
Symptoms intensify as the disc loses stability (cartilaginous tissue bulges into the surrounding fibrous ring), which compresses the nerve roots.An x-ray shows a noticeable reduction in intervertebral distance or displacement of the vertebrae;growths of bone tissue may appear.
Step 3
Intervertebral disc herniations appear, also called disc protrusion or prolapse;the disc increasingly extends into the surrounding tissues, which causes damage to blood vessels and nerves, so that the pain intensifies, limiting movement of the limbs and causing numbness.
Stage 4
Disc fibrosis stage.The disc hardens, is replaced by scar tissue, bony protrusions grow along the edge, and the intervertebral distance noticeably decreases.The mobility of the spine is significantly reduced - it literally becomes ossified.
Diagnosis of the disease
The doctor makes a preliminary diagnosis based on characteristic complaints and examination data.Pain in certain points, muscle tone, sensitivity, range of movement and posture are assessed.Instrumental research methods help to clarify the stage of osteochondrosis and confirm the diagnosis.Most often, at the initial stage, an x-ray of the spine of interest is prescribed.The photos clearly demonstrate whether there is a reduction in the distance between the vertebrae, that is, whether there is thinning of the cartilage and how far the process has advanced.If, based on the results of the x-ray, the doctor suspects the presence of intervertebral hernias, he will prescribe a more informative research method - magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Layer-by-layer scanning and good visualization of soft tissues make it possible to confirm or refute the diagnosis of intervertebral disc herniation with absolute precision.
How to treat spinal osteochondrosis?
The treatment of osteochondrosis is always complex and long-term.Its task is not only to relieve pain and relieve muscle tension, but also to prevent the development of the disease, that is, to influence its cause.The doctor decides what to treat in each specific case.Medications are usually supplemented with physical therapy, massage, manual therapy, physiotherapy and reflexology.If conservative therapy does not have the desired effect, surgical treatment is indicated.
Medicines
The main goal during exacerbation of osteochondrosis is to relieve inflammation and accompanying pain and muscle spasm.For this, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed in combination with muscle relaxants, which reduce the tone of skeletal muscles, reduce muscle spasms and compression of nerve roots.B vitamin preparations help improve the condition of nerve roots.Typically, the course of treatment lasts 7-10 days.Taking medications internally is complemented by local treatment: ointments or gels containing NSAIDs or simply warming agents are applied to the affected area to increase blood supply, metabolism and quickly stop inflammation.External remedies quickly relieve pain, as the active substance penetrates the source of inflammation, bypassing the digestive system and general blood flow, but they are not sufficient for complete treatment.
A medicine containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate - components of cartilage.
The components of the drug not only replenish the deficiency of these substances in the body, but also initiate recovery processes, stimulating the production of other cartilage components.The medicine can be taken outside of exacerbations and even to prevent the progression of osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis.To obtain a lasting effect, it is prescribed in long courses of up to 6 months.
It has been proven that the medicine promotes:
- renewal of articular cartilaginous tissue;
- improve joint mobility;
- reducing pain.
The medicine has a complex effect: it helps to restore the cartilage tissue of the joints, as well as reducing the need for painkillers, thus increasing the safety of the treatment.
Unlike some other drugs in the group, the drug is recommended in increased daily doses of chondroprotectors - chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, the effectiveness of which has been proven.
Complex preparation for external use, which includes meloxicam (NSAID) and chondroitin sulfate.
Simultaneously relieves inflammation, pain and begins the process of restoration of cartilaginous tissue;is the #1 medicine for the treatment of osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis.This is a modern chondroprotector, produced in the USA.
The special composition of the medicine improves the penetration of painkillers into the joints, which helps to reduce joint pain and inflammation.
The drug has been proven to:
- Has an analgesic effect;
- Has an anti-inflammatory effect;
- Helps reduce stiffness;
- Helps increase joint range of motion.
The medicine is used for osteoarthritis, osteochondrosis and other joint diseases accompanied by pain.As it contains meloxicam, chondroitin and dimethylsulfoxide, it has a triple effect (analgesic, anti-inflammatory, reducing stiffness) on the symptoms of osteoarthritis, which in turn allows a comprehensive effect on the disease.
A medicine that contains ibuprofen (NSAID), as well as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.
The medicine contains the analgesic component ibuprofen and chondroitin with glucosamine - substances that affect the structure of cartilage.The drug not only helps reduce moderate joint pain, but also suppresses inflammation;It is recommended in increased daily doses of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, whose effectiveness has been proven.The drug helps to restore the cartilaginous tissue of the joints and improve their mobility.
Naproxen sodium
Naproxen sodium has:
- Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Applicable for:
- Osteoarthritis of the joints and spine;
- Rheumatic diseases;
- Sprains and bruises.
In other cases of pain of mild or moderate intensity, including lower back and muscle pain, neuralgia and other conditions.
The medicine can help relieve joint pain and inflammation for up to 12 hours thanks to the action of the active ingredient naproxen at a dosage of 275 mg.Naproxen is the global standard for treating joint pain, sought after by more than millions of patients in several countries.
Non-drug treatments
Non-drug treatment increases the effectiveness of medications and allows you to quickly alleviate an exacerbation.
- Massage relieves muscle spasms, improves microcirculation and metabolism, reduces swelling, which has a beneficial effect on the patient's well-being.During an exacerbation, massage is contraindicated, as it will only increase pain and will not bring any benefit.It is prescribed after completion of a drug treatment, when inflammation subsides or during remission to prevent further exacerbations.
- Manual therapy is the restoration of the correct configuration of the spine and its mobility with the help of the hands.This is a serious intervention, which is why it is carried out by a specialist after studying the images.
- Physiotherapy (physiotherapy) is physical activity dosed taking into account the profile of the disease.It is necessary for intervertebral fluid to move, supplying the discs with nutrients and removing decay products.Exercises strengthen muscles, normalize their tone and restore motor activity to damaged limbs.Exercise therapy must be regular, carried out at a calm pace, without sudden movements, so as not to aggravate the situation.
- Reflexology is an effect on the organs and systems of the body through the stimulation of certain points.For this, needles are most often used, but other options are also possible: electric current, magnetic field.
- Physiotherapy is mainly used during exacerbations to relieve inflammation, improve microcirculation, relieve pain, swelling and muscle spasm.The most commonly used are electrophoresis and ultrasound with medication (e.g. hydrocortisone) and magnetic therapy.
Other methods
In case of intervertebral disc herniation or compression of the nerve roots with a significant decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, surgical treatment is recommended.Its essence is to remove a damaged disk.Minimally invasive techniques have been developed that allow the problem to be resolved relatively painlessly for the patient: endoscopic techniques and a laser that “evaporates” the disc nucleus.In severe cases, the disc is replaced with a silicone implant.
Prevention
Preventing osteochondrosis is a topical issue for everyone, especially over 25 years of age.To preserve the intervertebral disc for as long as possible, you need to move a lot, but avoid injuries and intense physical activity, eat well and, when working sedentary, take breaks and move around.An important point in preventing osteochondrosis is the use of chondroprotectors.If discomfort occurs in any part of the back, it is better to immediately consult a doctor so as not to miss and not start the disease.
Conclusion
Osteochondrosis is a disease that does not pose a threat to life, but significantly reduces its quality.Therefore, its comprehensive and timely prevention and treatment are very important to achieve a stable remission and stop the progression of the disease.