What is osteochondrosis, its causes and symptoms, and how to treat the disease

Osteochondrosis is a spinal pathology that millions of people of all ages face.

Intervertebral disc degeneration and dystrophic changes, osteophyte hyperplasia cause pain syndrome, reduce the mobility of the support column. The symptoms depend on the affected area.

In most cases, the negative performance not only affects the struts and paravertebral areas, but also spreads to other areas.

Without treatment, the disease will progress, the work of organs and systems will be disturbed, the health condition will deteriorate significantly, persistent pain and complications under the pathological background may lead to disability.

It is very important to understand what is osteochondrosis, the causes of common diseases, treatment and prevention methods.

Causes of disease development

The degenerative and dystrophic process of the intervertebral disc, excessive ossification of the affected area develops under the following conditions:

• Back injury
• The high load on the support column during hard work, professional sports, and load bearing;
• Congenital defects of support column;
• Vitamins and minerals are deficient, and the quality of the cushion has deteriorated;
• Violation of mineral metabolism;
• Hormone disorders, endocrine diseases;
• Lack of exercise, sedentary;
• Severe obesity;
• As the body ages, the elasticity of the intervertebral disc of the elderly decreases;
• Excessive consumption of espresso, carbonated and alcoholic beverages, sour food, bacon, and smoking;
• The tumor process in the paravertebral area damages the elastic structure of the spine.

Type and stage

Osteochondrosis affects all parts of the support column. The degenerative process is more active in the active areas: lumbar and cervical spine. In the thoracic spine, vertebrae are damaged and bone tissue is less common.

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

• cervix;
• Chest;
• Lumbosacral.

Pathological stage:

• The first stage-The development of rickets. Lack of nutrition will damage the quality of the intervertebral disc, and the elasticity of the cushion will decrease. Under the background of the thinning of cartilage tissue, high load can cause mild to moderate pain in the spine;
• second stage.The deformation of the elastic structure is more obvious, not only pain when loaded, but also pain when bending and turning. The failure of the annulus fibrosis leads to the squeezing of sensitive structures and increases the friction of the bone elements;
• The third stage.The integrity of the annulus fibrosus is destroyed, the intervertebral disc herniated over the vertebrae, and the pain syndrome is obvious. It is difficult for patients to leave medications that relieve discomfort. Under the background of the destruction of the elastic cushion, the mobility of the support column is reduced, herniation and intervertebral hernia occur;
• The fourth stage.The cartilage layer is almost absent, and osteophytes appear on the spine. Bone growth is to compensate for the excessive load on the affected vertebrae. The dense elements stabilize the spine, but at the same time reduce the mobility of the problem areas of the support column. In the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, the pain is reduced, but it is difficult for the patient to perform simple exercises. If there are changes in the lumbosacral area, the lower body may be paralyzed or paralyzed. Usually, in the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, the patient will present a disability.

Remember!The disease of the support column occurs in the remission period (from a few months to a year or more) and the exacerbation period (the duration of recurrence, the intensity of pain depends on many factors).

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 and damage to other parts.

Deterioration of blood circulation, impaired mineral metabolism, herniation, herniated intervertebral disc, and excessive ossification of the affected area.

Self-medication, lack of qualified help, and unwillingness to visit a chiropractor regularly can have a negative impact on the state of the spine structure.

cervix

The main signs are:

• Nerve root syndrome with severe intervertebral disc damage;
• Pain in the back of the head, neck, and crown of teeth;
• Dizziness, fainting;
• headache;
• Discomfort in shoulder and neck muscles;
• Numbness in the neck area, hands and fingers;
• Chest discomfort;
• Impaired cervical spine mobility;
• Reduce or lose the reflexes of the shoulder muscles;
• "Goose bumps" on hands and fingers;
• People with cervical osteochondrosis suffer from insomnia, depression, and irritability against the background of extreme pain or pain in the neck and head.

Thoracic osteochondrosis

Typical signs:

• Staying in one position for a long time, heavy objects, turning around, bending, chest pain appears;
• When you take a deep breath, you have different intensities of discomfort in the middle of your back;
• When raising the arm and moving the body, the pain intensifies;
• With the progress of thoracic osteochondrosis, there are problems with the work of the digestive tract;
• Unpleasant feeling of "goose bumps" in the hands;
• According to the degree of injury, doctors distinguish back pain-the painful sensation of the affected spine and back pain-acute, severe, high-intensity pain that restricts breathing and causes muscle cramps;
• Development of intercostal neuralgia;
• Pain or severe pain in the scapula area;
• Reproductive disorders occur.

Lumbosacral area

The main symptoms are:

• Different intensities of discomfort in the lower back;
• Muscle weakness, development of paralysis;
• Cold and numbness of lower limbs;
• Pain syndrome is obvious during heavy load or weight lifting;
• Low back pain: Pain radiates from the lower back to the hip area, groin, and legs;
• Intermittent claudication development;
• Nerve compression adversely affects the work of pelvic organs: severe lumbosacral osteochondrosis, urinary incontinence, and involuntary defecation are possible;
• Fatigue, difficulty in standing, and weakness of legs caused by prolonged walking.

diagnosis

To find out the condition of your spine, you need to contact a spine specialist. If you do not have a doctor in this specialty, you need to see a neurologist or orthopedic traumatologist.

Diagnostic measures:

• Check the patient, check the complaint.
• Nuclear magnetic resonance.
• CT.
• X-rays of the spine are in several projections.
• Doppler ultrasound examination of blood vessels.
• EMG.

Effective treatment

How to treat osteochondrosis? Chronic pathology requires the attention of doctors and patients. Don't expect the negative symptoms to disappear after a week of treatment. Only a comprehensive approach can produce results. Patients must understand that medication alone cannot eliminate the degenerative dystrophy of the intervertebral disc and prevent the proliferation of osteophytes.

In order to successfully treat and prevent osteochondrosis, it is important to:

• Perform complex exercise therapy;
• Participate in massage and physical therapy;
• Healthy Food;
• Taking into account the doctor’s advice, organize a place to work and sleep;
• Don't lift weights
• Take vitamin and mineral complex regularly to maintain the elasticity of the intervertebral disc and the strength of bone tissue;
• Refuse to exercise too vigorously;
• Avoid back injuries and bruises;
• Monitor your weight.

There are other important rules:

• Don't get too cold
• Treat pathologies that adversely affect the condition of the intervertebral disc;
• Rest and warm up in front of the computer;
• Exercise more and do more physical education;
• Give up excessive consumption of coffee and alcohol, and forget to smoke;
• Avoid long-term static/dynamic load;
• Sleep on orthopedic mattresses and low pillows;
• Less nervous
• Allow at least 7 hours of sleep time;
• Visit a spine specialist regularly to monitor the condition of the spine structure.

drug

Effective group and name:

• Chondroprotective agent. . . They restore cartilage tissue and slow down the process of disc destruction. Course-4 months or more;
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. . . These drugs can relieve pain, eliminate swelling and inflammation. Local therapies have good results: ointments, gels, plasters;
• B vitamins. . . Drugs restore neuromodulation, improve neuron nutrition, and reduce the intensity of pain syndromes. Injections (the first day, during the worsening period) and tablets (for long-term treatment and prevention) are effective;
• Muscle relaxants. . . means to cope with muscle spasms, which is the main reason for pinching nerve endings;
• A component that normalizes blood circulation.In most cases, this group of drugs is used to treat cervical osteochondrosis suffered by the brain;
• Spinal obstruction, Inject in the paravertebral area. This type of exposure contributes to unbearable low back pain and pain against the background of nervous tension in the third or fourth stage of osteochondrosis. Add corticosteroids and excipients to analgesics to increase the effect;
• Drugs in the GCS group.Steroid preparations are essential for severe pain. Usually, injections are used for lumbosacral osteochondrosis, in which case painful low back pain will occur.

Sports and gymnastics

After relieving acute pain and reducing the inflammatory process, it is prescribed to exercise the neck, lumbosacral and chest areas. For each area, doctors have developed comprehensive exercise therapy with varying degrees of stress.

The first meeting was conducted under the guidance of a physical therapist. After studying the complex, the patient continues to train at home. It is important to observe the duration and frequency of the course of treatment in order to achieve the therapeutic effect. In addition to physical education, spine experts recommend going to the swimming pool: swimming is the ideal way to have a positive effect on the spine.

Physiotherapy procedures

Effective methods of influence:

• Ozokerite application;
• Laser Treatment;
• Radon and turpentine bath;
• Shock wave therapy
• Electrical procedures;
• Mud therapy
• Sonic electrophoresis and electrophoresis of drugs;
• Magnetic therapy.

The following methods are effective in treating osteochondrosis:

• acupuncture;
• Spa;
• Reflexology
• Use a needle applicator;
• Manual therapy
• Dryness of the spine and underwater traction;
• Medical pipette.

Preventing the development of osteochondrosis is very difficult, but doctors recommend remembering the factors that lead to malnutrition and degeneration of the vertebral structure. The more a person pays attention to a healthy lifestyle, the lower the risk of negative disc changes.