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Osteochondrosis

Most cases of unpleasant pain in the lumbar region and spine are associated with a disease such as osteochondrosis.It affects about 40% of men and women aged 30-40 and about 90% of the elderly.Therefore, the earlier the disease is diagnosed, the more the patient is examined, the higher the likelihood of stopping the progression of osteochondrosis and maintaining activity at an older age. 

Localization of pain in osteochondrosis

Definition of disease, cause of disease

So, what is osteochondrosis, where does it develop, what structures are affected, what is the treatment method?The disease affects the spine and the tissue between the vertebrae and is expressed in a violation of their shape, density, elasticity and sometimes even their integrity.As a result, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, the spine gradually loses stability, the nerves are compressed and the formation of hernias can develop, which are accompanied by back pain and discomfort during movement.

To briefly describe the essence of osteochondrosis, it is the gradual erosion of the tissues of the intervertebral discs (cartilage), leading to instability of the spine.In the absence of treatment, degradation of ligaments and joints develops, osteophytes appear, posture disorder and movements are accompanied by pain. 

Causes of spinal osteochondrosis:

  • inactive lifestyle with lack of muscle load;
  • spinal cord injuries;
  • intense systematic load on the back;
  • inheritance;
  • overweight;
  • hypothermia;
  • hormonal and autoimmune diseases;
  • toxic poisoning;
  • congenital lack of connective tissue;
  • psychosomatic reasons (stress, depression, etc.).
pain due to osteochondrosis

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

The disease is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation with varying degrees of severity of symptoms.The main symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis, characteristic of the main types of the disease, lumbar, cervical and thoracic:

  • localized pain in a certain area of the spine;
  • referred pain syndrome associated with damage to nearby musculoskeletal tissues;
  • myelopathy and radiculopathy, which arise as a result of compression of the nerve endings of the spinal cord and blood vessels. 

Depending on which part of the spine is affected by the disease, the list of symptoms of osteochondrosis may vary.For example: patients notice tingling sensations in the muscles, numbness in the limbs, other sensory disturbances, decreased strength in the arms and legs, attacks of headache and heart pain, lower back pain.

Pathogenesis of osteochondrosis

Before the elastic fibrous core of the intervertebral disc begins to lose elasticity and deform, a number of processes occur in the human body that suggest osteochondrosis:

  • spasms, dystonia, inflammation;
  • decreased blood circulation;
  • damage to nerve cell processes.

Then, cracks appear in the deformed annulus fibrosus, disc protrusion develops and a herniation is formed.Typically, such predisposing factors for spinal diseases develop in childhood or adolescence and are often the result of poor posture, scoliosis, sports injuries, infectious diseases or congenital vascular pathologies.

Stages of development of osteochondrosis

Stages of osteochondrosis

There are three stages of development of spinal osteochondrosis:

  • the first, in which the intervertebral disc begins to decrease in height, taking a flattened shape, loses moisture, elasticity and can swell;
  • the second develops in the absence of treatment and is manifested by a violation of the structure of the fibrous ring of the vertebral disc, the appearance of cracks and the development of instability of a certain area of the spine;
  • characterized by cracks in the intervertebral cartilage, the development of a hernia and the formation of bone processes of osteophytes. 

The symptoms of the development of spinal osteochondrosis become more intense from the first to the third stage. 

How is osteochondrosis manifested

Classification of osteochondrosis

The classification of osteochondrosis is based on several signs, the main of which is the area of localization.There are:

  • lumbar osteochondrosis;
  • osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
  • osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.

Osteochondrosis in the lumbar spine is manifested by pain in the lumbar region, which intensifies when turning the body or lifting heavy objects.The pain can radiate down the leg or both legs and is characterized as aching.In case of severe syndrome, a hernia is suspected.With lumbar osteochondrosis, spasms often occur in the muscles of the legs and skin.

With the development of spinal osteochondrosis in the cervical region, vertebrae 1-7 are affected.The disease is accompanied by headache in the back of the head, pain in the neck, clavicle and shoulders.There may be a popping noise when turning the head, numbness of the upper extremities and a feeling of a lump in the throat.

With osteochondrosis of the spine in the thoracic region, the patient is disturbed by pain in the chest, shoulders, armpits and heart.There may be a feeling of difficulty in breathing and development of attacks of intercostal neuralgia. 

Osteochondrosis in the lumbar spine is more frequent, in the thoracic spine it is rarer.

Complications of osteochondrosis

If the patient thinks about the treatment of osteochondrosis too late, when the symptoms of the disease are pronounced, the following complications may develop:

  • intervertebral hernia;
  • spinal cord injury;
  • spinal kyphosis;
  • extension;
  • radiculitis;
  • paralysis of the lower limbs.

In the absence of treatment, the patient begins to suffer from regular exacerbations of the condition, which are characterized by increased pain that hinders movement and significantly worsens the general well-being.The most terrible complication of spinal osteochondrosis is disability.Therefore, to prevent such serious changes in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, quality and timely treatment of osteochondrosis is needed.

treatment of osteochondrosis by a doctor

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis

A disease such as osteochondrosis is mainly pain in the back.But it is important to distinguish it from pain caused by problems not related to intervertebral disc degeneration.To do this, doctors perform a step-by-step diagnosis, which includes:

  • Taking history, which includes a conversation between a specialist and the patient to identify the exact location of the pain and the factors that provoke the worsening of the condition.It is important to know the patient's profession, the period when the problems with the spine began, when there was an aggravation, what kind of pain appears in the lower back and other parts, what treatment methods the patient used.
  • Physiological examinationallows you to determine the size of the body, the quality of the movements and actions performed, the condition of the skin and the degree of sensitivity to pain.The doctor uses palpation to determine the condition of the muscle tissue, the presence of compressions, swelling, etc.
  • X-ray of the spine in two planesfor a visual assessment of the condition.It allows you to determine the displacement of the vertebrae, the presence of osteophytes and the deposition of salt. 

If the data collected for prescribing the treatment is not sufficient or there is a suspicion of a serious pathology of the spine, the patient is prescribed CT and magnetic resonance, thanks to which it is possible to examine in detail the vertebrae, blood vessels, soft tissues, nerve processes and to create a complete picture of the condition of the tachondra of the spine affected by the treatment. 

acupuncture for osteochondrosis

Treatment of osteochondrosis

Like any disease, osteochondrosis requires identification of the cause that caused its development.Reducing the severity of symptoms is not the main but important stage of treatment, the outcome of which depends on a number of factors.In some cases this is a complete cure, in others it is the prevention of complications and disability. 

In the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis, a group of measures is used:

  • changing the patient's daily routine;
  • prescription of drugs to reduce symptoms;
  • physiotherapeutic procedures (massage, acupuncture, electrophoresis, exercise therapy, etc.).

Changing the daily routine in the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis includes reducing the intensity of physical activity, bed rest for severe pain and avoiding sudden turns and bends. 

Medicines for the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis

They can be divided into several groups: 

  • muscle relaxants for pain relief, including tablets, injection anesthetics and anti-inflammatory injections for osteochondrosis.The homeopathic medicine normalizes the functioning of the thyroid gland, improves lymphatic drainage and has an anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and immunomodulating effect.
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.When used in patients with osteoarthritis, there is a decrease in the progression of inflammatory and destructive changes in the joint, an improvement in the integrity, thickness and other characteristics of cartilage and stimulation of bone tissue repair.
  • anti-inflammatory ointments for topical applications and alternative transdermal patches.Such drugs have an analgesic, antirheumatic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect.The mechanism of action is to reduce the production of inflammatory mediators, reduce body temperature and pain.
  • chondroprotectors;
  • therapeutic analgesic blockade means;
  • B vitamins.

Supportive treatments

Of the additional tools that can be used to treat, relieve the general condition and improve the function of the spine and intervertebral discs, the most effective are: 

  • acupuncture;
  • magnetic therapy;
  • professional massage and self-massage;
  • physical education courses;
  • manual therapy. 
exercises for osteochondrosis

Anticipation, prevention

If the spine disease is not advanced and continues without serious complications, 1.5-2 months of competent treatment can significantly improve the condition and prevent the disease from becoming chronic.In difficult cases, doctors recommend surgical treatment.

Prevention of spinal osteochondrosis includes:

  • maintaining the correct daily routine, with changes in body position and moderate physical activity;
  • regular visits to the pool;
  • body weight control;
  • wearing comfortable shoes;
  • balanced diet;
  • sleeping on an orthopedic pillow and mattress;
  • taking missing nutrients or preventive homeopathic medicines to increase immunity, improve general health and eliminate dystonia.

It is necessary that immediately after the appearance of any pain in the spine you undergo annual medical examinations and consult a doctor for treatment. 

It does not matter what kind of osteochondrosis we are talking about - lumbar, cervical or thoracic, attention to one's health should become a good habit, especially when it comes to the basis of the entire musculoskeletal system - the spine.