Osteochondrosis is a disease that develops due to degenerative processes in the cartilage tissue of the spine.In fact, this term is applicable to any joints, but most often osteochondrosis affects the intervertebral discs, so in the majority of cases we talk about osteochondrosis of the spine.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis are pain and numbness, which can be widespread or cover a specific area of the back.The pain increases with physical activity, sudden movements, and sometimes even with coughing and sneezing.The body reflexively tries to protect itself from pain, so muscle tension increases at the site of injury.Thus there is a limitation of motor activity - another characteristic sign of osteochondrosis.
Without treatment, the manifestations of the disease worsen: the pain intensifies, spreads to the limbs, limiting their mobility (if the cervico-thoracic region is affected, the hands suffer; if the lumbar region, then the legs).In severe cases, the limbs may even partially atrophy - lose their inherent strength and mobility.Disc herniation is one of the most common and severe complications of osteochondrosis, in which the disc itself is displaced and the nerve roots are compressed, causing severe shooting pain in the back.
When any part of the spine is affected, there are specific symptoms:
- Cervical region: headache, vertigo, pain and numbness in shoulders and arms.In some cases, a vertebral artery syndrome is formed: the artery supplying the brain and spinal cord is compressed, which causes an excruciating throbbing headache in the temple or back of the head.Unpleasant symptoms also appear: ringing in the ears, imbalance, darkening before the eyes, and with significant contraction - sudden attacks of vertigo with nausea and vomiting.All these symptoms usually occur with a sudden turn of the head.
- Chest: A "stake in the chest" feeling, pain that patients often think is related to the heart or internal organs.
- Lumbosacral region: pain and numbness in the lower back and legs, there may be discomfort in the pelvic area.
Causes of osteochondrosis
The main cause of osteochondrosis is degenerative changes in the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral disc, as a result of which they lose their rigidity and elasticity.The spinal disc decreases in volume, becomes dense and stops absorbing the impact completely.Even during normal walking, the hard vertebrae, consisting of bone tissue, do not spring too elastically on the cartilaginous layers between them, but practically touch each other, pressing the nerve fibers.Because of this, the mobility of the spine is limited, there is constant pain that 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, the cartilage tissue receives the necessary substances in two ways: from the blood vessels and from the intervertebral fluid.By the age of 23-25, the vessels are completely overgrown, leaving only one way of eating.Nutrition of the cartilage tissue through the intervertebral fluid is possible during the movement of the spine, when fluid circulation occurs: during compression and expansion of the discs, the fluid breaks down into nutrients.Therefore, after 30 years, the risk of degeneration of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs increases sharply, especially with insufficient physical activity.
Dystrophic processes of disc destruction are aggravated by intensive training (especially without warm-up), injuries and any skeletal pathologies (including flat feet and poor posture), as they change the distribution of the load on the spine.Being overweight has the same effect.There is also a genetic predisposition to osteochondrosis - loose cartilage tissue prone to degenerative processes.
Stages of osteochondrosis of the spine
Osteochondrosis is a progressive disease, but the transition to each subsequent stage occurs gradually.One of the stages of development of osteochondrosis is the so-called disc herniation.The discs are composed of a hard shell called the annulus fibrosus and a semi-fluid nucleus.A herniated disc occurs when the annulus fibrosus of the disc thins and tears, the nucleus protrudes through the gap and the nerve roots are compressed, which is accompanied by increased pain and an even greater reduction in the cushioning properties of the disc.The speed of development of symptoms depends on lifestyle, treatment and individual characteristics of the body.
Stage 1
Characteristic complaints, constant or intermittent, appear.They are often provoked by physical activity or a forced position of the body.X-ray shows minimal narrowing of the intervertebral spaces or normal.
Stage 2
Symptoms worsen when the disc loses stability (the cartilage tissue bulges into the surrounding annulus fibrosus), which compresses the nerve roots.An X-ray shows a noticeable reduction in the intervertebral distance or displacement of the vertebrae;bony growths may occur.
Stage 3
Intervertebral disc herniations, also called protrusion or disc prolapse, occur;the disc extends more and more into the surrounding tissues, causing damage to blood vessels and nerves, so the pain increases, limiting movement in the limbs and causing numbness.
Stage 4
Disc fibrosis stage.The disc hardens, is replaced by a scar, bony protrusions grow along the edge, and the intervertebral distance noticeably decreases.The mobility of the spine significantly decreases - it literally ossifies.
Diagnosis of the disease
The doctor makes a preliminary diagnosis based on characteristic complaints and examination data.Pain at specific points, muscle tone, sensitivity, range of motion and posture are assessed.Instrumental research methods help clarify the stage of osteochondrosis and confirm the diagnosis.Most often, in the initial stage, an X-ray of the spine of interest is prescribed.The pictures clearly show if there is a reduction in the distance between the vertebrae, that is, if there is thinning of the cartilage and how far the process has progressed.If, based on the results of the X-ray examination, the doctor suspects the presence of intervertebral hernias, he will prescribe a more informative method of examination - nuclear magnetic resonance (MRI).Layer-by-layer scanning and good soft tissue visualization allow the diagnosis of herniated disc to be confirmed or rejected with absolute accuracy.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine?
Treatment of osteochondrosis is always complex and long-term.Its task is not only to relieve pain and relieve muscle tension, but also to stop the further development of the disease, i.e.to affect its cause.The doctor decides what to treat in each specific case.Medicines are usually supplemented by physiotherapy, massage, manual therapy, physical therapy and reflexology.If conservative therapy does not give the desired effect, surgical treatment is indicated.
medicines
The main goal during an exacerbation of osteochondrosis is to relieve inflammation and accompanying pain and muscle spasm.For this purpose, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed in combination with muscle relaxants, which reduce skeletal muscle tone, reduce muscle spasms and nerve root compression.Preparations of B vitamins help to improve the condition of the nerve roots.Usually, the course of treatment lasts 7-10 days.Internal medication is supplemented by local treatment: ointments or gels containing NSAIDs or simply warming are applied to the affected area to increase blood supply, metabolism and quickly stop inflammation.External drugs quickly relieve pain, as the active substance penetrates the focus of inflammation, bypassing the digestive system and general blood flow, but they are not enough for complete treatment.
A drug 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 drug can be taken outside of exacerbations and even to prevent further progression of osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis.To achieve a lasting effect, it is prescribed for long courses of up to 6 months.
The drug has been shown to promote:
- renewal of articular cartilage tissue;
- improving joint mobility;
- pain reduction.
The drug has a complex effect: it helps to restore joint cartilage tissue, as well as to reduce the need for painkillers, thus increasing the safety of treatment.
Unlike some other drugs of 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 starts the process of cartilage tissue recovery;it is the No. 1 drug for the treatment of osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis.This is a modern chondroprotector that is manufactured in the USA.
The special composition of the drug improves the penetration of painkillers into the joint, which helps reduce pain and inflammation in the joints.
The drug has been shown to:
- It has an analgesic effect;
- It has an anti-inflammatory effect;
- Helps reduce stiffness;
- Helps increase joint range of motion.
The drug is used for osteoarthritis, osteochondrosis and other joint diseases accompanied by pain.Due to the fact that it contains meloxicam, chondroitin and dimethylsulfoxide, it has a triple effect (pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, reducing stiffness) on the symptoms of osteoarthritis, which in turn allows a comprehensive impact on the disease.
A medicine that contains ibuprofen (an NSAID) as well as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.
The drug contains the analgesic component ibuprofen and chondroitin with glucosamine - substances that affect the structure of cartilage.The drug not only helps reduce moderate pain in the joints, but also suppresses inflammation;recommended in increased daily doses of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, the effectiveness of which has been proven.The drug helps restore the cartilage tissue in the joints and improve their mobility.
Naproxen sodium
Naproxen sodium has:
- Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Applicable to:
- Osteoarthritis of the joints and spine;
- Rheumatic diseases;
- Sprains and bruises.
In other cases of pain of mild or moderate severity, including pain in the lower back and muscles, neuralgia and other conditions.
The drug can help relieve pain and inflammation of the joints for up to 12 hours thanks to the action of the active component naproxen in a dose of 275 mg.Naproxen is a global standard for the treatment of joint pain, sought by more than millions of patients in different countries.
Non-drug treatments
Non-drug treatment increases the effectiveness of drugs and allows you to quickly relieve 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 the pain and will not bring any benefit.It is prescribed after completing a course of drug treatment, when the inflammation subsides or during remission to prevent new exacerbations.
- Manual therapy is restoring the correct configuration of the spine and its mobility with the help of hands.This is a serious intervention, so it is carried out by a specialist after studying the images.
- Physical therapy (PT) is dosed physical activity tailored to the profile of the disease.It is necessary for the intervertebral fluid to move, providing the discs with nutrients and removing decay products.The exercises strengthen the muscles, normalize their tone and restore the motor activity of the damaged limbs.Exercise therapy should be regular, carried out at a calm pace, without sudden movements, so as not to worsen the situation.
- Reflexology is an effect on organs and systems of the body by stimulating certain points.Needles are most often used for this, 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 spasms.Electrophoresis and ultrasound with drugs (for example, hydrocortisone) and magnetotherapy are most often used.
Other methods
In the case of herniation of the intervertebral disc or compression of the nerve roots with a significant reduction 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 a relatively painless solution to the problem for the patient: endoscopic techniques and a laser that "vaporizes" the core of the disc.In severe cases, the disc is replaced with a silicone implant.
Prevention
Prevention of osteochondrosis is a topical issue for everyone, especially after the age of 25.To keep the intervertebral disc as long as possible, you need to move a lot, but avoid injuries and heavy physical exertion, eat right and when you work sedentary, take breaks and move.An important point in the prevention of osteochondrosis is the use of chondroprotectors.If discomfort appears in any part of the back, it is better to immediately consult a doctor so as not to miss it and not start the disease.
Conclusion
Osteochondrosis is a disease that is not life-threatening, but significantly reduces its quality.Therefore, its prevention and timely comprehensive treatment are so important to achieve a stable remission and stop the progression of the disease.