Osteochondrosis is a pathology caused by degenerative processes in cartilage tissue.In most cases, the stable functioning of the intervertebral discs is recorded, so it is most often referred to as osteochondrosis of the spine.
Pathogenesis
First of all, osteochondrosis is associated with the fact that a person is in an upright position for a long time, which causes an increased load on the spine and intervertebral discs.
With age, the functionality of blood vessels decreases, nutrition becomes less balanced, the body ages, which only accelerates the development of pathological processes.
Osteochondrosis is a multifactorial disease;the main preconditions for its development can be:
- work associated with vibration or in which the position of the body changes frequently (flexion-extension, turns, bending, jerking movements);
- weight lifting;
- overweight;
- multiple pregnancy;
- lack of vitamins in the body;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- sleep on a soft mattress;
- poor posture (scoliosis);
- instability of the vertebrae.
Aggravation of the dystrophic process of disc destruction can be associated with intense physical activity (especially without prior warming up), injuries or skeletal pathology that changes the distribution of the load on the spinal column.
Characteristic signs of pathology
Numbness and pain, as the main manifestations of osteochondrosis, can be observed all over the body or only in the back.The pain is aggravated by sudden movements, physical activity, and in some cases by sneezing or coughing.The body's attempt to protect itself from pain leads to increased muscle tension and limited motor ability.
If the person is not given help and treatment is not started, the pain intensifies even more, spreads to the limbs and limits their mobility.When the cervicothoracic spine is affected, the arms are affected, and the lumbar spine is affected in the lower limbs.
Symptomatic manifestations differ depending on which part of the spine is affected.
Types and symptoms of osteochondrosis
Pathology can affect different parts of the spine.Taking into account the localization, osteochondrosis can develop in the cervical (more than 25% of diagnosed cases), lumbar (more than 50%) or thoracic (12%) regions.
Aggravation of the dystrophic process of disc destruction can be associated with intense physical activity (especially without prior warming up), injuries or skeletal pathology that changes the distribution of the load on the spinal column.
Osteochondrosis of the neck
The spinal cord, arteries (supplying the brain), nerve trunks and roots (making nerve connections to the arms, lungs and heart) pass through the cervical region.Over the years, especially for people who are not trained or who work for a long time at the computer, the movements of the neck become difficult.
Symptoms characteristic of cervical osteochondrosis:
- headache and heartache;
- dizziness (possible short-term loss of consciousness, which is associated with impaired blood flow to the brain);
- numbness and pain in the shoulder joints or arms.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Pain in the chest area is known to people who often and for a long time engage in physical work, representatives of "sedentary" professions (architects, designers, drivers).
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region:
- the feeling that you have a “role in your chest”;
- painful sensations in the cervical region, between the shoulder blades;
- numbness of hands (temporary, long-term);
- hearing and vision impairment;
- increased sweating;
- headaches radiating to the back of the head (often long lasting, up to 12 hours);
- changes in blood and intracranial pressure;
- tachycardia and arrhythmia.
A good prevention of thoracic osteochondrosis is proper posture.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
Health problems caused by osteochondrosis in the lumbar region are as follows:
- frequent urination;
- numbness of limbs;
- dizziness;
- muscle cramps and spasms;
- difficulty moving, bending and turning the body;
- development of scoliosis;
- pain in the lower back, especially in the morning, right after waking up;
- decreased sensitivity and muscle tone.
Pain and its intensity reach their peak in the acute period of the disease.Their duration can torment a person for several days, but sometimes the pain lasts for weeks or even months.As the pathological process occurring in the intervertebral discs progresses, the severity of the symptoms decreases.After 60 years, the disease becomes chronic, the pain disappears.
Stages of the disease
Osteochondrosis is a progressive pathology, the transition to each subsequent form takes place gradually.One of the stages is the formation of a hernia, which occurs when the fibrous ring thins.Through the rupture, there is protrusion of the nucleus, compression of the root, which leads to increased pain and a decrease in the ability of the disc to absorb shocks.
The main stages of the development of osteochondrosis:
- A person develops characteristic complaints caused by physical effort or prolonged stay in one position.The x-ray shows a slight narrowing of the spaces between the vertebrae.
- Loss of disc stability, cartilage tissue extends into the fibrous ring, and nerve roots are compressed.X-ray shows a decrease in the intervertebral distance, displacement of the vertebrae and proliferation of bone tissue.
- Intervertebral hernias develop.The disc moves more and more into the surrounding tissue.Violation causes damage to nerves and blood vessels.The pain intensifies, there is numbness and limitation of limb movement.
- The disc hardens and is replaced by scar tissue.In fibrosis, bony protrusions grow along the edge, and the distance between the vertebrae decreases significantly.The mobility of the spine decreases, it seems to become ossified.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
A preliminary diagnosis is made by the doctor based on the patient's complaints and after a visual examination.Pain and sensitivity in certain points, the state of muscle tone, the range of motion and the presence of postural disorders (for example, signs of scoliosis) are taken into account.
The presence of osteochondrosis and its stage are clarified after conducting instrumental research methods.First of all, an X-ray of the part of the spinal column of interest is prescribed.
After studying the images, the expert determines:
- whether the intervertebral distance has decreased;
- whether the cartilage tissue is exhausted;
- at what stage is the ongoing pathological process.
If an intervertebral hernia is detected in a patient, an MRI is prescribed.Using layer-by-layer scanning and visualization of soft tissues, a preliminary diagnosis can be confirmed or refuted with great precision.
How to treat osteochondrosis
The therapy of the disease is long-term, the main goal is to relieve pain and muscle tension, and after determining the cause that causes it, to stop the development of the pathological process.
The specialist decides which method of treatment will be the most effective, based on the results of the study and the severity of the ongoing pathology.process.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with drugs
The main goal of this type of disease is to stop the inflammatory process and pain, and relieve muscle spasm.This can be done by taking the patient:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.In order to reduce skeletal muscle tone, muscle spasms and nerve root compression, the specialist supplements NSAID drugs with muscle relaxants.
- Vitamin preparations of group B.
The optimal treatment period is 7-10 days.
Medicines are often supplemented with local treatment.Warmed ointments or gels containing NSAIDs can be applied to the affected area, which helps increase blood supply, metabolism and stop inflammation.External drugs quickly relieve pain, because the main active substance penetrates the inflammation and immediately begins to "work".
Medication is usually supplemented with exercise therapy, massages, physio-reflexology or manual therapy.
The main task of people suffering from osteochondrosis is to reduce the frequency and severity of pain symptoms (especially during exacerbation).Compliance with the doctor's recommendations and the use of drugs in combination with physiotherapy exercises will help restore the normal functioning of the spine and avoid surgical intervention.