Osteochondrosis is a pathology caused by degenerative processes in cartilage tissue.In most cases, stable functioning of the intervertebral discs is noted, so most often they speak of spinal osteochondrosis.
Pathogenesis
First of all, osteochondrosis is associated with the fact that a person is in an upright position for a long time, which provokes an increased load on the spine and intervertebral discs.
With age, the functionality of blood vessels decreases, the diet becomes less balanced, the body ages, which only accelerates the development of pathological processes.
Osteochondrosis is a multifactorial disease;the most important preconditions for its development may be:
- work associated with vibrations or where the position of the body often changes (flexion-extension, twists, bends, jerking movements);
- lifting weights;
- overweight;
- multiple pregnancy;
- lack of vitamins in the body;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- sleep on a soft mattress;
- poor posture (scoliosis);
- vertebral instability.
The aggravation of the dystrophic process with disc destruction can be associated with intense physical activity (especially without prior warming), injuries or skeletal pathology that changes the distribution of the load on the spine.
Characteristic signs of pathology
Numbness and pain, as the main manifestations of osteochondrosis, can be observed throughout the body or only in the back.The pain is intensified 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 a person does not get help and treatment is not started, the pain intensifies even more, spreads to the limbs and limits their mobility.When the cervical spine is affected, the arms are affected, and the lumbar spine is affected by the lower extremities.
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.
The aggravation of the dystrophic process with disc destruction can be associated with intense physical activity (especially without prior warming), injuries or skeletal pathology that changes the distribution of the load on the spine.
Osteochondrosis in the neck
The spinal cord, arteries (supplying the brain), nerve trunks and roots (making a nervous connection with the arms, lungs and heart) pass through the cervical region.Over the years, especially for people who are untrained or work at a computer for a long time, neck movements become difficult.
Symptoms characteristic of cervical osteochondrosis:
- headache and heart pain;
- dizziness (possible short-term loss of consciousness, which is associated with reduced blood supply to the brain);
- numbness and pain in shoulder joints or arms.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Pain in the chest area is well 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 in the thoracic region:
- feeling of having a "stake in the chest";
- painful sensations in the cervical region, between the shoulder blades;
- numbness in the hands (temporary, long-term);
- hearing and vision impairment;
- increased sweating;
- headache 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 correct posture.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
Health problems caused by osteochondrosis of the lower back are as follows:
- frequent urination;
- numbness in the limbs;
- dizziness;
- muscle spasms and cramps;
- difficulty with movement, bending and turning of the body;
- development of scoliosis;
- lower back pain, especially in the morning, immediately after waking;
- decreased muscle sensitivity and tone.
Pain and its intensity reach their peak in the acute period of the disease.Their duration can bother a person for several days, but sometimes the pain lasts for weeks and 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 occurs gradually.One of the stages is the formation of a hernia, which occurs when the fibrous ring becomes thinner.Through the rupture, protrusion of the nucleus occurs, compression of the roots, which leads to increased pain and a decrease in the shock-absorbing ability of the disc.
The main stages in the development of osteochondrosis:
- A person develops characteristic complaints caused by physical exertion or prolonged stay in one position.The X-ray shows a slight narrowing of the gaps between the vertebrae.
- Loss of disc stability, cartilage tissue extends into the annulus fibrosus, and nerve roots are compressed.An X-ray shows a decrease in the intervertebral space, 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 in the movement of the limbs.
- The disc hardens and is replaced by scar tissue.In fibrosis, bony projections 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 a doctor based on the patient's complaints and after a visual examination.Pain and tenderness in certain points, the state of muscle tone, range of motion and the presence of postural disturbances (e.g. signs of scoliosis) are taken into account.
The presence of osteochondrosis and its stage are clarified after instrumental research methods are carried out.First of all, an X-ray of the part of the spine of interest is prescribed.
After studying the images, the specialist decides:
- whether the intervertebral distance has decreased;
- whether the cartilage tissue is depleted;
- which 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 tissue, a preliminary diagnosis can be confirmed or denied with high accuracy.
How to treat osteochondrosis
Therapy for the disease is long-term, the main goal is to relieve pain and muscle tension, and after identifying the provoking cause, stop the development of the pathological process.
The specialist decides which method of treatment will be most effective, based on the results of the examination and the severity of the ongoing pathology.treat.
Medicinal treatment of osteochondrosis
The main goal of this type of disease is to stop the inflammatory process and pain and relieve muscle spasms.This can be done by taking the patient:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.To reduce the tone of skeletal muscles, muscle spasms and compression of nerve roots, the specialist supplements NSAID drugs with muscle relaxants.
- Vitamin preparations of group B.
The optimal treatment period is 7-10 days.
Medication is often supplemented with local treatment.Warming ointments or gels containing NSAIDs can be applied to the affected area, helping to increase blood supply, metabolism and stop inflammation.External agents quickly relieve pain, as the main active substance penetrates the inflammation and immediately begins to "act".
Taking medication is usually supplemented with exercise therapy, massage, physiotherapy or manual therapy.
The main task for 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 medication in combination with physiotherapy exercises will help restore normal function of the spine and avoid surgical intervention.