Osteochondrosis of the spine is a chronic disease based on the process of degeneration of bone and cartilage tissue. All parts of the spine are affected by the pathological process.
Description of the disease
The disease is more common in the elderly, but recently there has been an increase in the number of young patients showing signs of the disease. Depending on the location of the spinal lesion, it is common to classify it into cervical, thoracic, and lumbar osteochondrosis. The main and characteristic sign of osteochondrosis of the back is dull aching pain of moderate intensity, due to compression of the spinal cord roots.
Pathogenesis and stages
The development of the disease is usually divided into several stages. The process begins in an asymptomatic course, when initial changes occur in the cartilage tissue and ends with the complete fusion of several vertebrae with each other.
First
The first stage is the most difficult to diagnose, due to the mild signs of the disease it is also called preclinical. Patients have general weakness, back discomfort. These signs are often mistaken for fatigue. In medical practice, grade 1 osteochondrosis can only be diagnosed accidentally, for example, during a preventive examination.
Second
During grade 2 osteochondrosis, the patient feels pain in the spine. This phase is a consequence of the first in the absence of the necessary preventive measures. There is an initial process of destruction of the intervertebral disc. Fixation of the vertebrae is interrupted, the distance between them decreases, which leads to compression of the nerve fibers of the spinal column.
Based on the patient's complaints, objective examination and X-ray, the doctor diagnoses "osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree of the cervical region" and prescribes treatment. With all the recommendations of a specialist, the disease can be treated without serious consequences.
Third
The third phase is characterized by the beginning of irreversible processes in the cartilaginous tissue of the fibrous ring. The nucleus pulposus is dehydrated, resulting in a herniated disc. Pain occurs as a result of compression of the spinal nerves. At this stage, the destroyed intervertebral disc cannot be rebuilt. Hernia is eliminated by surgical method, treatment is carried out with the help of drugs.
Fourth
At this stage, the body adapts to the changes in the spine. Compensatory bone tissue grows along the edges of the vertebrae (osteophytes) to strengthen the affected part. They can compress the roots of the spinal cord, causing pain. As a result, osteophytes grow together, causing complete immobility of a particular segment of the spine.
Symptoms and varieties
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease. It is especially characterized by changing the period of worsening of the disease and remission. The symptoms of the disease are quite typical. They are manifested by painful back pain, sudden movements and lifting heavy loads, the pain intensifies, there may be a feeling of numbness of the limbs, fatigue with little physical exertion and depression.
Constant aching pain leads to excessive nervousness and fatigue of the body. In chronic osteochondrosis, when the spinal discs compress the nerve fibers, the pain syndrome can take on the character of a puncture and radiate to the nape of the neck, shoulders and lower extremities.
Cervical
This is one of the most common and dangerous localizations of the disease, because there are a large number of nerve fibers and large main vessels in the cervical region.
In cervical osteochondrosis, the symptoms may be as follows:
- intense headache;
- pains radiate to the shoulder and limbs, shoot to the head;
- there is a restriction on door movement;
- dizziness and loss of consciousness;
- noise in the ears;
- impaired coordination of movements.
These symptoms are caused by impaired blood circulation in the cervical arteries due to inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms. With the appearance of the vertebral artery compression syndrome and the lack of appropriate medical treatment, this leads to cerebral ischemia.
thoracic
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is quite rare. Signs of thoracic spine osteochondrosis manifest themselves in the form of pain and a burning sensation between the shoulder blades. In the case of compression of the intercostal nerve endings, it leads to intercostal neuralgia. It is expressed in feelings of acute chest pain that does not allow deep breathing.
Violation of blood circulation and lack of nutrients due to the inflammatory process can cause diseases of internal organs located in this area, various cardiac pathologies. Qualified treatment in this case is necessary.
Lumbar
More than 50% of cases occur in this department. The initial signs of lumbar osteochondrosis are the characteristic painful pain in the lower back, which intensifies with sudden movements, heavy lifting, and even when the weather changes. Symptoms such as varicose veins, numbness of the extremities, joint pain are not excluded.
The appearance of osteophytes in the later stages of the disease often leads to inflammation of the sciatic nerve - sciatica, one of the possible complications. Lumbar radiculitis also refers to complications of osteochondrosis. It is manifested by pain in the buttocks, which spreads along the thigh and lower leg, reaching the feet.
Causes and prevention
As a rule, the disease usually causes several causes at once, so it is considered multifactorial. The main reasons for the development of osteochondrosis are:
- back and bruise injuries;
- accumulation diseases and metabolic disorders;
- sedentary lifestyle and being overweight;
- congenital and acquired posture disorders;
- heredity.
Prevention of osteochondrosis comes down to simple but effective methods. It is necessary to change your lifestyle to a more active one (swim), do not forget to do back gymnastics during long-term immobile work. You should start eating right, including in your diet as many fruits and vegetables, dairy products.
Effective prevention will also be timely seeking medical help when the first symptoms of the disease appear.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine should be complex. The main directions of treatment of the disease are:
- drug therapy (NSAIDs, analgesics, chondroprotectors, vitamins);
- physiotherapy (electrophoresis, UHF);
- massage;
- exercise therapy;
- gymnastics (can be performed at home);
- surgical treatment (discectomy).