Osteochondrosis is a disease caused by degenerative processes in the cartilage tissue of the spine.In fact, this term is applicable to all joints, but most often osteochondrosis affects the intervertebral discs, so in the vast majority of cases they are talking 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 part of the back.The pain increases with physical activity, sudden movements, and sometimes with coughing and sneezing.The body reflexively tries to protect itself from pain, so muscle tension increases at the site of the injury.This leads to 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 cervicothoracic region is affected, the hands suffer; if the lumbar region, then the legs).In severe cases, the limbs may even partially atrophy - losing their inherent strength and mobility.Disc herniation is one of the most common and severe forms of complications of osteochondrosis, in which the disc is displaced and the nerve roots are compressed, which causes severe shooting pains in the back.
When each part of the spine is affected, there are specific symptoms:
- Cervical region: headache, dizziness, pain and numbness of shoulders and arms.In some cases, vertebral artery syndrome occurs: the artery that supplies the brain and spinal cord is compressed, causing a painful throbbing headache in the temple or back of the head.Unpleasant symptoms also appear: ringing in the ears, imbalance, darkening of the eyes, and with significant tightness - sudden attacks of dizziness with nausea and vomiting.All these symptoms usually occur with sudden turns of the head.
- Thoracic: a feeling of "chest," pain that patients often feel is related to the heart or internal organs.
- Lumbosacral region: pain and stiffness in the lower back and legs, possible discomfort in the pelvic region.
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 firmness and elasticity.The spinal disc decreases in volume, becomes dense and stops completely absorbing the impact.Even during normal walking, the hard vertebrae, which consist of bone tissue, do not spring too elastically on the cartilaginous layers between them, but practically touch each other, compressing the nerve fibers.Because of this, the mobility of the spine is limited, there is constant pain, which 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 blood vessels and from the intervertebral fluid.By the age of 23-25, the vessels have completely healed, leaving only one way of nutrition.Nourishment of the cartilage tissue through the intervertebral fluid is possible during the movement of the spine, when fluid circulation occurs: during the compression and expansion of the discs, the fluid is broken down into nutrients.Therefore, after 30 years, the risk of cartilage tissue degeneration of the intervertebral discs increases sharply, especially with insufficient physical activity.
Dystrophic processes of disc destruction are aggravated by intense training (especially without warming up), injuries and any skeletal pathology (including flat feet and bad posture), because it changes the distribution of the load on the spine.Excess weight 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 the development of osteochondrosis is the so-called disc herniation.The discs consist of a hard shell called the annulus fibrosus and a semi-fluid core.Disc herniations occur when the fibrous ring of the disc thins and ruptures, the nucleus pokes 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.
Phase 1
Characteristic complaints, constant or periodic, appear.They are often caused by physical activity or forced body position.X-ray shows minimal narrowing of the intervertebral spaces or normal.
Phase 2
Symptoms intensify as the disc loses stability (the cartilage tissue bulges into the surrounding annulus fibrosus), which compresses the nerve roots.X-ray shows a noticeable decrease in the intervertebral distance or displacement of the vertebrae;growths of bone tissue may appear.
Phase 3
Intervertebral disc herniations, which are also called protrusions or disc prolapse, appear;the disk expands more and more into the surrounding tissues, which leads to damage to blood vessels and nerves, so the pain increases, limits the movement of the limbs and causes numbness.
Phase 4
Disc fibrosis stage.The disc hardens, is replaced by scar tissue, bony protrusions grow along the edge, and the intervertebral distance noticeably decreases.The mobility of the spine is significantly reduced - it literally becomes ossified.
Disease diagnosis
The doctor makes a preliminary diagnosis based on characteristic complaints and examination data.Pain in 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 phase, an X-ray of the spine of interest is prescribed.The images clearly show whether the distance between the vertebrae has narrowed, that is, whether the cartilage has thinned and how far the process has progressed.If, based on the results of the X-ray, the doctor suspects the presence of intervertebral hernias, he will prescribe a more informative research method - magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Layer-by-layer scanning and good visualization of soft tissues make it possible to confirm or refute the diagnosis of intervertebral disc herniation with absolute precision.
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 muscle tension, but also to stop the further development of the disease, that is, to affect its cause.The doctor decides what to treat in each specific case.Medicines are usually supplemented with physical therapy, massage, manual therapy, physiotherapy 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.To do this, 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.Vitamin B preparations help to improve the condition of the nerve roots.Typically, the course of treatment lasts 7-10 days.Internal medication is supplemented by local treatment: ointments or gels containing NSAIDs are applied to the affected area or simply heated to increase blood supply, metabolism and quickly stop inflammation.External drugs quickly relieve pain, because the active substance penetrates the source 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 compensate for the lack 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 the further progression of osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis.In order to achieve a lasting effect, it is prescribed in long courses of up to 6 months.
The drug has been shown to promote:
- restoration of joint cartilage tissue;
- improvement of joint mobility;
- pain reduction.
The drug has a complex effect: it helps to restore joint cartilage tissue, as well as reduces the need for painkillers, thereby increasing the safety of treatment.
Unlike some other drugs from 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.
At the same time, it relieves inflammation, pain and starts the process of cartilage tissue renewal;it is the number 1 drug for the treatment of osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis.This is a modern chondroprotector that is produced in the USA.
The special composition of the drug improves the penetration of painkillers into the joint, which helps reduce joint pain and inflammation.
The drug has been proven to:
- It has an analgesic effect;
- It has an anti-inflammatory effect;
- Helps reduce stiffness;
- It helps to increase the range of motion of the joints.
The drug is used for osteoarthritis, osteochondrosis and other joint diseases accompanied by pain.Due to the fact that it contains meloxicam, chondroitin and dimethyl sulfoxide, it has a triple effect (analgesic, anti-inflammatory, reduction of stiffness) on the symptoms of osteoarthritis, which in turn provides a comprehensive effect on the disease.
A drug containing ibuprofen (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 joint pain, but also suppresses inflammation;it is 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 improves their mobility.
Naproxen sodium
Naproxen sodium has:
- Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Applicable for:
- Osteoarthritis of joints and spine;
- Rheumatic diseases;
- Sprains and bruises.
In other cases, mild or moderate pain, including lower back and muscle pain, neuralgia and other conditions.
The drug can help relieve pain and joint inflammation for up to 12 hours thanks to the action of the active component naproxen in a dose of 275 mg.Naproxen is the global standard for the treatment of joint pain, sought by more than millions of patients in different countries.
Treatments without drugs
Treatment without drugs increases the effectiveness of drugs and allows you to quickly relieve an exacerbation.
- Massage relieves muscle spasms, improves microcirculation and metabolism, reduces swelling, which favorably affects 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 the completion of the treatment course, 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 (physical therapy) is dosed physical activity taking into account the profile of the disease.It is necessary for the intervertebral fluid to move, providing the discs with nutrients and removing decay products.Exercises strengthen muscles, normalize their tone and restore the motor activity of damaged limbs.Exercise therapy should be regular, take place at a calm pace, without sudden movements, so as not to worsen the situation.
- Reflexology is an action on the organs and systems of the body through the stimulation of certain points.Needles are most often used for this, but other options are also possible: electric current, magnetic field.
- Physiotherapy is used mainly during exacerbations to relieve inflammation, improve microcirculation, relieve pain, swelling and muscle spasm.Electrophoresis and ultrasound with drugs (eg hydrocortisone) and magnetic therapy are most often used.
Other methods
In case of intervertebral disc herniation or nerve root compression with a significant reduction in the distance between the vertebrae, surgical treatment is recommended.Its essence is to remove the damaged disk.Minimally invasive techniques have been developed that allow solving the problem relatively painlessly 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 current topic for everyone, especially after the age of 25.In order to preserve the intervertebral disc as long as possible, you need to move a lot, but avoid injuries and heavy physical activities, eat properly, and when you work sitting, take breaks and move.An important point in the prevention of osteochondrosis is taking chondroprotectors.If discomfort appears in any part of the back, it is better to consult a doctor immediately so that you do not miss it and do 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.