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 vast majority of cases they speak of spinal osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis are aching pain and numbness, which can be widespread or cover a specific area of the back.The pain intensifies with physical activity, sudden movements, and sometimes even with coughing and sneezing.The body tries to reflexively protect itself from pain, so muscle tension increases at the site of injury.This is how restriction of motor activity occurs - another characteristic sign of osteochondrosis.
Without treatment, the manifestations of the disease worsen: the pain intensifies, spreading to the limbs, limiting their mobility (if the cervicothoracic region is affected, the arms suffer; if the lumbar region, then the legs).In severe cases, the limbs may even partially atrophy - lose their inherent strength and mobility.A herniated disc is one of the most common and severe forms of complication of osteochondrosis, in which the disc itself is displaced and the nerve roots are compressed, causing severe shooting pain in the back.
When each part of the spine is affected, there are specific symptoms:
- Cervical region: headaches, dizziness, pain and numbness of the shoulders and arms.In some cases, 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: tinnitus, imbalance, darkening of the eyes, and with significant constriction - sudden attacks of dizziness with nausea and vomiting.All of these symptoms usually occur with sudden turns of the head.
- Thoracic: a feeling of “a stake in the chest,” pain that patients often consider to be 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 firmness and elasticity.The spinal disc decreases in volume, becomes dense and ceases to fully absorb shock.Even during normal walking, hard vertebrae, consisting of bone tissue, do not spring too elastically on the cartilaginous layers between them, but practically touch each other, squeezing the nerve fibers.Because of this, the mobility of the spine is limited, constant pain appears, spreading to the back and limbs, caused by compressed nerve roots.
The causes of dystrophic changes can be different.The main predisposing factor is dietary habits.From birth, cartilage tissue receives the necessary substances in two ways: from blood vessels and from intervertebral fluid.By the age of 23-25, the vessels are completely overgrown, leaving only one way of nutrition.Nutrition of cartilage tissue through 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 intense training (especially without warm-up), injuries, and any skeletal pathology (including flat feet and poor posture), as it changes the distribution of 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 spinal osteochondrosis
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-liquid core.Disc herniations occur when the fibrous ring of the disc becomes thinner and ruptures, the nucleus protrudes through the gap, and the nerve roots are compressed, which is accompanied by increased pain and an even greater decrease in the shock-absorbing properties of the disc.The rate at which symptoms develop depends on lifestyle, treatment, and individual characteristics of the body.
Stage 1
Characteristic complaints appear, constant or periodic.They are often provoked by physical activity or forced body position.The x-ray shows minimal narrowing of the intervertebral spaces or normal.
Stage 2
Symptoms intensify as 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; bone tissue growths may appear.
Stage 3
Herniated intervertebral discs, also called protrusion or disc prolapse, appear; the disc extends more and more into the surrounding tissues, which leads to damage to blood vessels and nerves, so the pain intensifies, limiting movement in the limbs and causing numbness.
Stage 4
Stage of disc fibrosis.The disc hardens, it 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.
Diagnosis of the disease
The doctor makes a preliminary diagnosis based on characteristic complaints and examination data.Pain in certain 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, at the initial stage, an x-ray of the spine of interest is prescribed.The pictures clearly demonstrate whether there is a reduction in the distance between the vertebrae, that is, whether there is thinning of the cartilage, 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 accuracy.
How to treat spinal osteochondrosis?
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, that is, to influence 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 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 the tone of skeletal muscles, reduce muscle spasms and compression of the nerve roots.Preparations of B vitamins help improve the condition of the nerve roots. Typically, the course of treatment lasts 7-10 days.Taking medications internally is supplemented with local treatment: ointments or gels containing NSAIDs or simply warming ones are applied to the affected area to increase blood supply, metabolism and quickly stop inflammation.External remedies quickly relieve pain, since the active substance penetrates the source of inflammation, bypassing the digestive system and general blood flow, but they are not enough for full 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 in long courses of up to 6 months.
It has been proven that the drug promotes:
- renewal of joint cartilage tissue;
- improving joint mobility;
- reducing pain.
The drug has a complex effect: it helps restore joint cartilage tissue, as well as reduce the need for painkillers, thus increasing the safety of treatment.
Unlike some other medications in the group, the drug is recommended in increased daily doses of chondroprotectors - chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, the effectiveness of which has been proven.
A complex preparation for external use, which includes meloxicam (NSAID) and chondroitin sulfate.
It simultaneously relieves inflammation, pain and starts the process of restoration of cartilage tissue; it is the No. 1 drug for the treatment of osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis.This is a modern chondroprotector, which is produced 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 proven to:
- Has an analgesic effect;
- Has an anti-inflammatory effect;
- Helps reduce stiffness;
- Helps increase the range of motion of 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, and this in turn allows for a comprehensive effect on the disease.
A drug that contains 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 to 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 cartilage tissue in joints and improve their mobility.
Naproxen sodium
Naproxen sodium has:
- Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Applicable for:
- 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 joint pain and inflammation for up to 12 hours thanks to the action of the active component naproxen at a dosage of 275 mg.Naproxen is the global standard for the treatment of joint pain, in demand by more than millions of patients in different countries.
Non-drug treatments
Non-drug treatment increases the effectiveness of medications 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 completion of a course of drug treatment, when inflammation subsides, or during remission to prevent new exacerbations.
- Manual therapy is the restoration of 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 motor activity of damaged limbs.Exercise therapy should be regular, take place at a calm pace, without sudden movements, so as not to aggravate the situation.
- Reflexology is an effect on organs and systems of the body through stimulation of certain points.For this, needles are most often used, 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.The most commonly used are electrophoresis and ultrasound with medications (for example, hydrocortisone), and magnetic therapy.
Other methods
In case of herniation of the intervertebral disc or compression of the nerve roots with a significant decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, surgical treatment is recommended.Its essence is the removal of a damaged disk.Minimally invasive techniques have been developed that allow solving the problem relatively painlessly for the patient: endoscopic techniques and a laser that “evaporates” the disc core.In severe cases, the disc is replaced with a silicone implant.
Prevention
Prevention of osteochondrosis is a topical issue for everyone, especially after reaching 25 years of age.To preserve the intervertebral disc for as long as possible, you need to move a lot, but avoid injuries and heavy physical activity, eat right, and when working sedentarily, take breaks and move.An important point in the prevention of osteochondrosis is taking chondroprotectors.If discomfort occurs 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 stable remission and stop the progression of the disease.