osteochondrosis

If your lower back, back or neck hurts, it is difficult for you to straighten up, your spine creaks;many people automatically diagnose themselves: "of course, osteochondrosis!"The reasons for this “disease” seem very clear: we live in the 21st century, we move little, we don't eat well...

However, in reality everything is a little more complicated.

What is it: spinal osteochondrosis?How appropriate is such a diagnosis?And what happens in the spine?

In scientific terms, osteochondrosis is a degenerative (that is, leading to premature "aging", "wear and tear") disease of the spine (by the way, it can also affect other joints).The pathological process begins with the intervertebral discs and gradually spreads to the vertebrae.

Osteochondrosis of the spine: is there such a diagnosis?

In English-speaking medicine, this term denotes a completely different group of diseases that have nothing to do with our "native" osteochondrosis.In the International Classification of Diseases, a book that all neurologists should consult when making a diagnosis, there are terms such as "osteochondrosis of the spine in adults," "juvenile osteochondrosis of the spine," and "osteochondrosis of the spine, unspecified."

However, sometimes this diagnosis is not entirely justified, when the doctor actually cannot fully understand what is happening to the patient.This term can cover diseases such as:

• Myofascial pain syndrome– a condition in which spasms constantly occur in the same muscles.
• Muscle injuries.After an injury, the pain begins to bother you and after a while it disappears on its own.
• Otolithiasis– a condition in which calcium salt crystals build up in the inner ear.They cause dizziness;They are sometimes confused with a manifestation of spinal diseases.
• Headaches.They are also often associated with degenerative changes in the cervical spine.In fact, most often they have other reasons.

Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis.

The standard set of treatment measures for exacerbation of the disease looks like this:

• Anti-inflammatories and analgesics..
• If the pain is very intense and does not go away.- Novocaine blocks are used.The doctor, armed with a needle and syringe, injects the anesthetic into special places where it blocks the transmission of painful nerve impulses.
• Physiotherapy helps:Medicinal electrophoresis with anesthesia, ultrasound, ultraviolet irradiation, diadynamic currents.
• If the pain forces you to be constantly in nervous tension,Prescribe medication to help you calm down.
• To the pain zoneDry heat is applied.
• To unload the spine,Different types of traction are used.The patient can be placed on a special bed with a raised headboard and secured with rings under the armpits.Underwater traction is also used in the pool.
• Your doctor may recommendyou should visit a chiropractor, acupuncture sessions.
• During an exacerbationuse special orthopedic devices that help relieve the muscles and support the spine: corsets, Shants collar.

When the exacerbation passes, you need to take steps to help prevent a new one.Therapeutic exercises and massages help strengthen the muscles that support the spine.Physiotherapy courses are prescribed.Swimming is good for you.All methods of treating osteochondrosis have contraindications and should be used with caution, so self-medication is not the best option.Visit your doctor.

Sometimes the symptoms of the disease, despite treatment, continue to increase and the patient's condition worsens.In this case, the neurologist may raise the question of surgical treatment.

Why should you visit a doctor soon?Firstly, "real" osteochondrosis is not such a harmless disease.Over time, it can leave a person disabled if left untreated.Secondly, the symptoms can be caused by the myofascial pain syndrome itself: a neurologist will be able to quickly detect the cause of the pain and eliminate it. 

Back pain is a symptom that, according to statistics, more than 90% of people experience at least once in their lives.Most often it is attributed to osteochondrosis.Not everyone who experiences spinal pain goes to the doctor.Many people treat themselves with medications that can be purchased without a prescription at the pharmacy or with home remedies.Sometimes this "treatment" brings temporary relief, but in the meantime the disease may continue to progress and, perhaps, the next time the back or lower back will "turn" much stronger.

An experienced neurologist will be able to correctly evaluate the symptoms of osteochondrosis, understand its causes and prescribe the correct treatment for osteochondrosis.

Pain, the main manifestation of osteochondrosis, can be combated with greater or lesser success for a long time with the help of analgesics, anti-inflammatories and some home remedies.But this does not solve the main problem;Pathological changes in the spine continue to increase.

Over time, this leads to compression of the spinal cord and the arteries that supply it, and the development of serious neurological complications: severe weakening, even complete loss, of movement and sensation, loss of control over the bladder and rectum.

What symptoms usually manifest as spinal osteochondrosis?

A typical manifestation of the disease is pain.As a rule, they hurt, constantly bother, accompanied by a feeling of numbness, pain in the arms and legs.Usually, the pain intensifies during sudden movements, lifting heavy objects, physical work, sneezing, coughing, and prolonged stay in a monotonous, uncomfortable position.

The muscles surrounding the spine respond to pain.Tension arises in them.Because of this, the patient may find himself in an antalgic position, in which the pain does not bother him as much.Gradually this leads to curvature of the spine.

Over time, if the disease is not treated, the pain intensifies and becomes unbearable.Other signs of osteochondrosis occur:

• Sensitivity is affected, a feeling of numbness, tingling and "crawling" occurs in the arms and legs.
• The muscles in the limbs weaken and decrease in size over time;its atrophy develops.
• With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, patients complain of headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, "spots" and bright spots before the eyes.
• With thoracic osteochondrosis, pain in the heart is annoying.The person may experience a sensation “as if a stake had been driven into their chest.”
• If compression of the nerve roots of the spine occurs (for example, during the formation of a herniated disc, bone growth in the vertebrae), severe shooting pains occur.

Correct treatment of the symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis.

The key to effective treatment is a correct and timely diagnosis.During a neurological examination in the clinic, a specialist doctor will evaluate your symptoms and the degree of impairment of certain nerve functions.

Here you can undergo an examination with new and modern equipment;This will help you understand in detail what is happening to the spine, nerve roots, surrounding tissues, and muscles.

Treatment should be directed not only against the symptoms of osteochondrosis.You should try to eliminate the cause and, if this is not possible, understand what is the most effective way to keep the disease under control and prevent it from progressing.The neurologist will draw up the correct treatment program and adjust it taking into account changes in your condition.

To defeat the enemy, it is necessary to know him by sight.This is the case with any disease: a careful examination by a doctor, modern instrumental studies and laboratory tests help to establish an accurate diagnosis, understand what is happening in the patient's body and prescribe effective treatment for osteochondrosis.

The main manifestation of osteochondrosis is back pain, a symptom that can occur with many other diseases.To establish the exact cause and deal with it, the help of a specialist is needed. 

Neurological examination in the diagnosis of osteochondrosis: what is the appointment at the neurologist's office like?

During your appointment, your doctor will ask you a few questions:

• What complaints bother you?
• Where does pain usually appear?
• How long does the pain last?How strong is she?
• What is the nature of the pain: are they stabbing, stabbing, aching, pulling?
• When do your symptoms usually appear?What causes them?
• When and after what do you feel better?

The doctor will then perform a neurological examination, checking skin sensitivity, muscle strength and tone, reflexes, sense of balance, and coordination of movements.The neurologist can press specific points near the spine to determine pain.After that, to clarify the diagnosis, a program of examinations will be prescribed.

Our neurologists work according to the same standards: they will examine you carefully, will not miss anything and will prescribe all the necessary tests.

What diagnostic methods are used for osteochondrosis?

Most often, the following diagnostic methods are prescribed for osteochondrosis:

• Radiography.It is done in at least two projections: frontal and profile.If necessary, photographs are taken in other positions.
• Radiological contrast studies.To better examine pathological changes in the spine, a contrast agent solution may be injected into the spinal canal (myelography), intervertebral disc (discography), and blood vessels (angiography).These studies are carried out only for special indications.
• Computed tomography.It helps to examine bone structures in more detail, compared to x-ray, to detect a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc and bone growths on the vertebrae.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.Helps detect changes in soft tissues with high precision.

Your doctor may also prescribe other diagnostic methods for osteochondrosis.The specialist will make sure that you make an appointment with the right doctor and undergo all the necessary tests so that you do not have to pay extra for unnecessary procedures.

Prevention of osteochondrosis

To keep your back healthy, follow these recommendations:

• Your nutrition must be complete.
• Needs regular physical activity.If you suffer from chronic diseases, consult your doctor and ask him to recommend a suitable gymnastics complex.
• Maintaining a normal weight will help prevent not only osteochondrosis, but also many other "sores".
• If you have a sedentary job, take breaks more often to walk and stretch.
• Lift weights correctly.Don't bend at the waist.Keep your back straight;Your legs must do the work.

Osteochondrosis belongs to a group of diseases that are scientifically called “degenerative pathologies.”In other words, these are diseases in which the vertebrae, intervertebral discs and joints “wear out”, “age” prematurely (this is not a completely accurate explanation, but in general it helps to roughly imagine what is happening to the spine).But what causes this premature wear?

Why does osteochondrosis occur?

Spinal osteochondrosis is a disease that does not have a specific cause.Several factors lead to its appearance:

• Injuries.Osteochondrosis can become a strong echo of a previously suffered fracture or ligament damage.
• Microtraumas.They can be caused by frequent similar movements in the spine, a long stay in a monotonous and uncomfortable position.
• Congenital anomalies of the spine.They are different: lack of fusion of the vertebral arches, changes in the number of vertebrae in the lumbar and sacral region, incorrect location of the articular processes in the lumbar region.A person may not suspect that he or she suffers from one of these conditions all his or her life, and then, when his or her "back hurt," the abnormality is revealed during an examination.
• Autoimmune conditionsin which immune cells appear in the intervertebral discs, attacking the body's own tissues.
• Circulatory disorders.The spinal tissues stop receiving the necessary amount of oxygen-rich blood.

Who most often experiences osteochondrosis?

Certain conditions contribute to spinal problems:

• Sedentary lifestyle, low physical activity.Office workers are at greater risk.
• Overweight.Every extra kilo adds stress to the spine.
• Excessive physical activity.Overload during training in athletes.
• Poor nutrition.In order for the vertebrae, ligaments and muscles to be strong and withstand loads, they must receive the necessary substances - "building material".
• Previous injuries to the neck, back, and lumbar area.
• Untreated postural disorders, scoliosis.
• Constantly standing, working in an uncomfortable forced position, when you often have to stand or sit for a long time hunched over.
• If you have close relatives who suffer from osteochondrosis, your risks also increase.

What happens to the spine during osteochondrosis?

The development of osteochondrosis is mainly based on the "wear" of the intervertebral disc.Its structure changes at the molecular level.At first, the intervertebral disc swells, then it “dries out,” its height decreases, it begins to protrude beyond the vertebral body, and cracks and tears appear on its outer part.Through them, vessels grow inside, the disc becomes denser and calcification begins in it.The vertebra becomes loose.

The degenerative process then extends to the vertebrae themselves and the intervertebral joints.The muscles surrounding the affected part of the spine are constantly under tension and compactions appear in them.

To compensate for the increased load on the vertebrae, bony outgrowths (osteophytes) appear on them, increasing their surface area.

Depending on where pathological changes occur, cervical, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis are distinguished.Two or all three sections may be affected at the same time.