osteochondrosis

Most cases of unpleasant pain in the lumbar region and spine are associated with a disease such as osteochondrosis.It affects approximately 40% of men and women between 30 and 40 years old and approximately 90% of older people.Therefore, the earlier the disease is diagnosed, the more thoroughly the patient is examined, the greater the likelihood of stopping the progression of osteochondrosis and maintaining activity at an older age. 

Definition of disease, cause of disease.

So what is osteochondrosis, where does it develop, what structures are affected and what is the treatment method?The disease affects the spine and tissues between the vertebrae and is expressed in a violation of their shape, density, elasticity, and sometimes even their integrity.As a result, the distance between the vertebrae is reduced, the spine gradually loses stability, nerves are pinched, and hernias can form, which is accompanied by back pain and discomfort during movement.

To briefly describe the essence of osteochondrosis, it is the gradual abrasion of the tissues of the intervertebral discs (cartilage), which leads to instability of the spine.In the absence of treatment, degradation of ligaments and joints develops, osteophytes appear, posture is disturbed, and movements are accompanied by pain. 

Causes of spinal osteochondrosis:

• sedentary lifestyle with lack of muscle load;
• spinal injuries;
• systematic intense loads on the spine;
• inheritance;
• overweight;
• hypothermia;
• hormonal and autoimmune diseases;
• toxic poisoning;
• congenital connective tissue deficiency;
• psychosomatic reasons (stress, depression, etc.).

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

The disease is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation with varying degrees of symptom severity.The main symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis, characteristic of the main types of the disease, lumbar, cervical and thoracic:

• localized pain in a certain area of the spine;
• referred pain syndrome associated with damage to nearby musculoskeletal tissues;
• myelopathy and radiculopathy, which arise as a result of compression of the nerve endings of the spinal cord and blood vessels. 

Depending on which part of the spine is affected by the disease, the list of osteochondrosis symptoms may vary.Namely: patients notice tingling in the muscles, numbness in the extremities, other sensory disorders, decreased strength in arms and legs, attacks of headaches and heart pain, lower back pain.

Pathogenesis of osteochondrosis.

Before the elastic fibrous core of the intervertebral disc begins to lose elasticity and deform, a number of processes occur in the human body that suggest osteochondrosis:

• spasms, dystonia, inflammation;
• decreased blood circulation;
• Damage to nerve cell processes.

Cracks then appear in the deformed annulus fibrosus, a protrusion of the disc develops, and a hernia forms.Typically, these predisposing factors for spinal diseases develop in childhood or adolescence and are often the result of poor posture, scoliosis, sports injuries, infectious diseases or congenital vascular pathologies.

Stages of osteochondrosis

There are three stages of development of spinal osteochondrosis:

• the first, in which the intervertebral disc begins to decrease in height, acquiring a flattened shape, loses moisture, elasticity and can bulge;
• the second develops in the absence of treatment and is manifested by a violation of the structure of the annulus fibrosus of the vertebral disc, the appearance of cracks and the development of instability in a certain area of the spine;
• characterized by ruptures of the intervertebral cartilage, the development of a hernia and the formation of osteophyte bone processes. 

The symptoms of the development of spinal osteochondrosis become more intense from the first to the third stage. 

Classification of osteochondrosis.

The classification of osteochondrosis is based on several signs, the main of which is the area of localization.There is:

• lumbar osteochondrosis;
• osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
• osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.

Osteochondrosis in the lumbar spine is manifested by pain in the lumbar region, which intensifies when turning the body or lifting heavy objects.The pain may radiate to the leg or both legs and is characterized by being painful.In case of severe syndrome, a hernia is suspected.With lumbar osteochondrosis, spasms of the leg muscles and peeling of the skin often occur.

With the development of spinal osteochondrosis in the cervical region, vertebrae 1 to 7 are affected.The disease is accompanied by headache in the back of the neck, pain in the neck, clavicle and shoulders.There may be a crunching sound when turning the head, numbness in the upper extremities, and a feeling of a lump in the throat.

With osteochondrosis of the spine in the thoracic region, the patient is bothered by pain in the chest, shoulders, armpits and heart.There may be a feeling of shortness of breath and the development of attacks of intercostal neuralgia. 

Osteochondrosis in the lumbar spine is the most common, in the thoracic spine it is the rarest.

Complications of osteochondrosis

If the patient thinks too late about treating osteochondrosis, when the symptoms of the disease are pronounced, the following complications may develop:

• intervertebral hernia;
• spinal cord stroke;
• spinal kyphosis;
• outgoing;
• radiculitis;
• paralysis of the lower limbs.

In the absence of treatment, the patient begins to suffer from periodic exacerbations of the disease, which are characterized by increased pain that makes movement difficult and drastically worsens general well-being.The most terrible complication of spinal osteochondrosis is disability.Therefore, to prevent such serious changes in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, timely and high-quality treatment of osteochondrosis is needed.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis.

A disease such as osteochondrosis is mainly pain in the spine.But it is important to distinguish it from pain caused by problems unrelated to intervertebral disc degeneration.To do this, doctors carry out a step-by-step diagnosis, which includes:

• story take, which involves a conversation between a specialist and the patient to identify the exact area of location of the pain and the factors that cause the deterioration of the condition.It is important to know the patient's occupation, the period when problems with the spine began, when there was an exacerbation, what kind of pain in the lower back and other parts occurs, what treatment methods the patient used.
• physiological examinationallows you to determine the proportions of the body, the quality of movements and actions performed, the condition of the skin and the degree of sensitivity to pain.The doctor uses palpation to determine the condition of muscle tissue, the presence of compactions, swelling, etc.
• X-ray of the spine in two planes.for a visual assessment of the condition.Allows you to determine the displacement of the vertebrae, the presence of osteophytes and salt deposition. 

If the data collected for prescribing treatment is not enough, or there is a suspicion of serious pathology of the spine, the patient is prescribed CT and MRI, thanks to which it is possible to examine in detail the vertebrae, blood vessels, soft tissues, nervous processes and create a complete picture of the state of the spine affected by osteochondrosis to determine treatment tactics. 

Osteochondrosis treatment

Like any disease, osteochondrosis requires identifying the cause that triggered its development.Reducing the severity of symptoms is not the main, but important stage of treatment, the result of which depends on several factors.In some cases it is a complete cure, in others it is the prevention of complications and disability. 

In the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis, a group of measures is used:

• change the patient's daily routine;
• prescribe medications to reduce symptoms;
• Physiotherapeutic procedures (massages, acupuncture, electrophoresis, physiotherapy, etc.).

Changing the daily routine in the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis involves reducing the intensity of physical activity, bed rest for severe pain, and avoiding sharp turns and bends. 

Medicines for the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis.

They can be divided into several groups: 

• Muscle relaxants for pain relief, including tablets, injectable anesthetics and anti-inflammatory injections for osteochondrosis.The homeopathic medicine normalizes the functionality of the thyroid gland, improves lymphatic drainage and has anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and immunomodulatory effects.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.When used in patients with osteoarthritis, there is a decrease in the progression of inflammatory and destructive changes in the joints, an improvement in the integrity, thickness and other characteristics of cartilage, and a stimulation of bone tissue repair.
• anti-inflammatory ointments for topical applications and alternative transdermal patches.These drugs have analgesic, antirheumatic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects.The mechanism of action is to reduce the production of inflammatory mediators, lower body temperature and pain.
• chondroprotectors;
• means for therapeutic analgesic blocks;
• B vitamins.

Supportive treatments

Of the additional means that can be used for treatment, relief of the general condition and improvement of the function of the spine and intervertebral discs, the most effective are: 

• acupuncture;
• magnetic therapy;
• professional massages and self-massages;
• physical education courses;
• manual therapy. 

Foresight, prevention

If the spinal disease is not advanced and progresses without serious complications, 1.5-2 months of competent treatment can significantly improve the condition and prevent the disease from becoming chronic.In difficult cases, doctors recommend surgical treatment.

Prevention of spinal osteochondrosis includes:

• maintain a correct daily routine, with changes in body position and moderate physical activity;
• regular visits to the pool;
• body weight control;
• wear comfortable shoes;
• balanced diet;
• sleep on an orthopedic pillow and mattress;
• Take missing nutrients or preventive homeopathic medicines to boost immunity, improve overall health and eliminate dystonia.

It is necessary to undergo annual medical examinations and consult a doctor for treatment immediately after the onset of any pain in the spine. 

It doesn't matter what type of osteochondrosis we are talking about: lumbar, cervical or thoracic, attention to one's own health should become a good habit, especially when it comes to the basis of the entire musculoskeletal system - the spine.