Osteochondrosis is a pathology provoked by degenerative processes of cartilage tissue.In most cases, stable functioning of the intervertebral discs is noted, so most often they talk about spinal osteochondrosis.
pathogenesis
First of all, osteochondrosis is associated with the fact that a person stands for a long time in a vertical position, which provokes an increased load on the spine and intervertebral discs.
With age, the functioning of blood vessels decreases, the diet becomes less balanced, the body ages, which only accelerates the development of pathological processes.
Osteochondrosis is a multifactorial disease;The main prerequisite for its development can be:
- work related to vibration or in which the position of the body changes frequently (bending-extension, twisting, bending, accelerated movements);
- weight lifting;
- overweight;
- multiple pregnancy;
- lack of vitamins in the body;
- lifeless lifestyle;
- sleep on a soft mattress;
- bad posture (scoliosis);
- Instability of the spine.
Exacerbation of the dystrophic process of disc destruction can be associated with intense physical activity (especially without pre-warming), injuries or skeletal pathology that changes the load distribution on the spinal column.
characteristic signs of pathology
Numbness and pain, as the main manifestations of osteochondrosis, can be observed throughout the body or only in the back.The pain is aggravated by sudden movement, physical exertion, and in some cases during sneezing or coughing.The body's attempt to protect itself from pain leads to increased muscle tension and limitation of motor skills.
If the person is not helped and treatment is not started, the pain gets worse, spreads to the limbs and limits mobility.When the cervical spine is injured, the arms are injured, and the lower limbs are injured when the lumbar spine is injured.
Symptoms vary depending on which part of the spine is affected.
Types and symptoms of osteochondrosis
Pathology can affect different parts of the spine.Depending on the location, osteochondrosis can develop in the cervical (more than 25% of diagnosed cases), lumbar (more than 50%) or chest (12%) regions.
Exacerbation of the dystrophic process of disc destruction can be associated with intense physical activity (especially without pre-warming), injuries or skeletal pathology that changes the load distribution on the spinal column.
Osteochondrosis of the neck
The cervical region contains the spinal cord, arteries (supplying the brain), nerve trunks and roots (making nerve connections to the arms, lungs and heart).Over the years, especially for those who do not exercise or work long hours at the computer, the movement of the neck becomes difficult.
Characteristic symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:
- headache and heartache;
- dizziness (possible short-term loss of consciousness, which is associated with impaired blood supply to the brain);
- Numbness and pain in the shoulder joints or arms.
Osteochondrosis of the chest region
Pain in the chest area is known to people who often and for a long time engage in physical labor, representatives of "sedentary" professions (architects, designers, drivers).
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest region:
- feeling of having a "lobe in the chest";
- Painful sensations in the cervical area, between the shoulder blades;
- Numbness of hands (temporary, long);
- hearing and vision impairment;
- increased sweating;
- headache that radiates to the back of the head (often long, up to 12 hours);
- changes in blood and intracranial pressure;
- Tachycardia and arrhythmia.
A good prevention of thoracic osteochondrosis is correct posture.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
Health problems caused by osteochondrosis in the lumbar region are as follows:
- frequent urination;
- numbness of limbs;
- dizziness;
- muscle spasms and cramps;
- movement difficulties, body bending and turning;
- development of scoliosis;
- Back pain, especially in the morning, upon waking up;
- Decreased muscle sensitivity and tone.
Pain and its intensity reaches its peak in the acute period of the disease.Their duration can bother a person for a few days, but sometimes the pain lasts for weeks and even months.As the pathological process in the intervertebral discs progresses, the severity of the symptoms decreases.After 60 years, the disease becomes chronic, the pain disappears.
Stages of the disease
Osteochondrosis is a progressive pathology, the transition to each subsequent form occurs gradually.One of the stages is the formation of a hernia, which occurs during the thinning of the fibrous ring.Through rupture, the nucleus is pushed out, the roots are compressed, which leads to increased pain and a decrease in the ability of the disc to absorb shock.
The main stages of the development of osteochondrosis:
- A person develops characteristic complaints caused by physical exertion or staying in one position for a long time.X-rays show a slight narrowing of the gaps between the vertebrae.
- Loss of disc stability, cartilage tissue extends into the fibrous ring, and nerve roots are compressed.X-rays show a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, displacement of the spine and proliferation of bone tissue.
- An intervertebral hernia develops.The disc moves further and further into the surrounding tissue.The disorder causes damage to nerves and blood vessels.The pain intensifies, there is numbness and limitation in the movement of the limbs.
- The disc hardens and is replaced by scar tissue.With fibrosis, the bone protrusion increases at the edge, and the distance between the vertebrae decreases significantly.The mobility of the spine decreases, it seems to be ossified.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
A preliminary diagnosis is made by the doctor based on the patient's complaints and after a visual examination.Pain and sensitivity at certain points, the state of muscle tone, the range of motion and the presence of postural disorders (for example, signs of scoliosis) are taken into account.
The presence of osteochondrosis and its stage is determined after conducting instrumental research methods.First of all, an X-ray of the part of interest of the spinal column is prescribed.
After studying the images, the specialist determines:
- whether the intervertebral distance has decreased;
- Is the cartilage tissue depleted?
- At what stage is the current pathological process?
If an intervertebral hernia is detected in the patient, an MRI is prescribed.Using layer-by-layer scanning and soft tissue imaging, a preliminary diagnosis can be confirmed or denied with high accuracy.
How to treat osteochondrosis
The therapy of the disease is long-term, the main goal is to relieve pain and muscle tension and stop the development of the pathological process after identifying the provoking cause.
The specialist decides which method of treatment will be the most effective based on the results of the research and the severity of the current pathology.process.
Medical treatment of osteochondrosis
The main goal of this type of disease is to stop the inflammatory process and pain and to relieve muscle spasm.This can be done by having the patient:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.In order to reduce skeletal muscle tone, muscle spasm and compression of nerve roots, the specialist supplements non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with muscle relaxants.
- B group vitamin preparations.
The optimal period of treatment is 7-10 days.
Medicines are often added to local treatments.Warming ointments or gels containing ASA can be applied to the affected area to help increase blood flow, increase metabolism, and stop inflammation.External remedies quickly relieve pain, because the main active ingredient penetrates the inflammation and immediately begins to "work".
Medication is usually supplemented with exercise therapy, massage, physio-reflexology or manual therapy.
The main task of people suffering from osteochondrosis is to reduce the frequency and severity of pain symptoms (especially during exacerbations).Following the doctor's recommendations and using medicines along with physical therapy exercises will help to restore the normal functioning of the spine and avoid surgical intervention.