Osteochondrosis is a pathology caused by degenerative processes in cartilaginous tissue.In most cases, stable functioning of the intervertebral discs is observed, which is why spinal osteochondrosis is most often talked about.
Pathogenesis
Firstly, osteochondrosis is associated with the fact that a person stays in an upright position for a long time, which causes an increased load on the spine and intervertebral discs.
With age, the functionality 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 prerequisites for its development can be:
- work associated with vibrations or in which the position of the body changes frequently (flexion-extension, turns, curves, sudden movements);
- lift weights;
- overweight;
- multiple pregnancy;
- lack of vitamins in the body;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- sleep on a soft mattress;
- poor posture (scoliosis);
- vertebral instability.
The worsening of the dystrophic process of disc destruction may be associated with intense physical activity (especially without prior warming up), injuries or skeletal pathology that alters the distribution of load on the spine.
Characteristic signs of pathology
Numbness and pain, the main manifestations of osteochondrosis, can be observed throughout the body or just in the back.The pain intensifies with sudden movements, physical activity and, in some cases, with sneezing or coughing.The body's attempt to protect itself from pain leads to increased muscle tension and limited motor capacity.
If the person does not receive help and treatment is not started, the pain intensifies even more, spreads to the limbs and limits their mobility.When the cervicothoracic spine is affected, the arms are affected and the lumbar spine is affected by the lower limbs.
Symptomatic manifestations vary depending on the part of the spine affected.
Types and symptoms of osteochondrosis
The pathology can affect various parts of the spine.Taking into account the location, osteochondrosis can develop in the cervical (more than 25% of diagnosed cases), lumbar (more than 50%) or thoracic (12%) regions.
The worsening of the dystrophic process of disc destruction may be associated with intense physical activity (especially without prior warming up), injuries or skeletal pathology that alters the distribution of load on the spine.
Osteochondrosis of the neck
The spinal cord, arteries (which supply the brain), nerve trunks and roots (creating a nervous connection with the arms, lungs and heart) pass through the cervical region.Over the years, especially for people who have no training or who work at the computer for a long time, neck movements become difficult.
Symptoms characteristic of cervical osteochondrosis:
- headaches and heart pain;
- dizziness (possible short-term loss of consciousness, which is associated with impaired blood supply to the brain);
- numbness and pain in the joints of the shoulders or arms.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Pain in the chest area is familiar to people who frequently and for a long time perform physical work, representatives of “sedentary” professions (architects, designers, drivers).
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region:
- feeling of “stake in the chest”;
- painful sensations in the cervical region, between the shoulder blades;
- numbness of the hands (temporary, prolonged);
- hearing and visual impairment;
- increased sweating;
- headaches radiating to the back of the neck (generally long-lasting, 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
The health problems caused by osteochondrosis in the lower back are the following:
- frequent urination;
- numbness of limbs;
- dizziness;
- muscle spasms and cramps;
- difficulties in moving, bending and turning the body;
- development of scoliosis;
- low back pain, especially in the morning, right after waking up;
- impaired sensitivity and muscle tone.
Pain and its intensity reach their peak during the acute period of the disease.Its duration can bother a person for several days, but sometimes the pain persists for weeks and even months.As the pathological process occurring in the intervertebral discs progresses, the severity of 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 steps is the formation of a hernia, which occurs when the fibrous ring becomes thinner.Through the rupture, there is protrusion of the nucleus, compression of the roots, which leads to increased pain and a decrease in the shock absorption capacity of the disc.
The main stages of the development of osteochondrosis:
- A person develops characteristic complaints caused by physical exertion or prolonged stay in the same position.The x-ray shows a slight narrowing of the spaces between the vertebrae.
- Loss of disc stability, cartilaginous tissue extends into the fibrous ring and nerve roots are compressed.An x-ray shows a decrease in intervertebral distance, displacement of the vertebrae and proliferation of bone tissue.
- Intervertebral hernias develop.The disc increasingly moves into the surrounding tissue.Violation causes damage to nerves and blood vessels.The pain intensifies, there is numbness and limited movement of the limbs.
- The disc hardens and is replaced by scar tissue.With fibrosis, bony protrusions grow along the edge and the distance between the vertebrae decreases significantly.The mobility of the spine decreases, it appears ossified.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
The preliminary diagnosis is made by the doctor based on the patient's complaints and after visual examination.Pain and sensitivity at certain points, the state of muscle tone, range of movement and the presence of postural disorders (for example, signs of scoliosis) are taken into account.
The presence of osteochondrosis and its stage are clarified after carrying out instrumental research methods.First, an x-ray of the part of the spine of interest is prescribed.
After studying the images, the specialist determines:
- whether the intervertebral distance has decreased;
- if the cartilaginous tissue is depleted;
- at what stage the pathological process is ongoing.
If an intervertebral hernia is detected in a patient, an MRI will be prescribed.Using layer-by-layer scanning and soft tissue visualization, a preliminary diagnosis can be confirmed or refuted with high accuracy.
How to treat osteochondrosis
Therapy of the disease is long-term, the main goal is to relieve pain and muscle tension and, after identifying the provoking cause, stop the development of the pathological process.
The specialist decides which method of treatment will be most effective, based on the results of the study and the severity of the ongoing pathology.process.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis
The main objective of this type of disease is to stop the inflammatory process and pain and relieve muscle spasm.This can be done by taking the patient:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.To reduce the tone of skeletal muscles, muscle spasms and compression of nerve roots, the specialist complements NSAIDs with muscle relaxants.
- Vitamin preparations of group B.
The ideal treatment period is 7 to 10 days.
Medication is often supplemented with local treatment.Warming ointments or gels containing NSAIDs can be applied to the affected area, which helps increase blood supply, metabolism, and stop inflammation.External remedies quickly relieve pain, as the main active substance penetrates the inflammation and immediately begins to “act”.
Taking medication is usually complemented by 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 an exacerbation).Compliance with the doctor's recommendations and the use of medications in combination with physiotherapy exercises will help restore the normal functioning of the spine and avoid surgical interventions.