Osteochondrosis is a pathology caused by degenerative processes in cartilage tissue.In most cases, stable functioning of the intervertebral discs is noted, which is why we most often speak of vertebral osteochondrosis.
Pathogenesis
First of all, osteochondrosis is associated with the fact that a person stays in an upright position for a long time, which causes 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 vibration or in which the position of the body often changes (flexion-extension, turns, turns, jerky movements);
- lifting weights;
- overweight;
- multiple pregnancy;
- lack of vitamins in the body;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- sleep on a soft mattress;
- poor posture (scoliosis);
- spinal instability.
The aggravation of the dystrophic process of disc destruction can be associated with intense physical activity (especially without prior warming up), injuries or skeletal pathology that changes the distribution of the load on the spine.
Characteristic signs of pathology
Numbness and pain, the main manifestations of osteochondrosis, can be observed throughout the body or only in the back.The pain intensifies with sudden movements, physical activity and, in some cases, sneezing or coughing.The body's attempt to protect itself from pain results in increased muscle tension and limited motor skills.
If a person does not receive help and treatment is not started, the pain further intensifies, 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.
The symptomatic manifestations differ depending on the part of the spine affected.
Types and symptoms of osteochondrosis
The pathology can affect various parts of the spine.Considering the location, osteochondrosis can develop in the cervical (more than 25% of diagnosed cases), lumbar (more than 50%) or thoracic (12%) regions.
The aggravation of the dystrophic process of disc destruction can be associated with intense physical activity (especially without prior warming up), injuries or skeletal pathology that changes the distribution of the load on the spine.
Osteochondrosis of the neck
The spinal cord, arteries (supplying the brain), nerve trunks and roots (creating a nerve connection to the arms, lungs and heart) pass through the cervical region.Over the years, especially for people without training or who work at a computer for a long time, neck movements become difficult.
Characteristic symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:
- headaches and heart pain;
- dizziness (possible short-term loss of consciousness, associated with impaired blood supply to the brain);
- numbness and pain in the shoulder or arm joints.
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:
- sensation of having a “stake in the chest”;
- painful sensations in the cervical region, between the shoulder blades;
- numbness of the hands (temporary, long-term);
- hearing and visual impairment;
- increased sweating;
- headache radiating to the back of the head (often long lasting, up to 12 hours);
- changes in arterial 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 include:
- frequent urination;
- numbness of the limbs;
- dizziness;
- muscle spasms and cramps;
- difficulties with movement, flexion and rotation of the body;
- development of scoliosis;
- pain in the lower back, especially in the morning, immediately after waking up;
- alteration of muscle sensitivity and tone.
Pain and its intensity reach their peak during the acute period of the disease.Their duration can bother a person for several days, but sometimes the pain persists for weeks or even months.As the pathological process occurring in the intervertebral discs progresses, the severity of symptoms decreases.After age 60, the disease becomes chronic and 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 when the annulus fibrosus becomes thinner.Due to the rupture, protrusion of the nucleus occurs, 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 one position.The x-ray shows a slight narrowing of the spaces between the vertebrae.
- Loss of disc stability, cartilaginous tissue extends into the annulus fibrosus and nerve roots are compressed.An x-ray shows a decrease in the intervertebral distance, a displacement of the vertebrae and a proliferation of bone tissue.
- Intervertebral hernias develop.The disc increasingly penetrates the surrounding tissues.The violation causes damage to nerves and blood vessels.The pain intensifies, there is numbness and limitation of limb movements.
- The disc hardens and is replaced by scar tissue.With fibrosis, bony protrusions develop along the edge and the distance between the vertebrae decreases significantly.The mobility of the spine decreases, it seems to ossify.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
A preliminary diagnosis is made by a doctor based on the patient's complaints and after a visual examination.The pain and sensitivity of certain points, the state of muscle tone, the range of movements 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 the implementation of instrumental research methods.First, an x-ray of the affected part of the spine 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 current pathological process is located.
If an intervertebral hernia is detected in a patient, an MRI is prescribed.Through layer-by-layer scanning and soft tissue visualization, a preliminary diagnosis can be confirmed or refuted with high accuracy.
How to treat osteochondrosis
Treatment of the disease is long-term, the main goal is to relieve pain and muscle tension and, after identifying the provoking cause, to stop the development of the pathological process.
The specialist decides which treatment method will be the most effective, based on the results of the study and the severity of the current pathology.process.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis
The main goal of this type of disease is to stop the inflammatory process and pain, as well as to relieve muscle spasms.This can be done by taking the patient:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.To reduce skeletal muscle tone, muscle spasms and compression of nerve roots, the specialist supplements NSAIDs with muscle relaxants.
- Vitamin preparations of group B.
The optimal treatment period is 7-10 days.
Medications are often supplemented by 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, because the main active substance penetrates the inflammation and immediately begins to “work”.
Taking 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 painful symptoms (especially during exacerbations).Compliance with the doctor's recommendations and the use of medications in combination with physiotherapy exercises will help restore normal functioning of the spine and avoid surgical intervention.