Osteochondrosis

If you have pain in your lower back, back or neck, if you find it difficult to straighten up, if your spine tenses – many people automatically diagnose themselves: “of course – osteochondrosis!”The reasons for this “illness” seem extremely 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: osteochondrosis of the spine?How appropriate is such a diagnosis?And what is happening in the spine?

In scientific terms, osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease (i.e. leading to premature “aging”, “wear and tear”) of the spine (incidentally, it can also affect other joints).The pathological process begins with the intervertebral discs and gradually extends to the vertebrae.

Osteochondrosis of the spine – is there such a diagnosis?

In English-speaking medicine, this term refers to 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 refer to when providing a diagnosis, we find terms such as “osteochondrosis of the spine in adults,” “osteochondrosis of the spine juvenile,” and “osteochondrosis of the spine, unspecified.”

However, sometimes this diagnosis is not entirely justified, when the doctor cannot actually 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, pain begins to bother you, and after a while it goes away on its own.
• Otolithiasis– a condition in which calcium salt crystals accumulate in the inner ear.They lead to dizziness - sometimes they are confused with a manifestation of spinal diseases.
• Headaches.They are also often associated with degenerative changes of the cervical spine.In fact, they most often have other reasons.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine

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

• Anti-inflammatory and analgesic..
• If the pain is very intense and does not go away- novocaine blockades 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 in constant nervous tension,Prescribe medication to help you calm down.
• Towards the pain zonedry heat is applied.
• In order 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 at the armpit level.Underwater traction in the pool is also used.
• Your doctor may recommendyou should consult a chiropractor, acupuncture sessions.
• During an exacerbationwear special orthopedic devices that help relieve muscles and support the spine - corsets, Shants collar.

When the exacerbation passes, you need to take measures to 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, they must be used wisely, so self-medication is not the best choice.Consult your doctor.

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

Why should you see a doctor soon?Firstly, “real” osteochondrosis is not such a harmless disease.Over time, a person can become disabled if left untreated.Secondly, the symptoms can be caused by the same myofascial pain syndrome: 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 life.Most often this is attributed to osteochondrosis.Not everyone with spinal pain sees a doctor.Many people treat themselves with medications available without a prescription in pharmacies or with folk remedies.Sometimes such “treatment” brings temporary relief - but in the meantime the disease can continue to progress and, perhaps, the next time the back or lower back will “twist” much more strongly.

An experienced neurologist will be able to correctly assess the symptoms of osteochondrosis, understand their causes and prescribe the appropriate treatment for osteochondrosis.

Pain, the main manifestation of osteochondrosis, can be fought with varying success for a long time with the help of analgesics and anti-inflammatories, as well as some folk remedies.But that doesn't solve the main problem;pathological changes in the spine continue to increase.

Over time, this results in compression of the spinal cord and the arteries that supply it, as well as in the development of serious neurological complications: severe weakening, or even total loss, of movements and sensitivity, loss of control over the bladder and rectum.

What symptoms usually manifest with osteochondrosis of the spine?

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

The muscles surrounding the spine respond to pain.A tension arises within them.As a result, the patient can find themselves in an analgesic position, in which the pain does not bother them so much.Gradually, this leads to curvature of the spine.

Over time, if the condition is left untreated, the pain intensifies and becomes unbearable.Other signs of osteochondrosis appear:

• Sensitivity is impaired, a feeling of numbness, tingling and “crawling” occurs in the arms and legs.
• The muscles of the limbs weaken and decrease in size over time - their atrophy develops.
• With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, patients complain of headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, “spots” and bright spots in front of the eyes.
• With thoracic osteochondrosis, heart pain is bothersome.The person may feel a sensation “as if a stake had been driven into the chest.”
• In case of compression of the nerve roots of the spine (for example, during the formation of a herniated disc, bony growths on the vertebrae), severe shooting pains occur.

Correct treatment of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine

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

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

Treatment should not be directed only at the symptoms of osteochondrosis.You should try to eliminate the cause and, if this is not possible, understand how you can most effectively control the disease and prevent it from progressing.The neurologist will establish the appropriate treatment program and adjust it taking into account the evolution of your condition.

In order to defeat the enemy, you must know him by sight.This is the case with any disease: a careful examination by a doctor, modern instrumental studies and laboratory tests make it possible 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 in many other diseases.In order to establish the exact cause and deal with it, you need the help of a specialist. 

Neurological examination in the diagnosis of osteochondrosis: how does the appointment take place at the neurologist's office?

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

• What complaints bother you?
• Where does the pain usually occur?
• How long does the pain last?How strong is he?
• What is the nature of the pain: does it sting, pull, ache, pull?
• When do your symptoms usually appear?What causes them?
• When and after what do you feel better?

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

Our neurologists work according to the same standards: they will examine you carefully, miss nothing and prescribe all the necessary tests.

What diagnostic methods are used for osteochondrosis?

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

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

Your doctor may also prescribe other methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis.The specialist will make sure that you get an appointment with the right doctor and take all the necessary tests, so that you don't have to overpay for unnecessary procedures.

Prevention of osteochondrosis

To keep your back healthy, follow these recommendations:

• Your diet must be complete.
• You need regular physical activity.If you suffer from chronic illnesses, consult your doctor and ask him to recommend a suitable gymnastics complex.
• Maintain normal weight - this 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 should do the work.

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

Why does osteochondrosis appear?

Osteochondrosis of the spine is a disease that does not have a specific cause.Various factors lead to its appearance:

• Injuries.Osteochondrosis can become a strong echo of a previously suffered fracture or ligament injury.
• Microtrauma.They can be caused by frequent similar movements in the spine, prolonged stay in a monotonous and uncomfortable position.
• Congenital anomalies of the spine.They are different: non-fusion of the vertebral arches, change 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 all his life that he suffers from one of these conditions, and then, when his back "hurts", the abnormality is revealed during an examination.
• Autoimmune diseasesin which immune cells appear in the intervertebral discs, attacking the body's own tissues.
• Circulatory disorders.The spinal tissues no longer receive the required amount of oxygen-rich blood.

Who most often suffers from osteochondrosis?

Certain conditions contribute to spinal problems:

• Sedentary lifestyle, low physical activity.Office workers are at increased risk.
• Overweight.Every extra pound adds stress to the spine.
• Excessive physical activity.Overload during training in athletes.
• Poor diet.In order for vertebrae, ligaments and muscles to be strong and withstand loads, they must receive the necessary substances - “building materials”.
• Previous injuries to the neck, back and lower back.
• Untreated postural disorders, scoliosis.
• Constant stay, work in an uncomfortable forced position, when you often have to stand or sit hunched over for a long time.
• If you have close relatives with osteochondrosis, your risks are also increased.

What happens to the spine during osteochondrosis?

The development of osteochondrosis is mainly due to “wear and tear” of the intervertebral disc.Its structure changes at the molecular level.At first, the intervertebral disc swells, then “drys up”, its height decreases, it begins to protrude from the vertebral body and cracks and tears appear in its outer part.Thanks to them, the vessels grow inside, the disc becomes denser and calcification begins there.The vertebra becomes detached.

Then the degenerative process spreads 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 order to compensate for the increased load on the vertebrae, bony growths (osteophytes) appear on them, increasing their surface area.

Depending on where pathological changes occur, cervical, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis are distinguished.Two or three sections can be affected at a time.