Most cases of unpleasant pain in the lumbar region and spine are associated with a disease such as osteochondrosis.It affects around 40% of men and women aged 30 to 40 and around 90% of older people.Therefore, the earlier the disease is diagnosed, the more thoroughly the patient is examined, the higher the probability of stopping the progression of osteochondrosis and maintaining activity in old age.
Definition of disease, cause of disease
So, what is osteochondrosis, where does it develop, what structures are affected, what is the treatment method?The disease affects the spine and the tissues between the vertebrae and results in a violation of their shape, density, elasticity, and sometimes even integrity.As a result, the distance between the vertebrae is reduced, the spine gradually loses stability, pinched nerves and the formation of hernias may develop, which are accompanied by back pain and discomfort during movements.
To briefly describe the essence of osteochondrosis, it is the progressive abrasion of the tissues of the intervertebral discs (cartilage), leading 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:
- inactive lifestyle with lack of muscle load;
- spinal injuries;
- systematic intense loads on the spine;
- heredity;
- 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 severity of symptoms.The main symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis, characteristic of the main types of diseases, lumbar, cervical and thoracic:
- pain localized in a certain area of the spine;
- referred pain syndrome associated with damage to neighboring musculoskeletal tissues;
- myelopathy and radiculopathy, resulting from compression of nerve endings in the spinal cord and blood vessels.
Depending on which part of the spine is affected by the disease, the list of symptoms of osteochondrosis may vary.Namely: patients note tingling in the muscles, numbness in the limbs, other sensory disturbances, a decrease in strength in the arms and legs, attacks of headaches and heart pain, painful 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 suggestive of osteochondrosis occur in the human body:
- spasms, dystonia, inflammation;
- decreased blood circulation;
- damage to nerve cell processes.
Then cracks appear on the deformed annulus fibrosus, a disc protrusion develops and a herniation is formed.Typically, these predisposing factors for spinal diseases develop during 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, acquires 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 fibrous ring of the vertebral disc, the appearance of cracks and the development of instability of 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.
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 one of which is the area of localization.There is :
- lumbar osteochondrosis;
- osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
- osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is manifested by pain in the lumbar region, which intensifies when rotating the body or lifting heavy objects.The pain may radiate to the leg or both legs and is characterized as aching.In cases of severe syndrome, a hernia is suspected.With lumbar osteochondrosis, spasms in the leg muscles and peeling of the skin often occur.
With the development of vertebral osteochondrosis in the cervical region, vertebrae 1 to 7 are affected.The disease is accompanied by headaches in the back of the head, pain in the neck, collarbones and shoulders.There may be a cracking sound when you turn your 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 difficulty breathing and the development of attacks of intercostal neuralgia.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is the most common, that of the thoracic spine is the rarest.
Complications of osteochondrosis
If the patient plans to treat osteochondrosis too late, when the symptoms of the disease are pronounced, the following complications may develop:
- intervertebral hernia;
- spinal cord stroke;
- spinal kyphosis;
- protrusion;
- radiculitis;
- paralysis of the lower limbs.
In the absence of treatment, the patient begins to suffer from regular exacerbations of the disease, characterized by increased pain that interferes with movement and sharply worsens general well-being.The most terrible complication of osteochondrosis of the spine is disability.Therefore, in order to avoid such serious changes in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, timely and high-quality treatment of osteochondrosis is necessary.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
A disease such as osteochondrosis is primarily 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:
- History taking, which involves a conversation between a specialist and the patient to identify the exact area of localization of pain and the factors that provoke deterioration of the condition.It is important to know the patient's profession, the period when the problems with the spine began, when there was an exacerbation, what kind of pain occurs in the lumbar region and other parts, 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 planesfor a visual assessment of the condition.Allows you to determine the displacement of the vertebrae, the presence of osteophytes and salt deposits.
If the data collected for prescribing treatment is not enough or there is a suspicion of serious spinal pathology, the patient is prescribed computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, thanks to which it is possible to examine in detail the vertebrae, blood vessels, soft tissues, nervous processes and create a comprehensive picture of the state of the spine affected by osteochondrosis to determine treatment tactics.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
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 a number of factors.In some cases this is a complete cure, in others it is a prevention of complications and disability.
In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, a group of measures is used:
- change the patient's daily routine;
- prescribe medications to reduce symptoms;
- physiotherapeutic procedures (massage, acupuncture, electrophoresis, exercise therapy, etc.).
Changing the daily routine in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine involves reducing the intensity of physical activity, staying in bed in case of severe pain, and avoiding sharp twists and turns.
Medicines for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine
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 an anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and immunomodulatory effect.
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.When used in patients suffering from osteoarthritis, there is a decrease in the progression of inflammatory and destructive changes in the joints, improvement in the integrity, thickness and other characteristics of cartilage, and 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 involves reducing the production of inflammatory mediators, lowering body temperature and pain.
- chondroprotectors;
- means for blocking therapeutic analgesics;
- B vitamins.
Supportive treatments
Among 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 massage and self-massage;
- physical education classes;
- manual therapy.
Forecast, 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 osteochondrosis of the spine 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;
- sleeping on an orthopedic pillow and mattress;
- take missing nutrients or preventive homeopathic medicines to increase immunity, improve overall health and eliminate dystonia.
It is necessary to undergo annual medical examinations and consult a doctor for treatment immediately after the appearance of any pain in the spine.
It doesn't matter what type of osteochondrosis we are talking about - lumbar, cervical or thoracic, paying attention to your own health should become a good habit, especially when it comes to the basis of the entire musculoskeletal system - the spine.