In most cases, unpleasant pain in the lumbar region and spine is associated with a disease such as osteochondrosis.It affects about 40% of men and women aged 30-40, and about 90% of older people.Therefore, the earlier the disease is diagnosed, the more thoroughly the patient is examined, the greater the probability of stopping the progression of osteochondrosis and maintaining activity at an older age.
Definition of the disease, cause of the 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 is expressed in a violation of their shape, density, elasticity and sometimes integrity.Because of this, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, the spinal column gradually loses its stability, the nerves are pinched, a hernia may develop, which is associated with back pain and discomfort during movement.
Briefly describing the essence of osteochondrosis, it is a gradual wear and tear of the tissues of the intervertebral discs (cartilages), which leads to instability of the spine.In the absence of treatment, ligaments and joints degrade, osteophytes appear, posture is disturbed, and movements are accompanied by pain.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the spine:
- inactive lifestyle with lack of muscle strain;
- 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 severity of symptoms.The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine, which are characteristic of the main disease types, lumbar, neck and chest diseases:
- pain that is localized in a certain area of the spine;
- referred pain syndrome associated with damage to nearby musculoskeletal tissues;
- myelopathy and radiculopathy resulting from compression of the nerve endings of 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 notice muscle tingling, limb numbness, other sensory abnormalities, loss of strength in the arms and legs, headaches and heartaches, aching lower back pain.
Pathogenesis of osteochondrosis
Before the elastic fibrous core of the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity and deforms, a number of processes suggestive of osteochondrosis take place in the human body:
- convulsions, dystonia, inflammation;
- reduced blood circulation;
- damage to nerve cell processes.
Then cracks appear on the deformed annulus fibrosus, a disc bulge develops, and a hernia develops.Predisposing factors for spinal disease typically 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
Osteochondrosis of the spine has three stages of development:
- the first, in which the height of the intervertebral disc begins to decrease, becomes flattened, loses moisture, elasticity and may bulge;
- it develops in the absence of the second treatment and is manifested in the violation of the structure of the fibrous ring of the vertebral plate, the appearance of cracks and the instability of a certain area of the spine;
- it is characterized by the rupture of the intervertebral cartilages, the formation of a hernia and the formation of bone processes of osteophytes.
Symptoms of the development of osteochondrosis of the spine become more intense from the first to the third stage.
Classification of osteochondrosis
The classification of osteochondrosis is based on several signs, the main of which is the localization zone.Are:
- 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 increases when turning the body or lifting heavy objects.The pain may radiate down the leg or both legs and is described as aching.In case of a 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 osteochondrosis of the spine, the 1-7 vertebrae in the neck region are affected.The disease is accompanied by a headache in the back of the head, pain in the neck, collarbones and shoulders.When turning the head, a cracking sound can be heard, numbness of the upper limbs and a feeling of a lump in the throat.
With osteochondrosis of the spine in the thoracic region, the patient is disturbed by pain in the chest, shoulder, armpit, and heart.There may be a feeling of difficulty breathing and the development of intercostal neuralgia attacks.
Osteochondrosis is the most common in the lumbar spine and the least common in the thoracic spine.
Complications of osteochondrosis
If the patient thinks too late in the treatment of osteochondrosis, when the symptoms of the disease are expressed, 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 a regular worsening of the condition, which is characterized by increased pain, which hinders movement and sharply worsens the general well-being.The most terrible complication of osteochondrosis of the spine is disability.Therefore, in order to prevent such serious changes in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, high-quality and timely treatment of osteochondrosis is necessary.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
A disease such as osteochondrosis is primarily a pain in the spine.But it is important to distinguish it from pain caused by problems unrelated to intervertebral disc degeneration.For this, doctors carry out a step-by-step diagnosis, which includes:
- History collection, which includes a conversation between the specialist and the patient to determine the exact area of pain localization and the factors causing the deterioration.It is important to know the patient's occupation, the period when the spine problems started, when there was an exacerbation, what kind of pain occurs in the lumbar and other parts, and what treatment methods the patient used.
- Physiological examinationit allows you to determine the proportions of the body, the quality of movements and activities, the condition of the skin and the level of pain sensitivity.By palpation, the doctor determines the condition of the muscle tissue, the presence of compressions, swelling, etc.
- X-ray of the spine in two planesfor a visual assessment of the condition.It makes it possible to determine the displacement of the vertebrae, the presence of osteophytes and salt deposits.
If the collected data are not enough to prescribe treatment, or there is a suspicion of serious pathology of the spine, CT and magnetic resonance imaging are prescribed, thanks to which the vertebrae, blood vessels, soft tissues, nerve processes can be examined in detail, and you can get a complete picture of the condition of the spine affected by osteochondrosis in order to determine the tactics of treatment.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Like any disease, osteochondrosis requires the identification of the cause of its development.Reducing the severity of symptoms is not the main but important stage of treatment, the outcome of which depends on many factors.In some cases, this is a complete recovery, in other cases, it is the prevention of complications and disability.
In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, a group is used:
- changing the patient's daily routine;
- prescribing medications to reduce symptoms;
- physiotherapy procedures (massage, acupuncture, electrophoresis, exercise therapy, etc.).
In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, changing the daily routine includes reducing the intensity of physical activity, using bed rest in case of severe pain, and avoiding sudden turns and bends.
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 the treatment of osteochondrosis.The homeopathic medicine normalizes the function of the thyroid gland, improves lymphatic drainage, has an anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and immunomodulating effect.
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.When used in patients with osteoarthritis, the progression of inflammatory and destructive changes in the joints is reduced, the integrity, thickness and other characteristics of the cartilage are improved, and it stimulates the restoration of bone tissue.
- anti-inflammatory ointments for topical application and alternative transdermal patches.Such drugs have analgesic, rheumatic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects.The mechanism of action is the reduction of the production of inflammatory mediators, the reduction of body temperature and pain.
- chondroprotectors;
- devices for therapeutic analgesic blockades;
- B vitamins.
Supportive treatments
Among the additional tools that can be used for treatment, to alleviate the general condition, and to improve the functioning of the spine and discs, the most effective are:
- acupuncture;
- magnet therapy;
- professional massage and self-massage;
- physical education courses;
- manual therapy.
Prediction, 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 severe cases, doctors recommend surgical treatment.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine includes:
- maintaining the correct daily routine with changes in body position and moderate physical activity;
- regular visits to the pool;
- weight control;
- wearing comfortable shoes;
- a balanced diet;
- sleeping on an orthopedic pillow and mattress;
- taking missing nutrients or preventive homeopathic medicines to increase immunity, improve general health and eliminate dystonia.
You should undergo an annual medical examination and immediately consult a doctor for treatment after the onset of spinal pain.
No matter what kind of osteochondrosis we are talking about - lumbar, cervical or thoracic, taking care of your own health should become a good habit, especially when it comes to the basis of the entire musculoskeletal system - the spine.