Osteochondrosis

Most cases of unpleasant pain in the lumbar region and spine are associated with a disease such as osteochondrosis.Around 40% of men and women between the ages of 30 and 40 and around 90% of older people are affected.The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the more thoroughly the patient is examined, the higher the likelihood of stopping the progression of osteochondrosis and maintaining activity in old age. 

Definition of disease, cause of disease

What is osteochondrosis, where does it arise, which structures are affected, how is it treated?The disease affects the spine and the tissues between the vertebrae and is manifested by a violation of their shape, density, elasticity and sometimes even integrity.This reduces the distance between the vertebrae, the spine gradually loses stability, pinched nerves and the formation of hernias, which are accompanied by back pain and difficulty moving.

To briefly describe the nature of osteochondrosis: It is the gradual abrasion of the tissue of the intervertebral discs (cartilage), which leads to instability of the spine.Without treatment, ligaments and joints deteriorate, osteophytes appear, posture is disturbed and movements are accompanied by pain. 

Causes of spinal osteochondrosis:

• inactive lifestyle with lack of muscle strain;
• spinal injuries;
• systematic heavy load on the spine;
• heredity;
• obesity;
• 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 symptom severity.The main symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis, characteristic of the main types of the disease, lumbar, cervical and thoracic:

• pain localized to a specific area of the spine;
• referred pain syndrome, which is accompanied by damage to the surrounding musculoskeletal tissue;
• Myelopathy and radiculopathy, which occur due to 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 note tingling in the muscles, numbness in the limbs, other sensory disturbances, reduced strength in the arms and legs, attacks of headache and heart pain, as well as aching pain in the lumbar spine.

Pathogenesis of osteochondrosis

Before the elastic fiber core of the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity and deforms, a number of processes occur in the human body that indicate osteochondrosis:

• convulsions, dystonia, inflammation;
• decreased blood circulation;
• Damage to nerve cell processes.

Next, cracks appear in the deformed fibrous ring, the disc bulges and an inguinal hernia forms.Such predisposing factors for spinal diseases typically develop in childhood or adolescence and are often the result of poor posture, scoliosis, sports injuries, infectious diseases or congenital vascular diseases.

Stages of osteochondrosis

There are three stages of development of spinal osteochondrosis:

• the first, in which the intervertebral disc begins to lose height, takes on a flattened shape, loses moisture and elasticity and may bulge;
• the second develops without treatment and is manifested by a violation of the structure of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc, the appearance of cracks and the development of instability of a certain area of the spine;
• characterized by fractures of the intervertebral cartilage, the development of an inguinal hernia and the formation of bone processes of osteophytes. 

The 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 most important of which is the localization zone.There 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 can radiate down the leg or both legs and is referred to as aching.If the syndrome is severe, an inguinal hernia is suspected.With lumbar osteochondrosis, cramps of the leg muscles and peeling of the skin often occur.

With the development of spinal osteochondrosis in the neck area, vertebrae 1-7 are affected.The disease is accompanied by headaches in the back of the head, neck, collarbone and shoulder pain.When turning the head, there may be a crunching sound, numbness in the upper extremities, and a lump feeling 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 difficulty breathing and the development of attacks of intercostal neuralgia. 

Osteochondrosis in the lumbar spine is most common, while it is least common in the thoracic spine.

Complications of osteochondrosis

If the patient thinks about the treatment of osteochondrosis too late, when the symptoms of the disease are pronounced, the following complications may arise:

• intervertebral hernia;
• spinal cord stroke;
• spinal kyphosis;
• Projection;
• radiculitis;
• Paralysis of the lower limbs.

Without treatment, the patient begins to suffer from regular exacerbations of the disease, characterized by increased pain that hinders movement and greatly deteriorates general well-being.The worst complication of spinal osteochondrosis is disability.Therefore, to prevent such serious changes in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, high-quality and timely treatment of osteochondrosis is required.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis

A disease such as osteochondrosis is primarily pain in the spine.However, it is important to distinguish it from pain caused by problems unrelated to disc degeneration.To do this, doctors carry out a step-by-step diagnosis, which includes:

• historiographyThis includes a conversation between a specialist and the patient to determine the exact area of localization of pain and factors provoking a worsening of the condition.It is important to know what profession the patient is engaged in, when the problems with the spine began, when there was an exacerbation, what kind of pain occurs in the lumbar spine and other parts, and 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.By palpation, the doctor determines the condition of the muscle tissue, the presence of compactions, swelling, etc.
• X-ray of the spine in two planesfor visual assessment of the condition.Allows you to determine the displacement of the vertebrae, the presence of osteophytes and salt deposition. 

If the collected data is insufficient to prescribe treatment or there is suspicion of serious pathology of the spine, the patient is prescribed CT and magnetic resonance imaging, thanks to which it is possible to carry out a detailed examination of the vertebrae, blood vessels, soft tissues and nervous processes and to create a complete picture of the condition of the spine affected by osteochondrosis in order to determine the tactics of treatment. 

Treatment of osteochondrosis

As with any disease, osteochondrosis requires identifying the cause that provoked its development.Reducing the severity of symptoms is not the most important, but important step of treatment, the outcome of which depends on a number of factors.In some cases it is a complete cure, in others it is the prevention of complications and disabilities. 

A number of measures are used in the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis:

• Change in the patient's daily routine;
• prescribing medication to relieve symptoms;
• physiotherapeutic procedures (massage, acupuncture, electrophoresis, exercise therapy, etc.).

Changing the daily routine in the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis includes reducing the intensity of physical activity, bed rest in case of severe pain and avoiding sudden twists and bends. 

Medicines for the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis

They can be divided into several groups: 

• Muscle relaxants for pain relief, including tablets, injection anesthetics and anti-inflammatory injections for osteochondrosis.The homeopathic medicine normalizes the function of the thyroid gland, improves lymphatic drainage and has anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and immunomodulatory effects.
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.When used in patients with osteoarthritis, there is a reduction in the progression of inflammatory and destructive changes in the joints, an improvement in the integrity, thickness and other properties of cartilage, and a stimulation of bone tissue repair.
• anti-inflammatory ointments for topical applications and alternative transdermal patches.Such drugs have analgesic, antirheumatic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects.The mechanism of action is to reduce the production of inflammatory mediators, lower body temperature and relieve pain.
• chondroprotectors;
• Therapeutic pain blocking agents;
• B vitamins.

Supportive treatments

Of the additional means that can be used to treat, alleviate the general condition and improve the function of the spine and intervertebral discs, the most effective are: 

• Acupuncture;
• magnetic field therapy;
• professional massage and self-massage;
• sports courses;
• manual therapy. 

Prognosis, prevention

If the spinal disease has not progressed and proceeds without serious complications, competent treatment for 1.5-2 months can significantly improve the condition and prevent the disease from becoming chronic.In difficult cases, doctors recommend surgical treatment.

Prevention of spinal osteochondrosis includes:

• maintaining the correct daily routine with changes in posture and moderate physical activity;
• regular visits to the swimming pool;
• control of body weight;
• wear comfortable shoes;
• balanced diet;
• Sleeping on an orthopedic pillow and mattress;
• Taking missing nutrients or preventive homeopathic medicines to boost immunity, improve overall health and eliminate dystonia.

Immediately after the appearance of pain in the spine, it is necessary to undergo annual medical examinations and see a doctor for treatment. 

No matter what type of osteochondrosis it is - lumbar, cervical or thoracic osteochondrosis - 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.