Most cases of unpleasant pain in the lumbar region and spine are 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 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 is expressed in a violation of their shape, density, elasticity, and sometimes even integrity.As a result, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, the spinal column gradually loses stability, nerves can be pinched and herniated, which is accompanied by back pain and discomfort when moving.
To briefly describe the essence of osteochondrosis, it is a gradual abrasion of the tissue of the intervertebral discs (cartilage), which leads to instability of the spine.In the absence of treatment, degradation of ligaments and joints develops, osteophytes appear, body posture is disturbed, and movements are accompanied by pain.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the spine:
- 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 lack of connective tissue;
- 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 osteochondrosis of the spine, characteristic of the main types of the disease, lumbar, cervical and thoracic:
- pain localized in a certain area of the spine;
- referred pain syndrome associated with damage to nearby musculoskeletal tissues;
- myelopathy and radiculopathy, which occurs as a result of 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 tingling in the muscles, numbness of the limbs, other sensory disturbances, a decrease in strength in the arms and legs, attacks of headache and heart pain, painful lumbar pain.
Pathogenesis of osteochondrosis
Before the elastic fibrous core of the intervertebral disc begins to lose elasticity and deform, a number of processes occur in the human body that indicate osteochondrosis:
- spasms, dystonia, inflammation;
- reduced blood circulation;
- damage to nerve cell processes.
Then cracks appear on the deformed fibrous ring, disc protrusion develops and a hernia is formed.Typically, such predisposing factors for spinal diseases develop in 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 osteochondrosis of the spine:
- the first, in which the intervertebral disc begins to decrease in height, taking on a flattened shape, loses moisture, elasticity and may protrude;
- the second develops in the absence of treatment and is manifested by a violation of the structure of the fibrous ring of the spine, 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 hernias 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 one being the localization zone.there are:
- lumbar osteochondrosis;
- osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
- osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Osteochondrosis in the lumbar spine is manifested by pain in the lumbar region, which intensifies when turning the body or lifting heavy objects.The pain may radiate into the leg or both legs and is characterized as aching.In the 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 in the cervical region, vertebrae 1-7 are affected.The disease is accompanied by a headache in the back of the head, pain in the neck, collarbones and shoulders.Creaking when turning the head, numbness of the upper extremities and a feeling of a lump in the throat may occur.
With osteochondrosis of the spine in the thoracic part, the patient suffers from pain in the chest, shoulders, armpit and heart.There may be a feeling of difficulty breathing and the development of an attack of intercostal neuralgia.
Osteochondrosis in the lumbar spine is the most common, in the thoracic spine it is the rarest.
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 develop:
- intervertebral hernia;
- spinal cord stroke;
- kyphosis of the spine;
- protrusion;
- radiculitis;
- paralysis of the lower limbs.
In the absence of treatment, the patient begins to suffer from regular worsening of the condition, which is characterized by increased pain that makes it difficult to move and suddenly worsens the general condition.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, quality and timely 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 includes a conversation between the specialist and the patient to determine the exact area of pain localization and the factors that provoke the worsening of the condition.It is important to know the occupation of the patient, the period when the problems with the spine started, when it worsened, what kind of pains in the lumbar and other parts occur, what treatment methods the patient used.
- Physiological examinationallows you to determine body proportions, quality of performed movements and actions, skin condition and degree of sensitivity to pain.By palpation, the doctor determines the condition of the muscle tissue, the presence of compaction, swelling, etc.
- X-ray of the spine in two planesfor a visual assessment of the condition.It allows you to determine the displacement of the vertebrae, the presence of osteophytes and salt deposition.
If the collected data for prescribing treatment is not sufficient, or there is a suspicion of serious pathology of the spine, the patient is prescribed CT and magnetic resonance, thanks to which it is possible to examine in detail the vertebrae, blood vessels, soft tissues, nerve processes and create a complete picture of the condition of osteochondrosis of the spine affected by the treatment.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Like any disease, osteochondrosis requires identification of the cause that triggered its development.Reducing the severity of symptoms is not the main, but important stage of treatment, the outcome of which depends on a number of factors.In some cases this is a complete cure, in others it is prevention of complications and disability.
In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, a group of measures is used:
- changing the patient's daily routine;
- prescribing medication to reduce symptoms;
- physiotherapeutic procedures (massage, acupuncture, electrophoresis, exercise therapy, etc.).
Changing the daily routine in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine includes reducing the intensity of physical activity, bed rest in case of severe pain and avoiding sudden turns and bending.
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 work of the thyroid gland, improves lymphatic drainage, has an anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and immunomodulatory effect.
- 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, improvement in the integrity, thickness and other characteristics of cartilage, and stimulation of bone tissue regeneration.
- anti-inflammatory ointments for local application 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, lowering body temperature and pain.
- chondroprotectors;
- agents for therapeutic analgesic blockades;
- B vitamins.
Supportive treatments
Of the additional means that can be used to treat, relieve the general condition and improve the function of the spine and intervertebral discs, the most effective are:
- acupuncture;
- magnetic therapy;
- professional massage and self-massage;
- Physical education courses;
- manual therapy.
Prognosis, prevention
If the spinal disease has not progressed and runs 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:
- maintenance of a correct daily routine, with changes in body position and moderate physical activity;
- regular visits to the pool;
- body weight control;
- wearing comfortable shoes;
- balanced diet;
- sleeping on an orthopedic pillow and mattress;
- taking missing nutrients or preventive homeopathic medicines to strengthen immunity, improve overall health and eliminate dystonia.
It is necessary to undergo an annual medical examination and consult a doctor for treatment immediately after the appearance of any pain in the spine.
It doesn't matter which osteochondrosis it is - lumbar, cervical or thoracic, attention to one's own health should become a good habit, especially when it comes to the basis of the entire musculoskeletal system - the spine.