Osteochondrosis of the spine - symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Osteochondrosis of the spine is a degenerative-dystrophic destruction caused by the gradual thinning of the cartilage tissue in the intervertebral discs.All people are susceptible to this disease, as due to the standing position, the human spine undergoes enormous loads.If we take into account the harmful factors, then by the age of 40-50, osteochondrosis of the back is found in almost everyone.The pathology cannot be completely cured.It is impossible to stop the age-related degenerative process, but with the right treatment it can be slowed down.You should learn how to properly treat the symptoms of osteochondrosis.

General features of the pathology

The disease develops in three parts of the ridge - cervical, thoracic and lumbar.Cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis are diagnosed more often, as these areas have increased mobility.The more active movements a person can make in the joints, the more prone the intervertebral discs are to injuries and degeneration.Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region occurs less often, but is more severe.

The pathology is insidious as it contributes to the appearance of other degenerative diseases in the body, including intervertebral hernia.In the initial stages, the patient does not feel pain, but persistent metabolic changes in calcium-phosphorus metabolism already appear, which disrupt the structure of the bones of the spine.Blood circulation in the affected area deteriorates, which leads to premature degeneration.

The intervertebral disc contains an annulus fibrosus, which is covered with microfissures.A pulpy core appears on the surface of the lesion - parts of it begin to leak gradually.As part of the degenerative processes, the annulus fibrosus begins to weaken and stretch, which leads to an increase in the area of microdamages.When the annulus fibrosus breaks, the nucleus pulposus is released.This is how an intervertebral hernia of the spinal cord appears.

If you slow down the degeneration process, which causes osteochondrosis, hernias and protrusions appear later.The earlier treatment is started, the easier it is to combat signs of deterioration.The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the back depend on the position on the ridge and the effect of accompanying diseases on the body.

Causes that cause osteochondrosis of the spine

In most cases, the disease is hereditary.In other cases, the disease occurs in the context of common adverse conditions that can cause an exacerbation, such as:

1. Previous back injuries, including damage to bones, joints and tendons.
2. Musculoskeletal problems, including poor posture and flat feet.
3. History of metabolic disorders, including endocrine pathologies.People with uncompensated hypothyroidism and diabetes are at risk of developing bone problems.These problems negatively affect calcium absorption.
4. Being overweight.With obesity and a high body mass index, a person experiences premature wear and tear on the joints.Heavy weight puts pressure on the musculoskeletal system, which negatively affects the health of the spine.
5. Poor diet.A daily diet without nutrients and trace elements causes hypovitaminosis, which causes systemic suffering in the human body, which can negatively affect the condition of the spine.
6. Physical inactivity.It has been proven that a sedentary lifestyle leads to brittle bones.Moderate physical activity is beneficial.
7. Weight lifting.Like insufficient muscle activity, excessive overexertion is fraught with microtraumas and damage, which cause diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
8. Previous viral or bacterial infections.Examples: osteomyelitis, poliomyelitis.
9. Having bad habits.Abuse of alcohol and nicotine causes deterioration of blood circulation, which negatively affects the condition of the skeletal system.

Factors affecting the appearance of the disease:

1. Congenital anomalies of the spine.
2. Bad posture.
3. Having flat feet.
4. Prolonged sitting or standing.
5. It belongs to the female gender.Women during pregnancy and menopause experience increased bone loss.With a long-term deficiency of calcium and other minerals, a degenerative process occurs in the spine, contributing to the appearance of osteochondrosis.
6. Hypogonadism.With a deficiency of steroid hormones in both sexes, calcium is practically not fixed in bone tissue.As a result, the patient suffers from age-related osteochondrosis.At a young age, such situations occur very rarely.In this case we are talking about mutations.

Considering the above risk factors, you should try to maintain a moderate lifestyle.

Stages of disease development

The disease has 4 stages of the disease, including the following picture:

1. The initial stage is the stage of degenerative metabolic processes.The patient has no symptoms, as the cartilage tissue has not begun to actively deteriorate.Deformation of the intervertebral disc begins.Since there is no protrusion yet, the patient does not feel back pain.Usually, in the initial stage of osteochondrosis, the disease is rarely discovered, more often by accident.Not every specialist is able to notice the first signs of degeneration.In rare cases, the patient may experience minimal discomfort associated with overwork.The patient's back starts to hurt when he stands or sits for a long time.Also, such pain is associated with overuse and weakness of the muscular framework.
2. In the second stage, the active destruction of the annulus fibrosus begins, which causes a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc.At this stage, the attentive patient already turns to a specialist, as he feels more intense symptoms.The head may begin to ache frequently and unexplained pressure surges may occur.It often hurts the lower back, neck or shoulder blades.The patient can no longer tolerate prolonged exercise and tires quickly.At this stage, osteochondrosis is detected by X-ray.
3. In the third stage, the disease causes protrusion of the annulus fibrosus.At diagnosis, a patient is diagnosed with a protrusion or a small intervertebral hernia, which creates serious problems in everyday life.The cartilage is already weakened and the patient feels very unwell.The third stage is transitional in terms of treatment.At this stage, it is still possible to use conservative treatment to make the patient feel better and to slow down the growth of the hernia.
4. Stage 4 – terminal.Vertebrae lose elasticity and mobility.The patient suffers from pain not only during the day during movements, but also at night.Sleep is disturbed and neurological symptoms appear, as the discomfort is chronic.Chronic fatigue syndrome is getting worse.At this stage, significant hernias have already been diagnosed, interfering with the patient's normal life.In this case, surgery is indicated to remove the osteophytes.Conservative treatment in advanced cases does not bring relief.

The sooner osteochondrosis is detected, the easier it will be to fight it.In stages 1-2, it is still possible to reverse the development of the pathology if you unconditionally follow the medical prescriptions.

Types of osteochondrosis of the spine

The spine consists of 3 sections, including the lower back, thoracic region and the neck.Depending on the individual situation, degenerative lesions appear more often in one of the segments.Less often, the pathology affects several parts of the ridge.The areas of the cervix and the lumbar spine are more often affected, as increased mobility is observed in these areas.If the thoracic spine is affected, the pathology is more severe due to the anatomical features of the ridge in this area.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is more common.The prevalence of pathology is associated with an increased load on the lower body.Also, this part of the back is more prone to the formation of hernias and protrusions.If a patient with such a history develops complications, problems with mobility, bowel movements and urination occur.Advanced cases require severe correction and surgery.

With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, severe pain and shooting in the head appear.Most often, the disease occurs in the context of prolonged sedentary work and increased physical activity.Patients with this disease also require an integrated approach to treatment.Damage to the cervical spine is also due to the presence of increased mobility in the shoulders and head.

Thoracic osteochondrosis occurs less often, since due to well-developed muscles and reduced mobility, this area is less susceptible to such a pathological process.This type of osteochondrosis is difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms of the pathology resemble diseases of the heart, lungs or stomach.With thoracic osteochondrosis, pain is most often observed in the region of the ribs and heart, so the disease is confused with ischemic heart disease and signs of a heart attack.An important diagnostic criterion is that if, when you complain of chest pain, no heart problems are detected, you should see a neurologist or a traumatologist.

The older the patient, the greater the risk of spondylolisthesis affecting many parts of the spine.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine

Symptoms can be divided into general and specific.The second option is typical for osteochondrosis of any part, depending on the location.Common signs of degenerative back disease include:

1. Pain, discomfort and discomfort.Taking into account the degree and localization of the pathological process, the patient experiences varying degrees of pain.In the initial stages, the discomfort is small, pressing.In the evening, the discomfort temporarily subsides.As spinal degeneration progresses, the pain becomes stronger and more frequent.In the worst case, the pain does not stop and prevents you from sleeping at night.
2. Weakness, constant fatigue.Spinal problems are often associated with reduced nerve conduction and poor blood flow.If a patient actively develops osteochondrosis, chronic fatigue syndrome occurs over time.The patient becomes increasingly unable to perform his duties and the person does not get enough sleep.The more advanced the pathology, the worse the patient feels.
3. Reduced mobility at a specific point of the spine.During the period of exacerbation, not only persistent pain occurs, but also the mobility of the affected area of the back is significantly limited.This phenomenon is related not only to the inflammatory process, but also to muscle spasticity.
4. Muscle spasm in the affected part of the spine.Osteochondrosis is not only the result of natural degenerative processes in the body.Physical inactivity often triggers illness.In the absence of motor activity, the muscles atrophy and cannot adequately remove the load from the spine.As a result, persistent tension arises, which is fraught with serious aggravation.The patient has multiple convulsions that must be relieved with medication.
5. Radical syndrome.This phenomenon is characteristic of all types of osteochondrosis, without exception.When the pathology is complicated by the appearance of hernias, increased pressure of the protruding nucleus pulposus on the nerve segments occurs.As a result, side effects occur - limited mobility, pain, lumbar pain, paresthesia and in severe cases - loss of sensation in the fingers and lower limbs.
6. Other vegetative manifestations.These include symptoms reminiscent of vegetative-vascular dystonia, neurological disorders, signs of the heart, lungs and stomach.

Distinctive symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include:

1. Headache.It appears suddenly, and the attack itself often turns into a migraine, accompanied by dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness and pressure increases.The condition is often associated with persistent poor circulation in the affected area and pinched nerve roots.
2. Pain in the neck, trapezius or upper back.This symptom is associated with increased muscle spasticity.The spine cannot withstand the load, so these muscles are overloaded.Also, this condition occurs more often in office workers.The nature of pain is nagging, constricting, painful.
3. Increased pressure.If an intervertebral hernia compresses the vascular bed, the patient experiences a hypertensive crisis that is not related to problems of the cardiovascular system.
4. The appearance of a feeling of compression in the throat and neck.The phenomenon is also related to muscle spasticity, which causes pinching of the vessels in the neck.
5. Shootings in fingers, clavicle and arms.This is a purely neurological symptom associated with pinched nerve roots.
6. Shortness of breath, pain in the heart and throat are less common.

The signs of thoracic osteochondrosis look like this:

1. Tightness in the chest.
2. The occurrence of attacks of intercostal neuralgia.
3. Pain in the region of the heart not related to cardiac pathology.
4. Complaints of shortness of breath, pain in the depth of the chest.
5. Coughing is not related to respiratory system problems.
6. Stomach or esophagus discomfort.
7. Pain in the interscapular region.It is characterized by a chronic course.More often it appears against a background of static muscle overload.
8. Numbness in arms, collarbone and fingers.Less often - in the lower back.

This is how the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis manifest themselves:

1. Lower back pain.
2. Pulling sensations in the area of the kidneys or in the lower abdomen.
3. The occurrence of pinching of the sciatic nerve.
4. The appearance of a symptom of a tight piriformis muscle.If this muscle breaks, it compresses the sciatic nerve, which causes specific symptoms, such as burning and shooting along the leg, starting from the gluteal area and ending with the thigh and lower leg.This neurological symptom most often indicates problems with the spine.
5. Problems with bowel movements and urination.When a hernia or protrusion compresses the lower parts of the nerve endings, the force of contraction of the smooth muscles of the intestines and bladder weakens significantly over time.As a result, intestinal atony and urinary retention develop.Such situations are extremely dangerous and require specialized medical attention.
6. Over time, the patient's gait changes and lameness occurs in one leg.The condition is also associated with pinching of nerve endings.

If a patient has many symptoms in a specific point of the spine, reminiscent of advanced osteochondrosis, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible.There are no specific diagnostic criteria that allow you to detect the disease yourself.It is necessary to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis, after which the exact cause of the condition will be determined.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the back

Primary diagnosis consists of taking a history.A neurologist or traumatologist asks about complaints and examines the patient's back.If the patient is not sure that they need to see these specialists specifically, they should see a therapist first.A general practitioner will examine the patient, record the complaints on a card and issue a referral to a specialist.

The main problem in the diagnosis of vertebral osteochondrosis is that the pathology gives many false signs that indicate other diseases.Therefore, it is necessary to visit specialists several times to make sure that there are no pathologies related to the cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive systems.

What types of diagnostics are usually prescribed:

1. X-ray.This type of examination is quick and does not require a large financial cost.The image can be taken free of charge if the patient undergoes the procedure in the clinic at the place of registration.An X-ray image can superficially assess the condition of the ridge.If there are serious defects or signs of a decrease in the distance of the intervertebral spaces, the patient will be referred to other procedures in order to clarify the diagnosis.
2. MRI or CT.These types of studies clearly see the soft tissues, so they are the main diagnostic methods that identify various degenerative processes - displacements, disc herniations, protrusions.With the help of such diagnostics, not only osteochondrosis is detected, but also hernias, protrusions and pinched nerves.
3. Laboratory tests.Sometimes it is necessary to undergo a series of blood tests that will help find hidden diseases that negatively affect the course of the disease.Usually the tests are taken in combination - OBC, OAM, sugar, regulators of calcium-phosphorus metabolism, rheumatological tests.

Based on the data obtained, the doctor makes the final diagnosis.After receiving the conclusion, you need to follow the recommendations of the specialist in order to endure the course of the spinal disease less painfully.There are pathologies that cannot be completely cured.These include osteochondrosis.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

There are many treatment options for this spinal disease.They are used depending on the stage of the complication.If the pathology is at an early stage, then the best treatments are drugs and conservative treatment.In advanced cases, it is rare, but surgery may be required when drugs do not help and the patient loses sensation in the extremities, becomes disabled.

What is used in medical products:

1. NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.These drugs quickly relieve pain associated with inflammation or irritation.The therapeutic effect is achieved quickly, within a day.Therefore, such drugs are the first line of choice.Disadvantages of NSAIDs - you can not inject them for more than two days.In oral form, some types of drugs are used for no more than three weeks.This limitation in use is explained by the high gastrotoxicity of the drugs.People suffering from peptic ulcer or gastritis are prescribed additional drugs to protect the gastric mucosa.
2. Corticosteroids are hormonal analgesics.In case of severe pain and degenerative processes, special drugs are administered intra-articularly to eliminate local inflammation.It is recommended to use prolonged ingredients.The active ingredient lasts up to 3-4 weeks.For some patients, one injection is enough to forget the pain for a long time.
3. Chondroprotectants are drugs used to strengthen and nourish cartilage tissue.In many patients suffering from vertebral osteochondrosis, the cartilage and bone tissue is weak, so it is necessary to strengthen it.Chondroprotectants do not stop the development of the disease and accumulate cartilage tissue, but they help to slow down the degenerative processes.They are taken in a long course.
4. Muscle relaxants.Medicines used to relax tight muscles.The duration of treatment is from 2 to 4 weeks.
5. B vitamins. Neurotropic substances - B1, B6 and B12 help with sciatica or pinched sciatic nerve.In large doses, these substances have an analgesic effect and nourish damaged nerve fibers.

Conservative treatment methods include:

1. Manual therapy.The method allows you to relax tight muscles through the work of the hands of an expert.During a flare-up, this type of treatment should not be used.
2. Exercise therapy.With the help of physical therapy, you can strengthen your muscles.It has been proven that back pain is most often associated with muscle weakness, since the spine cannot withstand the load, which is why fatigue and discomfort appear.In order for the patient to feel relief, it is necessary to perform the exercises consistently 2-3 times a week.Physical therapy improves posture and eliminates pain.
3. Massage.With the help of a massage therapist, it is possible to improve blood flow to damaged muscles, which has a positive effect on well-being.Increased blood flow nourishes and relaxes tissues, which helps fight spasms.The procedure is contraindicated in the acute period and is carried out only during recovery.
4. Physiotherapy.Conservative treatment aims to improve blood flow to damaged tissues using a hardware method.Using current or magnetic radiation, muscle communication is improved, which helps fight spasms and chronic pain.Physiotherapy allows the use of systemic drugs locally, which penetrate well under the skin.

Disease prevention

Osteochondrosis of the spine can be prevented if you follow a healthy lifestyle, including giving up bad habits, eating right and fighting physical inactivity.You should also monitor your body weight.Obese patients experience greater stress not only on the back, but also on the entire body.It is recommended to wear orthopedic shoes and monitor your posture.