Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which degenerative processes occur in the cartilage and joints. Intervertebral discs are characterized by thinning and decreased flexibility.
Characteristics of the disease
This disease mainly affects the elderly. Although scientists note that the onset of the disease more and more often begins at the age of thirty, or even earlier. This suggests that the disease has become much younger.
Intervertebral discs provide shock-absorbing function, but they are unable to cope with their function in the event of disease. A person with osteochondrosis almost always complains of pain, while pain can manifest itself locally and remotely. A person feels stiffness in movements, lethargy and fatigue.
Basically, the pain manifests itself at the stage affected by the disease.
Localization of pathology and its types
Depending on which part of the spine is damaged by the pathology, we distinguish 4 types of osteochondrosis:
- Cervical osteochondrosis. . . Occurs in pathological changes in the cervical spine. The vertebrae become brittle, the load on the cervical spine increases, which can lead to disruption of the thyroid gland, a pinching of the artery that supplies blood to the brain.
- Chest osteochondrosis. . . Abnormal changes occur in the thoracic spine. Patients are less often diagnosed than other types because the thoracic vertebrae are less mobile and are protected by stronger muscles. These types of symptoms are similar to cardiovascular disease.
- Lumbar osteochondrosis. . . This type is the most common. Because the lumbar spine is the biggest burden.
- Combined. . . Occurs when several parts of the spine are damaged at the same time.
However, the disease can affect other joints. The most common sufferers are:
- Shoulder joint. . . As a general rule, the disease is caused by the transition of cervical spine osteochondrosis to the shoulder joint.
- Hip joint. . . It occurs due to changes in cartilage tissue and a lack of fluid between the joints.
- Knee joint. . . Chondrosis can take 3 forms:
- Koenig's disease in which cartilage tissue is involved.
- Larsen-Johansson disease in which changes occur in the joint above the knee.
- Osgood-Schlatter disease associated with changes in the tibia.
Classification of the disease and extent of its manifestation
The disease can be classified according to the extent of its manifestation. However, it is difficult to determine the extent of the disease before the onset of characteristic pains. There are 4 degrees of manifestation of the disease:
- The initial stage of the development of the disease. It occurs due to displacement of the spinal plate with careless weight lifting. It is characterized by unstable pain sensations. At this stage, the disease is difficult to diagnose but easy to treat.
- This stage is characterized by the gradual destruction, dehydration, and loss of damping properties of the intervertebral disc. This leads to an increase in tension in the blood vessels and nerve endings. Feelings of pain increase and occur mostly with physical exertion and sudden movements. The treatment of the disease at this stage is conservative.
- The annular fibrosis is destroyed and an intervertebral hernia appears. There is a deformity of the spine. The pains will be significant. Treatment is only possible with surgery.
- At this stage, the vertebrae grow together due to the formation of osteophytes. The tissues of the spine are pinched, the vertebrae lose their mobility and restrict human movement. At this stage, the disease can cause a disability and can no longer be treated.
Typical symptoms
Each type of disease has its own symptoms. Thus, for example, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by:
- Painful feelings in the arms and shoulder girdle.
- Headache.
- Dizziness and blemishes in the eyes.
- Blood pressure instability.
- Loss of sensitivity in the fingers.
- Tinnitus.
The symptoms of the pathology of the chest region are characterized by:
- Pain in the heart region.
- Painful feelings in the hypochondria.
- Shortness of breath due to sharp pains of a shooting nature.
When the disease is localized in the lumbar spine, there are:
- Painful feelings in the lower back.
- Decreased sensitivity in the legs.
- Radiant pain in the legs.
- Violation of pelvic organs.
There are also general symptoms that do not depend on the location of the disease:
- Back pain.
- Muscle cramps.
- Restriction of movement.
- Changes in pain syndrome depending on load and sudden movements.
- Numbness of the limbs.
- Fast fatigue.
- Decreased limb sensitivity.
Signs and manifestations of osteochondrosis
The first signs of the disease begin to appear in the first stage of development. These include:
- Swelling and pain in the lower back after lying in one position for more than half an hour.
- Presence of pain in the back after a long sitting.
- The need for stretching after awakening and the inability to wake up and rise immediately.
- Perceived crackling in the back.
- Goose skin and decreased feeling in the limbs.
- Unpleasant feelings in the back when you bend down.
- General weakness.
- Violation of reproductive function and work of internal organs.
Osteopondrosis can also manifest itself in pain during weight lifting and physical activity.
Methods for diagnosing pathology
Complex methods are used to diagnose osteochondrosis. Includes:
First examination and interview of the patient:
- Interrogate the patient to clarify the duration of the complaints, the onset of symptoms.
- Examination of the patient's body, examination of posture, gait and movement.
- Touching problem areas.
- Determination of pain sensitivity.
Instrumental diagnostics:
- X-ray to identify deformation of intervertebral discs.
- MRI to determine the presence and location of a disc herniation.
- The performance of computed tomography is similar to that of magnetic resonance imaging, but with a higher degree of radiation.
Methods of treating the disease
After performing diagnostic procedures and diagnosing osteochondrosis, your doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment.
Because osteochondrosis can only be treated in the first stage of development, all major interventions are primarily aimed at relieving pain. To do this, use:
- Medicine.
- Physiotherapy.
- Manual therapy.
- Mass therapy.
- Diet.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used as medications. Their purpose is to alleviate the inflammatory process in the area of the disease and to block the pain.
Chondroprotectors are also used to repair cartilage tissue. Immunostimulants and vitamin complexes are used to maintain the normal functioning of the body.
Physiotherapy methods aim to suppress pain, normalize metabolic processes in the affected areas, improve blood circulation, and relieve inflammation and edema. These include:
- Acupuncture.
- Magnetic therapy.
- Electrophoresis.
- Laser therapy.
- Paraffin therapy.
Physiotherapy methods help to shorten treatment times and have fewer side effects than drug treatments.
Manual therapy is the effect of the doctor's hand on the affected areas of the back to eliminate it, which interferes with the normal functioning of the joints, muscles and ligaments.
Therapeutic massage should only be performed by a specialist and is intended to relieve muscle tension, restore dislocated vertebrae, and normalize blood circulation. The procedure should be performed at least three times a week.
The goal of an osteochondrosis diet is to normalize weight, improve blood circulation, replenish collagen, eliminate calcium and mineral deficiencies, and help regulate fluid and salt intake. The diet should be balanced and include plenty of plant foods. In the fight against osteochondrosis, foods such as: coffee and strong tea, foods rich in salt and sugar, carbonated drinks and fatty foods should be excluded.
The disease can be corrected during these procedures and only requires surgery in difficult stages.
Preventive measures
To prevent this disease, we should lead a healthy lifestyle and give up bad habits, apply physical activity, use an orthopedic mattress and pillow for sleeping, avoid using uncomfortable shoes, it is better to use orthopedic shoes.
You need to monitor your diet and also maintain a healthy weight. When staying in a long, static state, time should be set aside for exercises that help normalize blood circulation.
In addition, you can perform sanatorium treatment and general strengthening massage to prevent and prevent the disease.