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Symptoms and methods of treating osteochondrosis of the spine

Signs that indicate the development of osteochondrosis - pain in the neck and lower back

Intervertebral disc weakness or other spinal disorders that complicate or limit movement indicate the development of a serious disease - osteochondrosis. It can happen to anyone and is not related to age. The spine is a load-bearing element of the skeleton, so its changes affect the quality of life and the condition of many organ systems. Therefore, it is necessary to know the causes, signs of osteochondrosis, as well as treatment methods to see the disorder in time and prevent the development of pathology.

What is osteochondrosis?

Osteochondrosis is a complex of degenerative disorders of the human spine, which manifests itself in dystrophic changes in the cartilage of this system.This disease can occur in any joint, but it develops more often in the intervertebral disc.

The main symptom that shows the development of the disease is pain in the back, neck, and lower back. In the future, pain may be felt in the shoulders, arms, and upper thighs. In the absence of treatment, atrophy of muscle tissue begins, disturbance of sensitivity and activity of internal organs, which leads to an incurable condition.

ICD-10 codes

The World Health Organization has developed the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision).The essence is as follows: each disease has its own special code, which consists of numbers and letters. The doctor, seeing such a code in front of him, knows exactly what disease we are talking about and what treatment should be prescribed to save the patient from this problem.

According to ICD-10, osteochondrosis has the code M42 and belongs to the class "Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue" (group "Dorsopathies", subgroup "Deforming dorsopathies").

Causes of development and risk factors

There are many reasons for the occurrence of osteochondrosis. They all depend on the part of the spine in which the disease develops - cervical, thoracic or lumbar. There are several main reasons for the development of the disease:

  • Hereditary tendency. Congenital anomalies contribute to the development of diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
  • Hormonal imbalance. Disorders of the endocrine system, overweight or underweight have a negative effect on the musculoskeletal system;
  • Age-related changes in the body. As a result, muscle tissue, bones and cartilage are destroyed, the intervertebral disc wears out with age;
  • Spinal injuries and bruises. Many people spend a long time in one position, for example, sitting at a desk, while others do the same type of physical work. All this causes damage to the bones and ligaments of the spinal column, as well as injuries to the intervertebral discs;
  • Degenerative changes in muscle tissue. This process appears due to overstrain of individual muscle groups, which most often leads to thoracic osteochondrosis.
  • Sedentary lifestyle. Muscle atrophy occurs, which causes circulatory disorders and improper bone formation.

Most people neglect their diet, eating completely unhealthy food. Because of this, a lack of nutrition occurs, which negatively affects the integrity of the intervertebral cartilage, their mobility and elasticity.

There are several risk factors for developing this disease:

  • hypothermia;
  • Flat feet;
  • complications after infectious diseases;
  • overweight;
  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • spinal cord injury.

When the intervertebral disc and cartilage tissue are damaged, it is important to determine the cause of the disease and start the appropriate treatment.

Types and symptoms

Depending on the location of the pathological process, several types of osteochondrosis are distinguished.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

It manifests itself as pain in the neck, back of the head and between the shoulder blades. During sleep, neck mobility may be limited. Often with cervical osteochondrosis, finger numbness occurs. Dizziness and tinnitus are also observed. Varieties of cervical osteochondrosis differ in clinical manifestations:

  • cervicalgia- accompanied by neck pain and limited mobility; pain can spread to the shoulder area and the space between the shoulder blades; A tingling and burning sensation in the hands and fingers can often be observed;
  • cervicocranialgia– accompanied by pain from the neck to the parietal and occipital part of the head, shoulder girdle; muscle tension is characteristic, a feeling of petrification is created; headache, nausea, tinnitus, imbalance observed;
  • cervicobrachialgia– characterized by shooting, pain, pulling and throbbing pain; turning and tilting the head can cause attacks of acute pain and physical tension in the affected area, pain occurs in the arms and fingers, which leads to weakness of the upper limbs;
  • discogenic root lesions– characterized by paroxysmal pain in the shoulder, forearm and fingers, accompanied by numbness and coldness; symptoms intensify when coughing, sneezing, or turning the head suddenly; may worsen at night, causing insomnia.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a rare form of the disease

This is a relatively rare form. In terms of its symptoms, thoracic osteochondrosis is similar to other diseases, and therefore requires a differential diagnosis.As a result of the immobility of the thoracic vertebrae in this area, severe pain is not observed when moving.The pain syndrome spreads to the sternum and under the shoulder blades. Thoracic osteochondrosis can cause internal organ dysfunction. The main clinical manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis are:

  • Thoracalgia or intercostal neuralgia– this is irritation or compression of the intercostal nerve by muscles and tissues, which is accompanied by pain in the chest when bending, stooping and turning the body, under the ribs, in the front of the chest, pain when inhaling, exhaling; pain may radiate to the shoulder and between the shoulder blades;
  • pain syndrome, where pain shoots naturally; pain can be felt in the chest, stomach; aggravated by movement, coughing, sneezing, laughing; sensitivity disorders are observed.

Thoracalgia (chest pain) is one of the most serious symptoms that a person can experience. Sometimes doctors also cannot immediately determine the cause of pain in the chest and know whether this symptom is a sign of a threat to the patient's life.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region

The main reason for such changes is lack of nutrients and heavy loads. Metabolism slows down, as a result of which the discs do not have time to renew themselves, their structure and properties are disturbed. There are several types of lumbar osteochondrosis:

  • lumbago (acute lumbar lumbago)– acute pain in the lumbar spine that occurs when lifting weights, physical activity, or bending over; characterized by shooting pain on the right or left side in the lumbar region; they also distinguish lumbago from sciatica, when the pain spreads to the back and legs;
  • radicular vascular syndrome (radiculoischemia)occurs when the radiculomedullary artery is damaged and is accompanied by paralysis of the extensors and flexors of the gluteal muscle group, the leg hangs limply, there is no movement.

Osteochondrosis of the spine with radicular-vascular syndrome is a very dangerous pathology, which is expressed in acute pain, because CSS is often a consequence of several diseases.

Stage of development

Stages of osteochondrosis are characterized as follows:

  1. The initial stage begins with the loss of fluid reserves in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc. As a resultthe physiological position of the disc and the structure of the nucleus pulposus are disturbed.
  2. The further development of the disease (first degree) is due to a decrease in the height of the disc.Muscles and ligaments become overstretched and lose their ability to work normally.At this stage, vertebral displacement may appear.
  3. The second stage is characterized by changes in bone tissue.Arthrosis forms, subluxations occur.
  4. The third degree is determined by the fact thatbone growths (osteophytes) formed on the spine, which leads to injury to the nerve root.

The development of osteochondrosis cannot be ignored, because with each subsequent stage the course of treatment and rehabilitation increases. Complications that occur during illness can lead to unwanted consequences.

What is the difference between radiculitis and arthrosis?

The symptoms of osteochondrosis and radiculitis are very similar, but the main difference between them is that in the first case it occurs only at a later stage, while radiculitis is characterized by early manifestations of severe symptoms.Also, with radiculitis, pressure on the paravertebral muscles and even tilting the head cause severe pain, resembles an electric shock, which does not happen with osteochondrosis.

Comparing osteochondrosis and arthrosis, it should be noted that with the second disease, all elements of the joint are affected, resulting in crunching and limited mobility. Osteochondrosis, on the other hand, is characterized by the destruction of the intervertebral disc with the formation of a herniated protrusion.

Differential diagnostic methods are used to determine the disease. This is a comprehensive approach that requires effort and time.

Diagnostics

If there is a suspicion of osteochondrosis, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive diagnosis, which consists of the following studies.

Checking reflexes during a neurological examination to diagnose osteochondrosis

Neurological examination

It is performed by a neurologist. This examination includes checking reflexes, muscle strength, and the level of pain in other parts of the body.Neurological examination is very important for osteochondrosis, because this disease affects the function of nerve endings and spinal cord.


Myelography of the spine

Allows you to see how the cerebrospinal fluid spreads in the spinal membrane. This helps to identify spine pathology, nerve root and spinal cord diseases. Under local anesthesia, a special dye is injected into the area of the spinal cord and nerves. X-ray machines provide a complete picture of the spine, especially the bones. This method allows you to identify any deviations.

Computed tomography (CT)

This is a picture of one or two segments of the spine. Using this procedure, you can see a picture of the bone tissue of a specific region of the spine. The doctor interprets the resulting image and, if narrowing of the space between the vertebrae is visible, this indicates that the patient has osteochondrosis.

nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)

NMR uses a strong magnetic field as well as radio waves to create images of the human body from individual scans.With this method, ligaments, tendons and bone structures are distinguished very well.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

It is an effective procedure because it has a safe effect on the body - during the procedure, results are obtained through the use of magnetic fields instead of radiation.

You can not agree to the prescribed treatment without a preliminary comprehensive diagnosis. This can only lead to worsening health.

Treatment methods

Treatment of osteochondrosis involves many complex steps.Depending on the severity of the disease, a specific treatment strategy is chosen.

Drug therapy

As a rule, the treatment of osteochondrosis begins with taking a certain group of drugs:

  • painkillers and various analgesics;
  • medicines that relieve spasms;
  • vitamins B and C;
  • drugs that relieve inflammation;
  • medicine that promotes better blood circulation.

In addition to taking medication orally, patients are given a variety of non-steroidal ointments and gels that can relieve pain and reduce swelling in problem areas.

Physiotherapy

In addition to drug therapy, various physiotherapeutic procedures are used. Thanks to this method, drugs can be delivered directly to the site of inflammation. The main types of physiotherapy:

  • Electrophoresis– carrying out physiotherapy with an electric field modulated by current. This allows the drug to enter the body. Helps relieve pain and muscle spasms;
  • Magnetotherapy. This painless physiotherapy involves the positive effect of the magnetic field on the active cells of nerve fibers and muscles. As a result, the molecular structural work is activated and the functional properties of blood vessels improve;
  • Ultrasound therapy. Ultrasound is a sound wave produced in a range that cannot be perceived by the human ear. Thanks to this, blood circulation in the affected area improves, spasms are relieved, pain is eliminated and the inflammatory process stops;
  • Vibration effect. With the help of mechanical vibration, the affected area is affected;
  • Balneotherapy. The essence of the method is the use of mineral water, which relaxes the muscles and has a beneficial effect on the musculoskeletal system. Use mineral water when bathing or showering.
Magnetotherapy is a physiotherapy procedure that improves the condition of osteochondrosis.

Physiotherapy should be carried out during the period of weakening of symptoms, when there is no pain. In the acute stage of the disease, the doctor chooses a set of procedures that can eliminate the pain syndrome. As a result of proper physical treatment, the patient stops feeling pain, the spinal column becomes more mobile, which indicates recovery.

Traditional method

Treatment of osteochondrosis may include the use of folk recipes, the effectiveness of which depends on the individual characteristics of the body. Here are some of them:

  1. You need 300 g of carrot juice, 200 g of honey and 100 g of vodka. Mix all the ingredients and lubricate the affected area 2 times a day.
  2. You need 1 tbsp. l. rye flour, 100 g butter, 1 tbsp. l. vinegar and 1 egg. Mix all the ingredients and leave for two days. Rub it into the affected area.
  3. Grate raw potatoes and mix with a little honey. Apply the prepared pulp to the sore spot for 2 hours.

Traditional treatment methods cannot act as independent therapy.To achieve clear and lasting results, you should combine medical, conservative and folk methods.

Attraction

Spinal traction to eliminate vertebral displacement in patients with osteochondrosis

Spinal traction is often used for osteochondrosis. With the help of traction, muscle spasms are relieved, displacement of vertebrae, and deformation of the spinal column are eliminated. This procedure is carried out in a hospital. There are dry and underwater methods for spinal traction.

Dry traction is performed under the influence of the patient's weight, which lies on an inclined plane.To increase traction, the doctor may use additional weights. With underwater traction, the healing effect is enhanced due to the effect of warm water on the body.


Under the influence of water, the distance between the vertebrae increases, vascular spasm in the affected area is eliminated, and the blood supply improves.

Surgery

Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out in cases where there are severe complications.Such complications include: intervertebral disc herniation, vertebral displacement, and a significant decrease in the lumen of the spinal canal.

In this case, various types of operations are performed. These include operations to secure displaced vertebrae with metal plates, insert artificial implants of intervertebral joints, or remove individual bone growths.

Fixation of displaced vertebrae with implants in advanced stages of osteochondrosis

Physiotherapy

Physical therapy for osteochondrosis is one of the most important aspects of treatment. As a result, blood circulation is gradually restored, the vertebrae return to their normal position, and the spine is significantly strengthened.

In the early stages of the disease, it consists of gymnastics.In cases where gymnastics does not bring positive results, the doctor selects a set of individual exercises for the patient, combined with other physiotherapy procedures.

Complications

This disease can cause the following complications:

  • inflammatory diseases of nerve roots (radiculitis, radiculopathy);
  • intervertebral hernia;
  • vegetative-vascular dystonia;
  • various neurological complications;
  • severe headache, migraine;
  • atrophy of limbs;
  • spinal canal stenosis;
  • spondyloarthrosis (proliferation of the edge of the joint surface due to deformed arthrosis);
  • spinal cord stroke.

If drug therapy does not bring positive results, surgical treatment is prescribed. A slight delay and not starting treatment on time can cause disability, because the spine will lose its properties and mobility.

If the treatment therapy is not started on time, complications such as failure of the organs of the reproductive and urinary system may occur.

Prevention

Treating osteochondrosis is quite difficult. Therefore, every effort should be made to prevent diseases from arising in the body. To prevent the occurrence of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to always carry out preventive measures:

  • That's rightorganize the workplace;
  • when working you needrest for a whiledo light gymnastics;
  • pay attention to your posture;
  • Every daywalking should be easy, without constriction;
  • choose the right and comfortable pillow, elastic mattress.The surface of the bed should be flatand elastic;
  • The daily diet should contain at least salty and sweet dishes, and more calcium-enriched foods. Vitamins C, E, B must be there. It will strengthen cartilage tissue and make it elastic.
  • active lifestyle.
  • prophylaxismassage.
  • medicinegymnastics.

Preventive measures are also essential during the recovery period. Following these simple rules allows you to avoid relapse of the disease even after complete recovery.

conclusion

  1. Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disorder of the human spine. Symptoms depend on the type of disease and its location (cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral).
  2. Complications of the disease can not only disrupt the integrity of the spine, but also significantly affect the function of other organ systems.
  3. Osteochondrosis can only be completely cured, combining drugs, physiotherapy and therapeutic exercises.
  4. Not complicatedpreventive measures will help protect your body from severe pathology.