Osteochondrosis: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment

Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, in which degenerative processes occur in cartilage and joints. It is characterized by thinning of the intervertebral discs and decreased elasticity.

Disease characteristics

This disease mainly affects the elderly. Although scientists note that the manifestations of the disease begin more and more frequently in the thirties, or even earlier. This suggests that the disease has become much younger.

Intervertebral discs perform a shock-absorbing function, but in case of illness, they are not able to fulfill their task. A person suffering from osteochondrosis almost always complains of pain, while pain may manifest itself locally or remotely. The person experiences stiffness in movement, lethargy and fatigue.

Basically, the pain manifests itself in the sector affected by the disease.

Pathology location and its types

Depending on the part of the spine damaged by the pathology, there are 4 types of osteochondrosis:

• Cervical osteochondrosis. . . This occurs in the case of pathological changes in the cervical spine. The vertebrae become fragile, the load on the cervical spine increases, which can lead to the rupture of the thyroid gland, pinching of the artery that supplies blood to the brain.
• Thoracic osteochondrosis. . . Pathological changes occur in the thoracic spine. It is diagnosed in patients less frequently than other types, as the thoracic vertebrae are less mobile and protected by stronger muscles. Symptoms of this type are similar to those of cardiovascular disease.
• lumbar osteochondrosis. . . This type is the most common. The lumbar spine has the greatest load.
• Combined. . . This occurs in the case of damage to several parts of the spine at the same time.

Along with this, the disease can affect other joints. Most of the time they suffer:

• shoulder joint. . . As a rule, the disease is caused by the transition of osteochondrosis from the cervical spine to the shoulder joint.
• The hip joint. . . It occurs due to changes in cartilage tissue and lack of fluid between joints.
• knee joint. . . Chondrosis can manifest itself in 3 ways:
• Koenig's disease, in which cartilage tissue is affected.
• Larsen-Johansson disease, in which changes occur in the joint above the knee.
• Osgood-Schlatter disease, related to changes in the tibia.

Classification and degree of disease manifestation

The disease can be classified according to the degree of its manifestation. At the same time, it is difficult to determine the degree of disease before the onset of characteristic pain. There are 4 degrees of disease manifestation:

The early stage of disease development. This is due to spinal disc displacement associated with careless lifting. It is characterized by unstable pain sensations. At this stage, the disease is difficult to diagnose, but it is easily treatable.

This stage is characterized by gradual destruction of the intervertebral disc, dryness, and loss of shock-absorbing properties. This leads to increased tension in blood vessels and nerve endings. Pain sensations intensify and are more pronounced with physical exertion and sudden movements. Treatment of the disease at this stage is conservative.

The fibrous ring is destroyed and an intervertebral hernia appears. There is a deformation of the spine. The pain becomes significant. Treatment is only possible with surgery.

At this stage, the vertebrae grow together due to the formation of osteophytes. A pinch of spinal tissues occurs, vertebrae lose mobility and restrict a person's movement. At this stage, the disease can cause disability and is no longer treatable.

typical symptoms

Each type of illness has its own symptoms. So, for example, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by:

• Painful sensations in arms and shoulder girdle.
• Headache.
• Dizziness and blemishes before the eyes.
• Blood pressure instability.
• Loss of sensation in the fingers.
• Buzz.

For thoracic region pathology, the symptoms are characteristic:

Pain in the heart region.

Painful feelings in hypochondria.

Shortness of breath due to sharp pains of a shooting nature.

When the disease is located in the lumbar spine, there are:

• Painful feelings in the lower back.
• Decreased sensitivity in legs.
• Radiating leg pains.
• Violation of Organs pelvic organs.

There are also general symptoms that do not depend on the location of the disease:

Back pain.

Muscle spasms.

Motion restriction.

Change in pain syndrome due to load and sudden movements.

Numbness of limbs.

Fast fatigue.

Decreased sensitivity of limbs.

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.
• The presence of back pain after a long session.
• The need to stretch after waking and the inability to wake up and get up immediately.
• Crunch perceived in the back.
• Goosebumps and decreased sensation in the limbs.
• Unpleasant sensations in the back when bending over.
• General weakness.
• Violation of the reproductive function and work of Organs internal organs.

In addition, osteochondrosis can be manifested by the appearance of pain when lifting weights and practicing physical activities.

Pathology diagnostic methods

A complex of methods is used to diagnose osteochondrosis. Includes:

Initial examination and questioning of the patient:

• Interview a patient to clarify complaints, duration of symptom onset.
• Examination of the patient's body, study of posture, gait and movement.
• Palpation of problem areas.
• Determination of pain sensitivity.

Instrumental diagnosis:

• X-ray to help identify deformation of intervertebral discs.
• Magnetic resonance imaging to determine the presence of a herniated disc and its location.
• Computed tomography is similar in performance to magnetic resonance, but has a higher degree of radiation.

Methods to treat the disease

After performing the diagnostic procedures and diagnosing osteochondrosis, the doctor prescribes the appropriate treatment.

Since osteochondrosis is treatable only in the early stages of development, all major measures are primarily aimed at pain relief. To do this, apply:

Medicine.

Physiotherapy.

Manual therapy.

Massage therapy.

Diet.

As drug treatment, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. They aim to alleviate the inflammatory process in the disease area and block pain.

Chondroprotectors are also used to restore cartilage tissue. To maintain the normal functioning of the body, immunostimulants and vitamin complexes are used.

Physical therapy methods aim to suppress pain, normalize metabolic processes in affected areas, improve blood circulation, relieve inflammation and edema. These include:

• Acupuncture.
• Magnetic therapy.
• Electrophoresis.
• Laser therapy.
• Paraffin therapy.

Physical therapy methods help reduce treatment times and have fewer side effects than drug treatments.

Manual therapy is a metered effect of the doctor's hands on the affected areas of the back in order to remove restrictions that interfere with the normal functioning of joints, muscles, ligaments.

Therapeutic massage should only be performed by a specialist and aims to relieve muscle tension, restore displaced vertebrae and normalize blood circulation. The procedure must be performed at least three times a week.

The osteochondrosis diet aims to normalize weight, improve blood circulation, replenish collagen, eliminate calcium and mineral deficiencies, and help control fluid and salt intake. The diet must be balanced and contain lots of plant foods. In the fight against osteochondrosis, it is necessary to exclude foods such as: coffee and strong tea, foods rich in salt and sugar, soft drinks and fatty foods.

The disease, during these procedures, can be corrected and only in difficult phases does it require surgical intervention.

Preventive measures

To prevent this disease, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle and abandon bad habits, practice physical activity, use orthopedic mattress and pillow to sleep, avoid wearing uncomfortable shoes, it is better to wear orthopedic shoes.

You should also monitor your diet and maintain a healthy weight. With a long stay in a static state, it is necessary to set aside time for exercises that help to normalize blood circulation.

Also, for the prevention and prevention of the disease, you can have a sanatorium treatment and general strengthening massages.