Osteochondritis of the spine

Osteochondrosis is a disease characterized by degenerative changes in the cartilaginous tissues of the spine. Lack of proper therapy leads to a violation of the structure and dysfunction of the intervertebral discs, deformation of the spine. Depending on the location of the pathological process, there are the following types of osteochondrosis: cervical, thoracic, lumbar. As statistics show, this disease is seen in more than half of the world population in people over 35 years of age. The main reasons for its development are injuries, systematic uneven loads on the spine and legs.

What it is

Speaking of what osteochondrosis is, it is necessary to say that this disease provokes a violation of the structure of the tissues of the intervertebral discs themselves, reducing their elasticity and changing their shape. At the same time, there is a decrease in the distance between them, which eventually leads to a loss of stability of the spine.

As a result of the contraction of the intervertebral space, the nerve endings that come from the spinal cord are pinched. This causes an increase in muscle tone and pain.

A decrease in elasticity causes the formation of intervertebral hernias and the development of protrusion (a disease in which the vertebrae begin to bulge in the spinal canal without rupture of the annulus fibrosus). And if the treatment is carried out incorrectly or is absent altogether, this will involve the degradation of the spinal joints and ligaments with the additional formation of osteophytes (bone processes).

The development of osteochondrosis causes a violation of motor functions. The person begins to feel bothered by constant pain in the area of the pathological focus, which intensifies during flexion / extension of the back. There is a high probability of subluxation, posterior curvature.

As a rule, the first symptoms of the disease appear in people during the period of physiological aging of the body. But there are situations when the pathology begins to develop much earlier. And the reason for this is often the wrong way of life.

In medicine, there is also chondrosis, and it has similar symptoms and etiology. What is the difference between chondrosis and osteochondrosis? It is simple. Chondrosis is the initial stage in the development of osteochondrosis, when the processes of replacement of damaged tissues with fibrosis and the formation of osteophytes have not yet begun in the spine. When there is a pronounced deformation of the spine and the formation of new processes, we are talking about osteochondrosis.

Provoking factors

What is chondrosis and osteochondrosis? Discovered. Now we should talk about the reasons for its development. After all, if you do not eliminate them, then the treatment of the disease will not allow to achieve positive dynamics. As already noted at the beginning, the main reason for the onset of pathology is uneven load on the spine. It can be caused by:

• carry heavy bags on one shoulder or in one hand;
• incorrect posture when sitting;
• sleeping on a soft mattress, high pillow;
• wearing uncomfortable and anatomically incorrect shoes.

And osteochondrosis of the spine can also develop against the background:

• hypodynamics (accompanied by impaired blood circulation, decreased muscle tone, shortness of breath);
• passive lifestyle;
• obesity;
• injuries (fractures, sprains, bruises);
• flatfoot;
• other degenerative diseases that lead to poor circulation in the spine.

Highlighting the causes of osteochondrosis of the spine, it should also be noted:

• frequent physical stress;
• neuroemotional exhaustion;
• metabolic disorders;
• intoxication (drug, chemical);
• digestive tract pathology;
• genetic predisposition;
• scoliosis;
• hypovitaminosis;
• the pregnancy;
• of smoking;
• drink alcoholic beverages;
• prolonged / frequent dehydration.

There are many reasons for the development of osteochondrosis of the back. Most often, its appearance occurs immediately against the background of the influence of various factors (for example, trauma, passive lifestyle, smoking, prolonged stay in the wrong posture). It can be established only through a full diagnosis, anamnesis study.

Stages of development

Before talking about what to do if chondrosis begins to develop, it is also necessary to say about its stages of development, since not only the severity of the symptoms, but also the treatment tactics directly depend on them. There are 4 degrees in total:

• First stage. At this stage, pathological processes occur in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc. Dehydration (dehydration) is noted in him, which ultimately contributes to a decrease in height and the formation of cracks in the fibrous ring. There is no symptomatic picture at this stage of the disease. A person may feel only slight discomfort in the back area after intense physical exertion, being in an uncomfortable position for a long time, etc.
• Second stage. It is accompanied by a decrease in the intervertebral space, sagging of the vertebral muscles and ligaments. Such changes lead to increased mobility of the vertebrae. And any provoking factor can cause them to move or slide. Regarding the symptoms, at this stage, patients already present back discomfort and pain that occurs with certain types of loads, pos.
• Third stage. It is characterized by the appearance of prolapses and protrusions, subluxations, arthrosis of the intervertebral joints. At this stage, the disease often causes stiffness of movements, a tingling sensation in the pathological area, and numbness. The pain syndrome has a pronounced character, it occurs periodically even at rest, in the absence of heavy loads.
• Stage four. At this stage, the body is trying to adapt to the disorders that have arisen. Your task is to do everything possible to improve the fixation of the spine. To do this, it begins to form osteophytes, bone formations that replace the voids in the spine. However, in this way the body not only helps itself, but also harms itself. After all, osteophytes cause pinching of nerves and injury to healthy vertebrae. And this becomes the reason for the development of fibrous ankylosis in the joints and intervertebral discs (an increase in the volume of fibrous tissue with its simultaneous fusion with the remains of cartilage). If a person has a microtrauma and a violation at the same time, the severity of the pain syndrome increases. In his absence, the clinical picture subsides.

Symptoms

Speaking of what osteochondrosis is and how to get rid of it, one cannot help but talk about the symptoms with which it can manifest itself. The main sign of its development is the presence of discomfort or pain in the neck, thoracic region and lumbar area. The severity of the sensations directly depends on the degree of development of the disease.

A visual examination of the patient reveals a curvature of the spine in the transverse or longitudinal plane. Most of the time they are seen in the lower back or neck, less frequently in the thoracic region.

If we talk about the patient's own feelings, among them there is periodic or constant fatigue in the back area, as well as pain, which can be worn down and pronounced, depending on the severity of the pathological processes. It can be found at:

• neck,
• shoulder girdle;
• chest;
• Lumbar region;
• perineum.

In this case, stiffness of movements is possible, making it difficult to perform housework. It occurs most often in the upper extremities. The symptomatic picture can be complemented by other signs. It all depends on the location of the focus, its severity and the characteristics of the organism. If a patient has displacement of discs, bulges, hernias, osteophytes, this often leads to impaired blood circulation, spinal canal dysfunction, edema, fibrosis, pinching. All this causes the appearance of symptoms that can complicate the diagnosis and lead to a misdiagnosis.

Speaking about how osteochondrosis manifests itself, it is necessary to highlight the most common symptoms that patients complain about. These include:

• pain arising in the neck, lumbar, shoulder girdle, ribs;
• stiffness of movements, discomfort in the morning after waking up, bending over, turning;
• feeling of numbness in arms, legs, neck;
• discomfort in the joints and muscles of the back;
• frequent dizziness, migraines;
• rapid fatigue;
• anguish;
• violation of sensitivity of the upper extremities;
• Decreased muscle tone.

Signs of osteochondrosis directly depend on the location of the pathological focus:

• Cervical department. In this case, the pain is localized in the neck, arms, shoulder girdle. You can give in to the shoulder blades and shoulders. Cervical osteochondrosis can also manifest as headaches, tinnitus, "goose bumps" before the eyes, and dizziness.
• Chest section. With this pathology, chest pain occurs. It can give to the upper part of the shoulder, armpits. It often causes discomfort and pain in the region of the heart. May cause dysfunctions of the respiratory system, shortness of breath.
• Lumbosacral region. The pain syndrome predominates in the lumbar spine. It also manifests as discomfort in the legs, hips, and pelvic organs. It often causes sexual dysfunction.

Any discomfort in the spine is an important reason to consult a doctor.

The presence of signs such as back fatigue, pain can also indicate not only the appearance of the disease in question, but also the addition of other diseases that have nothing to do with dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs. Diagnoses of osteochondrosis or chondrosis can only be made by an experienced doctor after a complete diagnosis.

Diagnosis

What causes osteochondrosis and how it can manifest itself, we talked. But I must say that making the correct diagnosis only on the basis of a visual examination and the patient's own feelings will not work. To do this, you need to undergo a comprehensive examination, which necessarily includes:

• X-ray of the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine (depending on the area of discomfort);
• myelography;
• neurological examination of sensitivity, reflexes.

How are additional diagnostic methods used:

• CONNECTICUT;
• Magnetic resonance;
• NMR.

To exclude the presence of inflammatory or infectious diseases, laboratory tests are also prescribed:

• OAM;
• UAC;
• blood chemistry.

If necessary, a consultation of specialists of a narrower profile is appointed.

Treatment methods

Unlike chondrosis, with osteochondrosis in the ridge region, a chronic process occurs that cannot be eliminated with conservative methods. But this does not mean that it is not necessary to fight with him. Lack of proper therapy can have serious consequences: the spine is deformed, fibrous tissue will appear instead of bone structures, which cannot perform the necessary functions, the person will be disabled.

Conservative therapy

What to do with osteochondrosis, the doctor will tell you. As a rule, with such a disease, the following methods are used:

• Drug therapyIn this case, drugs are used to eliminate painful sensations, relieve inflammation, and restore metabolism. If the patient has severe pain, drug blocks are used, which, in addition to the analgesic effect, help to reduce the severity of the muscle tonic syndrome. There are the following types of locks used in osteochondrosis: trigger point, intraosseous, facet, paravertebral, epidural.
• Physiotherapy activities. They are also used to reduce pain and improve the effectiveness of medications. Most often, for osteochondrosis, ultrasound therapy, magnetic fields, low-frequency currents, lasers, etc. are used.
• Physiotherapy and kinesitherapy. All patients, without exception, are prescribed exercise therapy. It is carried out under the supervision of specialists. Provides postural correction, increasing muscle tone, relieving nervous tension. Systematic compliance with special exercises also helps to increase the spaces between the discs, to distribute the load evenly on the musculoskeletal system.
• Massage. Manual massage helps to normalize blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms and tweezers. If the patient has disorders of the nervous system, hydromassage is prescribed.
• Manual therapy. It is selected individually for each patient. Provides normalization of lymphatic flow, blood circulation, metabolism and mobility of the spine. Prevents the development of complications, strengthens the immune system.
• Spinal traction. This method involves stretching the spine with special equipment. Thus, it is possible to achieve an increase in the intervertebral space and reduce the manifestation of osteochondrosis.

Operative treatment

If conservative treatment does not help to eliminate the signs of osteochondrosis and does not give any positive dynamics at all, they resort to surgical intervention. The indications for this are:

• cauda equina syndrome, which develops in the presence of a massive hernia;
• spinal canal stenosis with compression of the brain and neurovascular bundles;
• combination of osteochondrosis with significant spondylolisthesis with severe segment instability;
• root compression at the level of the lumbar segment L5;
• cervical osteochondrosis, which occurs with discogenic syndrome of the vertebral arteries.

Treatment of osteochondrosis by surgery can be carried out in several ways:

• Laminotomy. This type of operation involves the removal of a fragment of the bone structure and the yellow ligament.
• Laminectomy. During it, most of the spine that limits the spinal canal is removed.
• Foraminotamia. The purpose of the operation is to expand the root canal.
• Discetomy. In this operation, the partial or complete removal of the intervertebral disc is performed.
• Laser vaporization of the disc nucleus. It is carried out with the participation of a special LED, which ensures the partial destruction of the disc, which leads to the reverse development of the hernia.

How to get rid of osteochondrosis, only the doctor decides. It is necessary to understand that each case is individual, and the choice of one or another method of surgical intervention depends on the location of the pathology, its severity, the patient has other diseases.

Traditional methods

At home, you can treat a disease of the spine. But this should be done only in cases where there are still symptoms of chondrosis (the initial stages of the development of the disease) and after a preliminary consultation with a doctor.

Speaking about what helps with chondrosis, the following recipes of alternative medicine should be highlighted:

1. You need to take 1 kg of coarse salt, mix it with 3 tbsp. l. dry mustard, add 100 ml of water, mix everything well. The resulting porridge should be put on a low heat and heated to a temperature of 50 degrees. The mixture is applied to the painful area, a film is placed on it, and then a warm tissue. With such a compress, the patient should lie down until completely cooled down. After the procedure, it is necessary to keep warm for another 2 hours.
2. Pour 1. 5 liters of water into a saucepan, add 3 handfuls of sawdust there and bring the resulting mixture to a boil, then strain. Sawdust is placed on a plastic wrap, which is previously covered with a sheet on the bed. A gauze napkin is laid over the sawdust, after which they lie on it and cover it with a warm blanket on top. Therefore, lie down for 30 to 40 minutes.
3. Take 200 g of cinquefoil roots, 100 Potentilla roots, 100 g of helenium. The herbs are placed in a 3-liter jar, filled to the brim with vodka. The resulting composition is placed in a dark place for 3 weeks and then filtered. Take 3 times a day before meals, 1 tablespoon. l. throughout the month. Then take a 10 day break and repeat the course.

It is difficult to treat osteochondrosis. It is difficult to respond to conservative methods of therapy. But if you combine them with proper nutrition, home treatment, exercise therapy and all the recommendations of the doctor, then the patient has every chance to get rid of the pains that torment him and prevent the development of complications.