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Osteochondrosis of the spine

Osteochondrosis is a disease that occurs as a result of degenerative processes in the cartilage tissue of the spine.In fact, this term can be applied to all joints, but osteochondrosis most often affects the intervertebral discs, so in the vast majority of cases it is referred to as spinal osteochondrosis.

Neck massage for osteochondrosis

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

The main symptoms of osteochondrosis are aching pain and numbness, which can be widespread or affect a specific area of the back.The pain increases with physical activity, sudden movements, and sometimes even when coughing and sneezing.The body reflexively tries to protect itself from pain, so the muscle tension at the injury site increases.This leads to a restriction in motor activity - another characteristic sign of osteochondrosis.

Without treatment, the manifestations of the disease worsen: the pain intensifies, spreads to the limbs and limits their mobility (if the cervical spine is affected, the arms suffer; if the lumbar region, then the legs).In severe cases, the limbs may even partially atrophy – losing their inherent strength and mobility.A herniated disc is one of the most common and serious complication forms of osteochondrosis, in which the disc itself is displaced and the nerve roots are compressed, causing severe stabbing pain in the back.

When any part of the spine is affected, specific symptoms appear:

  • Cervical spine: Headache, dizziness, pain and numbness in shoulders and arms.In some cases, vertebral artery syndrome occurs: the artery that supplies the brain and spinal cord becomes compressed, causing an excruciating, throbbing headache in the temple or back of the head.Unpleasant symptoms also appear: tinnitus, imbalance, darkening of the eyes and, with significant narrowing, sudden attacks of dizziness with nausea and vomiting.All of these symptoms usually occur with sudden head turns.
  • Thorax: a “pale feeling in the chest,” pain that patients often associate with the heart or internal organs.
  • Lumbosacral area: Pain and numbness in the lower back and legs, there may be discomfort in the pelvic area.

Causes of osteochondrosis

The main cause of osteochondrosis is degenerative changes in the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral disc, as a result of which it loses its strength and elasticity.The intervertebral disc decreases in volume, becomes denser and can no longer fully absorb shock.Even during normal walking, hard vertebrae, which are made of bone tissue, do not spring too elastically on the cartilage layers between them, but rather practically touch each other and squeeze the nerve fibers.As a result, the mobility of the spine is limited, there is constant pain that spreads to the back and limbs and is caused by compressed nerve roots.

The causes of dystrophic changes can be different.The main predisposing factor is dietary habits.From birth, the cartilage tissue receives the necessary substances in two ways: from blood vessels and from the intervertebral fluid.By the age of 23 to 25, the vessels are completely overgrown and only one option for nutrition remains.Nutrition of the cartilage tissue by intervertebral fluid is possible during the movement of the spine, when fluid circulation occurs: during compression and expansion of the intervertebral discs, the fluid breaks down into nutrients.Therefore, after 30 years, the risk of degeneration of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs increases sharply, especially with insufficient physical activity.

Dystrophic processes of intervertebral disc destruction are aggravated by intensive training (especially without warm-up), injuries and any skeletal pathology (including flat feet and poor posture), as this changes the load distribution on the spine.Being overweight has the same effect.There is also a genetic predisposition to osteochondrosis - loose cartilage tissue prone to degenerative processes.

Stages of spinal osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a progressive disease, but the transition to each subsequent stage occurs gradually.One of the stages of development of osteochondrosis is the so-called herniated disc.The intervertebral discs consist of a hard shell, the annulus fibrosus, and a semi-liquid core.Herniated discs occur when the fibrous ring of the disc thins and tears, the nucleus protrudes through the gap and the nerve roots are compressed, resulting in increased pain and an even greater deterioration in the disc's shock-absorbing properties.The speed at which symptoms develop depends on lifestyle, treatment and individual characteristics of the body.

Stage 1

There are characteristic complaints that occur constantly or periodically.They are often caused by physical activity or forced posture.On the x-ray, minimal narrowing of the intervertebral spaces can be seen or is normal.

Stage 2

Symptoms worsen when the disc loses stability (the cartilage tissue bulges into the surrounding annulus fibrosus), compressing the nerve roots.An x-ray shows a significant reduction in the intervertebral distance or a displacement of the vertebrae;Bone tissue proliferation may occur.

Stage 3

Herniated discs, also called protrusions or herniated discs, occur;The disc extends further into the surrounding tissue, causing damage to the blood vessels and nerves, increasing pain, limiting movement in the limbs, and causing numbness.

Stage 4

Stage of intervertebral disc fibrosis.The intervertebral disc hardens, it is replaced by scar tissue, bone protrusions grow at the edge and the intervertebral distance noticeably decreases.The mobility of the spine is significantly restricted - it literally ossifies.

Diagnosis of the disease

The doctor makes a preliminary diagnosis based on characteristic complaints and examination data.Pain at specific points, muscle tone, sensitivity, range of motion and posture are assessed.Instrumental research methods help to clarify the stage of osteochondrosis and confirm the diagnosis.Most often, an x-ray of the spine of interest is prescribed in the initial stages.The images make it easy to see whether there is a reduction in the distance between the vertebrae, i.e. a thinning of the cartilage, and how far the process has progressed.If the doctor suspects the presence of intervertebral hernias based on the results of the X-ray, he will prescribe a more informative examination method - magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Through layer-by-slice scanning and good visualization of the soft tissues, it is possible to confirm or refute the diagnosis of a herniated disc with absolute accuracy.

How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine?

Treatment of osteochondrosis is always complex and long-term.Its task is not only to relieve pain and relieve muscle tension, but also to stop the further development of the disease, i.e. to influence its cause.The doctor decides on treatment on a case-by-case basis.Medication is usually supplemented by physiotherapy, massage, manual therapy, physiotherapy and reflexology.If conservative therapy does not produce the desired effect, surgical treatment is indicated.

Medication

The main goal in exacerbating osteochondrosis is to relieve inflammation and accompanying pain and muscle spasms.For this purpose, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed in combination with muscle relaxants, which reduce the tone of skeletal muscles, reduce muscle spasms and compression of nerve roots.Preparations containing B vitamins help improve the condition of the nerve roots.Normally the treatment lasts 7-10 days.Taking medications internally is complemented by local treatment: ointments or gels containing NSAIDs or simply warming ointments or gels are applied to the affected area to increase blood circulation and metabolism and quickly stop inflammation.External remedies quickly relieve pain, as the active ingredient penetrates into the source of inflammation, bypassing the digestive system and general blood circulation, but they are not enough for complete treatment.

A drug containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate - components of cartilage.

The components of the drug not only compensate for the deficiency of these substances in the body, but also initiate recovery processes and stimulate the production of other components of cartilage.The drug can be taken outside of exacerbations and even to prevent further progression of osteochondrosis and arthrosis.To achieve a lasting effect, it is prescribed in long courses of up to 6 months.

The drug has been proven to promote:

  • renewal of articular cartilage tissue;
  • improving joint mobility;
  • Relieve pain.

The drug has a complex effect: it contributes to the restoration of articular cartilage tissue, reduces the need for painkillers, thereby increasing the safety of treatment.

Unlike some other drugs in this group, the drug is recommended in increased daily doses of chondroprotectors - chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine - the effectiveness of which has been proven.

A complex preparation for external use containing meloxicam (NSAID) and chondroitin sulfate.

It simultaneously relieves inflammation and pain and initiates the process of cartilage tissue restoration.It is the number 1 drug for the treatment of arthrosis and osteochondrosis.This is a modern chondroprotector made in the USA.

The special composition of the drug improves the penetration of painkillers into the joint, which helps to relieve pain and inflammation in the joints.

The drug has been proven to:

  • Has a pain-relieving effect;
  • Has an anti-inflammatory effect;
  • Helps reduce stiffness;
  • Helps increase joint range of motion.

The drug is used for arthrosis, osteochondrosis and other joint diseases accompanied by pain.Due to the fact that it contains meloxicam, chondroitin and dimethyl sulfoxide, it has a triple effect (analgesic, anti-inflammatory, stiffness reduction) on the symptoms of osteoarthritis, which in turn allows a comprehensive effect on the disease.

A medication that contains ibuprofen (NSAID) as well as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

The drug contains the painkilling component ibuprofen and chondroitin with glucosamine - substances that affect the structure of cartilage.The drug not only helps relieve moderate joint pain, but also suppresses inflammation;It is recommended in increased daily doses of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, the effectiveness of which has been proven.The drug helps to restore cartilage tissue in the joints and improve their mobility.

Naproxen sodium

Naproxen sodium has:

  • Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Applicable to:

  • arthrosis of the joints and spine;
  • Rheumatic diseases;
  • Sprains and bruises.

In other cases of mild or moderate pain, including lower back and muscle pain, neuralgia and other discomfort.

Thanks to the action of the active ingredient naproxen in a dosage of 275 mg, the drug is able to relieve joint pain and inflammation for up to 12 hours.Naproxen is the global standard for the treatment of joint pain and is sought after by more than million patients in different countries.

Non-drug treatments

Non-drug treatment increases the effectiveness of medications and allows rapid relief of an exacerbation.

  • Massage relieves muscle spasms, improves microcirculation and metabolism, reduces swelling, which has a positive effect on the patient's well-being.During an exacerbation, massage is contraindicated as it only increases pain and does not provide any benefit.It is prescribed after completing drug treatment, when inflammation subsides or during remission to prevent new exacerbations.
  • Manual therapy involves restoring the correct configuration of the spine and its mobility using the hands.Since this is a serious procedure, it is carried out by a specialist after examining the images.
  • Physiotherapy (physiotherapy) is dosed physical activity taking into account the clinical picture.The movement of intervertebral fluid is necessary to provide nutrients to the intervertebral discs and to remove caries products.Exercises strengthen muscles, normalize their tone and restore motor activity to damaged limbs.Exercise therapy should be carried out regularly, at a calm pace and without sudden movements so as not to aggravate the situation.
  • Reflexology is an effect on organs and systems of the body through stimulation of certain points.Needles are most often used for this, but other options are also possible: electric current, magnetic field.
  • Physiotherapy is mainly used during exacerbations to relieve inflammation, improve microcirculation, relieve pain, swelling and muscle spasm.The most commonly used methods are electrophoresis and ultrasound with medications (e.g. hydrocortisone) and magnetic field therapy.

Other methods

In the event of a herniated disc or compression of the nerve roots with a significant reduction in the distance between the vertebrae, surgical treatment is recommended.Its essence is to remove a damaged hard drive.Minimally invasive techniques have been developed that allow the problem to be solved relatively painlessly for the patient: endoscopic techniques and a laser that “evaporates” the disc nucleus.In severe cases, the intervertebral disc is replaced with a silicone implant.

Prevention

Prevention of osteochondrosis is a topical issue for everyone, especially after the age of 25.To protect the intervertebral disc for as long as possible, you need to move around a lot, but avoid injuries and heavy physical activity, eat right, and take breaks and exercise from sedentary work.An important point in the prevention of osteochondrosis is taking chondroprotectors.If discomfort occurs in any part of the back, it is better to immediately consult a doctor so as not to miss it and not trigger the disease.

Conclusion

Osteochondrosis is a disease that is not life-threatening, but significantly affects its quality.Therefore, their prevention and timely comprehensive treatment are so important to achieve stable remission and stop the progression of the disease.