Osteochondrosis of the spine is a chronic disease based on the degenerative process of bone and cartilage tissue. The pathological process affects all parts of the spine.
Description of the disease
The disease is more common in the elderly, but there has been a recent increase in the number of young patients showing signs of the disease. It is commonly classified as cervical, thoracic, and lumbar osteochondrosis, depending on the location of the spinal lesion. The main and characteristic sign of osteochondrosis of the back is mild, painful pain of moderate intensity due to compression of the roots of the spinal cord.
Pathogenesis and stages
The development of the disease is usually divided into several stages. The process begins with an asymptomatic course when initial changes occur in the cartilage tissue and ends with the complete fusion of several vertebrae.
First
The first stage is the most difficult to diagnose, also called preclinical because of the mild signs of the disease. Patients feel general weakness in the back. These signs are often confused with fatigue. In medical practice, grade 1 osteochondrosis can only be diagnosed accidentally, for example in a preventive examination.
Second
During grade 2 osteochondrosis, the patient feels pain in the spine. This stage is the first consequence in the absence of the necessary preventive measures. There is an initial process of destroying the intervertebral disc. The fixation of the vertebrae is interrupted, the distance between them decreases, which leads to the compression of the nerve fibers in the spinal column.
Based on the patient's complaints, objective examination, and x-ray, the doctor diagnoses and prescribes "grade 2 osteochondrosis of the neck region. "If all the recommendations of the specialist are followed, the disease can be treated without serious consequences.
Third
The third stage is characterized by the onset of irreversible processes in the cartilage tissues of the fibrous ring. The nucleus pulposus dries out, resulting in a disc herniation. The pain is due to the compression of the nerves in the spinal cord. At this stage, the destroyed intervertebral disc cannot be recovered. The hernia is surgically removed and treated with medication.
Fourth
At this stage, the body adapts to the resulting spinal changes. Compensatory bone tissue grows along the edges of the vertebrae (osteophytes) to strengthen the affected section. They can compress the roots of the spinal cord, causing pain. As a result, osteophytes grow together, causing complete immobility of a certain segment of the spine.
Symptoms and types
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease. It is particularly characterized by the alternation of disease exacerbation and remission periods. The symptoms of the disease are quite typical. They are manifested by painful back pain, with sudden movements, heavy lifting, the pain intensifies, there may be a feeling of numbness in the limbs, fatigue and depression with a little physical exertion.
Constant aching pain leads to excessive nervousness and fatigue in the body. In chronic osteochondrosis, when the cartilage discs compress the nerve fibers, the pain syndrome can take on a shooting character and radiate to the back of the head, shoulders, and lower extremities.
Cervical
It is one of the most common and dangerous localizations of the disease due to the large number of nerve fibers and large major vessels in the cervical region.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may include:
- intense headache;
- the pain radiates to the shoulders and limbs, firing into the head;
- there is a restriction on the movement of the neck;
- dizziness and loss of consciousness;
- noise in the ear;
- impaired coordination of movements.
These symptoms are caused by inflammation in the carotid arteries due to inflammation, swelling, and muscle cramps. With the appearance of syndrome of arterial vertebral compression and the lack of proper medical treatment, this leads to cerebral ischemia.
chest
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is quite rare. Signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are manifested in the form of pain and a burning sensation between the shoulder blades. Compression of the intercostal nerve endings leads to intercostal neuralgia. It is expressed in the feeling of acute chest pain that does not allow for deep breathing.
Violation of the blood circulation and lack of nutrients due to the inflammatory process can cause diseases of the internal organs located in this area, various heart pathologies. In this case, professional treatment is essential.
Lumbar
More than 50% of cases occur in this department. The initial signs of lumbar osteochondrosis are a characteristic aching pain in the lower back that is exacerbated by sudden movements, heavy lifting, and even changes in the weather. Symptoms such as varicose veins, numbness in the limbs and joint pain were not ruled out.
The appearance of osteophytes in the later stages of the disease often leads to inflammation of the sciatic nerve - sciatica, one of the possible complications. Lumbar radiculitis also refers to complications of osteochondrosis. It manifests as pain in the buttocks, spreads to the thighs and legs and reaches the feet.
Causes and prevention
The disease usually causes several causes at once and can therefore be considered multifactorial. The main causes of osteochondrosis are:
- back injuries and bruises;
- accumulation diseases and metabolic disorders;
- sedentary lifestyle and overweight;
- congenital and acquired postural disorders;
- heredity.
Prevention of osteochondrosis is based on simple but effective methods. The lifestyle should be made more active (swimming), do not forget about the back exercise during prolonged still work. You need to start eating right, including as many fruits and vegetables and dairy products as possible.
Effective prevention is also the need to seek timely medical attention when the first symptoms of the disease appear.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine must be complex. The main directions of treatment of the disease are the following:
- drug therapy (NSAIDs, analgesics, chondroprotectors, vitamins);
- physiotherapy (electrophoresis, UHF);
- massage;
- practical therapy;
- gymnastics (at home);
- surgical treatment (discectomy).