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Osteochondrosis of the spine

Osteochondrosis is a disease that develops due to degenerative processes of the cartilage tissue of the spine.In fact, this term applies to all joints, but most often osteochondrosis affects the intervertebral discs, so in the vast majority of cases they talk about spinal osteochondrosis.

neck massage for osteochondrosis

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

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

Without treatment, the manifestations of the disease worsen: the pain intensifies, spreads to the limbs, restricts their mobility (if the neck-chest region is affected, the arms suffer, if the lumbar region, then the legs).In severe cases, the limbs may even partially atrophy – they may lose strength and mobility.A herniated disc is one of the most common and serious complications of osteochondrosis, in which the disc itself is displaced and the nerve roots are compressed, causing severe back pain.

When all parts of the spine are affected, specific symptoms appear:

  • Neck region: headache, dizziness, pain and numbness in the shoulders and arms.In some cases, vertebral artery syndrome develops: the artery that supplies the brain and spinal cord is 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 dizziness, nausea and vomiting.All these symptoms usually occur when the head is turned suddenly.
  • Chest: a feeling of "stake in the chest", a pain that patients often believe is related to the heart or internal organs.
  • Lumbosacral region: 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 they lose their strength and elasticity.The disc volume decreases, thickens and does not fully absorb the shock.Even during normal walking, the hard vertebrae made of bone tissue do not spring very elastically on the cartilaginous layers between them, but practically touch each other, squeezing the nerve fibers.Because of this, the mobility of the spine is limited, constant pain occurs, which spreads to the back and limbs due to 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 the blood vessels and from the intervertebral fluid.By the age of 23-25, the blood vessels are fully grown, leaving only one way of nutrition.Nourishment of the cartilage tissue is possible through intervertebral fluid during the movement of the spine, when fluid circulation occurs: during the compression and expansion of the discs, the fluid is broken down into nutrients.Therefore, after 30 years, the risk of degeneration of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs increases sharply, especially in case of insufficient physical activity.

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

Stages of osteochondrosis of the spine

Osteochondrosis is a progressive disease, but the transition to each subsequent stage occurs gradually.One of the stages of the development of osteochondrosis is the so-called disc herniation.Discs consist of a hard shell, called the annulus fibrosus, and a semi-fluid core.A herniated disc occurs when the annulus fibrosus of the disc thins and ruptures, the nucleus protrudes through the gap, and the nerve roots are compressed, resulting in increased pain and an even greater reduction in the disc's shock-absorbing properties.The speed of development of symptoms depends on lifestyle, treatment and individual characteristics of the body.

Section 1

Characteristic complaints appear, permanent or periodic.They are often triggered by physical activity or a forced posture.The X-ray shows minimal narrowing of the intervertebral spaces or is normal.

Section 2

Symptoms worsen when the disc loses stability (cartilage bulges into the surrounding annulus fibrosus), which compresses the nerve roots.An X-ray shows a noticeable decrease in the distance between the vertebrae or displacement of the vertebrae;bone growths may appear.

Section 3

Intervertebral disc herniation, also known as protrusion or disc prolapse, appears;the disc expands more and more into the surrounding tissues, which leads to damage to the blood vessels and nerves, so the pain intensifies, limits the movement of the limbs and causes numbness.

Section 4

Disc fibrosis stage.The disc hardens, is replaced by scar tissue, bony protrusions grow on its edge, and the distance between the vertebrae noticeably decreases.The mobility of the spine is significantly reduced - it literally ossifies.

Diagnosis of the disease

The doctor makes a preliminary diagnosis based on the characteristic complaints and examination data.Pain at specific points, muscle tone, sensitivity, range of motion and posture are assessed.Instrumental research methods help clarify the stage of osteochondrosis and confirm the diagnosis.Most often, at the initial stage, an X-ray of the interested spine is prescribed.The pictures clearly show whether the distance between the vertebrae is decreasing, i.e. whether the cartilage is thinning, and how far the process has progressed.If, based on the results of the X-ray, the doctor suspects the presence of intervertebral hernias, he prescribes a more informative research method - magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Layer-by-layer scanning and good visualization of the soft tissues make it possible to confirm or refute the diagnosis of intervertebral disc herniation 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.In each case, the doctor decides what needs to be treated.Medicines are usually supplemented with physical therapy, massage, manual therapy, physiotherapy and reflexology.If conservative therapy does not give the desired effect, surgical treatment is prescribed.

Medicines

During exacerbation of osteochondrosis, the main goal is to relieve inflammation and accompanying pain and muscle spasm.For this, non-steroidal 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.Vitamin B preparations improve the condition of the nerve roots.In general, the duration of treatment is 7-10 days.Local treatment complements taking the drugs internally: NSAID-containing or simply warming ointments and gels are applied to the affected area in order to increase blood supply, increase metabolism and quickly stop inflammation.External remedies quickly relieve pain, as the active ingredient penetrates the source of inflammation, bypassing the digestive system and general blood flow, 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 lack of these substances in the body, but also initiate the recovery processes, stimulating the production of other cartilage components.Apart from exacerbations, the drug can also be taken to prevent the further progression of osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis.In order to achieve a lasting effect, it is prescribed in long courses of up to 6 months.

It has been proven that the drug promotes:

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

The drug has a complex effect: it helps restore joint cartilage and reduces the need for painkillers, thus increasing the safety of the treatment.

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

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

At the same time, it relieves inflammation, pain and starts the process of cartilage tissue restoration;it is the number one drug in the treatment of osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis.This is a modern chondroprotector manufactured in the USA.

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

The drug is proven to:

  • It has an analgesic effect;
  • It has an anti-inflammatory effect;
  • Helps reduce stiffness;
  • It helps to increase the range of motion of the joints.

The drug is used to treat osteoarthritis, osteochondrosis and other joint diseases accompanied by pain.Thanks to the content of meloxicam, chondroitin and dimethyl sulfoxide, it has a triple effect (pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, stiffness-reducing) on the symptoms of osteoarthritis, which enables a comprehensive effect on the disease.

Medicine containing ibuprofen (NSAID) and glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

The drug contains an analgesic component, ibuprofen and chondroitin with glucosamine - substances that affect the structure of cartilage.The drug not only reduces moderate joint pain, but also suppresses inflammation;Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine are recommended in increased daily doses, the effectiveness of which has been proven.The drug helps restore the cartilage tissue in the joints and improves their mobility.

Naproxen sodium

Naproxen sodium has:

  • Pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect.

Applicable:

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

Other cases include mild to moderate pain, including lower back and muscle pain, neuralgia, and other conditions.

Thanks to the effect of the 275 mg naproxen active ingredient, the drug can help relieve joint pain and inflammation for up to 12 hours.Naproxen is the global standard for the treatment of joint pain, which is used by more than millions of patients in different countries.

Non-drug treatments

Non-pharmacological treatment increases the effectiveness of drugs and allows rapid relief of exacerbation.

  • Massage relieves muscle spasms, improves microcirculation and metabolism, reduces swelling, which has a beneficial effect on the patient's well-being.During an exacerbation, massage is contraindicated, as it only increases the pain and does not bring any benefit.It is prescribed after the end of the drug treatment, when the inflammation subsides or during remission in order to prevent new exacerbations.
  • Manual therapy is the restoration of the correct configuration and mobility of the spine with the help of hands.This is a serious intervention, which is why it is performed by a specialist after studying the images.
  • Physical therapy (physiotherapy) is dosed physical activity that takes into account the profile of the disease.It is necessary for the movement of intervertebral fluid, the supply of nutrients to the discs, and the removal of decay products.The exercises strengthen the muscles, normalize their tone and restore the motor activity of the injured limbs.Exercise therapy should be regular, at a calm pace, without sudden movements, so as not to aggravate the situation.
  • Reflexology is an effect on the body's organs and systems by stimulating 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 electrophoresis and ultrasound are drugs (such as hydrocortisone) and magnetic therapy.

Other methods

In the case of intervertebral disc herniation or nerve root compression, surgical treatment is recommended if the distance between the vertebrae is significantly reduced.Its essence is to remove the damaged disc.Minimally invasive techniques have been developed that allow the problem to be solved relatively painlessly for the patient: endoscopic techniques and a laser that “vaporizes” the disc nucleus.In severe cases, the disc is replaced with a silicone implant.

Prevention

Prevention of osteochondrosis is a current topic for everyone, especially after the age of 25.To preserve the intervertebral disc for as long as possible, you need to exercise a lot, but avoid injuries and heavy physical exertion, eat right, and take breaks and exercise during sedentary work.Taking chondroprotectors is an important point in the prevention of osteochondrosis.If discomfort occurs in any part of the back, it is better to consult a doctor immediately so as not to miss and start the disease.

Conclusion

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