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Symptoms and methods of treatment of spinal osteochondrosis

Signs indicating the development of osteochondrosis - pain in the neck and lower back

The weakening of the intervertebral discs or other spinal disorders that complicate or limit movement indicate the development of a serious disease - osteochondrosis. It can occur in anyone and is not related to age. The spine is a supporting element of the skeleton, so its changes affect the quality of life and the condition of many organs and systems. Therefore, it is necessary to know the causes, signs of osteochondrosis, as well as treatment methods, in order to notice disorders in time and prevent the development of pathology.

What is osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a complex of degenerative disorders of the human spine, which are expressed in dystrophic changes in the cartilage of this system.The disease can occur in any joint, but much more often it develops in the intervertebral discs.

The main sign that indicates the development of the disease is pain in the back, neck and waist. In the future, pain may be felt in the shoulders, arms and upper thighs. In the absence of treatment, atrophy of the muscle tissue begins, disruption of the sensitivity and activity of the internal organs, which leads to an incurable condition.

ICD-10 code

The World Health Organization developed the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision). Its essence is as follows: each disease has its own specific code, which consists of numbers and letters. The doctor, seeing such a code in front of him, knows exactly what disease we are talking about and what treatment should be prescribed to save the patient from this problem.

According to ICD-10, osteochondrosis has code M42 and belongs to the class "Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue" (group "Dorsopathies", subgroup "Deforming dorsopathies").

Causes of development and risk factors

There are many reasons for the appearance of osteochondrosis. All of them depend on which part of the spine the disease develops in - cervical, thoracic or lumbar. There are several main reasons for the development of the disease:

  • Hereditary predisposition. Congenital anomalies contribute to the development of diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
  • Hormonal imbalance. Disruption of the endocrine system, overweight or underweight have a negative impact on the musculoskeletal system;
  • Age-related changes in the body. As a result, muscle, bone and cartilage tissue is destroyed, the intervertebral discs wear out with age;
  • Injuries and bruises of the spine. Many people spend a long time in one position, such as sitting at a table, while others do the same type of physical work. All this causes damage to the bone and ligament apparatus of the spine, as well as injury to the intervertebral discs;
  • Degenerative changes in muscle tissue. These processes appear due to overstrain of individual muscle groups, which most often leads to thoracic osteochondrosis.
  • Sedentary way of life. Muscle atrophy occurs, which provokes a violation of blood circulation and improper formation of the bone skeleton.

Most people are careless about their diet, eating foods that are not healthy at all. Due to this, a nutritional deficiency occurs, which negatively affects the integrity of the intervertebral cartilages, their mobility and elasticity.

There are several risk factors for the development of this disease:

  • hypothermia;
  • flat feet;
  • complications after infectious diseases;
  • Overweight;
  • sedentary way of life;
  • spine injuries.

In case of damage to the intervertebral discs and cartilage tissue, it is important to find out the cause of the disease and start appropriate treatment.

Types and symptoms

Depending on the localization of the pathological process, several types of osteochondrosis are distinguished.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae

It manifests itself as pain in the neck, back of the head and between the shoulder blades. During sleep, the mobility of the neck may be limited. Numbness of the fingers often occurs with cervical osteochondrosis. Dizziness and tinnitus are also noted. Varieties of cervical osteochondrosis differ in clinical manifestations:

  • cervicalgia– accompanied by neck pain and limited mobility; the pain can spread to the shoulder area and the space between the shoulder blades; Numbness and burning in the hands and fingers can often be observed;
  • cervicocranial pain– accompanied by pain from the neck to the parietal and occipital part of the head, shoulder girdle; muscle tension is characteristic, a feeling of petrification is created; headache, nausea, tinnitus, imbalance are observed;
  • cervicobrachialgia– characterized by shooting, aching, pulling and throbbing pains; turning and tilting the head can cause an attack of sharp pain and physical tension in the affected area, pain appears in the hands and fingers, which leads to weakness of the upper limbs;
  • discogenic root lesion– is characterized by paroxysmal pain in the shoulder, forearms and fingers, which is accompanied by numbness and a feeling of coldness; symptoms are aggravated by coughing, sneezing or turning the head sharply; it can get worse at night, leading to insomnia.

Osteochondrosis of the chest

Osteochondrosis of the chest is a rare form of the disease

This is a rather rare form. In terms of its symptoms, thoracic osteochondrosis is similar to other diseases, which is why it requires a differential diagnosis.As a result of the immobility of the thoracic vertebrae in this area, there is no severe pain when moving.The pain syndrome spreads to the sternum and below the shoulder blade. Thoracic osteochondrosis can lead to disruption of the functioning of internal organs. The main clinical manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis are:

  • Thoracalgia or intercostal neuralgia– this is irritation or compression of the intercostal nerves by muscles and tissues, which is accompanied by pain in the chest when bending, stooping and turning the body, under the ribs, in the front of the chest, pain when inhaling, exhaling; the pain may radiate to the shoulder and between the shoulder blades;
  • pain syndrome, in which the pain has a shooting character; pain can be felt inside the chest, abdomen; worse when moving, coughing, sneezing, laughing; sensitivity disorders are observed.

Thoracic pain (chest pain) is one of the most serious symptoms a person can experience. Sometimes even the doctor cannot immediately determine the cause of chest pain and understand whether this symptom is a sign of a threat to the patient's life.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region

The main reason for such changes is the lack of nutrients and heavy loads. The metabolism slows down, as a result of which the discs do not have time to renew, their structure and properties are disturbed. There are several types of lumbar osteochondrosis:

  • lumbago (acute lumbar lumbago)– sharp pain in the lumbar part of the spine, occurring when lifting weights, physical activity or bending over; characterized by shooting pain on the right or left in the lumbar region; they also distinguish lumbago from sciatica, when the pain spreads to the buttocks and legs;
  • radicular vascular syndrome (radiculoischaemia)occurs with damage to the radiculomedullary artery and is accompanied by paralysis of the extensors and flexors of the gluteal muscle group, the foot hangs limp, there is no movement.

Osteochondrosis of the spine with radicular-vascular syndrome is a very dangerous pathology, which is expressed in acute pain, since CSS is often a consequence of some disease.

Stages of development

The stages of osteochondrosis are characterized as follows:

  1. The initial stage begins with loss of fluid stores in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs. As a resultthe physiological position of the disc and the structure of the nucleus pulposus are disturbed.
  2. Further development of the disease (first degree) is due to a decrease in the height of the disc.Muscles and ligaments become overstretched and lose their ability to function normally.Displacement of the vertebrae may occur at this stage.
  3. The second degree is characterized by changes in bone tissue.Arthrosis is formed, subluxations appear.
  4. The third degree is determined by the fact thatbone growths (osteophytes) are formed along the spine,resulting in injury to the nerve roots.

The development of osteochondrosis should not be ignored, because with each subsequent stage, the course of treatment and rehabilitation increases. Complications that develop during the disease can lead to undesirable consequences.

What is the difference between radiculitis and osteoarthritis?

The symptoms of osteochondrosis and radiculitis are very similar, but the main difference between them is that in the first case they appear only in the later stages, while radiculitis is characterized by an early manifestation of severe symptoms.Also, with radiculitis, pressure on the paravertebral muscles and even tilting the head cause severe pain, resembling an electric shock, which does not occur in osteochondrosis.

Comparing osteochondrosis and arthrosis, it is worth noting that in the second disease, all elements of the joint are affected, which leads to crunching and limited mobility. Osteochondrosis, on the other hand, is characterized by the destruction of the intervertebral discs with the formation of hernial protrusions.

Differential diagnostic methods are used to determine the disease. It is a complex approach that requires effort and time.

Diagnosis

If osteochondrosis is suspected, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive diagnosis, which consists of the following tests.

Checking reflexes during a neurological examination to diagnose osteochondrosis

Neurological examination

It is performed by a neurologist. This examination includes checking reflexes, muscle strength, and the degree of pain in other parts of the body.Neurological examination is very important in osteochondrosis, as this disease affects the functioning of the nerve endings and the spinal cord.


Myelography of the spine

It allows you to see how the cerebrospinal fluid spreads in the spinal membranes. This helps to identify pathologies of the spine, diseases of the nerve roots and the spinal cord. Under local anesthesia, a special dye is injected into the area of the spinal cord and nerves. The X-ray machine gives a complete picture of the spine, especially the bones. This method allows you to identify any deviations.

Computed Tomography (CT)

These are pictures of one or two segments of the spine. With the help of this procedure, you can see a picture of the bone tissue of a specific spinal area. The doctor interprets the obtained image and if a narrowing of the space between the vertebrae is visible, it means that the patient has osteochondrosis.

nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)

MRI uses strong magnetic fields as well as radio waves to create images of the human body from individual scans.In this method, the ligaments, tendons and bony structures are very well differentiated.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

It is an effective procedure because it has a safe effect on the body - during the procedure, the results are obtained by using a magnetic field, not radiation.

You cannot agree to a prescribed treatment without a preliminary comprehensive diagnosis. This can only lead to deterioration of health.

Methods of treatment

Treatment of osteochondrosis involves many complex measures.Depending on the severity of the disease, a specific treatment tactic is chosen.

Drug therapy

As a rule, the treatment of osteochondrosis begins with taking a certain group of drugs:

  • pain relievers and various analgesics;
  • drugs that relieve spasms;
  • vitamins B and C;
  • drugs that relieve inflammation;
  • drugs that improve blood circulation.

In addition to taking drugs orally, patients are prescribed various non-steroidal ointments and gels that can relieve pain and reduce swelling in problem areas.

Physiotherapy

In addition to drug therapy, various physical therapy procedures are used. Thanks to this method, drugs can be delivered directly to the site of inflammation. Main types of physiotherapy:

  • Electrophoresis- conducting physiotherapy with electric fields modulated by currents. This allows the drugs to be introduced into the body. Helps relieve pain and muscle spasms;
  • Magnetotherapy. This painless physiotherapy involves the positive effect of the magnetic field on the active cells of the nerve and muscle fibers. As a result, the work of molecular structures is activated and the functional properties of blood vessels are improved;
  • Ultrasound therapy. Ultrasound is sound waves produced in a range that the human ear cannot perceive. Thanks to this, the blood circulation in the affected areas improves, the spasm is relieved, the pain is removed and the inflammatory processes stop;
  • Vibration effect. With the help of mechanical vibrations, the affected area is affected;
  • Balneotherapy. The essence of the method is the use of mineral water, which relaxes the muscles and has a beneficial effect on the musculoskeletal system. Use mineral water in the shower or bath.
Magnetotherapy is a physiotherapeutic procedure that improves the condition of osteochondrosis.

Physiotherapy should be carried out in the period of weakening of symptoms, when there is no pain. In the acute stage of the disease, the doctor chooses a set of procedures that can eliminate the pain syndrome. As a result of the correct physical treatment, the patient stops experiencing pain, the spine becomes more mobile, which indicates recovery.

Traditional methods

Treatment of osteochondrosis may include the use of folk recipes, the effectiveness of which depends on the individual characteristics of the body. Here are some of them:

  1. You will need 300 g of radish juice, 200 g of honey and 100 g of vodka. Mix all the ingredients and lubricate the affected areas 2 times a day.
  2. You will need 1 tbsp of rye flour, 100 g of butter, 1 tbsp of vinegar and 1 egg. Mix all the ingredients and leave for two days. Rub into affected areas.
  3. Grate raw potatoes and mix with a small amount of honey. Apply the finished porridge on the sore spot for 2 hours.

Traditional methods of treatment cannot act as independent therapy.To achieve a visible and lasting result, you need to combine medicinal, conservative and folk methods.

Traction

Spinal traction to eliminate vertebral displacement in a patient with osteochondrosis

Spinal traction is often used for osteochondrosis. With the help of traction, muscle spasm is relieved, the displacement of the vertebrae and the deformation of the spine are eliminated. The procedure is performed in a hospital. There is a dry and underwater method of spinal traction.

Dry traction is performed under the influence of the weight of the patient, who is lying on an inclined plane.To increase the pulling force, the doctor may use additional weights. With underwater traction, the healing effect is enhanced due to the effect of warm water on the body.


Under the influence of water, the distance between the vertebrae increases, vascular spasms in the affected area are eliminated and blood supply improves.

surgery

Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis is performed in cases where there are severe complications.Such complications include: herniation of the intervertebral disc, displacement of the vertebrae and significant reduction of the lumen of the spinal canal.

In this case, various types of operations are performed. These include operations to fix displaced vertebrae with metal plates, place artificial implants on intervertebral joints, or remove individual bone growths.

Fixation of displaced vertebrae with implants in an advanced stage of osteochondrosis

Physiotherapy

Physical therapy for osteochondrosis is one of the most important aspects of treatment. As a result, blood circulation is gradually restored, the vertebrae return to their normal position, and the spine is significantly strengthened.

In the initial stages of the disease consists of gymnastics.In cases where gymnastics does not give positive results, the doctor selects an individual set of exercises for the patient., combined with other physiotherapy procedures.

Complications

The disease can cause the following complications:

  • inflammatory diseases of nerve roots (radiculitis, radiculopathy);
  • intervertebral hernia;
  • vegetative-vascular dystonia;
  • various neurological complications;
  • severe headache, migraine;
  • atrophy of limbs;
  • spinal canal stenosis;
  • spondyloarthrosis (proliferation of the edges of the joint surface as a result of deforming arthrosis);
  • spinal cord stroke.

If drug therapy does not give a positive result, surgical treatment is prescribed. The slightest delay and untimely initiation of treatment can lead to damage, as the spine will lose its properties and mobility.

If treatment is not started promptly, complications such as malfunction of the organs of the reproductive and urinary systems may occur.

Prevention

Treatment of osteochondrosis is quite difficult. Therefore, every effort should be made to prevent the disease from appearing in the body. To prevent the occurrence of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to constantly carry out preventive measures:

  • trueorganize a workplace;
  • at work you needtake short breaksdoing light gymnastics;
  • watch your posture;
  • dailythe gait should be light, without constrictions;
  • choose the right and comfortable pillow, elastic mattress.The sleeping surface must be flatand elastic;
  • The daily diet should contain a minimum of salty and sweet dishes and more foods enriched with calcium. Vitamins C, E, B must be present. They will strengthen the cartilage tissue and make it elastic.
  • active lifestyle.
  • prophylacticallymassage.
  • medicinalGymnastics.

Preventive measures are also the main requirements during the rehabilitation period. Observance of these simple rules allows you to avoid relapse of the disease even after full recovery.

conclusions

  1. Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of the human spine. Symptoms depend on the type of disease and the place of its occurrence (cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral).
  2. Complications of the disease can not only disrupt the integrity of the spine, but also significantly affect the functioning of other organ systems.
  3. Osteochondrosis can be cured only in a comprehensive way, combining medication, physiotherapy and therapeutic exercises.
  4. It's not complicatedpreventive measures will help protect your body from severe pathology.