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Symptoms and treatment methods of spinal osteochondrosis

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

Weakening of the intervertebral discs or other disorders of the spine that complicate or limit movements indicate the development of a serious disease - osteochondrosis. It can happen to 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 organ systems. Because of this, it is necessary to know the causes, signs of osteochondrosis, as well as treatment methods to notice disorders in time and prevent the development of pathology.

What is osteochondrosis?

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

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

ICD-10 code

The World Health Organization has developed 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 it is and what treatment should be prescribed to save the patient from this problem.

According to ICD-10, osteochondrosis has the 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 occurrence of osteochondrosis. It all depends on the part of the spine in which the disease develops - 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 negatively affect the musculoskeletal system;
  • Age-related changes in the body. As a result, muscle tissue, bones and cartilage are destroyed, intervertebral discs wear out with age;
  • Spinal cord injuries and bruises. Many people spend a long time in one position, for example, sitting at a desk, while others do the same type of physical work. All this causes damage to the bones and ligamentous apparatus of the spine, as well as damage to the intervertebral discs;
  • Degenerative changes in muscle tissue. These processes appear due to overloading of individual muscle groups, which most often leads to thoracic osteochondrosis.
  • Sedentary lifestyle. Muscle atrophy appears, which provokes blood circulation disorders and improper formation of the bone skeleton.

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

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

  • hypothermia;
  • flat feet;
  • complications after infectious diseases;
  • overweight;
  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • spinal cord injuries.

When the intervertebral discs and cartilage tissues are damaged, it is important to determine the cause of the disease and start the appropriate treatment.

Types and symptoms

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

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

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

  • cervicalgia- accompanied by pain in the neck and limited movement; pain can spread to the shoulder region and the space between the shoulder blades; Tingling and burning sensations in the hands and fingers can often be noticed;
  • cervicocranialgia- accompanied by pain from the neck to the parietal and occipital parts of the head, shoulder girdle; muscle tension is characteristic, a feeling of petrification is created; headaches, nausea, tinnitus, imbalance are observed;
  • cervicobrachialgia– characterized by shooting, pain, pulling and throbbing pain; turning and tilting the head can cause an attack of acute pain and physical tension in the affected area, the pain appears in the arms and fingers, leading to weakness of the upper limbs;
  • discogenic root damage- characterized by paroxysmal pain in the shoulder, forearm and fingers, which is accompanied by numbness and a feeling of coldness; symptoms intensify when you cough, sneeze or turn your head sharply; it can worsen at night, leading to insomnia.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a rare form of the disease

This is a rather rare form. In terms of symptoms, thoracic osteochondrosis is similar to other diseases, and therefore requires differential diagnosis.Due to the immobility of the thoracic vertebrae in this area, severe pain is not observed during movement.The pain syndrome spreads to the sternum and under the shoulder blade. Thoracic osteochondrosis can cause disruption 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 during bending, bending and turning of the body, under the ribs, in the front of the chest, pain during inhalation, exhalation; pain may radiate to the shoulder and between the shoulder blades;
  • pain syndrome, in which pain is shooting in nature; pain can be felt inside the chest, abdomen; worsens with movement, coughing, sneezing, laughing; sensitivity disorders are observed.

Thoracalgia (chest pain) is one of the most serious symptoms a person can experience. Sometimes even a doctor cannot immediately determine the cause of chest pain and find out if 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 destroyed. There are several types of lumbar osteochondrosis:

  • lumbago (acute lumbar lumbago)– acute pain in the lumbar spine that appears during weight lifting, physical activity or bending; characterized by shooting pain to the right or left in the lumbar region; they also distinguish lumbago with sciatica, when the pain spreads to the back and legs;
  • radicular vascular syndrome (radiculoischemia)occurs when the radiculomedullary artery is damaged and is accompanied by paralysis of the extensors and flexors of the gluteal muscle group, the leg hangs weakly, 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 the loss of fluid reserves in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs. As a resultthe physiological position of the disc and the structure of the nucleus pulposus are disrupted.
  2. The further development of the disease (first degree) is due to the decrease in the height of the disc.Muscles and ligaments are strained and lose their ability to work normally.At this stage, vertebral displacement may occur.
  3. The second degree is characterized by changes in bone tissue.Forms of arthrosis, subluxations occur.
  4. The third degree is determined by the fact thatbone growths (osteophytes) form in the spine, which lead to nerve root damage.

The development of osteochondrosis should not be neglected, as the course of treatment and rehabilitation increases with each subsequent stage. 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 the early manifestation of severe symptoms.Also, with radiculitis, pressure on the paravertebral muscles and even tilting the head cause severe pain, which resembles an electric shock, which does not happen with osteochondrosis.

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

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

Diagnosing

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

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 extent of pain to other parts of the body.Neurological examination is very important for osteochondrosis, because this disease affects the functioning of the nerve endings and the spinal cord.


Spinal myelography

It allows you to see how the cerebrospinal fluid spreads inside the spinal membranes. This helps to identify pathologies of the spine, diseases of nerve roots and spinal cord. Under local anesthesia, a special dye is injected into the area of the spinal cord and nerves. An X-ray machine provides a complete view 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. Using this procedure, you can see a picture of the bone tissue of a particular spinal region. The doctor interprets the resulting image and, if a narrowing of the space between the vertebrae is visible, this indicates that the patient has osteochondrosis.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)

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

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 through the use of a magnetic field and not radiation.

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

Treatment methods

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

Drug therapy

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

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

In addition to oral medications, patients are prescribed various nonsteroidal ointments and gels that can relieve pain and reduce swelling in problem areas.

Physiotherapy

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

  • Electrophoresis- performing physiotherapy with electric fields modulated by currents. This allows the medicine to enter the body. Helps relieve pain and muscle spasms;
  • Magnetotherapy. This pain-free physiotherapy includes the positive effect of a magnetic field on the active cells of 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 eliminated 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 physiotherapy procedure that improves the condition of osteochondrosis.

Physiotherapy should be performed during the period of weakening of symptoms, when there is no pain. In the acute phase of the disease, the doctor chooses a number of procedures that can eliminate the pain syndrome. As a result of proper physical treatment, the patient stops feeling 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. l. rye flour, 100 g of butter, 1 tbsp. l. vinegar and 1 egg. Mix all the ingredients and leave for two days. Rub it on the affected areas.
  3. Grate the raw potatoes and mix with a small amount of honey. Apply the prepared pulp to the injured area for 2 hours.

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

Withdrawal

Spinal traction to eliminate vertebral displacement in a patient with osteochondrosis

Traction of the spine is often used for osteochondrosis. With the help of traction, the 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 are dry and underwater methods of spinal traction.

Dry traction is performed under the influence of the weight of the patient, who lies on an inclined plane.To increase the pulling force, the doctor may use additional weights. With the underwater retreat, 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 the blood supply improves.

Surgery

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

In this case, various types of operations are performed. These include operations to secure displaced vertebrae with metal plates, insert artificial implants of the 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, it consists of gymnastics.In cases where gymnastics does not bring positive results, the doctor chooses a group of individual 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 (spreading of the edges of the joint surface as a result of deforming arthrosis);
  • spinal tap.

If drug therapy does not bring positive results, surgical treatment is prescribed. The slightest delay and failure to start treatment on time can lead to disability, as the spine will lose its properties and mobility.

If the treatment therapy is not started at the right time, complications such as dysfunction of the organs of the reproductive and urinary system may appear.

Preventing

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

  • Rightorganize a workplace;
  • when you work that you needtake short breaksdoing light gymnastics;
  • watch your attitude;
  • every daywalking should be easy, without straining;
  • 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 rich in calcium. Vitamins C, E, B must be present. They will strengthen the cartilage tissue and make it elastic.
  • active lifestyle.
  • prophylacticmassage.
  • medicinalgymnastics.

Preventive measures are also the main requirements during the rehabilitation period. Following these simple rules allows you to avoid the return of the disease even after complete recovery.

conclusions

  1. Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disorder 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. Not complicatedpreventive measures will help protect your body from a serious pathology.