Spinal osteochondritis

Osteochondrosis is a disease characterized by degenerative changes in the cartilaginous tissue of the spine. The lack of adequate therapy leads to a violation of the structure and dysfunction of the intervertebral discs, deformity of the spine. Depending on the localization of the pathological process, the following types of osteochondrosis are distinguished: cervical, thoracic, lumbar. According to statistics, this disease is observed in more than half of the world's population in people over the age of 35. The main reasons for its development are injuries, systematic uneven loads on the spine and legs.

What is it

Speaking of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to say that this disease causes a violation of the tissue structure of the intervertebral discs themselves, reducing their elasticity and changing their shape. At the same time there is a decrease in the distance between them, which ultimately leads to a loss of stability of the spine.

As a result of the contraction of the intervertebral space, the nerve endings coming from the spinal cord are tightened. This causes an increase in muscle tone and pain.

Decreased elasticity causes the formation of intervertebral hernias and the development of protrusion (a disease in which the vertebrae begin to erupt into the spinal canal without rupture of the fibrous annulus). And if the treatment is carried out incorrectly or is completely absent, then it will lead to the degradation of the joints of the spine and ligaments with the further formation of osteophytes (bone processes).

The development of osteochondrosis causes a violation of motor functions. The person begins to be disturbed by constant pain in the area of the pathological focus, which intensifies during the bending / extension of the back. There is a high probability of subluxation, curvature of the back.

As a rule, the first symptoms of the disease appear in people during the period of physiological aging of the organism. But there are situations when the pathology begins to develop much earlier. And the reason for that is often the wrong way of life.

There is also chondrosis in medicine, which has similar symptoms and etiology. What is the difference between chondrosis and osteochondrosis? It's simple. Chondrosis is the initial stage in the development of osteochondrosis, when the processes of replacing damaged tissues with fibrosis and the formation of osteophytes have not yet begun in the spine. When there is a pronounced deformation of the spine and the creation of new processes, we talk about osteochondrosis.

Provocative factors

What is chondrosis and osteochondrosis - they understood. Now we should talk about the reasons for their development. After all, if you do not eliminate them, the treatment of the disease will not allow to achieve positive dynamics. As already mentioned at the outset, the main reason for the appearance of pathology is the uneven load on the spine. This can be caused by:

• carrying heavy bags on one shoulder or in one hand;
• improper posture;
• sleeping on a soft mattress, high pillow;
• wearing uncomfortable and anatomically defective shoes.

And in the background, osteochondrosis of the spine can develop:

• hypodynamics (accompanied by impaired blood circulation, decreased muscle tone, shortness of breath);
• passive lifestyle;
• obesity;
• injuries (fractures, sprains, bruises);
• flat feet;
• other degenerative diseases that lead to poor circulation in the spinal column.

Highlighting the causes of osteochondrosis of the spine, it should also be noted:

• frequent physical stress;
• neuro-emotional exhaustion;
• metabolic disorders;
• intoxication (drugs, chemicals);
• digestive tract pathology;
• genetic predisposition;
• scoliosis;
• hypovitaminosis;
• pregnancy;
• smoking;
• drinking alcoholic beverages;
• prolonged / frequent dehydration.

There are many reasons for the development of osteochondrosis of the back. Most often, its occurrence occurs immediately in the background of the influence of several factors (for example, trauma, passive lifestyle, smoking, prolonged stay in the wrong position). It can be established only through a detailed diagnosis, study of the anamnesis.

Stages of development

Before we talk about what to do if chondrosis begins to develop, it is necessary to say about its stages of development, because not only the severity of symptoms, but also the tactics of treatment directly depend on them. There are 4 degrees in total:

• The first phase. At this stage, pathological processes occur in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc. Dehydration (dehydration) has been reported in it, which ultimately contributes to the reduction of its height and the formation of cracks in the annulus fibrosus. There is no symptomatic picture at this stage of the disease. A person may feel only mild discomfort in the back area after intense physical exertion, prolonged stay in an awkward position, etc.
• Second phase. It is accompanied by a reduction in intervertebral space, relaxation of muscles and ligaments of the spine. Such changes lead to increased vertebral mobility. And any provoking factor can cause them to move or slip. As for the symptoms, at this stage patients already have back discomfort and pain that occurs with certain types of loads, pos.
• The third phase. It is characterized by the appearance of prolapse and protrusions, subluxation, arthrosis of the intervertebral joints. At this stage, the disease often causes stiffness of movement, a burning sensation in the pathological area and numbness. The pain syndrome has a pronounced character, it periodically occurs even at rest, in the absence of heavy loads.
• Fourth phase. At this stage, the body tries to adapt to the disorders. His task is to do everything possible to improve the fixation of the spine. To do this, it begins to form osteophytes - bone formations that replace cavities in the spine. However, in this way the body not only helps itself but also harms itself. After all, osteophytes lead to nerve entrapment, injury to healthy vertebrae. And this becomes the reason for the development of fibrous ankylosis in the joints and intervertebral discs (increase in the volume of fibrous tissue with simultaneous fusion with the remains of cartilage). If a person has microtrauma and violation at the same time, then the severity of the pain syndrome increases. In their absence, the clinical picture subsides.

Symptoms

Talking about what osteochondrosis is and how to get rid of it, one cannot help but talk about the symptoms with which it can manifest. The main sign of its development is the presence of discomfort or pain in the neck, thoracic region and lower back. The severity of the sensation directly depends on the stage of development of the disease.

Visual examination of the patient reveals curvature of the spine in the transverse or longitudinal plane. They are most commonly seen in the lower back or neck, less commonly in the thoracic region.

If we talk about the feelings of the patient himself, then among them there is periodic or constant fatigue in the back area, as well as pain, which can be worn out and expressed, depending on the severity of pathological processes. It can be localized in:

• neck,
• shoulder girdle;
• chest;
• lumbar region;
• perineum.

In this case, stiffness of movement is possible, which makes it difficult to perform household chores. It most often occurs in the upper limbs. The symptomatic picture may be supplemented by other signs. It all depends on the location of the focus, its weight and the characteristics of the organism. If the patient has disc displacement, bulge, hernia, osteophytes, then this often leads to impaired blood circulation, spinal canal dysfunction, edema, fibrosis, pinching. All this causes the appearance of symptoms that can complicate the diagnosis and lead to misdiagnosis.

Talking about how osteochondrosis manifests, it is necessary to point out the most common symptoms that patients complain of. This includes:

• pain arising in the neck, lumbar region, shoulder girdle, ribs;
• stiffness of movement, discomfort in the morning after waking up, when bending, turning;
• feeling numb in the arms, legs, neck;
• discomfort in the joints and muscles of the back;
• frequent dizziness, migraines;
• rapid fatigue;
• heart pain;
• violation of the sensitivity of the upper limbs;
• decreased muscle tone.

Signs of osteochondrosis directly depend on the location of the pathological focus:

• Cervical department. In this case, the pain is localized in the neck, arms, shoulder girdle. It can give on the shoulders and shoulders. Cervical osteochondrosis can also manifest as headache, tinnitus, "tingling" in front of the eyes and dizziness.
• Chest cross section. With this pathology, chest pain occurs. It can be given on the upper shoulders, armpits. It often causes discomfort and pain in the heart area. May cause respiratory disorders, dyspnoea.
• Lumbosacral region. Pain syndrome dominates in the lumbar spine. It also manifests as discomfort in the legs, hips and pelvic organs. It often causes sexual dysfunction.

Any discomfort in the spine is a serious reason to consult a doctor.

The presence of such signs as fatigue in the back, pain may also indicate not only the onset of the disease in question, but also the addition of other diseases that have nothing to do with dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs. The diagnosis of osteochondrosis or chondrosis can only be made by an experienced physician after a detailed diagnosis.

Diagnosis

What causes osteochondrosis and how it can manifest, we talked. But I must say that he will not be able to make a correct diagnosis only on the basis of a visual examination and the feelings of the patient himself. To do this, you must undergo a thorough examination, which necessarily includes:

• X-ray of the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine (depending on the area of discomfort);
• myelography;
• neurological examination of sensitivity, reflex.

As additional diagnostic methods are used:

• CT;
• MRI;
• NMR.

To rule out the presence of inflammatory or infectious diseases, laboratory tests are also prescribed:

• OAM;
• UAC;
• blood chemistry.

If necessary, a consultation with a specialist of a narrower profile is appointed.

Methods of treatment

Unlike chondrosis, osteochondrosis in the ridge area is a chronic process that cannot be eliminated by conservative methods. But that doesn't mean you don't have to fight it. Lack of adequate therapy can lead to serious consequences - the spine is deformed, in place of bone structures will appear fibrous tissue that is unable to perform the necessary functions, the person will become disabled.

Conservative therapy

The doctor will tell you what to do with osteochondrosis. As a rule, the following methods are used in such a disease:

• Drug therapy. In this case, medications are used to eliminate painful sensations, alleviate inflammation and restore metabolism. If the patient has severe pain, drug blockades are applied, which, in addition to the analgesic effect, help to reduce the severity of the muscular-tonic syndrome. There are the following types of blockades used in osteochondrosis: trigger point block, intraosseous, faceted, paravertebral, epidural.
• Physiotherapy activities. They are also used to reduce pain and improve the effectiveness of medications. Ultrasound therapy, magnetic fields, low-frequency currents, laser beams, etc. are most often used for osteochondrosis.
• Physiotherapy and kinesitherapy. All patients, without exception, are prescribed exercise therapy. It is performed under the supervision of experts. Provides posture correction, increases muscle tone, relieves nervous tension. Systematic performance of special exercises also helps to increase the spacing between the discs, to evenly distribute the load on the musculoskeletal system.
• Massage. Hand massage helps to normalize blood circulation, relieve cramps and tighten muscles. If the patient has disorders of the nervous system, hydromassage is prescribed.
• Manual therapy. It is selected individually for each patient. Provides normalization of lymph outflow, blood circulation, metabolism, spinal mobility. Prevents the development of complications, strengthens the immune system.
• Spinal traction. This method involves stretching the spine using special equipment. Thus, it is possible to increase the intervertebral space and reduce the manifestation of osteochondrosis.

Surgical treatment

If conservative treatment does not help to remove the signs of osteochondrosis and does not give any positive dynamics at all, they resort to surgical intervention. Indications for this are:

• cauda equina syndrome, which develops in the presence of a massive hernia;
• spinal canal stenosis with compression of the brain and neurovascular bundles;
• combination of osteochondrosis with significant spondylolisthesis with severe segment instability;
• root compression at the level of the lumbar segment L5;
• cervical osteochondrosis, which occurs with discogenic syndrome of the vertebral arteries.

Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis can be performed in several ways:

• Laminotomy. This type of operation involves removing a fragment of the bone structure and the yellow ligament.
• Laminectomy. During it, most of the spine that limits the spinal canal is removed.
• Foraminotamia. The purpose of the operation is to widen the radicular canal.
• Discetomy. In this operation, partial or complete removal of the intervertebral disc is performed.
• Laser evaporation of the disk core. It is performed with the participation of a special LED, which ensures partial destruction of the disc, which leads to the reverse development of the hernia.

How to get rid of osteochondrosis is decided only by the doctor. It is necessary to understand that each case is individual, and the choice of one or another method of surgical intervention depends on the location of the pathology, its severity, the patient has other diseases.

Traditional methods

You can treat spinal disease at home. But this should be done only in cases where there are still symptoms of chondrosis (initial stages of disease development) and after a preliminary consultation with a doctor.

Speaking about what helps with chondrosis, the following recipes of alternative medicine should be pointed out:

1. You need to take 1 kg of coarse salt, mix it with 3 tbsp. l. dry mustard, add 100 ml of water, mix everything well. The resulting slurry must be put on low heat and heated to a temperature of 50 degrees. The mixture is applied to the painful area, a film is placed on it, then a warm handkerchief. With such a compress, the patient should lie down until completely cooled. After the procedure, it is necessary to stay warm for another 2 hours.
2. Pour 1. 5 liters of water into the sherpa, add 3 handfuls of sawdust and boil the resulting mixture, then strain. The sawdust is laid on plastic foil, which is previously covered with a sheet on the bed. A gauze napkin is placed on the sawdust, after which they lie on it, and cover it with a warm blanket from above. So lie down for 30 to 40 minutes.
3. Take 200 g of five-legged roots, 100 roots of dwarf, 100 g of elecampane. The herbs are placed in a 3-liter jar, filled to the top with vodka. The resulting composition is placed in a dark place for 3 weeks and then filtered. Take 3 times daily before meals, 1 tbsp. l. throughout the month. Then take a break of 10 days and repeat the course.

Osteochondrosis is difficult to treat. It is difficult to respond to conservative methods of therapy. But if you combine them with proper diet, home treatment, exercise therapy and all the doctor's recommendations, then the patient has every chance to get rid of the pain that bothers him and prevent the development of complications.