Osteochondrosis: symptoms, causes, treatment methods

Excessive tension in the back muscles causes a lot of discomfort and pain.Osteochondrosis, which causes disturbances in the structure of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, leads to serious pinching of nerve endings.Pathology is often accompanied by impaired blood circulation, which causes disturbances in the nutrition of the brain and internal organs.

Osteochondrosis - what is it?

Osteochondrosis is a recurrent disease that occurs in a chronic form and is accompanied by the destruction of vertebrae and intervertebral discs.Their tissue is disturbed, which causes a decrease in their elasticity with subsequent changes in shape.There is a gradual decrease in the intervertebral space.This causes the loss of stability of the spinal column in the area where the pathology develops.

The process of pathological tissue destruction occurs against the background of pinched nerve endings directed from the area where the spinal cord is located.As a result, the back muscles are in constant tension.In such a situation, the patient complains of pain in the back and other symptoms.

Based on the peculiarities of localization of spinal structures affected by degenerative changes, cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral types of pathological processes are distinguished.The main sign of the development of osteochondrosis is pain, intensity and severity that usually increases during physical activity.

There is also stiffness in movement.In addition, the clinical picture is characterized by the presence of signs of the vertebral type - headache, changes in blood pressure, deterioration of visual function, hearing, etc.

Mechanism of development

The development of osteochondrosis is due to the fact that the nucleus pulposus begins to lose its hydrophilic qualities.This semi-fluid structure contains connective tissue fibers and chondroitin, a gelatinous substance.During the development of the human body and its growth, the process of reducing the vascular bed in the intervertebral disc actively occurs.Nutrients are supplied in a diffuse manner, which manifests itself in spontaneous concentration stabilization.This feature causes difficulty in the complete restoration of cartilage that has suffered damage or excessive pressure on the spine.

Pathological deviations become more pronounced due to disturbances in the level of hormones and human nutrition.Cartilage tissue begins to suffer from a lack of nutrients necessary for its normal development.Therefore, the disorder manifests itself in the form of:

• decreased strength and elasticity;
• changes in consistency parameters and configuration properties.

Against the background of flattening of the intervertebral disc, radial cracks are formed in the fibrous ring.As a result, the intervertebral distance decreases, and the facet joints begin to shift.Over time, pathological changes cover the connective tissue associated with fibrous rings and ligaments.

When tissue is damaged, the immune system produces immunoglobulins in increased quantities.This provokes the development of an aseptic inflammatory process, and swelling is formed in the area where the facet joints are located.They also spread to nearby soft tissue.

Due to the stretching of the joint capsule, the intervertebral disc loses its ability to fix the vertebrae.Such instability in the position of the spinal structure increases the risk of pinching nerve roots or squeezing blood vessels.This feature is characteristic, for example, of cervical osteochondrosis, which is accompanied by intense oral symptoms.

The reasons for the development of the disease

The condition of the intervertebral disc can be worsened by a decrease in the tone of the skeletal muscles in the spine.Due to irrational and asymmetric muscle work, when a non-physiological body position is maintained for a long time, the destruction of cartilage tissue can occur.This violation occurs as a result of carrying a heavy bag on the same shoulder, using a soft mattress and a high pillow.

The process of destruction of the intervertebral disc is accelerated due to the action of several negative factors of external and internal nature.These include:

• disorders in the functioning of endocrine mechanisms and metabolic disorders;
• infectious pathologies, including chronic ones;
• damage to the spinal column in the form of compression fractures, bruises;
• normal and prolonged hypothermia of the body;
• systemic and degenerative-dystrophic diseases - gouty, psoriatic, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis;
• smoking and alcohol abuse, which disrupt the state of the vascular system, affect blood circulation and cause a lack of nutrients in the cartilage;
• insufficient physical development, problems with posture, flat feet - these defects increase the load on the spine, because shock absorption will not be enough;
• obesity;
• genetic predisposition;
• exposure to normal stress.

symptoms

The main clinical sign of osteochondrosis of any localization (cervical, thoracic or lumbosacral) is pain.In repeated cases, the pain is piercing, radiating to nearby areas of the body.Even with the slightest movement it gets stronger.This forces the patient to give a forced position to the body to minimize discomfort and pain:

• with cervical osteochondrosis, it is better to turn not only one head, but the whole body;
• when the chest form of the disease is present, it is difficult for the patient to take a deep breath, and therefore, to avoid acute chest pain, he tries to minimize the depth and frequency of breathing;
• Patients with this type of lumbar disease have difficulty when they sit, take an upright position, and move, because the spinal nerves are pinched.

Usually, patients complain of the presence of dull, constant pain and stiffness in movement in the morning after waking up.In this case, a differential diagnosis is needed to help eliminate the risk of developing myositis caused by inflammation of the skeletal muscles of the spine or osteoarthritis.

Aching and pressing pain occurs due to compensatory tension in the muscle tissue.This condition is necessary to stabilize the range of motion of the spine.Persistent mild or moderate pain can also appear with significant stretching of the intervertebral disc, as a result of aseptic inflammatory changes.

Osteochondrosis of specific localization is characterized by special symptoms:

1. With cervical osteochondrosis, pain is felt in the cervical area, in the upper part of the leg.There is pain in the head and numbness in the fingers.If the disease manifests itself in a serious form, pinching of the vertebral artery may occur.In this case, the patient begins to complain about a significant deterioration in health.
2. Thoracic localization is indicated by sharp pain and pain in the back;there is a visceral pain syndrome in the region of the heart, right hypochondrium and abdomen.Patients complain of numbness, paresthesia of the skin, difficulty breathing, and dryness of the vertebrae.
3. Patients with lumbar osteochondrosis complain of pain in the back and lower legs with increasing intensity when moving.Disorders in the function of the genitourinary system, problems with male potency, and dysfunctional ovarian disorders are often diagnosed.During remission, pain may decrease.However, exposure to provoking factors leads to reactivation.

4. When mixed osteochondrosis appears, symptoms can appear in several areas simultaneously.This condition is characterized by a more severe course of the disease.

It should be remembered that the displacement of the vertebrae and the formation of osteophytes cause compression of the vertebral arteries.It nourishes the brain, supplying its cells with oxygen.When weaning, nutrition is limited, and therefore the patient has problems with coordination, headaches, tinnitus, and arterial hypertension.

Consequences if not treated

The reason for the complicated course of osteochondrosis is the relatively rapid formation of a hernia in the intervertebral disc.Their appearance is associated with the posterior displacement of the vertebral structure.This creates a rupture of the posterior longitudinal ligament, resulting in the instability of the disc position and the protrusion of its individual parts into the area of the spinal canal.The hernia ruptures when the disc with the nucleus pulposus penetrates into the area of the canal.

When pathological abnormalities occur in the vertebral structure, the spinal cord begins to be compressed, and the patient experiences discogenic myelopathy.Symptoms of this condition are associated with numbness and weakness in certain muscle groups in the upper and lower extremities.Paresis, muscle atrophy, and impaired tendon reflexes appear.In some cases, problems arise with emptying the bladder and bowels.

The formation of an intervertebral hernia is dangerous because of the compression of the arteries that provide nutrition to the spinal cord.The result of this pathology is the formation of an ischemic zone where nerve cells are damaged and killed.Manifestations of neurological effects are expressed in disturbances in motor function, decreased level of touch, and trophic disorders.

Disease diagnosis

The initial diagnosis is made based on the patient's complaints and existing symptoms.The specialist examines the condition of the spine in different positions, asking the patient to rest or move.At the next stage, the patient is sent for laboratory diagnostics, which will help clarify the diagnosis or refute it.

Research methods used include:

1. Radiography– provides a complete examination of the spine with an assessment of the condition of the vertebrae, existing disorders in the form of growth, curvature.The specialist will be able to determine the intervertebral space and the condition of the hole.To accurately identify osteochondrosis in the thoracic or cervical region, a two-stage x-ray examination is performed.In the first stage, the patient lies on his side, and in the second stage - directly on his back.
2. Tomographic method using MRI or CTprovides very informative data, which helps to study the vertebra in detail without interference from the organs that cover it.The image shows the nervous and vascular system.MRI helps to identify the signs of many diseases of the spine and the location of damage.A CT scan visualizes the hernia and determines possible irregularities in the structure of the spine.
3. Laboratory examinationto assess the condition of the blood and its main parameters.Allows you to clarify the diagnosis and determine the possibility of developing concomitant diseases.

In many cases, as a result of the examination, the doctor diagnoses the presence of a certain underlying disease that is potentially dangerous due to its complications.We are talking, for example, about hernia, protrusion, radiculitis.Correct diagnosis of the problem helps to treat osteochondrosis more effectively.At the same time, the disease itself in the first stage of development disguises itself as a symptom of another disease.

Therapeutic process

Osteochondrosis is treated conservatively or surgically.The choice depends on the severity of the condition, neglect, the degree of tissue deterioration, and the cause of its occurrence.

It is important to remember that it is not possible to completely cure osteochondrosis, because there is no medicine that helps to completely restore the discs and vertebrae.The therapeutic effect is aimed at preventing the destruction process and increasing the duration and stability of remission.

For symptomatic therapy, chondroprotectors are used, the basis of which is chondroitin or glucosamine sulfate.

The effectiveness of the therapeutic process using chondroprotectors has been clinically confirmed based on long-term tests.If you take this drug for a long time (from 3 months), then partial recovery of cartilage and other elements of the connective type - ligament-tendon apparatus, bursa - is observed.

Accumulation of glucosamine and chondroitin in the intervertebral disc area leads to analgesic, anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory effects.Therefore, there is a real opportunity to optimize the dose of NSAIDs, glucocorticosteroids, and muscle relaxants.You can expect a reduction in the medication burden on the patient.

The effectiveness of chondroprotectors is determined by the regularity of their use.Otherwise there will be no results.Ineffectiveness is also recorded in the treatment of osteochondrosis at the 3rd stage, accompanied by significant cartilage destruction.

The following groups of drugs can be used to relieve pain:

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugshelps eliminate inflammatory disorders in soft tissue caused by vertebral displacement.NSAIDs are effective in reducing pain, swelling and stiffness.
2. Drugs from the glucocorticosteroids group– restraints are usually used in conjunction with anesthetics.They are able to relieve pain, restore the function of the immune mechanism, and provide an anti-exudative effect.
3. Relax the muscles.They are effective in combating muscle spasms due to nerve disorders.They help relax skeletal muscles and block polysynaptic spinal reflexes with an antispasmodic effect.
4. External product with heating effect.Irritation of subcutaneous tissue receptors with activation of blood flow is provided by special gels and ointments.These drugs have analgesic and anti-edematous effects.

Symptoms of the vertebrogenic type, which appear due to the localization of pathology in the cervical or thoracic region, can be eliminated using medical means to activate blood flow.Nootropics and drugs to improve microcirculation are also prescribed.In some cases, it may be necessary to take antidepressants, as well as pharmaceutical drugs with anticonvulsant effects.

During the treatment of osteochondrosis, they also use physiotherapy.UHF therapy, magnetic therapy, laser therapy, reflexology, massage, exercise therapy, hirudotherapy, as well as swimming and yoga can be prescribed.If conservative treatment is ineffective, surgery is performed using microdiscectomy, disc puncture valorization, laser reconstruction or implant replacement.