Osteochondrosis and frequent back pain affect 60-80% of the population over 30 years of age. Untreated osteochondrosis reduces quality of life and can lead to deformities and deformities, so it is important to recognize it at an early stage of development and seek medical help.
In the article, we will discuss about osteochondrosis, its symptoms and diagnostic methods, as well as how to distinguish osteochondrosis from other diseases manifested by back pain and what to do if there are signs of spinal osteochondrosis.
What is Spinal Osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease in which the nucleus of the intervertebral disc is gradually destroyed. Over time, damage to the intervertebral disc involves other spinal structures in the pathological process and leads to disorders of the musculoskeletal system and nervous system. Osteochondrosis is also characterized as premature aging of the articular apparatus or as a pathology due to damage to the vertebrae, for example, after injury.
The development of osteochondrosis is influenced by many factors, so the researchers devised a system of reasons that explain the origin of the disease:
- involved - inflammatory processes and other spinal injuries cause premature aging of cartilage, for example, as a result of an inactive lifestyle;
- degenerative - disorders of the intervertebral disc occur as a result of metabolic failure, for example, as a result of an unbalanced diet and alcohol abuse;
- dysmetabolic - osteochondrosis occurs due to a lack of nutrients in the intervertebral cartilage due to the fact that with age, the number of blood vessels that supply blood with nutrients decreases in them.
The development of osteochondrosis is a cascade in which one pathological process begins another. Thus, for example, due to age -related changes and a decrease in the number of vessels in the disc, nutrition is disrupted, leading to failure in biochemical processes and damage to the intervertebral disc.
As degenerative changes and dystrophy develop in the spine, muscle tone and nerve root work that exit the spinal cord through natural openings in the vertebrae are disrupted. This leads to consequences from the nervous and musculoskeletal systems.
Symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease with periodic exacerbations, provoked by injury, unsettled lifestyle, weight lifting, hypothermia and psycho-emotional stress. The most common and typical symptom for dystrophic disorders of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc is frequent back pain in different parts: in the neck, chest and lower back.
There are two types of symptoms of osteochondrosis: reflex and compression. Reflex symptoms arise due to irritation of the spinal cord roots. They manifest themselves in the form of cramps or vasodilation, muscle wrinkles, weakness of muscle strength. Symptoms of compression develop due to compression (more often formed by spinal hernias) of nerves and manifest as loss of sensation in the affected part (in the neck, arms or lower back)
Also, osteochondrosis is characterized by the following symptoms:
- tension and pain in the muscles of the neck and back;
- curvature of the spine to the side, backwards or forwards;
- violation of sensitivity and nerve regulation: there is a feeling of crawling on the skin, hot and cold swings on the skin of the back and legs, numbness in the arms or legs;
- weakening the muscle strength of the limbs;
- frequent urination - up to 10-12 times a day.
Where can osteochondrosis give?
Pain in osteochondrosis is localized not only in the back. They extend to the top and bottom. On foot at:
- back;
- back and sides of thighs;
- the lower part of the foot and the inside of the ankle;
- the back of the foot;
- toes;
- heel.
Also, the pain can spread to the arm to:
- deltoid muscle;
- outer edge of hand, up to finger;
- the back of the hand;
- three middle fingers;
- ring finger and little finger (rare).
How is osteochondrosis diagnosed?
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is based on survey, physical examination and instrumental examination methods. Specific inspection methods were determined during the consultation.
The doctor begins the diagnosis by taking anamnesis: he identifies the possible causes of back pain, prescribes the localization of pain and its duration, identifies the presence of corresponding pathologies, for example, allergies, congenital diseases and drug intolerance. Then proceed with the inspection. Physical examination is performed while standing or sitting. Doctors can detect the curvature of the spine, assess muscle strength and reflexes, and look at skin color. To detail the picture of the disease, consultation with relevant specialists is required: neurologists, neurosurgeons, oncologists, rheumatologists and phthisiatricians.
A neurologist diagnoses osteochondrosis if:
- frequent back pain;
- increased pain when lifting weights, sneezing, coughing;
- numbness and joint pain;
- decreased range of motion at the joints;
- muscle cramp;
- damage to nerve roots;
- X-ray changes of the spine.
Do you need a spine X-ray?
Spinal X-ray or spondylography is one of the mandatory examinations for osteochondrosis, with the help of which it is possible to identify structural disorders of the spine. Spondylogography allows you to find pathological changes, for example, thinning of the intervertebral disc. Typically for the cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral spines, X-rays are performed in two (and sometimes three) projections for more detail.
Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging make it possible to identify pathologies associated with osteochondrosis: disc herniation and decreased lumen of the spinal canal, protrusion of the intervertebral disc into the spinal canal and spinal cord compression.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, two main symptoms appear - cervicago and cervicalgia. Cervicago is an acutely painful cervical lumbago that appears when moving the head and is caused by muscle tension in the cervical spine. Cervicalgia aches and severe pain in the neck. Paresthesia is added to cervicalgia - a violation of sensitivity in the form of numbness and a creeping feeling on the skin.
If the defeat of the core of the intervertebral disc in the neck occurs, cervical radiculitis appears - a painful sensation on the occiput. Pain is characterized by regularity, in addition, sometimes they intensify, especially when moving the head.
This triad - cervicalgia, cervical sciatica and cervicago - can be complicated by the nocturnal dysesthesia syndrome of the hand, in which the sensitivity is lost. For example, a warm object may feel cold with your fingers, but if you shake it with your hands, sensitivity is restored.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
For osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, a painful lumbago in the chest (dorsalgia) is most characteristic. Chest pain is worse when moving the arms, sneezing, coughing, and lifting weights. Often, the pain is blocking. Also, paresthesia often occurs in the chest. Sometimes damage to the core of the intervertebral disc can be disguised as a disease of internal organs, for example, gastritis or angina pectoris, because the pain can be localized in the upper abdomen and in the heart.
How to tell - heart disease or osteochondrosis?
Pectalgia syndrome is pain in the anterior chest wall that can resemble pain in the heart. Pectalgia can be a sign of osteochondrosis and heart problems.
However, pain in angina pectoris and heart attack is different from pectalgia syndrome in osteochondrosis. The peculiarity of pain in angina pectoris and myocardial infarction is that they have a compressive character and spread to the left scapula, arm and jaw.
Pectalgia syndrome in osteochondrosis does not extend beyond the anterior thoracic wall, does not extend to the arms and scapula, and is not accompanied by fear of death. However, this is only a subjective feeling. Therefore, to exclude cardiac pathology, you need to see a doctor and do electrocardiography, which will reveal arrhythmias or signs of myocardial infarction.
If the pain begins to spread to the left shoulder blade, arm, jaw, accompanied by fear, can not be eliminated by taking nitroglycerin and lasts more than 10-15 minutes, you need to call an ambulance.
Why is lumbar spine osteochondrosis dangerous?
With osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, lumbago or lumbodynia most often occurs - common lumbago and pain in the lumbar region. Because of the constant pain, movement is limited: a person is unable to bend, perform exercises or lift heavy objects.
Lumbago can get stuck on its own. However, they are prone to exacerbations, and each exacerbation indicates additional transfer of the intervertebral disc to the spinal canal. If destruction of the intervertebral disc takes place, lumbosacral radiculitis forms, accompanied by pain in the lower back, which radiates to the buttocks and thighs.
What is the difference between osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis?
Osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis (spondylogenous osteoarthritis) belong to the class of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. However, there are major differences between them: with osteochondrosis, the core of the intervertebral disc is affected, and with osteoarthritis, the intervertebral joint. This makes a difference in symptoms and treatment.
In osteochondrosis, back pain is frequent and painful, manifesting itself in a calm and moving state, and in spondyloarthrosis, the appearance of pain is associated with elongation and flexion of the spine. Usually, the pain syndrome in spinal osteoarthritis is unilateral and has a spasmodic nature. Also, spondylogenic osteoarthritis is characterized by morning stiffness, which lasts from 30 to 60 minutes.
What is the difference between osteochondrosis and radiculitis?
Radiculitis is an inflammation of the roots of the spinal cord, which is accompanied by pain along the affected nerve. Actually, these are two different diseases, but sciatica is a frequent complication of osteochondrosis, so it is often one of the symptoms of osteochondrosis.
Sciatica symptoms
With osteochondrosis, radiculitis most often occurs in the cervical and lumbar spine. Sciatica is indicated by pain along damaged nerves, sensory disturbances and sometimes movement disorders. Sciatica is characterized by the fact that the pain extends beyond the back and spreads to the hips, buttocks, lower legs and feet.
VSD or cervical osteochondrosis?
Vegetovascular dystonia is a syndrome in which the autonomic nervous system is disrupted. VSD is a functional disorder in which there are no structural changes in the spinal space or in the nucleus of the intervertebral disc.
Vegetovascular dystonia has a mental origin - it is a neurosis associated with intrapersonal conflict or childhood trauma. Externally, VSD and osteochondrosis can be similar to each other: headache, dizziness, pain in the anterior wall of the chest.
To differentiate the disease, you need to carry out instrumental diagnostics - X -rays of the cervical spine and other parts, computed and magnetic resonance imaging. As a diagnostic result with VSD, there will be no organic changes, in contrast to osteochondrosis.
Treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia
Vegetovascular dystonia is treated with medications, psychotherapy, and lifestyle adjustments. Patients are given symptomatic treatment: sedatives, anti-anxiety, hypnotics, restorative agents, and even vitamins. The task of psychotherapy with VSD is to teach patients to manage negative emotions and increase stress resilience. Lifestyle is also adaptable: you need to balance work and rest, exercise and adhere to a balanced diet.
Is osteochondrosis treatable or not?
Osteochondrosis can be cured. The goal of treatment is to relieve back pain and stiffness, restore muscle tone, prevent or stop neurological complications, and improve a person’s standard of living. If you follow the doctor's prescription, the disease can be cured.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home?
Not recommended to treat osteochondrosis at home. There are several reasons for this:
- at home it is impossible to diagnose osteochondrosis accurately, because back pain has different origins: neurogenic, vascular, viscerogenic (due to diseases of internal organs) and psychogenic. That is, a person treats osteochondrosis, but in fact back pain arises, for example, due to kidney disease;
- it is impossible to objectively assess the effectiveness of treatment without control diagnostics;
- the patient is unable to choose treatment for himself, and folk remedies have no evidence, and therefore, most likely, they are ineffective and can have side effects.
At home, you can be treated in one case - only after consulting a doctor who will correctly diagnose, prescribe adequate treatment and periodically monitor the effectiveness of therapy using X -rays, CT or MRI.
Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis is conservative and surgical. Which method will be the main method depends on the stage of the disease and the neglect of the musculoskeletal system.
Conservative treatment includes medications, exercise therapy and lifestyle adjustments. Of these medications, anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants are mainly prescribed to relieve pain and normalize muscle tone. In physiotherapy training, one of the main conditions for recovery is early activation, that is, 1-3 days after the pain is eliminated, you need to walk, run, exercise in the pool or ride a bike. It is also important to change your lifestyle to be active, as inactivity is one of the factors in the development of back pain and the destruction of the core of the intervertebral disc.
Surgical treatment is used when conservative therapy is ineffective in 2-4 weeks, and in cases when there are obvious structural changes in the spine. What type of surgery is needed will be determined by the surgeon after consulting with the neuropathologist and reviewing the research data. For example, in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, methods are used to relieve the spinal cord from pressure from the sides of the vertebrae or hernias (dysectomy and decompression).
If you experience back pain, accompanied by lumbago in the spine or neck, pain in the chest, weak muscles in the arms or legs, unpleasant tactile sensations on the skin and numbness, seek the advice of a neurologist.