Osteochondrosis: symptoms, causes, treatment methods

Excessive tension in the back muscles causes a lot of discomfort and pain.Osteochondrosis, which leads to disruption of the structure of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, leads to severe pinching of the nerve endings.Often the pathology is accompanied by a deterioration in blood circulation, which leads to disruptions in the nutrition of the brain and internal organs.

Osteochondrosis – what is it?

Osteochondrosis is a recurrent disease that is chronic and is associated with destruction of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.Their tissues are destroyed, leading to a decrease in their elasticity and a subsequent change in shape.The intervertebral space gradually decreases.This leads to a loss of stability of the spine in areas where pathologies develop.

Processes of pathological tissue destruction take place against the background of pinched nerve endings directed from the area of the spinal cord.As a result, the back muscles are constantly under tension.In such a situation, patients complain of back pain and other symptoms.

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

There is also stiffness in the movements.In addition, the clinical picture is characterized by the presence of signs of a vertebral nature – headaches, changes in blood pressure, deterioration in visual function, hearing, etc.

Development mechanism

The development of osteochondrosis is due to the fact that the nucleus pulposus begins to lose its hydrophilic properties.This semi-liquid structure contains connective tissue fibers and chondroitin, a gelatin-like substance.During the development of the human body and its growth, processes of reduction of the vascular bed in the intervertebral discs actively occur.Nutrients are supplied diffusely, which manifests itself in a spontaneous concentration stabilization.This feature leads to difficulty in fully restoring cartilage that has suffered damage or excessive pressure on the spine.

Pathological deviations intensify due to disruptions in hormonal levels and human nutrition.The cartilage tissue becomes deficient in nutrients necessary for its normal development.Therefore, disorders manifest themselves in the form of:

• reduced strength and elasticity;
• Changes to consistency parameters and configuration properties.

Against the background of the flattening of the intervertebral discs, radial cracks form in the fibrous rings.This causes the intervertebral distance to decrease and the vertebral joints begin to shift.Over time, pathological changes cover the connective tissue associated with the fibrous rings and ligaments.

As tissue breaks down, the immune system produces increased amounts of immunoglobulins.This provokes the development of an aseptic inflammatory process and swelling occurs in the area of the facet joints.They also spread to surrounding soft tissues.

As the joint capsule stretches, the intervertebral discs lose their ability to hold the vertebrae in place.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 verbal symptoms.

Reasons for the development of the disease

The condition of the intervertebral discs can worsen if the tone of the skeletal muscles in the spine decreases.Due to irrational and asymmetrical muscle work, long-term maintenance of an unphysiological posture can lead to the destruction of cartilage tissue.This injury occurs when carrying heavy bags on the same shoulder and using soft mattresses and high pillows.

The process of destruction of intervertebral discs is accelerated by the action of a number of negative factors of an external and internal nature.This includes:

• Dysfunction of the endocrine mechanism and metabolic disorders;
• Pathologies of an infectious nature, including chronic;
• Damage to the spine in the form of compression fractures, bruises;
• regular and prolonged hypothermia of the body;
• Diseases of the systemic and degenerative-dystrophic type - gout, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, arthrosis;
• Smoking and alcohol abuse, which disrupts the condition of the vascular system, impairs blood circulation and leads to a lack of nutrients in the cartilage;
• insufficient physical development, posture problems, flat feet - these defects increase the load on the spine due to insufficient shock absorption;
• Obesity;
• genetic predisposition;
• Exposure to regular stress.

Symptoms

The main clinical sign of osteochondrosis of any localization (cervical, thoracic or lumbosacral) is pain.In the event of a relapse, the pain is sharp and radiates to neighboring areas of the body.Even slight movement intensifies it.This forces the patient to place the body in a forced position to minimize discomfort and pain:

• with cervical osteochondrosis it would be preferable to turn not just a head, but the entire body;
• When the chest form of the disease is present, it is difficult for the patient to breathe deeply.Therefore, in order to avoid acute chest pain, he tries to minimize the depth and frequency of breathing.
• Patients with the lumbar form of the disease have difficulty sitting, assuming a vertical position and moving because the spinal nerve is pinched.

Typically, upon waking in the morning, patients complain of dull, constant pain and a feeling of stiffness in movements.In this case, a differential diagnosis is required to exclude the risk of myositis due to inflammation of the skeletal spinal muscles or osteoarthritis.

Compensatory tension in the muscle tissue causes aching and pressing pain.This condition is necessary to stabilize the range of motion of the spine.With severe stretching of the intervertebral disc, which is due to aseptic inflammatory changes, constant mild or moderate pain may also occur.

Osteochondrosis of a certain localization is characterized by special symptoms:

1. With cervical osteochondrosis, pain is felt in the cervical area, in the upper limbs.Pain in the head and numbness in the fingers occur.If the disease manifests itself in a severe form, entrapment of the vertebral artery may occur.In this case, the patient begins to complain about a significant deterioration in health.
2. The thoracic localization is manifested by stabbing and aching pain in the back;There is a visceral pain syndrome in the heart area, in the right hypochondrium and in the abdomen.Patients complain of numbness, paresthesia of the skin, difficulty breathing and crunching in the vertebrae.
3. Patients with lumbar osteochondrosis complain of pain in the back and lower extremities with increasing intensity during movement.Malfunctions of the genitourinary system, problems with male potency and dysfunctional ovarian disorders are often diagnosed.During remission, pain may subside.However, exposure to a provoking factor leads to its resumption.

4. When mixed osteochondrosis occurs, symptoms may appear in several areas at once.This condition is characterized by a more severe course of the disease.

It should be noted that displacement of the vertebrae and the formation of osteophytes cause compression of the vertebral artery.It nourishes the brain and supplies its cells with oxygen.When squeezing, nutrition is limited and therefore the patient experiences problems with coordination, headaches, tinnitus and arterial hypertension.

Consequences of non-treatment

The reason for the complicated course of osteochondrosis is the relatively rapid formation of hernias in the intervertebral discs.Their occurrence is associated with a backward displacement of the vertebral structure.This provokes a tear in the posterior longitudinal ligament, which leads to instability of the position of the intervertebral disc and protrusion of individual sections into the area of the spinal canal.A hernia ruptures when the intervertebral disc with the nucleus pulposus penetrates the canal area.

When pathological abnormalities occur in the vertebral structures, the spinal cord begins to compress and the patient develops discogenic myelopathy.The symptoms of this disease include numbness and weakness in certain muscle groups of the upper and lower extremities.Paresis, muscle wasting and limited tendon reflexes occur.In some cases there are problems emptying the bladder and intestines.

The formation of intervertebral hernias is dangerous due to compression of the arteries that supply nutrients to the spinal cord.The result of this pathology is the formation of ischemic zones in which nerve cells are damaged and killed.The manifestation of the neurological effect is manifested by disorders of motor function, a decrease in the level of tactility and trophic disorders.

Diagnosis of the disease

The initial diagnosis is made based on the patient's complaints and the existing symptoms.The specialist examines the condition of the spine in different positions and asks the patient to be at rest or in motion.In the next step, the patient is sent for laboratory diagnostics, which will help clarify or refute the diagnosis.

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 growths and curvatures.The specialist can determine the intervertebral spaces and the condition of the holes.To accurately identify osteochondrosis localized in the chest or neck area, a two-stage X-ray examination is performed.In the first stage the patient lies on his side, and in the second directly on his back.
2. Tomography procedure using MRI or CTprovide extremely informative data that helps examine the vertebrae in detail without disturbing the organs that cover them.The picture shows the nervous and vascular system.MRI helps identify signs of many spinal diseases and the location of damage.The CT scan visualizes hernias and detects possible deviations 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, during examinations, doctors determine the presence of certain underlying diseases that are potentially dangerous due to their complications.We are talking, for example, about hernias, protrusions, radiculitis.Correct diagnosis of problems helps to treat osteochondrosis more effectively.At the same time, the disease itself in the first stages of development is disguised as symptoms of other diseases.

Therapeutic process

Osteochondrosis is treated conservatively or surgically.The choice depends on the severity of the disease, its neglect, the extent of tissue damage and the causes of its occurrence.

It is important to remember that a complete cure for osteochondrosis is not possible, since there are no drugs that contribute to the complete restoration of the intervertebral discs and vertebrae.The therapeutic effect is aimed at inhibiting 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 therapy method with chondroprotectors has been clinically confirmed using long-term tests.When taking these drugs for a long period of time (from 3 months), a partial restoration of cartilage and other elements of the connective tissue type - the ligament-tendon apparatus, the bursa - is observed.

The accumulation of glucosamine and chondroitin in the area of the intervertebral discs leads to an analgesic, anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory effect.Therefore, there is a real opportunity to optimize the dosage of NSAIDs, glucocorticosteroids and muscle relaxants.You can expect a reduction in medication burden for the patient.

The effectiveness of chondroprotectors is determined by the regularity of their use.Otherwise there will be no result.There is also ineffectiveness in the treatment of grade 3 osteochondrosis, which is accompanied by significant cartilage destruction.

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

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugshelp to eliminate inflammatory diseases in soft tissue caused by vertebral displacement.NSAIDs are effective in relieving pain, swelling, and stiffness.
2. Medicines from the group of glucocorticosteroids– Blocks are usually used together with an anesthetic.They can relieve pain, restore immune system function and have an antiexudative effect.
3. Muscle relaxants.They are effective in combating muscle spasms due to nerve impairment.They contribute to the relaxation of skeletal muscles and block reflexes of the polysynaptic spinal type with an antispasmodic effect.
4. External products with a warming effect.Special gels and ointments stimulate the receptors of the subcutaneous tissue and activate blood flow.These drugs have analgesic and antiedematous effects.

Symptoms of the vertebrogenic type, which occur due to the localization of the pathology in the neck or chest, can be eliminated with medical means to activate blood flow.Also, nootropics and drugs to improve microcirculation are prescribed.In some cases it may be necessary to take antidepressants and medicines with antispasmodic effects.

In the treatment of osteochondrosis, they also resort to physiotherapy.UHF therapy, magnetic field 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, puncture valorization of the intervertebral disc, laser reconstruction or implant replacement.