Osteochondrosis: symptoms, causes, treatment methods

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

Osteochondrosis - what is it?

Osteochondrosis is a recurring disease that occurs in a chronic form and is associated with the destruction of vertebrae and intervertebral discs.Their tissues are disrupted, which causes a decrease in their elasticity with a subsequent change in shape.There is a gradual decrease in the intervertebral space.This causes a loss of spinal stability in the areas where the pathology develops.

The processes of pathological tissue destruction occur against the background of suppressed nerve endings that are directed from the area where the spinal cord is located.As a result, the back muscles are in constant tension.In such a situation, patients complain of back pain and other symptoms.

Based on the localization features of the spinal column structures that were affected by degenerative changes, cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral varieties of the pathological process are distinguished.The main sign of the development of osteochondrosis is pain, the intensity and severity of which 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 processes of reducing the vascular bed in the intervertebral discs take place actively.Nutrients are supplied diffusely, which is manifested in the spontaneous stabilization of the concentration.This feature causes difficulties 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 hormonal levels and human nutrition.Cartilage tissue begins to experience a lack of nutrients that are needed for its normal development.Therefore, disorders are manifested in the form of:

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

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

As the tissue breaks down, the immune system produces immunoglobulins in increased amounts.This provokes the development of the aseptic inflammation process and swelling is formed in the area where the facial joints are located.They also spread to nearby soft tissues.

Due to the stretching of the joint capsules, the intervertebral discs lose their ability to adjust 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 strong verbal symptoms.

Causes of disease development

The condition of the intervertebral discs can worsen with a decrease in the tone of the skeletal muscles in the spine.Due to the irrational and asymmetric work of the muscles, when an unphysiological position of the body is maintained for a long time, the destruction of cartilage tissue can occur.This violation occurs as a result of carrying heavy bags on the same shoulder, using soft mattresses and high pillows.

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

• disorders in the functioning of the endocrine mechanism and metabolic disorders;
• pathologies of an infectious nature, including chronic ones;
• 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, psoriatic, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis;
• smoking and alcohol abuse, which disrupts the condition of the vascular system, damages blood circulation and provokes a lack of nutrients in the cartilage;
• insufficient physical development, problems with posture, flat feet - these defects increase the load on the spine, since shock absorption will be insufficient;
• obesity;
• genetic predisposition;
• exposure to regular stress.

Symptoms

The main clinical sign of osteochondrosis of any localization (cervical, thoracic or lumbosacral) is pain.In case of relapse, the pain is piercing, radiating to nearby areas of the body.Even with light movements it intensifies.This forces the patient to give a forced position to the body in order to minimize discomfort and pain:

• with cervical osteochondrosis, it would be preferable to turn not only a head, but the whole body;
• when the chest form of the disease is present, the patient finds it difficult to breathe deeply and therefore, to avoid acute chest pain, he tries to minimize the depth and frequency of breathing;
• Patients with the lumbar type of the disease have difficulty sitting, taking an upright position and moving, as the spinal nerve is compressed.

Typically, patients complain of the presence of dull, constant pain and a feeling of stiffness in movements in the morning after waking up.In this case, differential diagnosis will be required to help eliminate the risks of developing myositis caused by inflammation of the skeletal muscles of the spine or osteoarthritis.

Painful and pressing pains occur due to compensatory tension in the muscle tissue.This condition is necessary to stabilize the spinal range of motion.Mild or moderate persistent pain may also occur with significant intervertebral disc protrusion as a result of aseptic inflammatory changes.

Osteochondrosis of a specific location is characterized by specific symptoms:

1. With cervical osteochondrosis, pain is felt in the cervical area, in the upper limbs.There is pain in the head and numbness in the fingers.If the disease manifests itself in a serious form, compression of the vertebral artery may occur.In this case, the patient begins to complain of a significant deterioration in health.
2. Chest localization is manifested by sharp and painful pains in the back;there is visceral pain syndrome in the cardiac region, right hypochondrium and abdomen.Patients complain of numbness, paresthesia of the skin, difficulty in breathing and crackling in the vertebrae.
3. Patients with lumbar osteochondrosis complain of pain in the back and lower extremities with increasing intensity during movement.Disorders in the functioning of the genitourinary system, problems with male potency and dysfunctional disorders of the ovaries are often diagnosed.During remission, the pain may decrease.However, exposure to a provoking factor leads to its resumption.

4. When mixed osteochondrosis occurs, symptoms may 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 artery.It nourishes the brain, providing its cells with oxygen.When squeezed, food 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 hernias in the intervertebral discs.Their appearance is associated with a posterior displacement of the vertebral structure.This provokes a rupture of the posterior longitudinal ligament, resulting in instability of the disc position and protrusion of its individual sections in the area of the spinal canal.A hernia ruptures when the disc with the nucleus pulposus penetrates the canal area.

When pathological abnormalities occur in the vertebral structures, the spinal cord begins to be compressed and the patient develops discogenic myelopathy.Symptoms of this condition are associated with numbness and weakness in certain muscle groups of 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 due to the compression of the arteries that supply the spinal cord.The result of this pathology is the formation of ischemic areas where nerve cells are damaged and killed.The appearance of the neurological effect is expressed in the interruption of motor function, a decrease in the level of vulnerability and trophic disorders.

Diagnosis of the disease

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 be at rest or in motion.In the next stage, the patient is sent for laboratory diagnostics, which will help clarify the diagnosis or reject it.

Research methods used include:

1. X-rays- offers a complete examination of the spine with assessment of the condition of the vertebrae, existing disorders in the form of growths, curvatures.The specialist will be able to determine the intervertebral spaces and the condition of the holes.To accurately identify localized osteochondrosis in the chest or cervical 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 method using MRI or CTprovide very informative data, which help in the detailed study of vertebrae without interference from the organs that cover them.The image shows the nervous and vascular system.MRI helps to identify the signs of many diseases of the spine and the location of the damage.The CT scan visualizes hernias and determines possible deviations in the structure of the spine.
3. Laboratory examinationto evaluate the condition of the blood and its main parameters.It allows you to clarify the diagnosis and determine the possibility of developing concomitant diseases.

In many cases, as a result of examinations, doctors diagnose the presence of some underlying diseases that are potentially dangerous due to their complications.We are talking, for example, about hernia, protrusion, radiculitis.Correct diagnosis of problems helps in the most effective treatment of osteochondrosis.At the same time, the disease itself in the early stages of development is disguised as symptoms of other diseases.

The therapeutic process

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

It is important to remember that it is not possible to completely cure osteochondrosis, since there are no drugs that help to completely restore the 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 therapeutic process using chondroprotectors has been clinically confirmed on the basis of long-term tests.If you take these drugs for a long time (from 3 months), then partial restoration of cartilage and other elements of the connective type - ligamentous-tendon apparatus, bursa - is observed.

The accumulation of glucosamine and chondroitin in the area of the intervertebral discs leads to an analgesic, antiedematous and anti-inflammatory effect.Therefore, there is a real opportunity to optimize the dose of NSAIDs, glucocorticosteroids and muscle relaxants.You can count on a reduction in the patient's medication burden.

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

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

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugshelp eliminate inflammatory disorders in soft tissues caused by displacement of vertebrae.NSAIDs are effective in reducing pain, swelling, and stiffness.
2. Drugs from the group of glucocorticosteroids– blocks are usually used together with an anesthetic.They are able to relieve pain, restore the functioning of the immune mechanism and provide an anti-exudative effect.
3. Muscle relaxants.They are effective in combating muscle spasms due to nerve shock.They help relax skeletal muscles and block polysynaptic spinal reflexes with an antispasmodic effect.
4. External products with a warming effect.The irritation of subcutaneous tissue receptors with the 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 the pathology in the cervical or thoracic area, can be eliminated by 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 valorization, laser reconstruction, or implant replacement.