Osteochondrosis: symptoms, causes, treatment methods

Excessive tension in the back muscles causes a lot of discomfort and pain.Osteochondrosis, which causes breakdown 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 causes disruptions in the nutrition of the brain and internal organs.

Osteochondrosis: what is it?

Osteochondrosis is a relapsing disease that occurs in a chronic form and is accompanied by the destruction of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.Their tissues are destroyed, which causes a decrease in their elasticity with a consequent change in shape.There is a gradual decrease in the intervertebral space.This causes a loss of stability of the spine in the areas where the pathology develops.

The processes of pathological tissue destruction occur against the background of pinched nerve endings originating 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 peculiarities of the localization of spinal structures 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 the movements.Furthermore, the clinical picture is characterized by the presence of spinal-type signs: headache, changes in blood pressure, deterioration of visual and auditory function and so on.

Development mechanism

The development of osteochondrosis is due to the fact that the nucleus pulposus begins to lose its hydrophilic qualities.This semi-liquid structure contains connective tissue fibers and chondroitin, a gel-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 in a diffuse manner, which manifests itself in spontaneous stabilization of concentration.This characteristic causes difficulty in completely restoring 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 deficiency of nutrients necessary for its normal development.Therefore, disorders manifest themselves in the form of:

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

Against the background of flattening of the intervertebral discs, radial cracks form in the fibrous rings.As a result, the intervertebral distance is reduced and the facet joints begin to shift.Over time, pathological changes cover the connective tissues related to the fibrous rings and ligaments.

When tissues break down, the immune system produces immunoglobulins in greater quantities.This causes the development of the aseptic inflammation process and swelling forms in the area where the facet joints are located.They also spread to nearby soft tissues.

Due to stretching of the joint capsules, the intervertebral discs lose their ability to fix the vertebrae.Such instability in the position of the spinal structure increases the risk of pinching of nerve roots or compression of 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 as the tone of the skeletal muscles of the spine decreases.Due to irrational and asymmetric muscle work, when a non-physiological body position is maintained for a long time, destruction of cartilage tissue may occur.This violation occurs due to carrying heavy bags on the same shoulder, using soft mattresses and high pillows.

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

• disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine mechanism and metabolic disorders;
• infectious diseases, including chronic ones;
• damage to the spine in the form of compression fractures, bruises;
• regular and prolonged hypothermia of the body;
• systemic and degenerative-dystrophic diseases: gouty, psoriatic, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis;
• smoking and alcohol abuse, which disrupt the condition of the vascular system, impair blood circulation and cause a lack of nutrients in the cartilage;
• insufficient physical development, posture problems, 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 recurrence, the pain is excruciating and radiates to nearby areas of the body.Even with a slight movement 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 just a head, but the entire body;
• when the thoracic 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 the lumbar form of the disease have difficulty sitting, taking an upright position and moving, as the spinal nerve is squeezed.

Usually, 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, a differential diagnosis will be necessary to eliminate the risks of developing myositis caused by inflammation of the skeletal spinal muscles or osteoarthritis.

Aching, pressing pains occur due to compensatory tension in the muscle tissue.This condition is necessary to stabilize the area of spinal movement.Constant pain, mild or moderate, can also manifest itself with significant stretching of the intervertebral disc, resulting from aseptic inflammatory changes.

Osteochondrosis of a particular localization is characterized by special symptoms:

1. With cervical osteochondrosis, pain is felt in the cervical area, in the upper extremities.There is pain in the head and numbness in the fingers.If the disease occurs in severe form, pinching of the vertebral artery may occur.In this case, the patient begins to complain of a significant deterioration in health.
2. Thoracic localization is manifested by sharp, aching pain in the back;there is a visceral pain syndrome in the cardiac region, right hypochondrium and abdomen.Patients complain of numbness, paresthesia of the skin, difficulty breathing and crunching of 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 ovarian disorders are often diagnosed.During remission, pain may decrease.However, exposure to a provoking factor leads to its recovery.

4. When mixed osteochondrosis appears, symptoms may appear in multiple areas at once.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 oxygen to its cells.When squeezed, nutrition is limited and therefore the patient has coordination problems, 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 causes rupture of the posterior longitudinal ligament, resulting in instability of the position of the disc and protrusion of its individual sections into the area of the spinal canal.A hernia ruptures when the disc with the nucleus pulposus enters 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 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 with emptying the bladder and bowels occur.

The formation of intervertebral hernias is dangerous due to compression of the arteries that supply nutrition to the spinal cord.The result of this pathology is the formation of ischemic areas in which nerve cells are damaged and killed.The manifestation of the neurological effect is expressed in disruptions of motor function, decreased degree of tactility 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 state of the spine in different positions, asking the patient to be at rest or in motion.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. X-ray– provides a comprehensive 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 osteochondrosis localized in the thoracic or cervical area, a two-stage radiographic examination is performed.In the first phase, the patient lies on his side, and in the second directly on his back.
2. Tomographic method using MRI or CTthey provide highly informative data, which helps study the vertebrae in detail without interference from the organs covering them.The image shows the nerves and vascular system.MRI helps identify signs of many spinal diseases and the location of the damage.CT visualizes hernias and determines possible deviations in the structure of the spine.
3. Laboratory testto evaluate blood conditions and its main parameters.It allows you to clarify the diagnosis and determine the possibility of developing concomitant diseases.

In many cases, following tests, doctors diagnose the presence of some potentially dangerous underlying diseases 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 early stages of development is masked by symptoms of other diseases.

Therapeutic process

Osteochondrosis is treated conservatively or surgically.The choice depends on the severity of the condition, its negligence, 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 completely restore the discs and vertebrae.The therapeutic effect is aimed at inhibiting the process of destruction 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 with the use of chondroprotectors has been clinically confirmed on the basis of long-term tests.If you take these drugs for a long time (from 3 months), a partial restoration of cartilage and other connective type elements is observed: the ligament-tendon apparatus, bag.

The accumulation of glucosamine and chondroitin in the area of the intervertebral discs leads to an analgesic, anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory effect.There is therefore a real opportunity to optimize the dosage of NSAIDs, glucocorticosteroids and muscle relaxants.You can count on a reduction in the patient's pharmacological burden.

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

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

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugshelp eliminate inflammatory disorders in the soft tissues caused by vertebral displacement.NSAIDs are effective in reducing pain, swelling and stiffness.
2. Drugs from the glucocorticosteroid group– 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 nervous conflict.They help relax skeletal muscles and block polysynaptic spinal reflexes with an antispasmodic effect.
4. External products 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 the pathology in the cervical or thoracic area, can be eliminated using medical means to activate blood flow.Nootropics and drugs to improve microcirculation are also prescribed.In some cases, you may need to take antidepressants and drugs with anticonvulsant effects.

During the treatment of osteochondrosis also resort to physiotherapy.UHF therapy, magnetic therapy, laser therapy, foot reflexology, massage, physical therapy, hirudotherapy, as well as swimming and yoga may be prescribed.If conservative treatment is ineffective, surgery is performed via microdiscectomy, disc puncture enhancement, laser reconstruction, or implant replacement.