osteochondrosis –degenerative-dystrophic damage to the spinal tissue, characterized by damage to the intervertebral discs, adjacent articular surfaces and vertebral bodies as well as the ligamentous apparatus of the spine.
Most often, pathological processes in osteochondrosis initially affect bones and ligaments.Usually we learn that the disease has already begun when complications arise - pain, loss of sensation, muscle loss, dysfunction of internal organs.
Who suffers from osteochondrosis?
Today, osteochondrosis affects 40 to 90% of the world's population.The disease most commonly affects people over 30 years old.However, the first symptoms of osteochondrosis can appear in adolescence.
Stages of development of spinal osteochondrosis
- The first stage of development of osteochondrosis.
Dehydration of the nucleus pulposus begins.This leads to a reduction in the height of the disc.Cracks appear in the fibrous ring, but the pathological process does not extend beyond the intervertebral disc.
- The second stage of development of osteochondrosis.
As the height of the intervertebral disc decreases, the attachment points of the muscles and ligaments of two adjacent vertebrae move closer together.This causes muscles and ligaments to relax.This can lead to excessive mobility of the two vertebrae relative to each other, i.e.h.Instability of the vertebral motion segment occurs.At this stage, slipping or displacement of the vertebrae relative to each other is characteristic, with the development of spondylolisthesis.
- The third stage of development of osteochondrosis.
During this period, the strongest morphological changes occur, which primarily affect the intervertebral discs themselves: disc herniations and bulges form.The articular apparatus of the vertebral movement segment also suffers.Subluxations in the intervertebral joints and uncovertebral joints as well as forms of osteoarthritis occur.
- The fourth stage of development of osteochondrosis.
At this stage, adaptive changes occur in the affected spinal segments.The body tries to overcome excessive mobility of the vertebrae and immobilize the spine in order to maintain its supporting and protective functions.This results in marginal bone growths on adjacent surfaces of the vertebral bodies, i.e. osteophytes.An osteophyte growing “in the wrong place” causes microtrauma to the nerve root.In the fourth stage, processes of fibrous ankylosis usually begin in the intervertebral discs and joints.Ultimately, the motor segment of the vertebrae appears to be walled up in a shell - the clinical manifestations subside.
Causes of osteochondrosis
In each of the many existing theories about the development of osteochondrosis, various reasons are assumed to be responsible for the occurrence of the disease, for example mechanical trauma, hereditary predisposition or metabolic disorders.A particular difficulty in determining the cause of osteochondrosis is that this disease can occur in both older and young people, both well-built and less trained.It is generally believed that the cause of osteochondrosis is the deposition of salts in the spine: supposedly salts can be seen on X-rays in the form of “growths” or “hooks” on the vertebrae.If there is a grinding and creaking in the joints when moving, as if sand had been poured between them, for many patients the only reason for this condition is the notorious “salt deposition”.Such misunderstandings are by no means harmless: the correct idea of how to treat a disease can be determined by analyzing the causes that caused it.
The term “osteochondrosis” comes from the Greek roots osteon – “bone” and chondr – “cartilage”.The ending “-oz” means that the disease of bones and cartilage is not accompanied by inflammatory processes, but is of a degenerative-dystrophic nature, i.e.h.the basis of the disease is a violation of tissue nutrition and, as a result, degeneration of their structure.Like all living tissues, the bone tissue of the vertebrae and the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs are constantly being rebuilt and self-renewing. Under the influence of regular physical activity, they gain strength and elasticity; in the absence of load, the strength of the tissue decreases.
This is due to the peculiarities of nutrition and blood supply to bone and cartilage tissue.Adult intervertebral discs have no vessels of their own;They receive nutrients and oxygen from neighboring tissues.Therefore, for proper nutrition of the intervertebral discs, it is necessary to activate blood circulation in the tissues surrounding the intervertebral discs.And this can only be achieved through intensive muscle work.
Based on its composition, the intervertebral disc can be divided into two parts: it is the nucleus pulposus, which gives the intervertebral disc its elasticity in the middle, and a strong fibrous ring that surrounds it.Due to the deterioration of the nutrition of the intervertebral discs, the complex structure of the biopolymer compounds that make up the nucleus pulposus is destroyed.The moisture content in the nucleus pulposus decreases and it becomes more brittle.Even with slight overload, the nucleus pulposus can break down into fragments.This leads to an even greater decrease in its elasticity.In addition, the strength of the fibrous rings of the intervertebral discs decreases.All these factors form the basis and cause of the development of osteochondrosis.
To restore the function of the spine, it is necessary to scar the damage to the intervertebral disc, mobilize the compensatory capabilities of the spine and the entire musculoskeletal system, and not dissolve “salt deposits” or eliminate “spikes” on the vertebrae.During an X-ray examination after the end of treatment, you can see that the shape of the vertebrae has not changed.And the notorious “spikes” are not the cause of osteochondrosis, but a consequence of adaptive processes.Marginal growths increase the area of the contact surface of the vertebral body.As the surface area increases, the specific pressure decreases, which can compensate for the loss in strength and elasticity of the intervertebral disc.
Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine are accompanied by calcification (calcification) of damaged intervertebral discs, individual sections of articular ligaments, cartilage and capsules.This process can only be conditionally described as the deposition of salts.So this is not the cause of osteochondrosis, but simply a consequence and the final stage of the process described above.
Reversing structural changes in the spine is almost impossible.But minimizing them is a very real task.If no efforts are made to keep the spine in the same condition achieved through treatment, the pain may recur.
Clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis
The clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis are very diverse.They depend on the stage of development of osteochondrosis.The main clinical symptoms of osteochondrosis occur when the pathological process spreads to the posterior part of the fibrous ring and the posterior longitudinal ligament.Depending on the stage of degeneration of the intervertebral discs, irritation, compression or disruption of the conductivity of the spinal cord roots, compression of blood vessels or the spinal cord occur.Various neurological syndromes develop - reflex and compression syndromes.
The main cause of pain in osteochondrosis is the so-called irritation of the nerve root.In this case, there are circulatory disorders, swelling and, as a result, fibrosis of the surrounding structures can occur, which is accompanied by an increase in the sensitivity of the roots to various influences (movements in the affected spinal segment, etc.).
Vascular diseases in osteochondrosis are often accompanied by impaired vasomotor innervation.Mechanical compression of blood vessels by osteophytes, for example in the cervical spine, is also possible.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
One of the features of spinal osteochondrosis that aggravates the process is that the symptoms are too great.The disease can manifest itself in very different parts of the body.This can be pain or numbness in the limbs or disturbances and pain in the internal organs.At the same time, a person often in no way associates pain in the heart, dysfunction of the sexual organs, headaches, pain and numbness in the legs with osteochondrosis and with the spine in general, but directly “treats” the symptoms of osteochondrosis with the help of various types of painkillers, all kinds of advertised drugs, dietary supplements and other methods.But this route only makes the situation worse.Osteochondrosis continues to develop and the treatment methods used, at best, do not lead to any significant improvement, except for temporary pain relief, and at worst, they can cause even more harm to the body.
Therefore, it is important to carefully analyze your condition and the changes occurring in it.It is necessary to go in the right direction: consult a doctor in a timely manner, undergo the necessary diagnostics and only after establishing the correct diagnosis begin treatment under the supervision of the attending physician.
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis include pain and discomfort in the back.At the same time, pain can be periodic and inconsistent, appearing and disappearing.But even the first feeling of discomfort or pain in the spine should make you think.The appearance of the first pains is a signal to at least pay attention and remember the reason for their occurrence.Such a reason could be lifting a heavy object, a sudden movement, a fall, etc.
Another symptom of osteochondrosis is the accompaniment of malaise or back pain with pain and numbness in the extremities (arms or legs).The pain most often radiates to the left extremity, i.e. the left arm or left leg.In addition, pain can occur in the heart area, in the back and not only in the spine area, but also, for example, in the ribs, etc.In this case, it is especially important to pay attention to the nature of the change in pain depending on the patient's actions and to compare the pain sensations in the back with pain, for example, in the leg.If the patient sat for a long time and developed pain or numbness in the foot, discomfort in the lower back, and after a short warm-up or walking the pain disappeared, this is an indirect sign indicating lumbar osteochondrosis of the spine.The same picture can occur with the neck and arm.In conclusion, we can say that the main symptoms of osteochondrosis are pain and discomfort in the back.In cases where these symptoms are accompanied by pain in other parts of the body, osteochondrosis can be complicated by bulging, herniated disc, or a pinched nerve.
In addition, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that this disease needs to be given special attention as soon as the first pain in the spine appears.After all, osteochondrosis can manifest itself weakly or not at all for a long period of time.At the same time, further successful development occurs in the spine, which leads to the breakdown of more and more intervertebral discs.Therefore, a timely visit to the doctor allows earlier diagnosis of osteochondrosis, which facilitates treatment.
Osteochondrosis and salt deposition
To reduce the load on the intervertebral discs, osteophytes or hook-shaped growths of the vertebrae appear.In this case, the appearance of osteophytes impairs the mobility of the intervertebral joints.
The widespread belief in everyday life that salt deposits are the main cause of osteochondrosis is incorrect.Therefore, treating osteochondrosis with a salt-free diet is pointless.
The most common complaints of spinal osteochondrosis
The most common complaints of osteochondrosis are the following:
- Discomfort in various parts of the spine.The pain can vary from mild, dull, stabbing pain to severe, sometimes very intense and unbearable pain - with stabbing pain.
- Increased fatigue during work, both physical and mental.
- Loss of sensitivity in the limbs and various parts of the body, chilliness of the hands or feet.
- The pain radiates along the nerve trunks into the legs.
- Pain radiating to the scapula, shoulder as well as pain in the neck and back of the head.
- A common companion of cervical osteochondrosis is headaches and dizziness.Increased visual fatigue or reduced visual acuity is often observed.
- When the lumbosacral region is affected, disorders of the reproductive system - various sexual dysfunctions - often occur.Therefore, most men experience an increase in sexual performance after treatment.In women, normal functioning of the lumbosacral area increases the likelihood of conception and contributes to a comfortable pregnancy.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
To diagnose osteochondrosis, an anamnesis is required.Determining the patient's symptoms is crucial.Certain symptoms of osteochondrosis are quite characteristic.Others, however, need to be distinguished from signs of other diseases.Importantly, the nervous, vascular and trophic disorders occurring in osteochondrosis can mimic various diseases such as angina, gastritis, peptic ulcer and acute surgical diseases of the abdominal organs.Therefore, in order to avoid misdiagnosis and the subsequent prescription of incorrect treatment, each symptom must be subjected to a detailed analysis.
When collecting an anamnesis, including the patient's complaints, the history of the current disease and the patient's life, the doctor pays attention to his age, since osteochondrosis most often occurs in the elderly, and to the development of symptoms from the moment they appear until the patient visits the doctor.Osteochondrosis is characterized by slow development, in which periods of exacerbation are regularly replaced by periods of remission.To clarify the diagnosis, additional examination methods are prescribed.
X-ray examinations for osteochondrosis
The most accessible and at the same time quite informative method for diagnosing osteochondrosis is X-ray examination.There are several types of X-ray methods for diagnosing this disease:
Survey radiography of the spine is the simplest radiological method for diagnosing osteochondrosis.Its essence is to take an X-ray of the entire spine or individual segments.Most often, a targeted x-ray is carried out - based on the symptoms of the disease and the patient's complaints, the location of the spinal lesion is determined.On an X-ray image of a spinal segment affected by osteochondrosis, one can see a decrease in the thickness (atrophy) of the intervertebral discs, which is manifested by a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, the appearance of bone outgrowths of the vertebral bodies - osteophytes, partial dissolution - resorption of the bone tissue of the vertebral body, a change in the shape of the spinal segment, for example, smoothing, lumbar lordosis.
Myelography is a more complex and dangerous diagnostic method.During such an examination, a certain amount of contrast fluid is injected into the spinal canal.The risk of this examination method is the possibility of allergic reactions to the contrast medium or the risk of damage to the spinal cord when the spinal canal is punctured.Myelography can determine the internal structure of the spinal canal.This method is particularly informative for determining spinal hernias.
Computed tomography and magnetic resonance are the most modern, but also the most expensive and difficult to access methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis.These diagnostic methods are usually used when it is necessary to distinguish between osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine with similar symptoms, for example, tumors of the spinal canal.
For a comprehensive assessment of the patient's condition, it is imperative to conduct a neurological examination of the patient with osteochondrosis.Thanks to a neurological consultation, it is possible to clarify the location and extent of motor and sensory disorders.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
The clinic offers effective treatment for all forms of osteochondrosis.Treatment takes place on an outpatient basis.Treatment is based on a comprehensive program aimed at quickly eliminating the underlying syndrome and the cause of the suffering.As part of complex therapy, the following methods can be used:
- Acupuncture;
- vacuum therapy;
- gentle manual therapy techniques (post-isometric relaxation);
- laser therapy;
- pharmacopuncture;
- dry traction;
- magnetopuncture;
- Electrical stimulation and other treatment methods.
On average, treatment lasts 10-15 sessions, and elimination of acute pain syndrome takes 1 to 3 sessions.
The earlier treatment is started, the better the result will be!
Is complete relief from osteochondrosis real?
It depends on the form of the disease, the severity, the correctness and timeliness of treatment.Complete healing is only possible in the initial stages.
But you can prevent exacerbation of osteochondrosis and not feel pain for years.If a person had osteochondrosis, but now does not feel any discomfort, this does not mean that it has passed without a trace.Changes to the spine may occur.
The main task is to stop the development of the disease and do everything so that some of the pathological changes in the spine disappear, the symptoms disappear or decrease (back pain, cold and numbness in the arms, legs, headache, etc.).