Osteochondrosis –Degenerative-dystrophic damage to the tissues of the spine, characterized by damage to the intervertebral discs, adjacent articular surfaces and vertebral bodies and the ligamentous apparatus of the spine.
Most often, pathological processes in osteochondrosis first affect the bones and ligaments.Usually, we find out that the disease has already begun when complications appear: pain, sensory disturbances, muscle atrophy, dysfunction of internal organs.
Who suffers from osteochondrosis?
Today, osteochondrosis affects 40 to 90% of the world's population.Most often, the disease affects people over 30 years of age.However, the first symptoms of osteochondrosis can appear in adolescence.
Stages of development of spinal osteochondrosis.
- The first stage of the development of osteochondrosis.
Dehydration of the nucleus pulposus begins.This leads to a decrease in the height of the disc.Cracks appear in the annulus fibrosus, but the pathological process does not extend beyond the intervertebral disc.
- The second stage of the development of osteochondrosis.
As a result of a decrease in the height of the disc, the points of attachment of the muscles and ligaments belonging to two adjacent vertebrae become closer.Therefore, the muscles and ligaments sag.This can cause excessive mobility of the two vertebrae relative to each other, that is, instability of the vertebral movement segment is formed.At this stage, sliding or displacement of the vertebrae relative to each other with the formation of spondylolisthesis is characteristic.
- The third stage of the development of osteochondrosis.
During this period, the most pronounced morphological changes occur, mainly affecting the intervertebral discs themselves: prolapses and bulges of the discs are formed.The articular apparatus of the vertebral movement segment also suffers.Subluxations occur in the intervertebral and uncovertebral joints and osteoarthritis forms.
- The fourth stage of the development of osteochondrosis.
At this stage, adaptive changes occur in the affected segments of the spine.The body tries to overcome excessive mobility of the vertebrae and immobilize the spine to preserve its support and protection functions.In this sense, marginal bone growths appear on the adjacent surfaces of the vertebral bodies, that is, osteophytes.An osteophyte that grows "in the wrong place" causes microtrauma to the nerve root.In the fourth stage, fibrous ankylosis processes usually begin in the intervertebral discs and joints.Ultimately, the vertebral motor segment appears to be enclosed in a shell and the clinical manifestations disappear.
Causes of osteochondrosis
In each of the many existing theories of the development of osteochondrosis, several reasons are accepted that are responsible for the onset of the disease, for example, mechanical trauma, hereditary predisposition or metabolic disorders.A particular difficulty in determining the cause of osteochondrosis is due to the fact that this disease can occur in both older people and young people, both in well-trained people and in less trained people.It is a common belief that the cause of osteochondrosis is the deposition of salts in the spine: supposedly, on x-rays, salts can be seen in the form of "growths" or "hooks" on the vertebrae.If creaks and creaks are heard in the joints when moving, as if sand had been poured between them, for many patients the only cause of this condition is the notorious "salt deposition".These misconceptions are not at all harmless: the correct idea of how to treat a disease can be determined based on the analysis of the causes that provoked 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 associated with inflammatory processes, but is degenerative-dystrophic in nature, that is, the basis of the disease is a violation of tissue nutrition and, as a consequence, the degeneration of its structure.Like all living tissues, the bone tissue of the vertebrae and the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs are constantly rebuilt and renewed.Under the influence of regularly performed physical activity, they gain strength and elasticity, and in the absence of loads, the strength of the tissues decreases.
This is due to the peculiarities of nutrition and blood supply to bone and cartilage tissue.Adult discs do not have vessels of their own;They receive nutrients and oxygen from neighboring tissues.Therefore, for proper nutrition of the discs, it is necessary to activate blood circulation in the tissues surrounding the discs.And this can only be achieved through intense muscular work.
According to its composition, the intervertebral disc can be divided into two parts: it is the nucleus pulposus, which gives elasticity to the disc, located in the center, 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 form the nucleus pulposus is destroyed.The moisture content in the nucleus pulposus decreases and it becomes more brittle.When exposed to even minor stresses, the nucleus pulposus can disintegrate into fragments.This leads to an even greater decrease in its elasticity.There is also a decrease in the strength of the annulus fibrosus of the discs.All these factors create the basis and form the cause of the development of osteochondrosis.
To restore the function of the spine, it is necessary to heal the damage to the intervertebral disc, mobilize the compensatory capabilities of the spine, as well as the musculoskeletal system as a whole, and not resolve the "salt deposits" or eliminate the "spikes" in the vertebrae.By performing an X-ray examination after the treatment is completed, it can be seen that the vertebrae have not changed shape.And the notorious "spikes" are not the cause of osteochondrosis, but a consequence of adaptation processes.Marginal growths increase the supporting surface area of the vertebral body.Due to the increase in area, the specific pressure decreases, which makes it possible to compensate for the decrease in the resistance and elasticity of the intervertebral disc.
Degenerative-dystrophic changes occurring in the spine are accompanied by calcification (calcification) of damaged discs, individual sections of articular ligaments, cartilage and capsules.This process can only be called salt deposition conditionally.Therefore, this is not the cause of osteochondrosis, but only the 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 effort is made to maintain the spine in the same condition that was achieved as a result of the treatment, the pain may return.
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 annulus fibrosus and the posterior longitudinal ligament.Depending on the stage of degeneration of the intervertebral discs, irritation, compression or impaired conductivity of the roots of the spinal cord, compression of blood vessels or the spinal cord occur.Various neurological syndromes develop: reflex and compression.
The main cause of pain in osteochondrosis is the so-called nerve root irritation.In this case, circulatory disturbance occurs, swelling occurs, and fibrosis of the surrounding structures may subsequently develop, which is accompanied by an increase in the sensitivity of the roots to various influences (movements in the affected segment of the spine, etc.).
Vascular disorders in osteochondrosis are often associated with impaired vasomotor innervation.Mechanical compression of blood vessels by osteophytes is also possible, for example in the cervical spine.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
One of the characteristics of spinal osteochondrosis that aggravates the process is that its symptoms are too extensive.The disease can manifest itself in completely different parts of the body.This may be pain or numbness in the extremities or disturbances and pain in the internal organs.At the same time, often a person does not in any way associate pain in the heart, dysfunction of the genital organs, headaches, pain and numbness in the legs with osteochondrosis and in general with the spine, directly "treating" the symptoms of osteochondrosis with the help of various types of pain relievers, all kinds of advertised medications, dietary supplements and other methods.But this path only worsens the situation.Osteochondrosis continues to develop and the treatment methods used, at best, simply do not lead to significant improvement, except for temporary relief of pain, and at worst, can further harm the body.
Therefore, it is important to carefully analyze your condition and the changes that occur in it.It is necessary to start moving in the right direction: consult a doctor in a timely manner, undergo the necessary diagnostics and only after determining the correct diagnosis begin treatment under the supervision of the attending physician.
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis include, first of all, pain and discomfort in the back.At the same time, pain can be periodic, inconsistent, come and go.But 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 to this and try to remember the reason why they appeared.One of these reasons could be lifting a heavy object, a sudden movement, a fall, etc.
Another symptom of osteochondrosis is the accompanying discomfort or back pain with pain and numbness in the extremities (arms or legs).The pain usually radiates to the left extremity, that is, to the left arm or leg.In addition, pain can manifest itself in the heart area, in the back and not only in the spine, but also, for example, in the ribs, etc.It is especially important in this case to pay attention to the nature of the change in pain depending on the patient's actions, comparing the sensations of pain 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 walk the pain disappeared, then this will be an indirect sign that determines lumbar osteochondrosis of the spine.The same image can be with the neck and arm.In summary, we can say that the main symptoms of osteochondrosis include pain and discomfort in the back.In cases where these symptoms coincide with pain in other parts of the body, osteochondrosis can be complicated by a protrusion, a herniated disc, or a pinched nerve.
In addition, I would like to draw attention to the fact that even when the first pain in the spine appears, it is necessary to pay special attention to this ailment.After all, osteochondrosis can manifest itself weakly or not at all for quite a long time.At the same time, it will continue to develop successfully in the spine, leading to the degradation of an increasing number of discs.Therefore, a timely visit to the doctor will make it possible to diagnose osteochondrosis at an earlier stage, which will facilitate its treatment.
Osteochondrosis and salt deposition.
Osteophytes or hook-shaped growths appear on the vertebrae to reduce the load on the intervertebral discs.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 erroneous.Therefore, treating osteochondrosis with a salt-free diet does not make sense.
The most common complaints with spinal osteochondrosis
The most common complaints with osteochondrosis are the following:
- Discomfort in various parts of the spine.The pain can range from a mild, dull, annoying ache to severe, sometimes very intense and unbearable, stabbing pain.
- Increased fatigue during work, both physical and mental.
- Loss of sensitivity in the extremities and various parts of the body, chills in the hands or feet.
- Pain that radiates to the legs, along the nerve trunks.
- Pain that radiates to the shoulder blade, shoulder, as well as pain in the neck and neck.
- A frequent companion of cervical osteochondrosis is headaches and dizziness.Increased eye fatigue or decreased visual acuity is often observed.
- When the lumbosacral region is affected, disorders of the reproductive system (various sexual dysfunctions) are common.Therefore, most men experience an increase in sexual potency 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, it is necessary to take a history.Determining the patient's complaints is of decisive importance.Certain symptoms of osteochondrosis are quite characteristic.Others, on the contrary, must be differentiated from the signs of other diseases.It is important that the nervous, vascular and trophic disorders that occur in osteochondrosis can mimic various diseases, such as angina pectoris, gastritis, gastric ulcer and acute surgical diseases of the abdominal organs.Therefore, to avoid erroneous diagnoses and subsequent prescription of incorrect treatment, each symptom must be subjected to a detailed analysis.
When collecting a history that includes the patient's complaints, the history of his current illness and his life, the doctor pays attention to his age, since osteochondrosis develops more often in older people, and to the evolution of symptoms from the moment they appear until the patient consults the doctor.Osteochondrosis is characterized by slow development, in which periods of exacerbation are periodically replaced by periods of remission.Additional research methods are prescribed to clarify the diagnosis.
X-ray studies for osteochondrosis.
The most accessible and at the same time quite informative method of diagnosing osteochondrosis is radiological examination.There are several types of X-ray methods to diagnose this disease:
Spinal study radiography is the simplest radiological method for diagnosing osteochondrosis.Its essence is to obtain an x-ray of the spine as a whole or its individual segments.Most often, a targeted x-ray is performed;Based on the symptoms of the disease and the patient's complaints, the location of the spinal injury is determined.On an X-ray image of a segment of the spine affected by osteochondrosis, you can see a decrease in the thickness (atrophy) of the intervertebral discs, which manifests itself in the form of a decrease in the space between the vertebrae, the appearance of bone growths of the vertebral bodies (osteophytes, partial dissolution), resorption of bone tissue of the vertebral body, a change in the shape of the spinal segment, for example, smoothing of lordosislumbar.
Myelography is a more complex and dangerous diagnostic method.During this exam, a certain amount of contrast liquid is injected into the spinal canal.The risk of this method of examination is the possibility of allergic reactions to the contrast agent or the risk of damage to the spinal cord during puncture of the spinal canal.Myelography can determine the internal structure of the spinal canal.This method is especially informative in determining spinal hernias.
Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging 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 differentiate between osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine that have similar symptoms, for example, tumors of the spinal canal.
For a comprehensive assessment of the patient's condition, it is mandatory to conduct a neurological examination of the patient with osteochondrosis.Thanks to a neurological consultation it is possible to clarify the location and degree of motor and sensory disorders.
Osteochondrosis treatment
The clinic offers effective treatment for all forms of osteochondrosis.The treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis.Treatment is based on a comprehensive program aimed at quickly eliminating the underlying syndrome and the cause of suffering.The following methods can be used as part of complex therapy:
- acupuncture;
- vacuum therapy;
- gentle manual therapy techniques (post-isometric relaxation);
- laser therapy;
- pharmacopuncture;
- dry traction;
- magnetopuncture;
- Electrical stimulation and other treatment methods.
On average, the course of treatment is 10-15 sessions, and the elimination of acute pain syndrome is 1-3 sessions.
The sooner the treatment is started, the better the result!
Is complete relief from osteochondrosis real?
It depends on the form of the disease, severity, correctness and timeliness of treatment.Complete healing is possible only in the initial stages.
But it is possible to prevent exacerbations of osteochondrosis and not feel pain for years.If a person had osteochondrosis, but now he does not feel discomfort, this does not mean that it has passed without a trace.There may be changes in the spine.
The main task is to stop the development of the disease and do everything possible so that some of the pathological changes in the spine disappear, the symptoms disappear or decrease (back pain, cold and numbness of the arms, legs, headaches, etc.).