Osteochondrosis –degenerative-dystrophic damage to spinal tissues, characterized by damage to 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.We usually learn that the disease has already begun when complications appear - pain, sensory disturbances, muscle atrophy, dysfunction of internal organs.
Who suffers from osteochondrosis?
Nowadays, 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 may 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 decrease in disc height.Cracks appear in the fibrous ring, but the pathological process does not extend beyond the intervertebral disc.
- The second stage of the development of osteochondrosis.
As a result of the decrease in the height of the disc, the points of attachment of the muscles and ligaments belonging to two adjacent vertebrae come closer together.Therefore, muscles and ligaments give way.This can lead to excessive mobility of the two vertebrae in relation to each other, that is, instability of the vertebral movement segment is formed.At this stage, the sliding or displacement of the vertebrae in relation to each other is characteristic, with the formation of spondylolisthesis.
- The third stage of the development of osteochondrosis.
During this period, the most pronounced morphological changes occur, which mainly affect the intervertebral discs themselves: disc prolapses and protrusions form.The articular apparatus of the vertebral mobile segment also suffers.Subluxations occur in intervertebral joints and non-vertebral joints and in forms of osteoarthritis.
- The fourth stage of development of osteochondrosis.
At this stage, adaptive changes occur in the affected segments of the spine.The body tries to overcome the excessive mobility of the vertebrae and immobilize the spine to preserve its supporting and protective 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.At the fourth stage, fibrous ankylosis processes often begin in the intervertebral discs and joints.Ultimately, the vertebral motor segment appears to be immersed in a shell – clinical manifestations decrease.
Causes of osteochondrosis
In each of the many existing theories about the development of osteochondrosis, several reasons responsible for the occurrence of the disease are accepted, 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 the elderly and the young, in both well-built and less trained people.There 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, when moving, there is clicking and creaking in the joints, as if sand had been poured between them, for many patients the only reason for this condition is the notorious “salt deposition”.Such 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 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 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, degeneration of their structure.Like all living tissues, the bone tissue of the vertebrae and the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs are constantly rebuilt and self-renewed.Under the influence of regularly exercised physical activity, they acquire strength and elasticity, and in the absence of loads, tissue resistance decreases.
This is due to the peculiarities of nutrition and blood supply to bone and cartilage tissue.Adult discs do not have their own vessels;they receive nutrients and oxygen from neighboring tissues.Therefore, for adequate 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.
Due 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 nutrition of the intervertebral discs, the complex structure of biopolymeric compounds that make up the nucleus pulposus is destroyed.The moisture content in the nucleus pulposus decreases and it becomes more fragile.When exposed to minor overloads, the nucleus pulposus can disintegrate into fragments.This leads to an even greater decrease in its elasticity.There is also a decrease in the resistance of the fibrous rings of the discs.All these factors create the basis and constitute the cause of the development of osteochondrosis.
To restore the function of the spine, it is necessary to heal damage to the intervertebral disc, mobilize the compensatory capabilities of the spine, as well as the musculoskeletal system as a whole, and not resolve “salt deposits” or eliminate “spikes” in the vertebrae.When carrying out an X-ray examination after the end of the treatment, it is possible to notice that the vertebrae have not changed their shape.And the notorious “spikes” are not the cause of osteochondrosis, but a consequence of adaptive 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 strength 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.Thus, this is not the cause of osteochondrosis, but only 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 effort is made to maintain the spine in the same condition achieved as a result of treatment, the pain may reappear.
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 intervertebral discs, irritation, compression or violation of the conductivity of the roots of the spinal cord, compression of blood vessels or spinal cord occurs.Various neurological syndromes develop - reflex and compression.
The main cause of pain in osteochondrosis is the so-called nerve root irritation.In this case, a circulatory disorder 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.
Osteochondrosis symptoms
One of the characteristics of spinal osteochondrosis that worsens the process is that its symptoms are very extensive.The disease can manifest itself in completely different parts of the body.It could be pain or numbness in the limbs or disorders and pain in the internal organs.At the same time, a person often 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 analgesics, all types of advertised medicines, dietary supplements and other methods.But this path only makes the situation worse.Osteochondrosis continues to develop, and the treatment methods used, at best, simply do not lead to significant improvement other than temporary pain relief, and at worst, can harm the body even more.
Therefore, it is important to carefully analyze your condition and the changes occurring in it.It is necessary to start moving in the right direction: consult a doctor in a timely manner, make the necessary diagnoses 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, the pain can be periodic, inconsistent, appearing and disappearing.But the first feeling of discomfort or pain in your 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 arose.Such a reason may be lifting a heavy object, sudden movement, falling, etc.
Another symptom of osteochondrosis is the accompanying discomfort or pain in the back with pain and numbness in the extremities (arms or legs).The pain usually radiates to the left limb, that is, to the left arm or leg.Also, pain can manifest itself in the region of the heart, in the back, and not only in the region of the spine, but, 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.Summing up, we can say that the main symptoms of osteochondrosis include back pain and discomfort.In cases where these symptoms coincide with pain in other parts of the body, osteochondrosis can be complicated by protrusion, herniated disc or pinched nerve.
Furthermore, I would like to draw your 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 in a weak form or be absent for 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 allow early diagnosis of osteochondrosis, which will facilitate its treatment.
Osteochondrosis and salt deposition
Osteophytes or hook-shaped growths on the vertebrae appear 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 deposition is the main cause of osteochondrosis is erroneous.Therefore, treating osteochondrosis with a salt-free diet is useless.
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 and dull to intense, sometimes very intense and unbearable - with stabbing pain.
- Increased fatigue during work, both physical and mental.
- Loss of sensitivity in the limbs and various parts of the body, coldness in the hands or feet.
- Pain radiating to the legs, along the nerve trunks.
- Pain that radiates to the shoulder blade, shoulder, as well as pain in the neck and back of the head.
- A frequent companion of cervical osteochondrosis is headaches and dizziness.Increased visual 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, the normal functioning of the lumbosacral region increases the likelihood of conception and contributes to a comfortable pregnancy.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
To diagnose osteochondrosis, anamnesis is necessary.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 misdiagnosis and subsequent prescription of incorrect treatment, each symptom must be subjected to a detailed analysis.
When taking an anamnesis, including the patient's complaints, the history of the current illness and the patient's life, the doctor is aware of the patient's age, as osteochondrosis develops more frequently in elderly people, and 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 method for diagnosing osteochondrosis and at the same time quite informative is x-ray examination.There are several types of X-ray methods for diagnosing this disease:
Spinal survey 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, targeted radiography is performed - based on the symptoms of the disease and the patient's complaints, the location of the spinal lesion is determined.On the radiographic image of a segment of the spine affected by osteochondrosis, a decrease in the thickness (atrophy) of the intervertebral discs can be seen, manifested in the form of a decrease in the space between the vertebrae, the appearance of bone protrusions 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, softening of the lumbar lordosis.
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 examination method 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 for determining spinal hernias.
Computed tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance are the most modern methods, but also the most expensive and difficult to access 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 carry out 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.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
The clinic offers effective treatment for all forms of osteochondrosis.Treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis.Treatment is based on a comprehensive program that aims to quickly eliminate 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 treatment is started, the better the result will be!
Is complete relief from osteochondrosis real?
It depends on the form of the disease, severity, correctness and timeliness of treatment.Complete healing is only possible in the initial stages.
But you can prevent exacerbations of osteochondrosis and not feel pain for years.If a person had osteochondrosis, but now does not feel discomfort, this does not mean that it passed without a trace.There may be changes in the spine.
The main task is to prevent the development of the disease and do everything possible so that some pathological changes in the spine disappear, the symptoms disappear or decrease (back pain, cold and numbness in the arms, legs, headaches, etc.).