Osteochondrosis –degenerative-dystrophic lesions of the tissues of the spine, characterized by damage to the intervertebral discs, joint surfaces and adjacent vertebral bodies, as well as the ligamentous apparatus of the spine.
Most often, the pathological processes of 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?
Osteochondrosis today affects between 40 and 90% of the world's population.Most often, the disease affects people over 30 years old.However, the first symptoms of osteochondrosis may appear during 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 disc height.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.
Following a decrease in the height of the disc, the attachment points of the muscles and ligaments belonging to two adjacent vertebrae become closer together.As a result, muscles and ligaments sag.This can lead to excessive mobility of the two vertebrae relative to each other, that is, instability of the vertebral movement segment is formed.At this stage, a slippage 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, which mainly affect the intervertebral discs themselves: disc prolapses and protrusions are formed.The joint apparatus of the vertebral movement segment also suffers.Subluxations occur at intervertebral joints and non-vertebral joints and 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 attempts to overcome excessive mobility of the vertebrae and immobilize the spine to preserve its supporting and protective functions.In this regard, marginal bony growths appear on the adjacent surfaces of the vertebral bodies, in other words osteophytes.An osteophyte growing “in the wrong place” causes microtrauma to the nerve root.At 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 subside.
Causes of osteochondrosis
In each of the numerous existing theories of the development of osteochondrosis, various reasons are accepted, 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 due to the fact that this disease can occur both in old people and in young people, both in well-built people and in people with less training.It is commonly believed that the cause of osteochondrosis is the deposition of salts in the spine: it is claimed that on x-rays salts can be seen in the form of "growths" or "hooks" on the vertebrae.If, during movement, creaks and crunches appear in the joints, as if sand has 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 an 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 of a degenerative-dystrophic nature, that is, the basis of the disease is a violation of tissue nutrition and, as a result, degeneration of its structure.Like all living tissues, the bone tissue of the vertebrae and the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs are constantly reconstructed and self-renewed.Under the influence of regularly carried out physical activity, they acquire strength and elasticity, and in the absence of loads, tissue strength decreases.
This is due to the peculiarities of nutrition and blood supply to bone and cartilage tissues.Adult discs do not have their own vessels;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 muscle work.
Depending on 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 solid fibrous ring which surrounds it.Due to the deterioration of the nutrition of the intervertebral discs, the complex structure of biopolymer compounds that make up the nucleus pulposus is destroyed.The moisture content of the nucleus pulposus decreases and it becomes more fragile.When exposed to even minor overloads, the nucleus pulposus can disintegrate into fragments.This leads to an even greater decrease in its elasticity.There is also a reduction in the resistance of the fibrous rings of the discs.All these factors constitute the basis and cause of the development of osteochondrosis.
To restore the function of the spine, it is necessary to heal the damage to the intervertebral disc, to mobilize the compensatory capabilities of the spine, as well as the musculoskeletal system as a whole, and not to resolve "salt deposits" or eliminate "spikes" on the vertebrae.During an x-ray examination after the end of treatment, you can see that the vertebrae have not changed shape.And the famous “spikes” are not the cause of osteochondrosis, but a consequence of adaptive processes.Marginal growths increase the supporting surface of the vertebral body.Due to the increase in surface area, the specific pressure decreases, which makes it possible to compensate for the decrease in 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 joint ligaments, cartilage and capsules.This process can only be called salt deposition under certain conditions.Thus, it is not the cause of osteochondrosis, but only a consequence and the final stage of the process described above.
Reversing structural changes to the spine is almost impossible.But minimizing them is a very real task.If no effort is made to keep the spine in the same condition as achieved through treatment, 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 disruption of the conductivity of the roots of the spinal cord, compression of blood vessels or the spinal cord occurs.Various neurological syndromes develop - reflex and compression.
The main cause of osteochondrosis pain is so-called nerve root irritation.In this case, circulatory disorders occur, 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 of 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 features of osteochondrosis of the spine 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 include pain or numbness in the limbs or disturbances and pain in the internal organs.At the same time, often a person does not in any way associate heart pain, dysfunction of the genitals, headaches, pain and numbness in the legs with osteochondrosis and in general the spine, directly "treating" the symptoms of osteochondrosis with the help of various types of pain relievers, all kinds of advertised drugs, 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, except temporary pain relief, and in the worst case, they can harm the body even more.
It is therefore important to carefully analyze your condition and the changes occurring there.It is necessary to start moving in the right direction: consult a doctor in a timely manner, pass 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, appear and disappear.But the very first feeling of discomfort or pain in the spine should give you pause.The appearance of the first pains is a signal to at least pay attention to them and try to remember the reason why they appeared.Such a reason may be lifting a heavy object, sudden movement, falling, etc.
Another symptom of osteochondrosis is the accompaniment of discomfort or back pain with pain and numbness in the extremities (arms or legs).The pain most often radiates towards the left limb, that is to say towards the left arm or leg.In addition, 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 course of 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 walking the pain disappeared, then this will be an indirect sign determining lumbar osteochondrosis of the spine.The same image can be with the neck and the arm.Summing up, 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 protrusion, herniated disc or pinched nerve.
In addition, I would like to draw attention to the fact that even when the first pains in the spine appear, it is necessary to pay special attention to this disease.After all, osteochondrosis can manifest itself weakly or not at all for a fairly long period.At the same time, it will continue to grow successfully in the spine, leading to the breakdown of an increasing number of discs.Therefore, a timely visit to a 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 of the vertebrae appear in order 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, treatment of osteochondrosis with a salt-free diet is useless.
The most common complaints related to osteochondrosis of the spine
The most common complaints related to osteochondrosis include:
- Discomfort in various parts of the spine.The pain can vary from a minor, dull, throbbing ache to severe, sometimes very intense and unbearable pain - with shooting.
- Increased fatigue during work, both physical and mental.
- Loss of sensation in the limbs and various parts of the body, chills in the hands or feet.
- Pain radiating towards the legs, along the nerve trunks.
- Pain radiating to the shoulder blade, shoulder, as well as pain in the neck and back of the head.
- Headaches and dizziness are a frequent companion of cervical osteochondrosis.Increased visual fatigue or decreased visual acuity are often observed.
- When the lumbosacral region is affected, reproductive system disorders – 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 chances of conception and contributes to a comfortable pregnancy.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
To diagnose osteochondrosis, it is necessary to collect an anamnesis.The determination of the patient's complaints is of decisive importance.Some symptoms of osteochondrosis are quite characteristic.Others, on the contrary, must be differentiated from the signs of other diseases.It is important that nervous, vascular and trophic disorders that occur in osteochondrosis can imitate various diseases, such as angina, gastritis, gastric ulcer and acute surgical diseases of the abdominal organs.Therefore, in order to avoid erroneous diagnosis and subsequent prescription of incorrect treatment, each symptom should be subjected to detailed analysis.
When collecting anamnesis, including the patient's complaints, the history of the current illness and the patient's life, the doctor pays attention to his age, since osteochondrosis most often develops in older people, and to the course of symptoms from their appearance until the patient consults a doctor.Osteochondrosis is characterized by slow development, during 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 radiological methods for diagnosing this disease:
Spinal examination x-ray 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.Depending on the symptoms of the disease and the patient's complaints, the location of the spinal lesion is determined.On an x-ray of a segment of the spine affected by osteochondrosis, a decrease in the thickness (atrophy) of the intervertebral discs can be observed, manifested by a decrease in the space between the vertebrae, the appearance of bony 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 of thelumbar 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 spinal cord injury during puncture of the spinal canal.Myelography can determine the internal structure of the spinal canal.This method is particularly informative for determining spinal hernias.
Computed tomography and nuclear 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 differentiate between osteochondrosis and other spinal diseases with similar symptoms, for example, spinal canal tumors.
For a complete assessment of the patient's condition, it is obligatory to carry out a neurological examination of the patient with osteochondrosis.Thanks to a neurological consultation, it is possible to specify the location and degree of motor and sensory disorders.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
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 duration of treatment is 10-15 sessions, and the elimination of acute pain syndrome is 1-3 sessions.
The earlier the 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 recovery is possible only in the early stages.
But you can prevent exacerbations of osteochondrosis and not feel pain for years.If a person suffered from osteochondrosis, but no longer feels 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 certain pathological changes in the spine disappear, the symptoms disappear or decrease (back pain, cold and numbness of the arms, legs, headaches, etc.).