Osteochondrosis: symptoms, causes, treatments

Excessive tension in the back muscles can cause a lot of discomfort and pain.Osteochondrosis causes structural destruction of the vertebrae and discs, causing severe compression of nerve endings.This pathology is often accompanied by deterioration of blood circulation, causing disruption of nutrition to the brain and internal organs.

Osteochondrosis – what is it?

Osteochondrosis is a chronic relapsing disease associated with destruction of vertebrae and intervertebral discs.Their tissue is destroyed, resulting in reduced elasticity and subsequent changes in shape.The intervertebral space gradually decreases.This can lead to a loss of stability in the spine in the area where the disease has occurred.

The process of pathological tissue destruction occurs against the background of compression of nerve endings leading from the area where the spinal cord is located.As a result, the back muscles are in a constant state of tension.In this condition, patients complain of back pain and other symptoms.

Pathological processes of the cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral spine can be distinguished based on the particularities of the localization of spinal structures affected by degenerative changes.The main symptom of the development of osteochondrosis is pain, the intensity and severity of which usually increase during physical activity.

The movements also feel stiff.In addition, the clinical picture is characterized by the presence of symptoms of the vertebral type - headache, changes in blood pressure, deterioration of visual function, hearing, etc.

development mechanism

Osteochondrosis occurs because the nucleus pulposus begins to lose its hydrophilicity.This semi-liquid structure contains connective tissue fibers and chondroitin, a gel-like substance.During the development and growth of the human body, the vascular bed in the intervertebral disc is continuously reduced.Nutrients are supplied by diffusion, which manifests itself as a spontaneous stabilization of concentration.This characteristic makes it difficult for cartilage that has been injured or subjected to excessive stress on the spine to fully recover.

Pathological deviations become more pronounced due to disturbances in hormonal levels and body nutrition.Cartilage tissue begins to lack the nutrients it needs for normal development.Therefore, the disease manifests itself as:

• Decreased strength and elasticity;
• Changes to consistency parameters and configuration properties.

Against the background of flattening of the intervertebral disc, radial cracks form in the annulus fibrosus.As a result, the distance between the vertebrae decreases and the facet joints begin to shift.Over time, pathological changes cover the connective tissue associated with the annulus fibrosus and ligaments.

As tissue breaks down, the immune system produces greater amounts of immunoglobulins.This triggers a sterile inflammatory process and creates swelling in the area where the facet joint is located.They also spread to nearby soft tissues.

As the joint capsule stretches, the disc loses its ability to hold the vertebrae in place.This instability in the position of spinal structures increases the risk of pinching nerve roots or pinching blood vessels.For example, this feature is characteristic of cervical osteochondrosis, which is accompanied by strong speech symptoms.

Cause of disease

As the skeletal muscle tone of the spine decreases, the condition of the intervertebral discs may worsen.Due to irrational and asymmetrical muscle work, cartilage tissue destruction will occur when non-physiological postures are maintained for a long time.This violation is caused by carrying heavy objects on the same shoulder, using soft mattresses and high pillows.

The destruction process of the intervertebral disc is accelerated due to the action of many external and internal negative factors.These include:

• Dysfunction of endocrine mechanisms and metabolic disorders;
• Infectious diseases, including chronic diseases;
• Damage to the spine in the form of compression fractures, bruises;
• Periodic and prolonged hypothermia of the body;
• Systemic and degenerative dystrophic diseases - gout, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis;
• Smoking and alcohol abuse disrupt the condition of the vascular system, impair blood circulation and lead to a lack of nutrients in the cartilage;
• Physical underdevelopment, postural problems, flat feet – these defects increase the load on the spine due to insufficient shock absorption;
• obesity;
• genetic predisposition;
• Under constant stress.

symptom

The main clinical symptom of osteochondrosis in any location (neck, chest, or lumbosacral region) is pain.If it recurs, the pain can sting and radiate to nearby parts of the body.It can intensify with even slight movement.This forces the patient to adopt forced positions on the body to minimize discomfort and pain:

• In cervical osteochondrosis, it is better not to turn just one head, but the entire body;
• When the disease takes on a chest form, it is difficult for the patient to take deep breaths, so in order to avoid acute chest pain, he tries to reduce the depth and frequency of breathing;
• Patients with lumbar spondylosis may have difficulty sitting, maintaining an upright position, and moving due to compression of the spinal nerves.

Typically, patients complain of persistent dull pain and stiffness of movement upon waking in the morning.In this case, a differential diagnosis is needed to help eliminate the risk of myositis due to skeletal spinal muscle inflammation or osteoarthritis.

Soreness and tenderness occur due to compensatory tension in the muscle tissue.This condition is necessary to stabilize areas of spinal motion.Persistent mild or moderate pain may also occur due to significant stretching of the disc due to sterile inflammatory changes.

Osteochondrosis in specific areas has specific symptoms:

1. With cervical osteochondrosis, you experience pain in your neck and upper limbs.Pain in head, numbness in fingers.If the disease is severe, vertebral artery compression may occur.In this case, the patient begins to complain of a serious deterioration in health.
2. The localization of the thoracic spine manifested as severe pain in the back; there was visceral pain syndrome in the cardia area, right ribs, and abdomen.Patients complain of numbness, skin paresthesia, dyspnea, and vertebrae creaking.
3. Patients with lumbar osteochondrosis complain of pain in the back and lower limbs, which worsens during activity.Genitourinary disorders, male sexual performance problems, and ovarian dysfunction are frequently diagnosed.During remission, the pain may decrease.However, exposure to irritants can cause its recovery.

4. When mixed osteochondrosis occurs, symptoms may occur in multiple locations at the same time.This condition is characterized by a more severe course.

It should be remembered that displacement of the vertebrae and the formation of osteophytes can lead to compression of the vertebral arteries.It nourishes the brain and provides oxygen to cells.When squeezed, nutrition is restricted and patients suffer from coordination problems, headaches, tinnitus, and arterial hypertension.

What will be the consequences if not treated in time?

The complicated course of osteochondrosis is due to the relatively rapid formation of hernias in the intervertebral discs.Their appearance is associated with posterior displacement of the vertebral structures.This can cause a rupture of the posterior longitudinal ligament, causing the disc to become unstable and herniate its various parts into the spinal canal area.A hernia ruptures when the disc with the nucleus pulposus penetrates into the spinal canal area.

When pathological abnormalities occur in the vertebral structure, the spinal cord begins to be compressed, and patients develop discogenic myelopathy.Symptoms of this condition are associated with numbness and weakness in certain muscle groups in the upper and lower limbs.Paresis, muscle atrophy, and impaired tendon reflexes occur.In some cases, there can be problems emptying the bladder and bowels.

Intervertebral hernias are dangerous due to compression of the arteries that supply the spinal cord.The result of this pathology is the formation of ischemic areas where nerve cells are damaged and die.Nervous system effects manifest as motor dysfunction, decreased tactile sensation, and nutritional impairment.

Diagnosis of disease

The initial diagnosis is made based on the patient's chief complaint and existing symptoms.Experts examine the condition of the spine at different locations, asking the patient to rest or move.In the next stage, the patient is sent to a laboratory for diagnosis, which will help clarify or refute the diagnosis.

Research methods used include:

1. radiography– Provides a comprehensive examination of the spine to evaluate the condition, growth, curvature and other existing diseases of the vertebrae.The specialist will be able to determine the condition of the intervertebral spaces and foramina.In order to accurately identify osteochondrosis located in the chest or neck area, a two-stage X-ray examination is required.In the first stage, the patient lies on his side, and in the second stage, the patient lies directly on his back.
2. Tomography using MRI or CTProvides information-rich data that facilitates detailed study of vertebrae without interference from the organs covering the vertebrae.This image shows the nervous and vascular systems.MRI helps identify the signs and location of injury in many spinal disorders.A CT scan can reveal hernias and identify possible deviations in the spinal structure.
3. laboratory testsAssess blood status and its main parameters.Allows you to confirm the diagnosis and determine the likelihood of concomitant diseases.

In many cases, through examination, doctors diagnose the presence of certain underlying diseases that are potentially dangerous because of their complications.For example, we're talking about hernias, herniations, radiculitis.Correctly diagnosing the problem can help treat osteochondrosis more effectively.At the same time, the disease itself is disguised as a symptom of other diseases in the first stages of development.

treatment process

Osteochondrosis can be treated conservatively or surgically.The choice depends on the severity of the condition, the degree of neglect, the degree of tissue deterioration and why it occurred.

It is important to remember that it is impossible to completely cure osteochondrosis, as no medication can help completely restore the discs and vertebrae.The therapeutic effect is aimed at inhibiting the destructive process and increasing the duration and stability of remission.

For symptomatic treatment, chondroprotectants are used, the basis of which is chondroitin or glucosamine sulfate.

The effectiveness of the treatment process with chondroprotectants has been clinically proven through long-term testing.If you take these drugs long-term (from 3 months), a partial recovery of cartilage and other connective-type elements (ligamentous-tendon apparatus, bursae) is observed.

Glucosamine and chondroitin accumulate in the intervertebral disc area and produce analgesic, anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory effects.Therefore, there is a real opportunity to optimize the dosage of NSAIDs, glucocorticoids, and muscle relaxants.You can confidently reduce your patient's medication burden.

The effectiveness of chondroprotectants depends on the regularity of their use.Otherwise there will be no results.Treatment of third-degree osteochondrosis is also ineffective and is associated with significant destruction of cartilage.

The following groups of medications are used to relieve pain:

1. NSAIDsHelps eliminate soft tissue inflammatory disease caused by vertebral displacement.NSAIDs are effective in reducing pain, swelling, and stiffness.
2. Glucocorticoids– Blockade is often used with anesthetics.They relieve pain, restore the function of immune mechanisms, and provide an anti-exudative effect.
3. Muscle relaxants.They are effective against muscle spasms caused by nerve impingement.They help relax skeletal muscles and block polysynaptic spinal type reflexes, having an antispasmodic effect.
4. A topical product with a warming effect.Special gels and ointments stimulate subcutaneous tissue receptors and activate blood flow.These drugs have analgesic and antiedematous effects.

Vertebral symptoms that occur due to lesions being located in the neck or chest area can be eliminated by medical means that activate blood flow.Nootropics and medications to improve microcirculation are also prescribed.In some cases, antidepressants and medications with anticonvulsant properties may be needed.

In the treatment of osteochondrosis, they also use physical therapy.UHF therapy, magnetic therapy, laser therapy, reflexology, massage, exercise therapy, leech therapy as well as swimming and yoga can be performed.If conservative treatment fails, surgery may include microdiscectomy, disc stabilization, laser reconstruction, or implant replacement.