Osteochondrosis: symptoms, causes, treatment methods

Excessive tension in the back muscles causes a lot of discomfort and pain.Osteochondrosis, which causes disruption of the structure of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, leads to serious pinching of nerve endings.Often the pathology is accompanied by deterioration of blood circulation, which provokes disruptions in the nutrition of the brain and internal organs.

Osteochondrosis – what is it?

Osteochondrosis is a relapsing disease that occurs in a chronic form and is accompanied by destruction of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.Their tissues are disrupted, which causes a decrease in their elasticity with a subsequent change in shape.There is a gradual decrease in the intervertebral space.This causes a loss of stability of the spinal column in areas where pathology develops.

Processes of pathological tissue destruction occur against the background of pinched nerve endings that are directed from the area where the spinal cord is located.As a result, the back muscles are in constant tension.In such a situation, patients complain of pain in the back and other symptoms.

Based on the peculiarities of the localization of spinal structures that were affected by degenerative changes, cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral varieties of the pathological process are distinguished.The main sign of the development of osteochondrosis is pain, the intensity and severity of which usually increases during physical activity.

There is also stiffness in movements.Additionally, the clinical picture is characterized by the presence of signs of the vertebral type - headaches, changes in blood pressure, deterioration of visual function, hearing, and so on.

Development mechanism

The development of osteochondrosis is due to the fact that the nucleus pulposus begins to lose its hydrophilic qualities.This semi-liquid structure contains connective tissue fibers and chondroitin, a gelatinous substance.During the development of the human body and its growth, processes of reduction of the vascular bed in the intervertebral discs actively occur.Nutrients are supplied in a diffuse manner, which manifests itself in spontaneous stabilization of concentration.This feature causes difficulties in the complete restoration of cartilage that has suffered damage or excessive pressure on the spine.

Pathological deviations become more pronounced due to disturbances in hormonal levels and human nutrition.Cartilage tissue begins to experience a lack of nutrients that are required for its normal development.Therefore, disorders manifest themselves in the form of:

• decreased strength and elasticity;
• changes in consistency parameters and configuration properties.

Against the background of flattening of the intervertebral discs, radial cracks form in the fibrous rings.As a result, the intervertebral distance is reduced, and the facet joints begin to shift.Over time, pathological changes cover connective tissues related to fibrous rings and ligaments.

As tissue breaks down, the immune system produces immunoglobulins in increased quantities.This provokes the development of the process of aseptic inflammation, and swelling is formed in the area where the facet joints are located.They also spread to nearby soft tissues.

Due to stretching of the joint capsules, the intervertebral discs lose their ability to fix the vertebrae.Such instability in the position of the spinal structure increases the risk of pinching nerve roots or squeezing blood vessels.This feature is characteristic, for example, of cervical osteochondrosis, which is accompanied by intense verbal symptoms.

Reasons for the development of the disease

The condition of the intervertebral discs can worsen with decreased tone of the skeletal muscles in the spine.Due to irrational and asymmetrical muscle work, when a non-physiological body position is maintained for a long time, destruction of cartilage tissue can occur.This violation occurs as a result of carrying heavy bags on the same shoulder, using soft mattresses and high pillows.

The process of destruction of intervertebral discs is accelerated due to the action of a number of negative factors of external and internal nature.These include:

• disorders in the functioning of the endocrine mechanism and metabolic disorders;
• pathologies of an infectious nature, including chronic ones;
• damage to the spinal column in the form of compression fractures, bruises;
• regular and prolonged hypothermia of the body;
• diseases of the systemic and degenerative-dystrophic type - gouty, psoriatic, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis;
• smoking and alcohol abuse, which disrupts the condition of the vascular system, impairs blood circulation and provokes a lack of nutrients in cartilage;
• insufficient physical development, problems with posture, flat feet - these defects increase the load on the spinal column, since shock absorption will be insufficient;
• obesity;
• genetic predisposition;
• exposure to regular stress.

Symptoms

The main clinical sign of osteochondrosis of any localization (cervical, thoracic or lumbosacral) is pain.In case of relapse, the pain is piercing, radiating to nearby areas of the body.Even with slight movement it intensifies.This forces the patient to give a forced position to the body in order to minimize discomfort and pain:

• with cervical osteochondrosis, it would be preferable to turn not just one head, but the entire body;
• when the chest form of the disease is present, it is difficult for the patient to take a deep breath, and therefore, to avoid acute chest pain, he tries to minimize the depth and frequency of breathing;
• Patients with the lumbar type of the disease have difficulties when they sit down, take a vertical position, and move, since the spinal nerve is pinched.

Typically, patients complain of the presence of dull, constant pain and a feeling of stiffness in movements in the morning after waking up.In this case, differential diagnosis will be required to help eliminate the risks of developing myositis caused by inflammation of the skeletal spinal muscles or osteoarthritis.

Aching and pressing pains occur due to compensatory tension in muscle tissue.This condition is necessary to stabilize the spinal motion area.Constant mild or moderate pain can also appear with significant stretching of the intervertebral disc, resulting from aseptic inflammatory changes.

Osteochondrosis of a particular localization is characterized by special symptoms:

1. With cervical osteochondrosis, pain is felt in the cervical area, in the upper limbs.There is pain in the head and numbness in the fingers.If the disease manifests itself in a serious form, pinching of the vertebral artery may occur.In this case, the patient begins to complain of a significant deterioration in health.
2. Thoracic localization is manifested by sharp and aching pain in the back; there is visceral pain syndrome in the cardiac region, right hypochondrium and abdomen.Patients complain of numbness, paresthesia of the skin, difficulty breathing, and crunching in the vertebrae.
3. Patients with lumbar osteochondrosis complain of pain in the back and lower extremities with increasing intensity when moving.Disturbances in the functioning of the genitourinary system, problems with male potency, and dysfunctional ovarian disorder are often diagnosed.During remission, pain may decrease.However, exposure to a provoking factor leads to its resumption.

4. When mixed osteochondrosis appears, symptoms can appear in several areas simultaneously.This condition is characterized by a more severe course of the disease.

It should be remembered that displacement of the vertebrae and the formation of osteophytes cause compression of the vertebral artery.It nourishes the brain, providing its cells with oxygen.When squeezed, nutrition is limited, and therefore the patient has problems with coordination, headaches, tinnitus, and arterial hypertension.

Consequences if left untreated

The reason for the complicated course of osteochondrosis is the relatively rapid formation of hernias in the intervertebral discs.Their appearance is associated with a posterior displacement of the vertebral structure.This provokes a rupture of the posterior longitudinal ligament, resulting in instability of the disc position and protrusion of its individual sections into the spinal canal area.A hernia ruptures when the disc with the nucleus pulposus penetrates into the canal area.

When pathological abnormalities occur in the vertebral structures, the spinal cord begins to be compressed, and the patient develops discogenic myelopathy.Symptoms of this condition are associated with numbness and weakness in certain muscle groups of the upper and lower extremities.Paresis, muscle atrophy, and impaired tendon reflexes appear.In some cases, problems arise with emptying the bladder and intestines.

The formation of intervertebral hernias is dangerous due to compression of the arteries that provide nutrition to the spinal cord.The result of this pathology is the formation of ischemic zones where nerve cells are damaged and killed.The manifestation of the neurological effect is expressed in disruptions in motor function, a decrease in the degree of tactility, and trophic disorders.

Diagnosis of the disease

The initial diagnosis is made based on the patient’s complaints and existing symptoms.The specialist examines the condition of the spinal column in different positions, asking the patient to be at rest or in motion.At the next stage, the patient is sent for laboratory diagnostics, which will help clarify the diagnosis or refute it.

The research methods used include:

1. Radiography– provides a complete examination of the spinal column with assessment of the condition of the vertebrae, existing disorders in the form of growths, curvatures.The specialist will be able to determine the intervertebral spaces and the condition of the holes.To accurately identify osteochondrosis localized in the thoracic or cervical area, a two-stage x-ray examination is performed.In the first stage, the patient lies on his side, and in the second - directly on his back.
2. Tomography method using MRI or CTprovide highly informative data, which helps to study the vertebrae in detail without interference from the organs covering them.The image shows the nerves and vascular system.MRI helps identify signs of many diseases of the spinal column and the location of damage.CT scan visualizes hernias and determines possible deviations in the structure of the spine.
3. Laboratory examinationto assess the condition of the blood and its main parameters.Allows you to clarify the diagnosis and determine the possibility of developing concomitant diseases.

In many cases, as a result of examinations, doctors diagnose the presence of certain underlying diseases that are potentially dangerous due to their complications.We are talking, for example, about hernias, protrusion, radiculitis.Correct diagnosis of problems helps to more effectively treat osteochondrosis.At the same time, the disease itself in the first stages of development is disguised as the symptoms of other diseases.

Therapeutic process

Osteochondrosis is treated conservatively or surgically.The choice depends on the severity of the condition, its neglect, the level of tissue deterioration, and the causes of its occurrence.

It is important to remember that it is not possible to completely cure osteochondrosis, since there are no medications that help completely restore the discs and vertebrae.The therapeutic effect is aimed at inhibiting the destruction process and increasing the duration and stability of remission.

For symptomatic therapy, chondroprotectors are used, the basis of which is chondroitin or glucosamine sulfate.

The effectiveness of the therapeutic process using chondroprotectors has been clinically confirmed based on long-term tests.If you take these drugs for a long time (from 3 months), then partial restoration of cartilage and other elements of the connective type - the ligamentous-tendon apparatus, bursa - is observed.

The accumulation of glucosamine and chondroitin in the area of intervertebral discs leads to an analgesic, anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory effect.Therefore, there is a real opportunity to optimize the dosage of NSAIDs, glucocorticosteroids, and muscle relaxants.You can count on a reduction in the medication burden on the patient.

The effectiveness of chondroprotectors is determined by the regularity of their use.Otherwise there will be no result.Ineffectiveness is also recorded in the treatment of osteochondrosis in the 3rd degree, accompanied by significant destruction of cartilage.

The following groups of drugs can be used to relieve pain:

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugshelp eliminate inflammatory disorders in soft tissues that are caused by vertebral displacement.NSAIDs are effective in reducing pain, swelling and stiffness.
2. Drugs from the group of glucocorticosteroids– blockades are usually used together with an anesthetic.They are able to relieve pain, restore the functioning of the immune mechanism, and provide an anti-exudative effect.
3. Muscle relaxants.They are effective in combating muscle spasms due to nerve impingement.They help to relax the skeletal muscles and block reflexes of the polysynaptic spinal type with an antispasmodic effect.
4. External products with a warming effect.Irritation of subcutaneous tissue receptors with activation of blood flow is provided by special gels and ointments.These drugs have analgesic and anti-edematous effects.

Vertebrogenic type symptoms, which appear due to the localization of pathology in the cervical or thoracic area, can be eliminated using medical means to activate blood flow.Nootropics and drugs to improve microcirculation are also prescribed.In some cases, it may be necessary to take antidepressants, as well as pharmaceutical drugs with anticonvulsant effects.

During the treatment of osteochondrosis, they also resort to physiotherapy.UHF therapy, magnetic therapy, laser therapy, reflexology, massage, exercise therapy, hirudotherapy, as well as swimming and yoga can be prescribed.If conservative treatment is ineffective, surgery is performed using microdiscectomy, puncture valorization of the disc, laser reconstruction or implant replacement.