Osteochondrosis: Symptoms and Treatment of the Spine

Spinal osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease characterized by the destruction of cartilage and bone tissue. The pathology is chronic and frequently relapses. First, it affects the intervertebral discs and then the axial columns and other structures of the central nervous system.Initially, spinal osteochondrosis was considered a disease of the elderly, but recently the age of onset of the disease has become significantly younger. Today, degenerative changes are typically diagnosed in people aged 23-45 years.

reason

A single cause of osteochondrosis has not been identified. Traditional doctors believe that this disease occurs against the background of the deposition of calcium salts, which are not completely absorbed by the bone tissue. Today, other versions of the occurrence of dystrophic destruction of the spine have been proposed.There are:

• Back injuries;
• genetics;
• Flat feet, congenital clubfoot;
• obesity;
• Sedentary work and passive lifestyle;
• Metabolic disorders;
• bad posture;
• Weak constitution, innate weakness of muscles and ligaments;
• Harmful working conditions (vibration, jerking, body shaking);
• Frequent lifting of heavy objects;
• low temperature;
• pressure;
• Chronic inflammation of infectious tissue.

For female representatives, uncomfortable high heels can be a provoking factor. Frequent pregnancies can also lead to the occurrence of spinal lesions.

symptom

The intervertebral disc body undergoes degenerative damage, resulting in loss of elasticity, hindering the accumulation and release of fluid, and deteriorating the shock-absorbing performance of the axis column.As a result, the load on the annulus increases, the annulus thins and breaks, and the vertebrae become dangerously close to each other. Pathological compression of bone structures and cartilage occurs.The severe pain that occurs is accompanied by the following symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis:

• Numbness, goosebumps, and burning sensation in the affected area;
• Decreased mobility;
• Back muscle fatigue;
• Decreased performance, fatigue.

The recognized symptoms of osteochondrosis are general. The specific symptoms of the disease depend on which part of the spine is damaged.The cervical spine is compressed and blood flow in the blood vessels worsens, leading to frequent migraines, dizziness and loss of consciousness. Patients may complain of ringing in their ears, spots in front of their eyes, and pain in their shoulders and arms.Structural damage to the lower back forces people to adopt forced postures and slowly stand up and sit down. The pain occurs in the buttocks and radiates through the extremities to the calves and feet. Intermittent claudication occurs.Most symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis are of the vertebral type. Disorders that develop outside the axial column are called extravertebral syndromes. For example, vascular disease in the brain due to compression of the vertebral arteries.

type

Back osteochondrosis is divided into cervical osteochondrosis, thoracic osteochondrosis and lumbosacral osteochondrosis according to its site of occurrence. More than half of cases occur in the lumbar spine, and one-third of diagnoses are related to the cervical spine.

Which doctor treats osteochondrosis?

If you experience severe back pain, you should postpone your appointment with a neurologist or neurologist. If your local clinic does not have such a specialist, you should contact your GP. After an initial examination, your doctor will prescribe a treatment plan or refer you to another specialist.

diagnosis

The diagnosis of osteochondrosis begins with interviewing the patient. Doctors are interested in the timing of symptoms, the intensity and nature of the pain, and the location of the pain. The specialist then begins a visual inspection and palpation of the spine.Due to the variety of symptoms, a mandatory element in the diagnosis of osteochondrosis is the use of instrumental studies:

• X-ray of the entire spine (2 projections);
• MRI and CT;
• Doppler imaging of cervical spinal vessels and arteries.

Unfortunately, X-rays do not provide a complete picture of the condition of the soft structures of the spine—the spinal roots and disc tissue remain unexamined. In this case, functional MRI can come into play, which differs from traditional MRI in the position of the patient's body.

treat

How is spinal osteochondrosis treated? To combat this disease, both conservative and surgical treatments are available. The main goals of both techniques are to eliminate pain and prevent further destruction of bone tissue and cartilage.Non-surgical treatments for osteochondrosis of the back include:

• massage;
• exercise therapy;
• Traction of the entire spine;
• manual therapy;
• Impact on activity points.

The effectiveness of these methods depends largely on patient persistence and systematic operation.The intensive treatment period lasts 2-2. 5 months. There may be an increase in pain and discomfort in the back area at the beginning of the treatment session.When conservative methods fail, surgery is needed to treat spinal osteochondrosis. The indication for surgery is compression of the intervertebral space by 1/3 of the original distance. The mainstay of intervention for osteochondrosis is discectomy—the partial or complete removal of the affected disc.After spinal surgery, patients need at least six months of recovery time. During this period, it is recommended that patients go to a sanatorium for mineral baths, physiotherapy, massage and other treatments.Unfortunately, spinal osteochondrosis cannot be completely cured. Degenerative changes in bone and soft tissue are irreversible and manifest in a chronic manner. The destructive process can only be slowed down and its inherent symptoms alleviated.

complication

Complications of spinal osteochondrosis often develop due to compression of the spinal cord and feeding arteries. In this context, the patient presents with discogenic myelopathy, quadriplegia, impaired reflexes, and sphincter dysfunction. A herniated disc can cause spinal cord infarction.Cervical spine injuries can cause hearing loss, blurred vision, and persistent migraines. Patients experience memory problems and reduced learning ability.If osteochondrosis is left untreated for a long time, it can lead to severe damage to the pelvis and legs, quadriplegia, and intermittent claudication. In women, long-term spinal dystrophy often results in infertility; in men, it often results in decreased sexual ability.

prevention

No one is immune to conditions like osteochondrosis. In old age, this disease affects almost everyone. To prevent malnutrition changes, it is necessary to take care of the spine from an early age.Moderate physical activity, a balanced diet with adequate vitamins, a healthy lifestyle - all these will help you stay healthy for many years.Prevention of spinal osteochondrosis includes more specific measures:

• avoid stress;
• Prompt treatment of infections and pathologies of the musculoskeletal system;
• Limit the weight of lifted objects;
• Strengthen the immune system.

Women are advised to choose appropriate shoes and monitor foot pronation.The development of spinal osteochondrosis can greatly complicate the patient's life. Only long-term, systematic treatment can help get rid of severe symptoms. The most important thing is not to despair and fight for your health.