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spinal osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease that occurs due to the degenerative process of cartilage tissue in the spine.In fact, the term applies to any joint, but most commonly osteochondrosis affects the intervertebral discs, so in the vast majority of cases what they are talking about is osteochondrosis of the spine.

Neck massage to treat osteochondrosis

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

The main symptoms of osteochondrosis are soreness and numbness, which can be widespread or cover specific areas of the back.The pain worsens with physical activity, sudden movement, and sometimes even coughing and sneezing.The body tries to instinctively protect itself from pain, so muscle tone increases at the injured site.This is how limitation of motor activity occurs—another characteristic symptom of osteochondrosis.

If left untreated, the manifestations of the disease worsen: the pain intensifies, spreading to the limbs, limiting their mobility (if the cervicothoracic area is affected, then the arms; if the lumbar area is affected, then the legs).In severe cases, the limbs may even partially atrophy - losing inherent strength and mobility.Disc herniation is one of the most common and serious complications of osteochondrosis. The disc itself shifts and compresses the nerve roots, causing severe pain in the back.

When each part of the spine is affected, specific symptoms occur:

  • Neck: Headache, dizziness, shoulder and arm pain and numbness.In some cases, vertebral artery syndrome develops: the arteries supplying the brain and spinal cord become compressed, causing a severe, throbbing headache in the temples or back of the head.Unpleasant symptoms also occur: ringing in the ears, imbalance, darkening of the eyes with noticeable contractions - sudden dizziness with nausea and vomiting.All of these symptoms usually occur when the head turns suddenly.
  • Chest pain: A "stick in the chest" feeling that patients often attribute to pain related to the heart or internal organs.
  • Lumbosacral area: pain and numbness in the waist and legs, and there may be discomfort in the pelvic area.

Causes of osteochondrosis

The main cause of osteochondrosis is the degenerative change of the intervertebral disc cartilage tissue, which causes the intervertebral disc cartilage tissue to lose its firmness and elasticity.The intervertebral discs reduce in size, become dense, and are unable to fully absorb impact forces.Even during normal walking, the hard vertebrae, which are composed of bone tissue, do not bounce too elasticly on the cartilage layer between them, but actually touch each other, squeezing the nerve fibers.As a result, the mobility of the spine is limited, and persistent pain occurs that spreads to the back and limbs, caused by nerve root compression.

The causes of changes in malnutrition may vary.The main trigger is dietary habits.From birth, cartilage tissue receives necessary substances in two ways: from blood vessels and from intervertebral fluid.By the age of 23-25, the blood vessels are completely full, leaving only one nutritional pathway.During spinal movement, when fluid circulation occurs, nutrients can be provided to the cartilage tissue through the intervertebral fluid: During the compression and expansion of the intervertebral disc, the fluid breaks down into nutrients.Therefore, after 30 years, the risk of disc cartilage tissue degeneration increases dramatically, especially if there is insufficient physical activity.

Intense training (especially without a warm-up), injury, and any skeletal pathology (including flat feet and poor posture) can exacerbate the dystrophic process of disc destruction because it changes the load distribution on the spine.Being overweight has the same effect.There is also a genetic predisposition to osteochondrosis - loose cartilage tissue is susceptible to degenerative processes.

stages of spinal osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a progressive disease, but the transition to subsequent stages occurs gradually.One of the stages of development of osteochondrosis is the so-called herniated disc.Intervertebral discs are composed of a hard shell called the annulus fibrosus and a semi-fluid core.When the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc becomes thin and ruptures, the nucleus pulposus protrudes from the gap, and the nerve roots are compressed, an intervertebral disc herniation occurs. Along with the pain, the shock-absorbing performance of the intervertebral disc decreases to a greater extent.How quickly symptoms appear depends on lifestyle, treatment and individual characteristics of the body.

first stage

Characteristic complaints that persist or occur periodically.They are often irritated by physical activity or forced body postures.X-rays show minimal narrowing or normal intervertebral spaces.

second stage

Symptoms can worsen when the disc loses stability (cartilage tissue bulges into the surrounding annulus fibrosus), compressing the nerve root.X-rays show a significant decrease in the distance between the vertebrae or the displacement of the vertebrae; bone tissue growth may occur.

The third stage

A herniated disc, also called a herniation or disc prolapse occurs; the disc moves deeper and deeper into surrounding tissue, causing damage to blood vessels and nerves, resulting in increased pain, limited movement of the limbs, and numbness.

Stage 4

Intervertebral disc fibrosis stage.The intervertebral discs harden and are replaced by scar tissue, bony protrusions grow along the edges, and the distance between the vertebrae shortens significantly.The mobility of the spine is significantly reduced—it actually becomes rigid.

Diagnosis of disease

Doctors make a preliminary diagnosis based on characteristic complaints and examination data.Assess pain, muscle tone, sensitivity, range of motion, and posture at certain points.Instrumental study methods help to stage and confirm the diagnosis of osteochondrosis.Most commonly, during the initial phase, the doctor will order X-rays of the spine of interest.These pictures clearly show whether the distance between the vertebrae is reduced, that is, whether the cartilage is thinning, and how far this process has progressed.If your doctor suspects a hernia based on the X-ray, he or she will prescribe a more informative study called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Slice-by-slice scanning and good soft tissue visualization make it possible to confirm or refute the diagnosis of disc herniation with absolute accuracy.

How is spinal osteochondrosis treated?

Treatment of osteochondrosis is always complex and long-term.Its task is not only to relieve pain and relieve muscle tension, but also to prevent the further progression of the disease, that is, to affect its cause.Doctors decide on treatment for each specific situation.Medications are often supplemented with physical therapy, massage, manual therapy, physiotherapy and reflexology.If conservative treatment fails to achieve the desired results, surgical treatment is required.

drug

The main goal during an osteochondrosis exacerbation is to relieve inflammation and the accompanying pain and muscle spasms.To do this, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in combination with muscle relaxants, which reduce skeletal muscle tone and reduce muscle spasm and nerve root compression.B vitamin preparations help improve the condition of nerve roots.Typically, the course of treatment lasts 7-10 days.Internal medications are supplemented with topical treatments: Apply an NSAID-containing ointment or gel or a simple warming ointment to the affected area to increase blood supply, metabolism and quickly stop inflammation.Topical treatments can provide quick pain relief because the active substances can penetrate the source of inflammation, bypassing the digestive system and general blood flow, but are not sufficient for full treatment.

Medications containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate (a component of cartilage).

The components of the drug not only replenish the lack of these substances in the body, but also initiate the recovery process and stimulate the production of other cartilage components.The drug can be taken beyond exacerbations and may even prevent further progression of osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis.To achieve long-lasting results, a long-term treatment course of up to 6 months is required.

This drug has been shown to promote:

  • Renewal of articular cartilage tissue;
  • Improve joint mobility;
  • Reduce pain.

The drug has a complex effect: it helps restore joint cartilage tissue and reduces the need for painkillers, thereby improving the safety of the treatment.

Unlike some other drugs in this group, this drug recommends increasing the daily dose of chondroprotectants - chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, the effectiveness of which is proven.

A complex topical formulation that includes meloxicam (NSAID) and chondroitin sulfate.

It simultaneously relieves inflammation, pain and initiates the repair process of cartilage tissue; it is the number one drug for the treatment of osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis.This is a modern cartilage protectant produced in the United States.

The drug's special ingredients increase the penetration of painkillers into joints, helping to reduce joint pain and inflammation.

This drug has been shown to:

  • Has analgesic effect;
  • Has anti-inflammatory effects;
  • Helps reduce stiffness;
  • Helps increase joint range of motion.

This medicine is used for osteoarthritis, osteochondrosis, and other joint conditions that cause pain.Because it contains meloxicam, chondroitin, and dimethyl sulfoxide, it has a triple effect on the symptoms of osteoarthritis (analgesic, anti-inflammatory, reduces stiffness), resulting in a comprehensive response to the disease.

A medicine containing ibuprofen (NSAID) along with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

The drug contains the pain-relieving ingredients ibuprofen and chondroitin, as well as glucosamine - a substance that affects the structure of cartilage.The drug not only helps reduce moderate joint pain but also suppresses inflammation; increasing the daily dose of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine is recommended and has proven effectiveness.This drug helps restore cartilage tissue in joints and improves their mobility.

naproxen sodium

Naproxen sodium has:

  • It has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Applies to:

  • Osteoarthritis of the joints and spine;
  • rheumatic diseases;
  • Sprains and bruises.

In other cases, the pain is mild or moderately severe and includes lower back and muscle pain, nerve pain, and other conditions.

At a dose of 275 mg, this drug can help relieve joint pain and inflammation for up to 12 hours thanks to the active ingredient naproxen.Naproxen is the global standard in the treatment of joint pain, used by millions of patients in different countries.

non-pharmacological treatment

Non-drug treatments can increase the effectiveness of medications and give you quick relief from worsening conditions.

  • Massage can relieve muscle spasms, improve microcirculation and metabolism, reduce swelling, and have a beneficial impact on the patient's health.Massage is contraindicated when the condition is severe, as it only increases pain and does not bring any benefit.It is prescribed after completion of drug therapy and during resolution or remission of inflammation to prevent new exacerbations.
  • Manual therapy uses the hands to restore the correct structure of the spine and its mobility.This is a serious intervention and is therefore carried out by experts after studying the images.
  • Physiotherapy (physiotherapy) is the practice of physical activity according to the condition of the disease.The flow of intervertebral fluid is necessary to provide nutrients to the discs and remove decay products.Exercise strengthens muscles, normalizes their tone, and restores motor activity to injured limbs.Exercise therapy should be regular and at a calm pace, and no sudden movements should be made to avoid aggravation of the condition.
  • Reflexology affects body organs and systems by stimulating certain acupuncture points.For this purpose, needles are most often used, but other options are also available: electric current, magnetic field.
  • Physical therapy is mainly used during exacerbations to relieve inflammation, improve microcirculation, and relieve pain, swelling, and muscle spasms.The most commonly used are electrophoresis and ultrasound combined with medications (such as hydrocortisone) and magnet therapy.

Other methods

If there is disc herniation or nerve root compression, and the distance between the vertebrae is significantly shortened, surgical treatment is recommended.Its essence is to remove the damaged disk.Minimally invasive techniques have been developed that can solve the problem for patients with relative ease: endoscopic techniques and lasers that "vaporize" the core of the disc.In severe cases, the discs are replaced with silicone implants.

prevention

Preventing osteochondrosis is a hot topic for everyone, especially after the age of 25.To protect your spinal discs for as long as possible, you need to be active but avoid injuries and strenuous physical activity, eat right, take breaks and move around when you sit for long periods of time at work.An important point in preventing osteochondrosis is to take a chondroprotective agent.If you experience any discomfort in any part of your back, it is best to seek medical attention immediately to avoid missing diagnosis and causing disease.

in conclusion

Osteochondrosis is a disease that is not life-threatening but can significantly reduce its quality.Therefore, prevention and timely comprehensive treatment are crucial to achieve stable remission and prevent disease progression.