Osteochondrosis of the spine is a chronic disease, which is based on the process of degeneration of bone and cartilage tissue. All parts of the spine are affected by the pathological process.
Description of the disease
The disease is more common in the elderly, but recently there has been an increase in the number of young patients showing signs of the disease. Depending on the localization of the spinal cord lesion, it is customary to classify it into cervical, thoracic, and lumbar osteochondrosis. The main and characteristic sign of osteochondrosis of the spine is a dull pain of moderate intensity, due to the compression of the spinal cord roots.
Pathogenesis and stages
The development of the disease is usually divided into several stages. The process begins with an asymptomatic course, when initial changes in cartilage tissue occur and ends with the complete fusion of several vertebrae with each other.
First
The first stage is more difficult to diagnose, because of the mild signs of the disease, it is also called preclinical. Patients have general weakness, discomfort in the spine. These signs are often confused with fatigue. In medical practice, grade 1 osteochondrosis can only be diagnosed accidentally, for example, during a preventive examination.
Secondly
During grade 2 osteochondrosis, the patient feels pain in the spine. This stage is a consequence of the first in the absence of the necessary preventive measures. There is an initial process of destruction of the intervertebral disc. The fixation of the vertebrae breaks down, the distance between them decreases, which leads to the compression of the nerve fibers of the spine.
Based on the patient's complaints, an objective examination and X-ray, the doctor diagnoses "grade 2 osteochondrosis of the cervical region" and prescribes treatment. Depending on the implementation of all the recommendations of a specialist, the disease can be treated without serious consequences.
Third
The third stage is characterized by the onset of irreversible processes in the cartilaginous tissues of the fibrous ring. The pulp nucleus is dehydrated, resulting in a disc herniation. The pain appears as a result of compression of the spinal nerves. At this stage, the destroyed intervertebral disc can not be restored. Hernia is eliminated by surgical method, treatment is performed with the help of medication.
Fourthly
At this stage, the body adapts to the resulting changes in the spine. Compensatory bone tissue grows along the edges of the vertebrae (osteophytes) to strengthen the affected section. They can compress the spinal cord roots, causing pain. As a result, osteophytes grow together, causing complete immobility of a certain segment of the spine.
Symptoms and varieties
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease. The alternation of periods of disease exacerbation and remission is particularly characteristic of him. The symptoms of the disease are quite typical. They are manifested by painful back pain, with sudden movements and heavy lifting, the pain intensifies, there may be numbness in the limbs, fatigue with little physical exertion and depression.
Persistent aching pain leads to irritability and excessive fatigue of the body. In chronic osteochondrosis, when the vertebral discs compress the nerve fibers, the pain syndrome can take on a shooting character and radiate to the back of the head, shoulders, and lower extremities.
Cervix
This is one of the most common and dangerous localizations of the disease, as it has a large number of nerve fibers and large major vessels in the cervical region.
With cervical osteochondrosis, the symptoms may be as follows:
- severe headache;
- pains radiate to the shoulder and limbs, shoot in the head;
- has a restriction of neck movements;
- dizziness and loss of consciousness;
- tinnitus;
- impaired coordination of movements.
These symptoms are caused by impaired blood circulation in the arteries of the cervix due to inflammation, swelling, muscle spasm. With the onset of vertebral artery compression syndrome and lack of proper medical treatment, this leads to cerebral ischemia.
thoracic
Osteochondrosis of the chest region is quite rare. Signs of thoracic spine osteochondrosis manifest in the form of pain and burning sensation between the shoulders. In the case of compression of nerve endings between the ribs, this leads to intercostal neuralgia. It is expressed in the sensation of acute pain in the chest, which does not allow deep breathing.
Violation of blood circulation and lack of nutrients due to the inflammatory process can cause diseases of internal organs located in the area, various cardiac pathologies. Qualified treatment in this case is essential.
lumbar
More than 50% of cases occur in this department. The initial signs of lumbar osteochondrosis are a characteristic aching pain in the lower back, which increases with sudden movements, lifting weights and even when the weather changes. Symptoms such as varicose veins, numbness of the extremities, joint pain are not excluded.
The appearance of osteophytes in the later stages of the disease often leads to inflammation of the sciatic nerve - sciatica, one of the possible complications. Lumbar sciatica also refers to complications of osteochondrosis. It appears as pain in the buttocks, spreading along the thigh and leg, reaching up to the legs.
Causes and prevention
As a rule, the disease usually causes several causes at once, so it is also considered multifactorial. The main reasons for the development of osteochondrosis are:
- back injuries and bruises;
- accumulation diseases and metabolic disorders;
- sedentary and overweight lifestyle;
- congenital and acquired posture disorders;
- inheritance.
Prevention of osteochondrosis comes down to simple but effective methods. It is necessary to change the lifestyle to a more active one (go swimming), do not forget to do gymnastics for the back during long-term stationary work. You need to start eating right, including as many fruits and vegetables, dairy products as possible.
Effective prevention will also be timely seeking medical help when the first symptoms of the disease appear.
Treatment
Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis must be complex. The main directions of treatment of the disease are:
- drug therapy (NSAIDs, analgesics, chondroprotectors, vitamins);
- physiotherapy (electrophoresis, UHF);
- massage;
- exercise therapy;
- gymnastics (can be performed at home);
- surgical treatment (discectomy).