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Osteochondrosis

symptoms of osteochondrosis

Back pain is a problem that every adult can face.Often this is not a one-time occurrence, but a symptom of a dangerous disease.Osteochondrosis often occurs in people aged 30-35 (about 40% of the population), 90% of cases occur in old age.

Timely diagnosis and the correct approach to treatment can eliminate the development of pathology and prevent complications.Therefore, it is important to understand exactly what back pain can indicate, which doctor you should see when it appears, and how to treat osteochondrosis.

What is osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a group of chronic diseases caused by the destruction of vertebrae and intervertebral discs, as well as damage to cartilage tissue.

As age advances and due to uneven loading, the bone tissue of the vertebrae deforms and dies, and the muscle tissue develops unevenly.This leads to various manifestations of osteochondrosis: hernia, curvature of the spine, etc.

Osteochondrosis is an obsolete term;in world medicine it is called dorsopathy. There are different types of connective tissue and musculoskeletal diseases for which different treatment methods are used.

Types of osteochondrosis

During the classification of the disease, the following are taken into account: the location of the pain, the area of damage to the intervertebral discs, the degree of development of the disease.

Localization of painful sensations

Considering the location of pain caused by spinal diseases, there are:

  • Lumbodynia.Chronic low back pain often causes lameness.In particularly severe cases, it can cause numbness in the legs.Most often, this symptom occurs when a person has an intervertebral hernia.When the roots of the spinal cord are compressed, paralysis of the limbs is possible.
  • Lumboschialgia.Pain that radiates painful sensations in the lower back or lower limbs, the back of the legs - from the buttocks to the knees.Clinical manifestations occur when there is pressure on the sciatic nerves and spinal nerves.
  • Lumbago.Shooting or acute intense pain at a certain point in the lower back.It is often confused with radiculitis.In most cases, the attack occurs when a person tries to bend down sharply or straighten his back, as well as when suddenly lifting heavy objects.
  • Thoracalgia.Pain in the chest area.It is considered a very dangerous symptom, sometimes even the doctor cannot immediately determine its cause.Discomfort is not always associated with body movements.The pain is especially strong in the area from the chest to the armpit.
  • Cervical pain.Painful sensations appear in the neck area and may spread to the upper limbs.The pathological manifestations can be accompanied by dizziness, numbness of the back of the head, redness and swelling of the skin.

The pathology requires urgent treatment, as there may be disruption of blood circulation in the brain, compression of nerve roots, and disruption of venous blood outflow.Cervicalgia often causes inflammatory processes and intervertebral disc herniation.

The location of the most painful sensations indicates the area of damage to the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.The pain is often reflected, that is, it is not fixed in the place where the source of the disease is actually located.

Classification by location

Depending on the part of the spine where the intervertebral discs and tissues were damaged, osteoporosis is divided into several types.

Cervix

It consists of seven small vertebrae that are under constant stress.The pathology is accompanied by thinning of the cervical vertebrae and compression of the arterial channels.Cervical type osteochondrosis is very dangerous because it disrupts the blood saturation process of the brain.

The formation of protrusions leads to a hernia.And operations in the neck region can lead to immobilization of the body.

Chest

Abnormalities of this part of the spinal column are rare, which is associated with low mobility of the vertebrae.The appearance of pain is observed in people who move loads or who stay in one position for a long time.

Thoracic osteochondrosis is often confused with pneumonia, heart attack and angina.

Important!

Only a doctor can participate in the differential diagnosis.

Lumbosacral

There are five vertebrae in the lumbar region.If there is a disturbance in nutrition and metabolic processes in the intervertebral disc, it loses its flexibility, its size decreases, and it can no longer function taking into account the received load.Failure to treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis can cause the following complications: hernia, protrusion, sciatica.

Important!

Compression of the spinal cord is a very dangerous phenomenon, as it can cause paralysis of the lower limbs.

Another type of osteochondrosis is polysegmental.During its development, the segments in different parts of the spine are degraded simultaneously.The disease is characterized by loss of sensitivity in the back of the head and disturbances in the functioning of the speech apparatus.

Features of the development of the disease

According to the degree of change in the intervertebral discs, experts distinguish 4 stages of pathology, which are diagnosed by radiographic examinations:

  1. There are no visible changes in the spine.
  2. Internal ruptures occur in the discs, but without external changes.
  3. Changes without external damage to the disk are recorded by the system.
  4. Severe damage to the intervertebral disc.The cracks spread to the inner surface, it seems that the disc is squeezed out of the vertebrae.  

Taking into account the clinical manifestations, four developmental stages of osteochondrosis are distinguished:

  1. The spine works as usual.A person feels pain at the site of the disease.Patients complain of general weakness, chronic fatigue, less often loss of appetite and sleep disorders.
  2. The disc cracks and the spinal segment loses its stability.Painful sensations intensify, initially one-off, later chronic, which is associated with pinching of nerves, subluxation of the vertebrae and the formation of protrusions.
  3. The pain intensifies even more, deformation of the spine occurs, and an intervertebral hernia develops.Lordosis, the curvature of the spine, develops in the same stage.
  4. The spine loses its normal mobility.The cartilage tissue thickens and osteophytes (cartilaginous growths on the joints) appear.In particularly severe cases, patients lose their ability to move.

Important!

A person diagnosed with the fourth stage of osteochondrosis receives disability.

Causes of osteochondrosis

There are several theories that explain the occurrence of pathology.The reasons for this include hormonal changes, heredity, cardiovascular problems, mechanical injuries, etc.Researchers agree that the cause most often lies in the overloading of certain segments of the spinal column.

The human spine has 32-34 vertebrae (7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 3-5 coccyx).Each segment consists of two vertebrae and an intervertebral disc between them.The integrity of this structure is ensured by the joints and articular processes.

Intervertebral discs consist of a jelly-like core and a dense fibrous ring surrounding it, covered by a layer of cartilage tissue.They perform a shock-absorbing function, preventing damage to the vertebrae during jumping, running and walking.The design is highly mobile, providing flexibility and stability to the spine.

Already in the first stage of osteochondrosis, the degradation and destruction of the intervertebral discs begins, the amount of fluid in their core decreases, the cartilage tissue becomes thinner and less flexible.

In most cases, osteochondrosis can be diagnosed in older people and people who lead a sedentary lifestyle.Doctors believe that the main cause of the disease is the uneven distribution of the load on the spine and vertebrae.This causes their damage, as well as the destruction of cartilage tissue.

Most often, this disorder occurs due to a sedentary lifestyle, irregular exercise, excessive physical activity, and work with constant pressure on the back.

Improper posture when walking, sitting, carrying and lifting heavy objects, tight and uncomfortable clothing and shoes can cause damage/displacement of the intervertebral discs and, as a result, lead to the development of osteochondrosis.

Additional reasons for the development of pathology include:

  •  fractures, curvatures and damage to the spine;
  • hormonal imbalances;
  • pregnancy;
  • hypothermia and sudden temperature changes.

Important!

Exertion of the cervical spine during work at the computer can also cause the development of osteochondrosis.

Risk factors for the development of osteochondrosis

There are many diseases that can lead to osteochondrosis.These are:

  • flat feet;
  • scoliosis;
  • arthritis;
  • osteoporosis;
  • arthrosis;
  • neuro-emotional exhaustion;
  • diabetes mellitus;
  • obesity.

Other risk factors include metabolic disorders, intense physical activity (especially with heavy lifting), nutrient deficiencies, natural age-related changes in the body, and genetic predisposition.

Smoking (smoking) and the regular use of alcohol significantly weaken the tissue of the intervertebral discs.A lack of calcium can be a factor in the development of the disease.

Symptoms and signs of osteochondrosis

Painful sensations are the main symptom of pathology.The nature of the pain can vary, it can be:

  • acute, intense, aggravated by movement (usually the patient tries to remain still);
  • dull, smooth (movements are slow).

In addition to local pain exactly where the destruction of the vertebrae and discs began, patients often experience projective pain - far from the site of the problem.Due to the pain, the muscle strength of the lower and upper limbs decreases, movement disorders and general weakness occur in the body.

Patients often complain of such general symptoms of osteochondrosis as:

  • stiffness and discomfort during movement;
  • muscle spasms;
  • migraine and headache;
  • frequent dizziness, visual disturbances;
  • occurrence of pains in the joints of the limbs;
  • cold feeling in the limbs;
  • reduced sensitivity;
  • circulatory disorders;
  • loss of consciousness.

In some cases, patients experience numbness in the extremities and a tingling sensation in the neck region, lumbar region, and sternum.

Several characteristic syndromes are often present in osteochondrosis:

  • Vertebra.Acute or chronic back pain associated with poor circulation.
  • Heart.A form of angina.
  • Vertebral artery syndrome.Pain caused by circulatory disturbances in the vertebral arteries.
  • Koreshkovy.The pain is caused by the compression of the spinal roots in the places where they branch off from the spinal cord.

Depending on the type of osteochondrosis, the symptoms of the disease may be different.

For cervical osteochondrosismigraine, numbness of the fingers, difficulty in moving the head and neck, pain in the back of the head.In addition, in cervical osteochondrosis, patients complain of facial numbness, sleep problems, frequent dizziness and tinnitus.

Lumbar osteochondrosiscauses pain in the buttocks and perineum, causing movement problems.Patients feel acute pain when bending, in the lower back (sleeping or sitting for a long time).Numbness, dizziness and general weakness appear.The disease often causes pain in the kidney area, erectile dysfunction and frequent urination.Lumbar osteochondrosis often develops scoliosis.

Thoracic osteochondrosisshortness of breath, with stiffness in the chest, pain between the shoulder blades and ribs.Patients often worry about problems with the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and pancreas.Specific manifestations of thoracic spine pathologies include dry skin, peeling skin on the extremities, and brittle nails.

Osteochondrosis: diagnosis

See a doctor (vertebrologist or neurologist) if you experience back pain (of any kind), muscle spasms, and sensory disturbances in the back and limbs.

No additional preparation is required for a visit to a neurologist or vertebrologist.It is important to tell your doctor a list of pain relievers you have taken recently.All measures taken during self-treatment must also be reported before the date of the consultation.

During the appointment, the doctor performs a comprehensive examination, which includes:

  • collecting anamnesis, studying the patient's medical history and complaints;
  • physiological examination, palpation, assessment of the condition of the skin and localization of pain;
  • determination of the nature of pain (acute, dull, reflected, local, etc.);
  • blood test (indicators of blood calcium level and red blood cell sedimentation rate are important);
  • ECG and heart ultrasound (to exclude or confirm the relationship of pain syndromes with cardiovascular diseases);
  • duplex scanning of the arteries of the head and neck (assessment of the quality of blood flow, determination of vasoconstriction).

To confirm the diagnosis, additional radiographic examinations may be prescribed, which include:

  • X-ray of the spine.Complete picture in two projections, if necessary filming of each segment of the spine.Functional radiography may also be prescribed - a test in which the specialist takes pictures in various body positions.
  • Computed tomography of a single disc.The examination shows the condition of the vertebral body, blood vessels, nerve endings, ligaments and soft tissues, ruptures of the intervertebral disc contours, disc height, dura mater changes, marginal growths and vertebral instability.
  • Myelography.Contrast X-ray of the spinal cord.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging.It is an alternative to a CT scan of the intervertebral disc.It allows the assessment of the condition of blood vessels and cartilage tissue.

X-rays confirm that this is osteochondrosis if the images show the following:

  • pathological mobility of the vertebrae, which differs from the norm;
  • displacement of the vertebrae relative to each other;
  • deposition of salts in the intervertebral discs;
  • uniform narrowing of the intervertebral space in the lumbar and cervical regions, wedge-shaped narrowing in the thoracic region;
  • formation of osteophytes (marginal growths);
  • marginal sclerosis is the formation of a compaction on the affected disc.

As part of the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe a consultation with another specialist (ENT specialist, cardiologist, urologist, etc.).

Important!

The main task of the diagnostician is to determine the causes of osteochondrosis.Depending on the results obtained during the examination, the doctor determines the type of pathology and prescribes appropriate therapy in a given case.

Complications of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the spine is an unpleasant disease, which in its final stages can cause the development of other diseases and pathologies.The most common are:

  • protrusion (bulging of intervertebral discs);
  • intervertebral hernia;
  • salt deposits between the vertebrae;
  • kyphosis (curvature of the spine);
  • muscle atrophy;
  • spinal stroke (circulation disorder in the spinal cord);
  • radiculitis;
  • dysfunction of the urinary system (urinary problems, erectile dysfunction in men, inflammatory processes in the uterus, ovaries and appendages in women);
  • paralysis of the limbs.

In case of the first painful sensations, timely consultation with a doctor and regular prevention of osteochondrosis will help to avoid the development of complications.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

At the Naran clinic, doctors use an integrated approach to the treatment of osteochondrosis.

Doctors of Tibetan medicine use four treatment methods:

  • Correction of nutrition according to dosha
  • Lifestyle correction
  • Herbal medicine

A series of external procedures:

  • Nutritional correction.A balanced diet (dosa) in accordance with the structure of the human body promotes the increase of energy and cell renewal in all organs and organ systems of the body.
  • Phytotherapy.The use of Tibetan herbs and mixtures based on the recipes of ancient healers.It restores the body's natural balance, promotes its rejuvenation and eradicates many diseases.

External effects on the body:

  • energy acupressure - normalizes and restores the proper functioning of internal organs, helps improve blood circulation throughout the body, restores immunity;
  • acupuncture - eliminates pain and inflammation, relieves discomfort caused by external manifestations, improves the circulation of fluids in the body;
  • vacuum therapy (cupping) – improves innervation, removes waste products and toxins, normalizes regulatory and metabolic processes;
  • stone therapy - has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, blood pressure, relieves muscle spasms, restores sleep;
  • Moxibustion, moxibustion, or jute therapy of biologically active points has been used in Tibetan medicine for over 5,000 years.For burning and heating, cigars made of wormwood, mountain ash, juniper, poplar leaves, as well as pressed coal, etc.

Prevention of osteochondrosis

The main method of prevention is the uniform distribution of the load on the spine.In practice this includes:

  • active lifestyle;
  • moderate exercise (morning exercises, yoga, swimming, walking, running, cycling, exercises to strengthen the ligaments);
  • sleeping on an orthopedic mattress and pillow;
  • wearing comfortable, or even better, orthopedic shoes;
  • a balanced diet, including a large amount of minerals and vitamins;
  • regular preventive examinations by a neurologist and vertebrologist;
  • quitting smoking and alcohol.

During prolonged sitting and standing work, it is important to periodically take a break, change body position, and warm up, this helps to relax and reduces the strain on the spine.

When lifting weights, you don't need to jerk quickly, just smoothly and in a semi-squat.For transporting heavy objects, it is better to choose backpacks with orthopedic walls than bags with shoulder straps.

Avoid spending long periods of time in static, uncomfortable positions, especially standing and arms raised - this position damages the ligaments and increases the stress on the intervertebral discs.

Important!

Doctors recommend sitting in a physiologically correct posture: relaxed shoulders, toned abs, even weight distribution on both buttocks and a straight spine, with even emphasis on the back of the chair.

Manual therapy, various methods of physiotherapy and acupuncture also give positive results as preventive measures for osteochondrosis of the spine.

Treatment of osteochondrosis consists of three stages:

  1. Relieve or reduce pain.
  2. Elimination of disorders occurring in the condition and functioning of the intervertebral discs and vertebrae.
  3. Prevention of complications.

If you immediately consult a specialist at the first signs of the disease, you can avoid complications and the need for surgical treatment.That is why it is very important to undergo an annual examination by a neurologist and vertebrologist, even if you are not bothered by spinal pain.

Important!

Only a qualified doctor can make an accurate diagnosis, determine the disease and its causes, and prescribe effective treatment.