Osteochondrosis of the spine is a chronic disease 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 symptoms of the disease. Depending on the location of the spinal cord injury, it is common to classify it as cervical, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis. The main and characteristic symptom of posterior osteochondrosis is dull aching pain of moderate intensity due to compression of the roots of the spinal cord.
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 end with the complete fusion of several vertebrae.
First
The first stage is the most difficult to diagnose, it is also called preclinical due to the mild symptoms of the disease. Patients have general weakness, back discomfort. These symptoms are often perceived as fatigue. In medical practice, grade 1 osteochondrosis can be diagnosed only by chance, for example, during a prophylactic examination.
The second
In grade 2 osteochondrosis, the patient feels pain in the spine. This stage is the result of the first in the absence of the necessary preventive measures. There is a process of initial destruction of the intervertebral disc. The fixation of the vertebrae is impaired, the distance between them is reduced, which leads to compression of the nerve fibers of the spine.
Based on the patient's complaints, objective examination and radiography, the doctor diagnoses "grade 2 osteochondrosis of the cervical region" and prescribes treatment. The disease can be treated without serious consequences, provided that you follow all the recommendations of a specialist.
third
The third stage is characterized by the onset of irreversible processes in the cartilage tissues of the fibrous ring. The pulposus nucleus becomes dehydrated, resulting in a disc herniation. The pain is caused by compression of the spinal nerves. The intervertebral disc destroyed at this stage cannot be restored. The hernia is surgically removed and treated with medication.
Fourth
At this stage, the body adapts to changes in the spine. Compensatory bone tissue grows along the edges of the vertebrae (osteophytes) to strengthen the affected area. They can cause pain by squeezing the roots of the spinal cord. As a result, osteophytes grow together and cause complete immobility of a certain segment of the spine.
Symptoms and varieties
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease. Exacerbation of the disease and changes in remission periods are especially characteristic of him. The symptoms of the disease are very characteristic. They manifest themselves with aching pain in the back, sudden movements and heavy lifting, the pain intensifies, there may be a feeling of numbness in the limbs, fatigue and depression with little physical force.
Constant aching pain causes extreme nervousness and fatigue of the body. In chronic osteochondrosis, when the vertebral discs squeeze the nerve fibers, the pain syndrome can take on a shooting character and spread to the back of the head, shoulders, and lower extremities.
Cervical
This is one of the most common and dangerous localizations of the disease, because the cervical region has a large number of nerve fibers and large main vessels.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may include:
- severe headache;
- pain spreads to the shoulders and limbs, hits the head;
- there is restriction of neck movements;
- dizziness and loss of consciousness;
- noise in the ears;
- violation of coordination of movements.
These symptoms are caused by inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms and circulatory disorders in the cervical veins. With the appearance of vertebral artery compression syndrome and the lack of proper medical treatment, it leads to cerebral ischemia.
thoracic
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is very rare. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine manifest themselves in the form of pain and burning sensation between the shoulder blades. In the case of compression of the intercostal nerve endings, it causes intercostal neuralgia. It is expressed by sharp pains in the chest that do not allow deep breathing.
Impaired blood circulation due to the inflammatory process and lack of nutrients can lead to diseases of the internal organs located in this area, various heart pathologies. In this case, qualified treatment is important.
Bel
More than 50% of incidents occur in this department. The first symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis are the characteristic excruciating pain in the lower back, which increases with sudden movements, heavy lifting, and even 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 radiculitis is also a complication of osteochondrosis. It manifests itself as pain in the thighs, spreading along the thighs and lower legs, reaching the legs.
Causes and prevention
As a rule, the disease is usually caused by several causes at once, so it is considered multifactorial. The main reasons for the development of osteochondrosis are:
- back injuries and bruises;
- accumulation diseases and metabolic disorders;
- sedentary lifestyle and overweight;
- congenital and acquired postural disorders;
- heredity.
Prevention of osteochondrosis is a simple but effective method. It is necessary to change the lifestyle to a more active one (swimming), do not forget to do gymnastics for the back during prolonged sedentary work. You should start eating as many fruits and vegetables and dairy products as possible in your diet.
Effective prevention will also be to seek timely medical attention when the first symptoms of the disease occur.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine should be comprehensive. The main directions of treatment of the disease are:
- drug treatment (NSAIDs, analgesics, chondroprotectors, vitamins);
- physiotherapy (electrophoresis, UHF);
- massage;
- exercise therapy;
- gymnastics (can be done at home);
- surgical treatment (discectomy).