Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is the cause of acute back pain in 67% of total cases. Lack of timely consultation with a doctor, consultation and treatment can lead to consequences such as disruption of the functioning of internal organs, damage to the spinal cord and damage to the nerve roots of the spine. What is osteochondrosis, what types of treatment exist for patients and how is the disease diagnosed - read on.

What is osteochondrosis?

Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease that leads to thinning of the intervertebral cartilage. Hyaline cartilage and intervertebral discs begin to "wear out", losing the ability to fully function.

Reference.In most cases, spinal osteochondrosis is diagnosed in people aged 25+. According to WHO, as of 2021, 43% of the population aged 25-40 years suffer from osteochondrosis, and more than 92% of people in old age. The appearance and exacerbation of the disease can be caused by surrounding unfavorable factors.

Types of osteochondrosis

Each part of the spine is subject to degeneration processes. Among the types of osteochondrosis of the spine, 3 main ones can be distinguished: cervical, thoracic and lumbar (due to the high load, it is more common than others).

1. Lumbar osteochondrosis.The lumbar region consists of 5 vertebrae that are subject to deformation due to the negative impact of external and internal factors. When nutrition and metabolic processes in the intervertebral discs are disrupted, pain occurs, caused by loss of elasticity and thinning of cartilage tissue.
2. Cervical osteochondrosis.The cervical spine consists of 7 vertebrae that are regularly exposed to stress. Pathological processes are activated when the body's metabolic processes fail.
3. Thoracic osteochondrosis.The thoracic region consists of 12 vertebrae. This type of osteochondrosis is the least common. The thoracic vertebrae are inactive. People who lead a passive lifestyle and regularly lift heavy objects are susceptible to the disease.

Causes of osteochondrosis

The number of people suffering from osteochondrosis is growing rapidly every year. This is due to the fact that people spend most of their time on their feet, providing maximum load to the intervertebral discs.

Important!With age/due to heavy loads, discs and cartilage become deformed. Clefts and hernias may appear. As a result, compressed nerve roots, thinned discs, pathological processes in the spinal cord, muscle spasm and progressive pain.

The risk group includes: office workers, builders, hairdressers, salespeople, drivers. Both men and women are equally susceptible to the appearance of osteochondrosis.

Provoking factors for osteochondrosis include:

• presence of osteochondrosis in a family history;
• overweight, obesity;
• passive lifestyle;
• flat feet.

Impaired depreciation of the spine and its deformation can be caused by the following factors:

1. Self-neglect (complete lack of physical activity or excessive exercise).
2. Lack of awareness about the correct postures to reduce stress on the spine.
3. Constant work involving lifting/moving heavy objects.
4. Injuries.

Osteochondrosis: 4 stages of disease development

There are 4 stages of development of spinal osteochondrosis:

1. First stage– there are no clear symptoms by which the disease can be diagnosed. Occasional back pain appears, often after physical exertion or overexertion. Osteochondrosis at an early stage can be detected during a preventive examination or during a CT or X-ray examination.
2. Second stage.The next stage is characterized by moderate pain. The cartilage tissue begins to deform, and the distance between the spinal discs decreases. When contacting a doctor, drug therapy (to reduce pain) and physical therapy are prescribed.
3. Third stage– the spinal column is deformed, fibrous areas and hernias appear, the pain intensifies and becomes more pronounced and frequent. At this stage, everything depends on the existing symptoms. The doctor will help determine the method of treatment for the patient (conservative or surgical).
4. Fourth stage– irreversible deformation of spinal function. It is almost impossible for the patient to move independently. The pain is acute, constant, and increases with any physical activity. Pathological bone tissue fills the intervertebral space, the patient becomes disabled.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

As mentioned earlier, there are 3 types of osteochondrosis and each of them is characterized by individual manifestations. Let's look at all the symptoms further.

Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis

How to understand that you have lumbar osteochondrosis? You can notice characteristic symptoms:

• stiffness of movements;
• pain in the pelvis, sacrum, lower back and lower extremities, which becomes more intense with exercise or movement. The nature of the pain is aching, dull, sharp;
• pathological processes of the genitourinary system (problems with defecation and urination);
• weakness in the legs;
• impairment/lack of sensitivity.

Important!Self-medication is strictly prohibited. When lumbar osteochondrosis is detected, diagnosis and effective treatment are mandatory. The consequences of lack of therapy are hernias, protrusions, paralysis of the lower extremities.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

How to understand that you have cervical osteochondrosis? One or more symptoms may occur:

• frequent headaches;
• numbness of the upper and lower extremities;
• severe crunching in the cervical spine during physical activity;
• "spots", dots in the eyes, clouding and darkening;
• burning sensation and discomfort in the heart area;
• the appearance of tinnitus, hearing loss;
• causeless dizziness;
• pain in the shoulders, neck, arms.

Important!Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is considered one of the most dangerous for humans, as it complicates the process of saturating the brain with blood. If left untreated, protrusions appear, then hernias. Surgical intervention for cervical osteochondrosis has a high risk of paralysis of the body. If symptoms appear, contact only qualified specialists.

Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis

How to understand that you have thoracic osteochondrosis? Only a doctor (neurologist) can diagnose the disease, but the patient can assume the presence of osteochondrosis based on characteristic signs:

• discomfort, a burning sensation localized in the chest;
• the appearance of pain when raising your arms up, pain in the shoulder blades;
• dizziness and sudden loss of consciousness occurs;
• chest pain.

Reference.During the transition of the disease to the acute phase, dorsago (lack of air, sharp/stiff pain in the chest, "lumbago") and dorsalgia (pain can be episodic or constant, acute/dull in nature) may occur.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is difficult to diagnose. The disease is often confused with angina pectoris, a heart attack, or inflammatory processes in the lungs.

Diagnosis of spinal osteochondrosis

When visiting a doctor, a medical history and physical examination of the musculoskeletal system begin.
patient's device. The specialist will check the integrity of reflexes and the level of sensitivity of painful areas. Blood tests and other laboratory tests are then ordered. To clarify the diagnosis, the neurologist prescribes one or more types of imaging diagnostics:

1. Ultrasound of the vertebral arteries.
2. X-ray of the entire spine or certain areas (cervical, thoracic, lumbar).
3. CT scan of the spine helps to identify the presence of degenerative processes, displacements, deformations of the spine and its structures.
4. MRI of the spine - identifies soft tissue pathologies, helps scan the spinal cord and intervertebral discs.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

How to treat osteochondrosis is determined by the attending physician, depending on the type of disease, the severity of symptoms and the degree of pathological changes. The following can be used as therapeutic therapy: physiotherapy, drug treatment, classes with a chiropractor, therapeutic massage, exercise therapy or surgical intervention (in the absence of positive dynamics from other methods of treatment or in an advanced stage).

Drug treatment of osteochondrosis

When prescribing medical therapy with medications, the doctor may use several groups of drugs at once:

• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - to relieve the symptoms of osteochondrosis, relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Can be used in tablet form or as injections (in severe cases). The duration of the treatment course is from 7 to 14 days;
• chondroprotectors – to strengthen intervertebral discs and cartilage tissue;
• B vitamins;
• vascular drugs - to improve blood supply to the spine;
• glucocorticosteroids – used as injections into the affected area (for severe forms of the disease);
• muscle relaxants - to relax muscles, relieve pain and inflammation.

Massage for osteochondrosis

A massage course for osteochondrosis must be completed once every six months. Therapeutic massage eliminates tension, relieves tension, and improves blood circulation in the affected area. Only a doctor can say about the advisability of prescribing a massage; a prerequisite is remission of the disease.

Traction (spinal traction)

Artificial traction of the spine is carried out only under the supervision of medical staff, using special equipment. High-quality traction allows you to evenly distribute the vertebrae in the spinal column. Pain, pinching and inflammation are reduced.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy for spinal osteochondrosis is used to correct curvature. The specialist applies a targeted effect on the patient’s muscular and skeletal system. After therapy, blood and lymph circulation improves, stiffness goes away, and mobility appears.

Physiotherapeutic treatment of osteochondrosis

It is practiced only during the period of remission of the disease; in the acute phase, this method of treatment is prohibited. Physiotherapy is used as an auxiliary therapy, along with drug treatment. To reduce the symptoms of osteochondrosis, specialists use laser, magnets, and current (low frequency).

Acupuncture

The basis of acupuncture is the correct action on reflex zones and pain points. Therapy is prescribed only in conjunction with therapeutic massage to increase effectiveness. The therapy restores the possibility of natural load on the spinal column without pain.

Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis

Physical therapy is effective for all types of osteochondrosis and can be prescribed to patients of any age category. The type of exercises and duration of their implementation are prescribed by the doctor. Moderate physical activity helps strengthen the back muscles, increase the mobility and flexibility of the spine, and improve the patient’s condition.

The patient can be prescribed the following types of classes: kinesitherapy, therapeutic swimming, health path, mechanotherapy.

Important!Exercise therapy classes are contraindicated during periods of exacerbation of osteochondrosis!

Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis

For spinal osteochondrosis, surgery is rarely prescribed as the only treatment option. The human spine has a complex structure with many vertebrae and nerve endings that influence the coordinated functioning of the entire body. With surgery there is a high risk of complications, so it is prescribed only in the most difficult cases or in the absence of improvement from other treatment methods.

Prevention of spinal osteochondrosis

Prevention is the best way to reduce the risk of developing osteochondrosis and achieve remission for existing spinal disease. The main thing to remember when performing preventive exercises is that they should be regular and only during the period of remission.

It is better to perform a gymnastic set of simple exercises at the same time. To avoid forgetting about them, set a reminder on your mobile phone or include them in your morning hygiene rituals.

1. Rest your forehead in your palm, tense your neck muscles. Execution – 3 sets of 5-7 seconds. Then repeat the same with the back of the head and palm.
2. The position of the shoulders is level, the head is straight. Slowly tilt your head as far as possible to the right, then to the left. Perform 5 times (slowly).
3. Slowly tilt your head back a little. Tighten your neck muscles and gradually move your chin towards your chest. Do 5-7 times.
4. Place your left palm near the left temporal area (then the right palm and right temple). Apply pressure to your palm, tensing your neck muscles. Execution – 3 times for 10 seconds.

Important!Don't rush when doing the exercises. It is also prohibited to make circular movements with the head due to the high risk of injury and pinched nerve endings.

The second set of preventive exercises against osteochondrosis can be performed at any time (especially after work or overexertion), but also regularly:

1. Stand straight, feet together, arms relaxed, take a deep breath. Raise your arms up, exhale. Approach – 6-8 times.
2. Lie on your stomach, arms along your body, relaxed. Bend upward, rest your hands, try to raise your head and feet. Stay in this position for 5 seconds. Return to the starting position. Repeat – 5-7 times.
3. Sit down on a chair. Place your hands behind your head (take a deep breath), bend back 4-5 times so that your shoulder blades touch the back of the chair (exhale). Repeat – 5-7 times.
4. Stand up, bend back, take a deep breath. Relax your arms, lean forward, slowly lower your head and shoulders - exhale. Approach – 10 times.
5. Get on all fours. Head straight. Arch your back and stay in this position for 3-4 seconds. Return to the starting position, repeat 5-7 times.

How to stand, lie and sit with osteochondrosis?

Knowledge of the correct postures that help to evenly distribute the load on the entire spinal column is necessary not only for patients suffering from osteochondrosis, but for all people. By following simple rules, you will notice a significant improvement in your general condition and a reduction in the load on your back. In addition, you can protect your spine from many diseases with serious, painful symptoms.

How to sit correctly?

We learn to sit without squeezing, without provoking the risk of spinal deformation and the development of osteochondrosis:

• criteria for choosing a chair/chair: seat depth level - 2/3 of the length of the hips, seat height level should be equal to the length of the lower leg. This way your feet will rest on the floor. Small people need to place a small step or bench under their feet;
• pay attention to the depth of the desktop. It should be such that the legs do not have to be kept to the side or strongly bent;
• When working for a long time while sitting, take a break every 20 minutes. Change the position of your legs, walk around, do light gymnastics;
• sit behind the wheel with minimal stress. Your back should rest against the seat; a small pillow or bolster placed between the chair and your lower back will help with this. If possible, get out of the car every 25-30 minutes to warm up;
• Heavily upholstered furniture is not good furniture for daily use. For an even load on the spine, it is necessary to support the body on the ischial tuberosities, which is only possible while sitting on a medium-hard surface;
• Your back should always touch the back of your chair/work chair. Try to sit upright, avoiding strong neck bends;
• do not sit/lie in one position for a long time.

How to stand correctly?

If a person stands in one position for a long time, a strong load is placed on the lumbar region (and the entire spine), which has a negative effect on it. To avoid putting too much strain on the spinal column and increasing the risk of deformation, follow simple rules:

• do not stand in one position for more than 10 minutes, change the position of your legs and arms;
• relieve tension in the neck - tilt your head to the right and left, stretch your arms forward, bend your back forward and backward - relax your back and lower back;
• when lifting something from the floor, bend down, bend your knees, or squat down, find a support point for your hands;
• move, walk short distances so as not to stand still;
• try not to bend too much (back, head) during household chores (cleaning, ironing, cooking). When cleaning low or hard-to-reach surfaces, get down on 1 knee.

How to lie down?

The ideal choice of sleeping surface is a bed with a medium-hard mattress (ideally, an orthopedic one that preserves the physiological curves of the spine). The bed should not be wooden or too soft.

How to lie down correctly if you have severe pain?

• back pain - lie on your stomach, placing a small pillow under your lower back (so as not to increase the pain by bending);
• pain in the legs - place a cushion (from a towel or blanket) under the knees. The pain syndrome will gradually decrease;
• neck pain - put your hand under your head or a cushion under your neck.

How to get out of bed in the morning during an attack of osteochondrosis?

• do a short warm-up of the upper and lower extremities;
• change your position;
• move from a lying position to a sitting position, clasping your leg with your hands bent at the knee;
• lower your legs to the floor one by one;
• get up gradually, any sudden movement can increase the pain.

How to lift and move weights correctly?

Improper lifting and carrying of heavy objects is one of the most common causes of hernias, osteochondrosis, and protrusions. Sharp lifting of weights is fraught with a sudden "shooting" in different parts of the spine and the appearance of acute pain that will persist for a long time. Turning the body when carrying heavy objects is also prohibited.

How to lift a heavy object?

1. Wear a wide belt.
2. Squat down. Keep your neck and back straight.
3. Secure the object with both hands, rise slowly, keep your back straight.

How to move a heavy object?

• distribute the load evenly on both hands, do not carry everything in one;
• with diagnosed osteochondrosis, it is not recommended to lift weights of more than 15 kg;
• buy a backpack (an important condition is an orthopedic back and wide straps). The advantages of using a backpack are an even load on the spine + free hands;
• Do not lean forward or backward sharply.

Conclusion

Osteochondrosis of the spine most often develops at the age of 25-40 years. The risk group for morbidity includes people with a passive lifestyle, those who spend most of their time standing or in incorrect positions, with a large load on the spine. Osteochondrosis can be cured with conservative methods, subject to timely consultation with a specialist. In advanced cases, surgical intervention is used. Self-medication is contraindicated.

Regular preventive exercises will help reduce the symptoms of osteochondrosis and maintain the functionality of the spine, protecting against deformation. If you neglect your health, the patient may delay going to the doctor until hernias, paralysis and disability occur.