osteochondrosis

If you have pain in the lower back, back or neck, it is difficult to straighten up, your spine creaks - many people automatically diagnose themselves: "Of course it's osteochondrosis!" The cause of this "disease" seems very clear: we live in the 21st century, we rarely move, we don't eat correctly...

However, in reality everything is a bit more complicated.

What is it – osteochondrosis of the spine?How appropriate is this diagnosis?What happens to the spine?

In scientific terms, osteochondrosis is a degenerative (i.e., causing premature "aging," "wear and tear") disease of the spine (which, by the way, also affects other joints).The pathological process begins in the intervertebral disc and gradually spreads to the vertebrae.

Osteochondrosis of the spine - does such a diagnosis exist?

In English medicine, this term refers to a completely different group of diseases, unrelated to our "native" osteochondrosis.The International Classification of Diseases, a book that all neurologists should refer to when making a diagnosis, has terms such as "spinal osteochondrosis in adults," "spinal osteochondrosis in adolescents," and "spinal osteochondrosis unspecified."

Sometimes, however, this diagnosis doesn't quite make sense when the doctor doesn't actually fully understand what's going on with the patient.The term may cover the following conditions:

• myofascial pain syndrome– A condition in which spasms occur repeatedly in the same muscle.
• Muscle injuries.After an injury, the pain starts bothering you and after a while it goes away on its own.
• Otolithiasis– A condition in which calcium salt crystals accumulate in the inner ear.They can cause dizziness—sometimes mistaken for a sign of spinal disease.
• Headache.They are also often associated with degenerative changes in the cervical spine.In fact, more often than not they have other reasons.

Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis

Standard treatment measures for disease exacerbation are as follows:

• Anti-inflammatory and analgesic..
• If the pain is very severe and doesn't go away- Use novocaine blockers.Doctors use needles and syringes to inject anesthetic into specific places to block the transmission of painful nerve impulses.
• Physical therapy helps:Drug electrophoresis uses anesthesia, ultrasound, ultraviolet irradiation, and constant power current.
• If pain forces you to remain in a constant state of tension,Prescribe medications to help you calm down.
• to the painful areaApply dry heat.
• In order to relieve the burden on the spine,Use different types of traction.The patient may be placed on a special bed with a raised headboard and secured with rings under the arms.Underwater traction is also used in swimming pools.
• Your doctor may recommendYou should see a chiropractor for acupuncture treatment.
• During the period of exacerbation of illnessWear special orthopedic devices - corsets, Shants collars - that help relieve muscles and support the spine.

When an exacerbation passes, you need to take steps to help prevent new ones.Therapeutic exercises and massage can help strengthen the muscles that support the spine.Physical therapy sessions are prescribed.Swimming is good for you.All treatments for osteochondrosis have contraindications and must be used judiciously, so self-medication is not the best option.Go to the doctor.

Sometimes, despite treatment, symptoms of the disease continue to worsen and the patient's condition worsens.In this case, the neurologist may raise the question of surgical treatment.

Why should you see a doctor as soon as possible?First, "true" osteochondrosis is not a harmless disease.Over time, if left untreated, it can become disabling.Second, these symptoms may be caused by the same myofascial pain syndrome—a neurologist will be able to quickly identify the cause of the pain and eliminate it. 

According to statistics, back pain is a symptom that more than 90% of people experience at least once in their lives.The most common is osteochondrosis.Not everyone who experiences spinal pain sees a doctor.Many people treat themselves with medicines or folk remedies that can be purchased at pharmacies without a prescription.Sometimes, such a "treatment" will bring temporary relief, but in the meantime, the disease may continue to progress, and perhaps the next time the back or lower back will "twist" even more.

An experienced neurologist will be able to properly evaluate the symptoms of osteochondrosis, understand their causes, and prescribe the correct osteochondrosis treatment plan.

Pain is the main manifestation of osteochondrosis, and it can be combated with more or less long-term success with the help of analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs and some folk remedies.But this did not solve the main problem; pathological changes in the spine continued to increase.

Over time, the spinal cord and the arteries that supply it become compressed, and serious neurological complications develop: severe reduction or even complete loss of movement and sensitivity, and loss of bladder and rectal control.

What are the common symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis?

The typical symptom of this disease is pain.Typically, they experience constant pain, along with numbness and soreness in their arms and legs.The pain is usually worsened by sudden movements, heavy lifting, physical exertion, sneezing, coughing, and prolonged periods of monotonous and uncomfortable postures.

The muscles around the spine respond to pain.They create tension.Therefore, the patient may be placed in an analgesic position—a position in which the pain does not bother him as much.Gradually, this leads to curvature of the spine.

Over time, if the disease is not treated, the pain will increase and become unbearable.Other symptoms of osteochondrosis:

• Impaired sensitivity, numbness, tingling, and a "crawling" feeling in the arms and legs.
• Over time, the muscles in the limbs weaken and decrease in size, causing atrophy.
• Patients with cervical osteochondrosis complain of headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, and “spots” and bright spots in front of their eyes.
• Heart pain can be bothersome when you have thoracic osteochondrosis.Patients may experience a sensation "as if a stake has been driven into their chest."
• Severe tingling can occur if there is pressure on a spinal nerve root (for example, during the development of a herniated disc, a bone growth on the vertebrae).

Proper Treatment of Spinal Osteochondrosis Symptoms

The key to effective treatment is correct and timely diagnosis.During a neurological examination in the clinic, a specialist will assess your symptoms and the extent of damage to certain neurological functions.

Here you can have an examination using new, modern equipment - which will help you learn more about the condition of your spine, nerve roots, surrounding tissues and muscles.

Treatment should not be directed solely at the symptoms of osteochondrosis.You need to try to eliminate the cause and, if that's not possible, learn how to best control the disease and prevent its progression.A neurologist will develop the correct treatment plan and make adjustments as your condition changes.

To defeat an enemy, you need to recognize him visually.This is true for any disease: Careful examination by a doctor, research with modern instruments, and laboratory tests help to make an accurate diagnosis, understand what is happening in the patient's body, and develop effective treatments for osteochondrosis.

The main symptom of osteochondrosis is back pain, which may occur with many other conditions.In order to determine the exact cause and fix it, you need expert help. 

Neurologic Examination to Diagnose Osteochondrosis: What About an Appointment at a Neurologist's Office?

During your appointment, your doctor will ask you some questions:

• What complaints bother you?
• Where does the pain usually occur?
• How long does the pain last?How strong is she?
• What is the nature of the pain: is it a sting, sting, aching, or pulling?
• When do your symptoms usually appear?What angered them?
• When and after what did you feel better?

Your doctor will then perform a neurological exam to check your skin sensitivity, muscle strength and tone, reflexes, balance, and coordination of movements.A neurologist can press on specific points near the spine to pinpoint pain.Thereafter, an examination plan will be developed for you in order to confirm the diagnosis.

Our neurologists work to the same standards: they examine you carefully, miss nothing, and prescribe all necessary tests.

What are the diagnostic methods for osteochondrosis?

Most commonly, osteochondrosis is diagnosed as follows:

• Radiography.It is performed in at least two projections: frontal and side projection.If necessary, photos can be taken at other locations.
• X-ray contrast studies.To better examine pathological changes in the spine, you may have a contrast solution injected into the spinal canal (myelography), intervertebral discs (discography), and blood vessels (angiography).These studies are conducted only for specific indications.
• Computed tomography.It helps to examine the bone structure in more detail than radiography to detect loss of disc height and bone growth on the vertebrae.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.Helps detect changes in soft tissue with high accuracy.

Your doctor may also prescribe other methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis.A specialist will ensure that you make an appointment with the right doctor and undergo all necessary tests so that you don't have to pay too much for unnecessary surgery.

Prevent osteochondrosis

To keep your back healthy, follow these tips:

• Your nutrition should be complete.
• You need to be physically active on a regular basis.If you suffer from a chronic illness, talk to your doctor and ask them to recommend a suitable gym.
• Maintain a normal weight – this will not only help prevent osteochondrosis, but also many other “sores”.
• If your job requires you to sit for long periods of time, take more breaks, walk, and stretch.
• Lift weights correctly.Do not bend at the waist.Keep your back straight—your legs should be doing the work.

Osteochondrosis belongs to a group of diseases scientifically called "degenerative pathologies."In other words, these diseases are premature "wear and tear" and "aging" of the vertebrae, discs and joints themselves (this is not a completely accurate explanation, but in general it helps to roughly imagine what is happening to the spine).But what causes this premature wear?

Why does osteochondrosis occur?

Spinal osteochondrosis is a disease that has no specific cause.There are various factors that cause it to happen:

• Injuried.Osteochondrosis can be a resounding echo of a previous fracture or ligament injury.
• Microtrauma.They can be caused by frequent similar movements of the spine and prolonged periods of monotonous, uncomfortable postures.
• Congenital anomalies of the spine.They are different: nonfusion of the vertebral arches, changes in the number of vertebrae in the lumbar and sacral regions, incorrect positioning of the articular processes in the lumbar region.A person may go his whole life without suspecting that he has one of these conditions, and then, when his back becomes "sick," abnormalities are discovered on examination.
• autoimmune diseaseAmong them, immune cells appear in the intervertebral discs and attack the body's own tissues.
• Circulation disorders.The spinal tissue stops receiving the required amount of oxygen-rich blood.

Who most commonly suffers from osteochondrosis?

Certain conditions can cause spinal problems:

• Sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity.Office workers are at greater risk.
• overweight.Each additional kilogram increases the stress on the spine.
• Excessive physical activity.Athletes are overloaded during training.
• Malnutrition.In order for the vertebrae, ligaments and muscles to be strong and to withstand loads, they must acquire the necessary substances - "building materials".
• Previous injuries to neck, back, lower back.
• Untreated postural disorder, scoliosis.
• Persistently working in uncomfortable forced positions, often requiring standing or hunched sitting for long periods of time.
• Your risk is also increased if you have a close relative with osteochondrosis.

What happens to the spine during osteochondrosis?

The development of osteochondrosis is primarily based on the "wear and tear" of the intervertebral discs.Its structure changes at the molecular level.At first, the disc swells, then "dries out," loses its height, begins to protrude outside the vertebral body, and cracks and tears appear on its exterior.Through them, blood vessels grow inside, the disc becomes denser, and calcification begins in it.The vertebrae become loose.

Next, the degenerative process spreads to the vertebrae themselves and to the intervertebral joints.The muscles around the affected part of the spine are constantly tense and become compressed.

To compensate for the increased load on the vertebrae, osteophytes (osteophytes) develop on the vertebrae, increasing the surface area of the vertebrae.

According to the location of the disease, it can be divided into cervical osteochondrosis, thoracic osteochondrosis and lumbar osteochondrosis.Two or all three parts may be affected simultaneously.