Osteochondrosis of the spine: symptoms, causes, treatment

Osteochondrosis of the spine is a disease in which the structure and functionality of the intervertebral discs and cartilage is impaired. It is accompanied by regular painful sensations, because the affected tissues must provide mobility and flexibility of the spine. According to ICD 10, it belongs to the group of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, code - M42. The essence of the disease lies in the compression of the discs during the load on the spine, which leads to their destruction or deformation. This leads to damage to the nerve endings, resulting in pain and swelling. A neglected form of spinal osteochondrosis can lead to disability.

Reasons for the development of osteochondrosis of the spine

What is this disease and where does it come from? Most often, this disease appears in people after 40 years. This is due to age-related disorders of salt metabolism and dehydration of the body. Factors that provoke the development of the disease:

• stoop, leading to curvature of the spine;
• undeveloped spinal muscles;
• being in an uncomfortable position for a long period of time;
• carrying heavy objects regularly;
• a sedentary lifestyle associated with the specifics of work;
• metabolic disorders in the body;
• genetic predisposition;
• the negative effect of chemicals on the body;
• transferred diseases of an infectious nature;
• nervous overstrain, stress with neurological manifestations;
• hormonal disruptions in the body;
• professional sports related to power loads;
• spinal injury;
• a sharp change in position.

It's important to know!Unfavorable climatic conditions, periodic hypothermia can contribute to the development of the disease! Therefore, you should protect yourself as much as possible from these factors.

Common symptoms of the disease

Osteochondrosis is always accompanied by pain and numbness. Such ailments may also appear:

• sharp, cutting, shooting pain;
• aching limbs;
• dizziness, sometimes loss of consciousness;
• dryness and exfoliation of the skin;
• heavy sweating;
• low temperature of the extremities.

Depending on which part of the spine the disease develops, other specific symptoms appear.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: signs

This is the most dangerous place of defeat. After all, it is in the cervical region that an artery passes, which contributes to the normal functioning of the brain. Due to the appearance of the disease, this artery is compressed and prevents the blood supply to the brain. Because of this, the patient experiences severe headaches, dizziness, general weakness of the body. The concentration of attention decreases, the ability to memorize worsens.

It is accompanied by pain in the back of the neck, under the shoulder blades, in the forearm, sometimes the upper limbs become numb.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region

This type of disease is quite rare, most often together with damage to other parts of the spine. May be accompanied by such ailments:

• pain between the shoulder blades;
• sharp pain with a deep breath;
• weakness and numbness in the fingers.

There are situations in which a disease in the thoracic region can cause discomfort in the region of the heart.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

The most common type of disease, because the lower back takes on the maximum load throughout a person's life. May cause osteochondrosis of the spine with radicular syndrome. This ailment is characterized by pinching of the nerve roots in the lumbar region, accompanied by a variety of pain, and can radiate to the area of the thigh and buttocks.

During the period of development, the normal work of the lower extremities is disrupted and is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• tingling sensation in the back of the leg;
• weakness of the lower extremities;
• numbness of the toes.

Disorders of the genitourinary system and intestinal functionality may also occur.

Important to remember!At the first symptoms, you should seek the help of a specialist! After all, an advanced form of the disease in a certain department can develop polysegmental osteochondrosis of the spine, which consists in the defeat of all departments at once.

Stages of osteochondrosis of the spine

In modern medicine, there are 4 stages of the disease:

1. Degree of osteochondrosis of the spine. At this stage, the disease is difficult to detect. There are no obvious signs. There are only general ailments, slight weakness in the back with uncomfortable sensations, which are attributed to overwork. The disease is sluggish, usually detected randomly at the time of a routine check-up.
2. Spinal osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree. Pain symptoms appear due to the initial process of tissue destruction. If you turn to specialists in time for help, then this degree of the disease can be cured quickly enough thanks to medications.
3. Spinal osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree. An irreversible process of deformation of cartilaginous tissues begins, which is the cause of the development of scoliosis, lordosis, and the appearance of a hump. Treatment at this stage will improve the condition and minimize curvature.
4. Spinal osteochondrosis of the 4th degree. At this final stage, a person experiences irreversible processes of destruction of the tissues of the spine. It becomes very difficult for the patient to move, this brings him excruciating pain.

It's important to know!Stage 4 of the disease leads the patient to disability! Therefore, at the first manifestations, it is required to consult a doctor and begin timely treatment.

Diagnosis of the disease

The emerging complaints from the patient require contacting a specialist. To establish a diagnosis, you should make an appointment with a neurologist or traumatologist, who, after a detailed survey and examination, will send you to undergo such studies:

• Magnetic resonance imaging;
• Ultrasound;
• electrocardiogram;
• radiography;
• general analysis of blood and urine.

Based on the research carried out, the doctor makes a conclusion and prescribes an effective treatment, depending on the stage of the disease.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine

There are many ways in which you can influence the course of the disease. They are aimed not only at relieving discomfort, but also at complete recovery. The most effective treatments are:

Drug treatment

They are aimed at relieving painful sensations, relieving inflammatory processes, restoring cartilaginous tissues, and preventing the dynamic development of the disease. Taking vitamins during this period is very important.

Chondroprotectors

The therapeutic effect does not appear immediately, therefore, a course is prescribed, the duration of which is about 2 months.

Injections

Their use is aimed at eliminating the pain syndrome; injection has no therapeutic effect.

Ointment

The use of various ointments, creams or gels helps to get rid of inflammation. They also have an analgesic and warming effect.

Acupuncture

For such procedures, the patient is referred to a chiropractor. After all, only an experienced specialist is able to qualitatively carry out this manipulation. Acupuncture helps to relieve even unbearable excruciating pain, has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, and normalizes hormones.

Cupping massage

The essence of the procedure is to apply a vacuum to the skin, which helps to restore blood flow, eliminate toxins and improve the condition of the body as a whole. Effectively relieves painful sensations. This type of massage cannot be done on the spine itself, mammary glands, heart and kidneys. Contraindications to the use of this procedure: patients with skin rashes, heart disease and pregnancy.

1. Magnetotherapy. It is used as an additional method in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Helps to weaken the inflammatory process, relieves puffiness, tones the spinal muscles.
2. Physiotherapy. It is aimed at restoring the mobility of the spine, strengthening the muscles of the back, and normalizing metabolism. It is very important not to overwork yourself during exercise.
3. Massage. Required to eliminate pain and strengthen muscles.

Important to remember!Regardless of the stage of osteochondrosis, only a specialist prescribes treatment methods! He can choose either one method or a complex treatment.

Treatment with folk remedies

To combat the disease, you can use traditional medicine recipes that are easy to prepare at home. For this, only natural ingredients are used.

Garlic

To prepare the medicine, you will need 200 g of chopped garlic, which should be poured with 0. 5 liters of vodka or alcohol. Leave in a cool, dark place for 1 week, shake every day. After the expiration of time, use as a back rub. Helps relieve pain.

Bay leaf and juniper

You should take 1 tsp. the original ingredients, grind to a powder consistency. Grind with softened unsalted butter in the amount of 100 g. Smear the affected areas with the resulting ointment 3 times a day.

Sagebrush

It will take 1 tbsp. l. wormwood, pour 1 glass of boiling water. Insist 3 hours. Strain the resulting broth and rub your back before bedtime.

Important to remember!Regardless of which recipe is chosen for treatment, you need to consult your doctor! He may consider using home-made medicines as a complementary treatment.

Army and spinal osteochondrosis

Are they recruited into the army after such a diagnosis has been established? In order for a young man not to go to serve in the army, the following moments must be present:

• intervertebral osteochondrosis;
• strong, shooting pain during physical exertion;
• clear signs of spinal deformity;

It's important to know!Painful sensations should be confirmed by regular seeking medical help! Only in this situation, the young man is not fit for military service.

Complications of the disease

Since the spine is the basis for the musculoskeletal system, osteochondrosis can cause irreparable harm to health. The consequences that the disease can lead to:

• herniated discs;
• rachiocampsis;
• displacement of the vertebrae.

This can lead to disruptions in the functioning of organs, a decrease in the immune system, which leads to new serious diseases.

It's important to know!Ignoring osteochondrosis leads to disability! Therefore, when a disease occurs, therapy should be started immediately.

Prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine

In order to avoid the development of the disease, the following preventive measures should be taken:

1. Diet. This is especially true for the elderly. It is required to minimize the consumption of spicy, fatty, canned and smoked foods. You should also avoid excessive use of salt, coffee, chocolate, alcoholic beverages. Proper nutrition helps to remove salts from the body.
2. Daily morning exercises. Light exercise will help keep the body in good shape and strengthen the muscular system.
3. Orthopedic mattress. For rest, you should buy it, because healthy sleep and complete relaxation reduce the possibility of developing the disease to a minimum.

Particular attention should be paid to the position in which you want to sleep. The most comfortable position for the spine is the embryo. In this case, he completely relaxes. It is better to use a small pillow. In these ways, you can protect your spine from excessive stress and give it the required rest.