Osteochondrosis or chondrosis is a disease that reduces the elasticity of the cartilage tissue in the joints. The disease can manifest itself in any joint and, depending on the localization, has its own classification. The progression of the disease leads to impaired motor function of the joint, complete immobility often occurs.
The symptoms of osteochondrosis, its causes and methods of treatment of this disease are discussed in the information provided.
How osteochondrosis manifests itself
Signs of osteochondrosis appear gradually, initially with a mild pain syndrome, which later becomes chronic and intense. Usually, patients go to the doctor with complaints of severe pain and an inability to perform certain movements.
In order for the treatment of osteochondrosis to be as successful as possible, the disease must be diagnosed at an early stage.
The following signs may indicate the development of osteochondrosis:
- Pain during movement;
- Crunch of the joints;
- Stiffness of movement;
- Muscle spasm;
- Headache, increased blood pressure and dizziness (with cervical osteochondrosis);
- Pain in the chest and between the shoulder blades (thoracic osteochondrosis);
- Pain in the hip and buttocks (lumbosacral osteochondrosis and hip joint);
- Numbness in the limbs;
- Bone pains;
- Increases sensitivity to weather conditions;
- Decreased visual acuity.
Usually the first manifestations of the disease go unnoticed. That is why the initial stage of osteochondrosis is diagnosed rarely and, as a rule, completely by chance.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis does not occur spontaneously. Degenerative processes in the joint lead to its development, namely: disruption of normal blood circulation and mineral metabolism, the formation of ossified formations - osteophytes. All this leads to impaired mobility of the joint, changes in its structure and the appearance of discomfort sensations during movement and walking.
The main reasons for the appearance are:
- Lack of constant physical activity;
- Injuries and injuries to the joints;
- Deformation of the joint under excessive stress;
- Disturbances in nutrition and blood supply to the joint;
- Overweight problems;
- Unbalanced diet;
- Chronic stress;
- Hereditary predisposition;
- Endocrine disorders;
- Age-related changes;
- Unfavorable working conditions (prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, hypothermia, weight lifting).
The chances of developing the disease are increased in patients who have flat feet, congenital or acquired developmental pathologies of the foot. With such ailments, the load when walking is distributed incorrectly, which leads to a change in normal gait and, as a result, deformation of the spine, knee and hip joints.
The occurrence of osteochondrosis of the spine directly depends on already diagnosed diseases of the musculoskeletal system, for example, scoliosis.
In addition, chronic diseases of internal organs can also act as a provoking factor. Infections and inflammation can affect nearby tissues, which leads to the formation of pathologies in the joint joints.
Classification of osteochondrosis
In medical terminology, you can often find the definition of "chondrosis of the spine". This means the initial stage of osteochondrosis, which affects one of the departments (or more) of the spine. Pathology develops in the intervertebral disc and does not affect nearby tissues. This is the special insidiousness of chondrosis of the back, because the asymptomatic onset does not give the opportunity to start treatment in time and overcome the ailment.
Usually, chondrosis, the symptoms of which have not yet appeared, is discovered quite by chance, during a comprehensive examination of the body.
In addition, depending on the localization of the pathology, one can also speak of coxarthrosis - osteochondrosis of the hip joint. The condition can also involve the shoulder or the accumulated joint. Osteochondrosis of the back, in turn, is also classified according to the site of localization.
What are the types of osteochondrosis of the back:
- Cervical osteochondrosisis manifested by pain and stiffness in the neck, back of the head and between the shoulder blades. It is often considered an occupational disease for accountants, computer programmers, and other occupations that involve prolonged sitting.
- Osteochondrosis of the thoracic regionis quite rare. Due to the relative immobility of this area, the symptoms are often confused with angina pectoris or intercostal neuralgia. In addition, the manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis can resemble an attack of pancreatitis or gastritis.
- Lumbar or lumbosacral osteochondrosisis the most common type of disease. This is due to the increased stress on this department, even when performing normal movements. With increasing load, weight lifting, playing sports, the pressure on the vertebrae of the lumbar spine increases many times, which can trigger the development of the disease. Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis are extremely diverse. The main symptoms include not only pain when bending, rotating and other movements, but also muscle atrophy, difficulty walking, decreased sexual function, and urinary system diseases.
- Osteochondrosis of the coccyxis a rare disease that mainly affects women. This is directly related to the physiological features of the structure of the small pelvis. It is determined by the pain syndrome when sitting, walking and exercising. The onset is usually preceded by injuries and falls, as well as a prolonged stay in an uncomfortable sitting position.
- Polysegmental osteochondrosisis diagnosed when degenerative lesions of nearby joints are detected. They can be located in one or more parts of the spine.
- Common osteochondrosisoccurs with lesions of two or more parts of the spine. It is a difficult disease to treat with little chance of full recovery.
- Diffuse osteochondrosisis diagnosed if the disease spreads to all segments of the spine.
A progressive disease is characterized not only by pain and discomfort during movement. Inflammation of the connective tissue of the joint develops, the intervertebral roots are pinched, and the growths of the bone tissue - osteophytes - begin to form on the vertebrae.
Stages in the development of osteochondrosis
To determine the tactics of how to cure osteochondrosis, it is necessary not only to accurately diagnose, but also to determine the degree of involvement of the joint elements in the pathological process. For this, it is customary to use a classification according to degrees, as well as a place of localization of pathology.
What are the types of osteochondrosis:
- The initial phasedoes not manifest itself as a pain syndrome and does not require specific treatment. According to statistics, the first degree of osteochondrosis is present in more than 80% of the population over 50. Recently, due to the spread of professions requiring a permanent stay in a sitting position, as well as a decrease in physical activity of children and adolescents, osteochondrosis is diagnosed in almost every second person under the age of 30.
- Second stageOsteochondrosis is diagnosed by X-ray examination. The image shows the formation of multiple fractures of the intervertebral disc, but the fibrous ring remains intact. Manifestations of the disease are insignificant, usually there is discomfort with a prolonged stay in a sitting or standing position, after a short rest, the pain disappears on its own. The diagnosed second stage of osteochondrosis can be treated with great success with conservative methods.
- The third stageof osteochondrosis is characterized by numerous lesions of the intervertebral disc, as well as a possible rupture of the fibrous ring. The pains become prolonged and constant and may even appear at rest. Treatment of osteochondrosis in the third stage is carried out by conservative and surgical methods, the prognosis depends on the severity of the pathology and timely treatment of medical assistance.
- The fourth stageof osteochondrosis is the most severe. It is determined by severe injuries of the joint structure. Ligaments, vessels, nerve endings and connective tissue of the joint are involved in the pathological process. Conservative methods are generally ineffective. Surgery is used more often, but surgery also does not guarantee recovery, patients often lose joint mobility and remain disabled.
In order to prevent osteochondrosis from passing to the critical stage, it is imperative to pay attention to the signals that the body gives us in time. There are cases when patients endure pain and discomfort for years, as well as adjust to the limitation of motor function, but do not seek help from a doctor.
It should be noted that osteochondrosis is not a disease that can be treated on its own at home using folk methods or only pain relievers.
A mandatory comprehensive approach is required, which is determined by the peculiarities of the development of pathology, the causes of its occurrence, as well as the individual indicators of the patient.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
To ensure the correct tactics for the treatment of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to undergo special studies. They will help identify the localization and causes that led to this disease. Only after eliminating all the negative factors affecting the progression of the disease, you can begin the main treatment.
How the degree and location of the disease process is determined:
- X-ray examination.For reliable information, it is necessary to take pictures in different projections. The location and degree of joint damage, the presence of osteophytes and the condition of the bone canals are determined.
- Doppler ultrasound.Check for blood flow disturbances, vascular integrity and blood flow velocity.
- Myelography.Special examination of the spine using a contrast agent. It allows to identify intervertebral hernias and their localization.
- Computed tomography.The condition of the intervertebral discs, possible deviations in the structure and deformation, pinching of the nerve roots and changes in the structure of the individual vertebrae are checked.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.Usually provides a more detailed examination of the structure of the joint joints. It is assigned, as a rule, when the information content of other conducted examinations is low. An undoubted advantage is a more detailed study of the state of soft tissues.
The patient's medical history is also studied without fail. Any injuries, sustained even long before going to the doctor, operations and chronic diseases can also cause the development of pathological processes in the joint tissues.
In addition, a personal examination and questioning of the patient is carried out. Based on the information received, the diagnosis and degree of joint damage is determined.
How to treat osteochondrosis
After the diagnosis and identification of the causes of osteochondrosis, the specialist draws up an individual treatment plan. It must take into account the physical indicators of the patient, the peculiarities of the development of the pathology and its localization.
An integrated approach is used for the treatment.
Medicines alone cannot be dispensed, because it is necessary to simultaneously develop joint mobility, eliminate a possible inflammatory process in the surrounding tissues, and also neutralize the negative factor that led to the development of the disease.
That is why it is better to entrust the treatment of chondrosis to a specialist who will select an individual set of exercises and also take into account the dynamics of therapy.
Drug therapy for osteochondrosis
Prescribing drugs depends on the type of injury and associated pathological processes in the tissues. As a rule, patients try to cure osteochondrosis on their own, with pharmaceutical and homemade ointments and compresses, as well as folk remedies.
Unfortunately, this brings only temporary relief and does not contribute to the complete elimination of ailments. To effectively treat osteochondrosis, the following groups of drugs are used.
Drug therapy includes:
- Systemic and local painkillers.These include ointments and tablets, as well as tablets and injections for severe pain syndrome. Used to treat osteochondrosis during an exacerbation.
- NSAIDs- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used not only to relieve pain and inflammation in the affected area, but also when the temperature is caused by the disease.
- The action of muscle relaxantsis aimed at relieving muscle tone. Drugs in this group are taken in cycles of 30-45 days, and the dosage is prescribed strictly individually. Usually they begin to take minimal doses (with severe hypertonia, injections are prescribed), which are gradually increased. In order not to cause withdrawal syndrome, the dosage is subsequently gradually reduced.
- Chondroprotectorhelps restore cartilage tissue by compensating for damaged areas. The effect of this group of drugs does not appear immediately, so a course of several months is prescribed. There are various forms of drugs. During the period of exacerbation, it is used in the form of injections, then the treatment is continued with tablets or capsules.
- Angioprotectorsare used in case of identified blood supply disorders. They help strengthen the walls of blood vessels, promote their relaxation and restore metabolism. The duration of admission is also several months.
- Glucocorticosteroidsare prescribed to enhance the function of NSAIDs and muscle relaxants. They have a marked anti-inflammatory and decongestant effect, help against pain and spasm. The course of treatment is determined individually. In the first days of an exacerbation of the disease, they are used in an injection form, then in a tablet. The dosage is gradually reduced until the drug is completely stopped.
- Biogenic stimulants.Accelerate metabolism and promote the restoration of joint tissues. Self-treatment of chondrosis at home with such drugs is impossible, but in complex therapy they have proven their effectiveness.
- Complex vitamin preparations.Promotes general strengthening of the body and accelerates metabolic reactions.
Is osteochondrosis treated only with drugs? Obviously not. To completely get rid of the disease, it is necessary to carry out other medical procedures. Particular attention should be paid to a special set of exercises. It is developed for each section of the spine or joint joints of the limbs.
Important point:the lessons are carried out under the supervision of a specialist and only after removing the inflammation in the affected area.
Corrective gymnastics
What to do in case of osteochondrosis and which movements are better to refuse, a special trainer with appropriate qualifications will tell. At first, the exercises are performed under his control, so the patient can continue exercising on his own.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home involves regular exercise to restore mobility in the joint.
Massage and physiotherapy
Several methods of alternative medicine are also used in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine. These include mud packs, acupuncture, magnetotherapy, manual therapy.
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Among medical procedures, electrophoresis with drugs, laser therapy, thermotherapy are also often used. An important point is health treatment in specialized sanatoriums.
What is osteochondrosis? More and more patients learn about this disease at a young age. A sedentary lifestyle, decreased muscle tone and uneven loads on the joints - these negative factors of weight lead to the development of degenerative processes in the structure of cartilage tissue.
A decrease in its elasticity, as well as a violation of its integrity, is manifested by constant or periodic pain, stiffness and even malfunctions.