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 location, it has its own classification. The progression of the disease leads to a deterioration of the motor function of the joint, complete immobility often occurs.
The symptoms of osteochondrosis, its causes and the methods of treatment of this disease are discussed in the information provided.
How osteochondrosis manifests itself
The signs of osteochondrosis appear gradually, at first with a slight pain syndrome, which later becomes chronic and intense. Typically, patients come to the doctor with complaints of severe pain and 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 when moving;
- Cracking of 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 of the limbs;
- Bone aches;
- Increases sensitivity to weather;
- Decreased visual acuity.
Usually, the first manifestations of the disease go unnoticed. That is why the initial stage of osteochondrosis is rarely diagnosed and, as a rule, completely by accident.
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 reduced mobility of the joint, changes in its structure and the appearance of uncomfortable sensations during movement and walking.
The main reasons for the appearance are:
- Lack of constant physical activity;
- Injuries and injuries to the joint;
- Deformation of the joint under excessive tension;
- Disorders of nutrition and blood supply to the joint;
- Overweight problems;
- Unbalanced diet;
- Chronic stress;
- hereditary predisposition;
- Endocrine pathologies;
- 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 incorrectly distributed, which leads to a change in normal gait and, as a result, to deformation of the spine, knee and hip joints.
The appearance of spinal osteochondrosis is directly dependent on already diagnosed diseases of the musculoskeletal system, for example scoliosis.
Furthermore, chronic diseases of the internal organs can also act as a provoking factor. Infections and inflammation can affect nearby tissues, leading to the formation of pathology in the joint joints.
Classification of osteochondrosis
In medical terminology, the definition of "spinal chondrosis" can often be found. This means the initial stage of osteochondrosis, which affects one of the departments (or several) of the spine. The pathology develops in the intervertebral disc and does not affect nearby tissues. This is the special insidiousness of chondrosis of the back, because asymptomatic onset does not give the opportunity to start treatment in time and overcome the disease.
Usually, chondrosis, the symptoms of which have not yet appeared, is discovered by accident, during a full body examination.
In addition, depending on the location of the pathology, one can also speak of coxarthrosis, osteochondrosis of the hip joint. Pathology can also affect the accumulated shoulder or joint. Osteochondrosis of the back, in turn, is also classified according to the site of localization.
What types of back osteochondrosis are:
- Cervical osteochondrosismanifests as pain and stiffness in the neck, the 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, symptoms are often mistaken for angina pectoris or intercostal neuralgia. Also, 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 increased stress in 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 provoke the development of the disease. The manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis are extremely diverse. The main symptoms include not only pain when bending over, turning and other movements, but also muscle atrophy, difficulty walking, decreased sexual function, and diseases of the urinary system.
- Coccyx osteochondrosisis a rare disease that mainly affects women. This is directly related to the physiological characteristics of the structure of the small pelvis. It is determined by the pain syndrome when sitting, walking and doing physical exercises. The onset is often preceded by injuries and falls, as well as prolonged stay in an uncomfortable sitting position.
- polysegmental osteochondrosisis diagnosed when degenerative lesions of the nearby joints are detected. They can be located in one or more parts of the column.
- Common osteochondrosisis manifested by injuries to 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 pathology 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 growths of bone tissue (osteophytes) begin to form on the vertebrae.
Stages of 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 joint elements in the pathological process. For this, it is customary to use a classification according to degrees, as well as a location of pathology.
What types of osteochondrosis are:
- The initial stagedoes not manifest 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 years of age. Recently, due to the spread of professions that require a permanent stay in a sitting position, as well as a decrease in physical activity of children and adolescents, osteochondrosis is diagnosed in almost one in two people under the age of 30.
- Second-stage osteochondrosisis diagnosed by x-ray examination. The image shows the formation of multiple intervertebral disc fractures, but the annulus fibrosus remains intact. The manifestations of the disease are insignificant, there is usually discomfort during a long 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 multiple lesions of the intervertebral disc, as well as a possible rupture of the annulus fibrosus. The pains become prolonged and constant, they can 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 the timely treatment of medical help.
- Fourth stage osteochondrosisis the most serious. It is determined by serious injuries to the joint structure. The ligaments, vessels, nerve endings, and connective tissue of the joint are involved in the disease process. Conservative methods are often ineffective. Surgery is used more frequently, but even an operation does not guarantee recovery, patients often lose joint mobility and are left disabled.
To avoid the transition from osteochondrosis to the critical stage, it is imperative to pay attention in time to the signals that the body gives us. There are cases in which patients endure aches and pains for years, in addition to adjusting to limited motor function, but do not seek the help of a doctor.
It should be noted that osteochondrosis is not a disease that can be cured on your own at home using folk methods or only painkillers.
A mandatory comprehensive approach is required, which is determined by the characteristics of the development of pathology, the reasons for its occurrence, as well as individual patient indicators.
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 location and causes that led to this disease. Only after eliminating all the negative factors that affect the progression of the disease, you can begin the main treatment.
How to determine the degree and location of the pathological process:
- X-ray examination.To obtain reliable information, it is necessary to take pictures in multiple 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 alterations in blood supply, vascular integrity, and speed of blood flow.
- Myelography.Special examination of the spine with a contrast medium. It allows you to identify intervertebral hernias and their location.
- 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 articular joints. It is assigned, as a general rule, when the information content of other exams performed is low. An undoubted advantage is a more detailed study of the state of the soft tissues.
The anamnesis of the patient is also studied without fail. Possible injuries sustained even long before going to the doctor, operations and chronic diseases can also provoke the development of pathological processes in the joint tissues.
In addition, a personal examination and questioning of the patient is performed. 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 develops an individual treatment plan. You should take into account the physical indicators of the patient, the peculiarities of the development of the pathology and its localization.
An integrated approach to treatment is used.
You can not do without drugs alone, 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.
Pharmacological treatment for osteochondrosis
The prescription of drugs depends on the type of injury and the associated pathological processes in the tissues. As a rule, patients try to treat osteochondrosis on their own, with pharmaceutical and self-made compresses and ointments, as well as folk remedies.
Unfortunately, this only provides 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 anesthetics.These include ointments and compresses, as well as pills and injections for severe pain. It is used to treat osteochondrosis during an exacerbation.
- NSAIDs- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used not only to relieve pain and inflammation in the affected area, but also when temperature is caused by disease.
- The action of muscle relaxantsaims to relieve muscle tone. Drugs of this group are taken in courses from 30 to 45 days, and the dosage is prescribed strictly individually. Usually they begin to take with the minimum doses (with severe hypertonia, injections are prescribed), which are gradually increased. In order not to cause withdrawal syndrome, the dose is gradually reduced thereafter.
- Chondroprotectorshelp restore cartilage tissue by compensating for damaged areas. The effect of this group of drugs does not appear immediately, therefore a course of several months is prescribed. There are several forms of medication. During the period of exacerbation, it is used in the form of injections, and then treatment continues with tablets or capsules.
- Angioprotectorsare used in the case of identified pathologies of the blood supply. They help to strengthen the walls of the blood vessels, promote relaxation and restore metabolism. The duration of admission is also several months.
- Glucocorticosteroidsare prescribed to improve the function of NSAIDs and muscle relaxants. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and decongestant effect, help against pain and spasms. The course of treatment is determined individually. In the first days of an exacerbation of the disease, they are used in the form of an injection, and then in the form of a tablet. The dose is gradually reduced until the drug is completely stopped.
- Biogenic stimulants.Accelerates metabolism and promotes the restoration of joint tissues. Self-treatment of chondrosis at home with such drugs is impossible, but in complex therapies they have proven their effectiveness.
- Complex vitamin preparations.It promotes the general strengthening of the body and accelerates metabolic reactions.
Is osteochondrosis treated with drugs only? Of course 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 limb joints.
Important point:classes are held under the supervision of a specialist, and only after removing the inflammation in the affected area.
Recovery gymnastics
What to do in case of osteochondrosis and what movements is better to refuse, a special trainer with the appropriate qualifications will tell. At first, the exercises are performed under your control, then the patient can continue to exercise on their own.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home involves regular exercise to restore mobility to the joint.
Massage and physiotherapy
Various alternative medicine methods are also used in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine. These include mud wraps, acupuncture, magnet therapy, manual therapy.
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Among medical procedures, drug electrophoresis, laser therapy, and thermotherapy are also often used. An important point is the sanitary treatment in specialized sanatoriums.
What is osteochondrosis? More and more patients are learning about this disease at an early age. A sedentary lifestyle, decreased muscle tone and uneven loads on the joints - these negative weight factors 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 of internal systems.