Osteochondrosis and normal back pain affect 60-80% of the population over 30 years of age. Untreated osteochondrosis reduces quality of life and can lead to disability and disability, so it is important to recognize it in the early stages of development and seek medical help.
In this article, we will talk about osteochondrosis, its symptoms and diagnostic methods, as well as how to distinguish osteochondrosis from other diseases manifested by back pain and what to do if there are signs of osteochondrosis of the spine.
What is osteochondrosis of the spine?
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease in which the nucleus of the intervertebral disc is gradually destroyed. Over time, damage to the intervertebral disc involves other structures of the spine in the pathological process and leads to disorders of the musculoskeletal system and nervous system. Osteochondrosis is also characterized as premature aging of the joint device or as a pathology as a result of damage to the vertebrae, for example, after injury.
The development of osteochondrosis is influenced by many factors, so the researchers systematized the reasons that explain the origin of the disease:
- Involuntary - inflammatory processes and other injuries of the spine lead to premature aging of cartilage, for example, as a result of a sedentary lifestyle.
- Degenerative disorders of the intervertebral discs occur as a result of metabolic deficiency, for example, as a result of an unbalanced diet and alcohol abuse.
- dysmetabolic - osteochondrosis occurs as a result of malnutrition in the intervertebral cartilage due to the fact that with age, the number of blood vessels that supply blood with nutrients decreases.
The development of osteochondrosis is a cataract in which one pathological process begins another. Thus, for example, due to age-related changes and a decrease in the number of vessels in the disc, the diet is disturbed, which leads to failure of biochemical processes and damage to the intervertebral disc.
As degenerative and dystrophic changes develop in the spine, muscle tone and the work of nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord through natural openings in the vertebrae are disrupted. This leads to consequences from the nervous and musculoskeletal system.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease with periodic exacerbations, caused by injuries, sedentary lifestyle, heavy lifting, hypothermia and psycho-emotional stress. The most common and characteristic symptom for dystrophic disorders in the nucleus of the intervertebral discs is the regular back pain in different parts: in the neck, in the chest and in the lower back.
There are two types of osteochondrosis symptoms: reflex and compression. Reflex symptoms develop due to irritation of the spinal cord roots. They are manifested in the form of spasm or vasodilation, muscle contractions, weakening of muscle strength. Compression symptoms develop due to compression (most often formed by a hernia of the spine) of the nerves and manifest as loss of sensation in the affected part (neck, arms or back).
Osteochondrosis is also characterized by the following symptoms:
- tension and pain in the muscles of the neck and back.
- curvature of the spine sideways, backwards or forwards.
- Violation of sensitivity and nervous regulation: there is a feeling crawling on the skin, oscillations of heat and cold on the skin of the back and limbs, numbness of the hands or feet.
- weakening of the muscular strength of the limbs.
- Frequent urination - up to 10-12 times a day.
Where can osteochondrosis give?
The pain in osteochondrosis is located not only in the back. They extend to the upper and lower extremities. On foot:
- rear?
- back and side of the thighs.
- lower leg and inner ankle.
- the back of the legs
- toes;
- heels.
Also, the pain can spread to the hands for:
- deltoid muscle
- the outer tip of the hand, up to the fingers.
- the back of the hand;
- three middle fingers?
- ring and little finger (rare).
How is osteochondrosis diagnosed?
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is based on research, physical examination and organological examination methods. The specific examination methods are determined during the consultation.
The doctor begins the diagnosis by taking a reminder: identifies the possible causes of back pain, determines the location of the pain and its duration, determines the presence of concomitant pathologies, for example, allergies, congenital diseases and drug intolerance. It then proceeds to the inspection. The physical examination is done while standing or sitting. The doctor can detect the curvature of the spine, assess muscle strength and reflexes, and examine skin color. In order to analyze in detail the picture of the disease, it is necessary to consult with relevant specialists: neurologist, neurosurgeon, oncologist, rheumatologist and physiotherapist.
The neurologist diagnoses osteochondrosis if:
- regular back pain
- increased pain when lifting weights, sneezing, coughing
- numbness and joint pain
- reduced range of motion in the joints.
- muscular spasm;
- damage to nerve roots
- changes in the x-ray of the spine.
Do you need an x-ray of your spine?
Spine x-ray or spondylography is one of the mandatory tests for osteochondrosis, with the help of which it is possible to detect structural disorders of the spine. Spineography allows you to find pathological changes, for example, thinning of the intervertebral disc. Usually for the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, X-rays are done in two (and sometimes three) projections for more detail.
Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging make it possible to identify pathologies related to osteochondrosis: disc herniation and reduction of the spinal canal, protrusion of the intervertebral disc in the spinal canal and compression of the spinal cord.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
With cervical osteochondrosis of the spine, two main symptoms appear - the cervix and the cervix. The cervix is an acute painful cervical fat that occurs when the head moves and due to the muscle tension in the cervical spine. Cervicitis is pain and severe sore throat. Hallucinations are added to the cervix - a violation of sensitivity in the form of numbness and a feeling that it is crawling on the skin.
If the defeat of the nuclei of the intervertebral discs of the cervix proceeds, rickets of the cervix appears - painful sensations in the occiput. The pains are characterized by regularity, in addition, they occasionally intensify, especially when you move your head.
This trinity - cervical, cervical and cervical - can be complicated by nocturnal hand numbness syndrome, in which sensitivity is perverted. For example, a hot object may feel cold with your fingers, but if you shake it with your hands, the sensitivity is restored.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
For osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, painful lumbar in the chest (back) is the most characteristic. Chest pain is worse when you move your arms, sneeze, cough and lift weights. Most of the time, the pain is a belt. Also, hallucinations often occur in the chest. Sometimes damage to the nuclei of the intervertebral discs can be disguised as a disease of the internal organs, for example, gastritis or angina, as the pain can be located in the upper abdomen and heart.
How to say - heart pain or osteochondrosis?
Pectological syndrome is a pain in the anterior chest wall that may look like heart pain. Pectalgia can be a sign of both osteochondrosis and heart problems.
However, angina pain and heart attack are different from pectological syndrome in osteochondrosis. The peculiarities of the pain in angina and myocardial infarction are that they have a compressive character and spread to the left shoulder, hand and jaw.
Pectological syndrome in osteochondrosis does not extend beyond the boundaries of the anterior chest wall, does not extend to the arm and shoulder, and is not accompanied by the fear of death. However, these are only subjective emotions. Therefore, to rule out heart disease, you should consult a doctor and do an electrocardiogram, which will reveal a rhythm disorder or signs of myocardial infarction.
If the pain begins to spread to the left shoulder, arm, jaw, is accompanied by a feeling of fear, is not eliminated by taking nitroglycerin and lasts more than 10-15 minutes, you should call an ambulance.
Why is lumbar osteochondrosis dangerous?
With osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, lumbar spine or back pain occurs more often - normal lumbar and lumbar pain Due to constant pain, movements are limited: a person can not bend, bend or stretch.
Lumbago can go it alone. However, they are prone to exacerbations and any deterioration indicates an additional displacement of the intervertebral disc to the spinal canal. If the destruction of the intervertebral disc progresses, lumbar radicitis is formed, accompanied by pain in the lower back, which is transmitted to the buttocks and thighs.
What is the difference between osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis?
Osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis (vertebral osteoarthritis) belong to the category of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. However, there is a key difference between them: with osteochondrosis, the nucleus of the intervertebral disc is affected and with osteoarthritis, the intervertebral joints. This makes the difference in symptoms and treatment.
In osteochondrosis, back pain is common and pain, manifests itself calmly and increases movement, and in vertebral joints, the onset of pain is associated with extension and flexion of the spine. Usually, the pain syndrome in osteoarthritis of the spine is unilateral and has cramps. Also, vertebral osteoarthritis is characterized by morning stiffness, which lasts from 30 to 60 minutes.
What is the difference between osteochondrosis and radiculitis?
Radicitis is an inflammation of the spinal cord roots, which is accompanied by pain along the affected nerves. In fact, these are two different diseases, but sciatica is a common complication of osteochondrosis, so it is often one of the symptoms of osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of sciatica
With osteochondrosis, rhizocitis most often occurs in the cervical and lumbar spine. Sciatica manifests itself with pain along the damaged nerve, sensory disturbances and sometimes movement disorders. Sciatica is characterized by the fact that the pain goes beyond the back and spreads to the hips, buttocks, lower leg and foot.
VSD or cervical osteochondrosis?
Phytovascular dystonia is a syndrome in which the autonomic nervous system is disturbed. VSD is a functional disorder in which there are no structural changes in either the spine or the nuclei of the intervertebral discs.
Phytovascular dystonia has a mental origin - it is a nerve associated with inter-occupational conflicts or trauma in childhood. Externally, VSD and osteochondrosis may be similar: headaches, dizziness, pain in the anterior chest wall.
To distinguish the diseases, you need to make an organic diagnosis - X-ray of the cervical spine and other parts, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. As a result of being diagnosed with VSD, there will be no organic changes, unlike osteochondrosis.
Treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia
Phytovascular dystonia is treated with medication, psychotherapy and lifestyle adjustments. Patients are prescribed symptomatic treatment: sedatives, anti-anxiety, hypnotics, restorative agents, as well as vitamins. The mission of VSD psychotherapy is to teach the patient to regulate negative emotions and increase resistance to stress. Lifestyle also adjusts: you need to balance work and rest, exercise and follow a balanced diet.
Is osteochondrosis treated or not?
Osteochondrosis can be cured. The goal of treatment is to eliminate back pain and stiffness, restore muscle tone, prevent or stop neurological complications, and improve a person's standard of living. If you follow the doctor's prescriptions, the disease can be cured.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home?
Home treatment of osteochondrosis is not recommended. There are several reasons for this:
- At home it is impossible to accurately diagnose osteochondrosis, as back pain has different roots: neurogenic, vascular, visceral (due to diseases of internal organs) and psychogenic. That is, a person is experiencing osteochondrosis, but in fact the back pain arose, for example, due to kidney disease.
- it is impossible to objectively assess the effectiveness of treatment without diagnostic control.
- the patient can not adequately choose a treatment for himself, and folk remedies have no substantiated basis and, therefore, are probably ineffective and can give side effects.
At home, you can receive treatment in one case - only after consulting a doctor who will correctly diagnose, prescribe adequate treatment and periodically monitor the effectiveness of treatment using X-rays, CT or MRI.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine
The treatment of osteochondrosis is conservative and surgical. Which method will be the main depends on the stage of the disease and the neglect of the musculoskeletal system.
Conservative treatment includes medication, exercise therapy, and lifestyle adjustments. From medicines, anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants are prescribed mainly for pain relief and normalization of muscle tone. In physical therapy exercises, one of the main conditions for recovery is early activation, ie 1-3 days after the elimination of pain, you must walk, run, exercise in the pool or ride a bike. It is also important to change your lifestyle to an active one, as a sedentary lifestyle is one of the factors in the development of back pain and the destruction of the nuclei of the intervertebral discs.
Surgical treatment is used when conservative treatment was ineffective within 2-4 weeks and in the event of severe structural changes in the spine. What kind of surgery is required will be determined by the surgeon after consultation with a neurologist and study of the research data. For example, in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, methods are used that relieve the spinal cord from pressure from the vertebrae or hernia (discectomy and decompression).
If you experience back pain, accompanied by back pain in the spine or neck, chest pain, weakened muscles in the arm or legs, discomfort in the skin and numbness, consult a neurologist for advice.