osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is the progressive destruction of spinal structure due to degenerative changes. It is a chronic disease that predominates in the pathology of the musculoskeletal system. An experienced neurologist was involved in his care.

About disease

Nearly every third person who consults a neurologist for back pain is diagnosed with osteochondrosis. It affects approximately 90% of older adults. Groups at risk include the older generation, as well as people with occupational risks - loaders, drivers, office workers, salespeople, hairdressers.The average age at which the disease first appears is 30-35 years. Pain symptoms appear earlier when adverse factors are encountered.Spinal osteochondrosis causes damage to the bony structures, intervertebral cartilage, and discs in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar regions. As a result, muscle tension increases and the depreciation process worsens. The discs wear and shift, causing stiffness and pain. If left untreated, degenerative dystrophic changes progress, nerve roots are invaded, and the function of internal organs is disrupted. In the final stages of osteochondrosis, partial or complete incapacity results from limited mobility.As soon as signs of the disease appear, you should immediately contact a professional specialist - a neurologist. The doctor will perform a thorough examination and develop an effective treatment strategy.

Types of osteochondrosis

Depending on the location, osteochondrosis can be divided into three types: cervical osteochondrosis, thoracic osteochondrosis, and lumbosacral osteochondrosis. In nearly 50% of cases, the disease affects spinal structures in the lower back. This is because the lower back bears the greatest static load.Cervical osteochondrosis ranks second in prevalence. Cervical spine injuries can be caused by trauma, repetitive manual labor, and sedentary jobs that require holding the head in one position for long periods of time.Sedentary jobs and constant neck posture can even lead to neck hernias.Osteochondrosis of the chest area is less common. A sedentary lifestyle also contributes to its development. Its main symptom is chest pain, which can easily be confused with a heart attack.The diagnosis of "common osteochondrosis" is made with the participation of all departments in the pathological process.

symptoms of osteochondrosis

Clinical manifestations depend on the part of the spine affected. A common symptom for all is pain. It can be sharp, like "low back pain, " or it can be dull. The pain can worsen with movement, physical activity, and staying in a position for long periods of time. In the later stages of the disease and during exacerbations, it persists and interferes with sleep and normal lifestyle.In addition to pain, patients may experience tightness, stiffness, heaviness, and discomfort in their back muscles. When a nerve ending is pinched, pain can radiate to adjacent areas of the body (along the nerve), along with numbness, tingling, and "pins and needles under the skin. "The symptoms of osteochondrosis can be confused with other conditions, so self-diagnosis and self-medication should not be pursued. In specialized clinics, patients receive maximum attention and are examined using new, high-precision equipment to make accurate diagnoses.

cervical area

Cervical osteochondrosis has the most diverse clinical manifestations. The disorder may begin with periodic pain in the neck, stiffness or discomfort after sleeping in a certain position in front of the computer. When the nerves and blood vessels of the spine are involved in this process, pain can spread to the back of the head, collarbone, shoulders, and sometimes even the chest. The pain becomes more severe when tilting or turning the head, taking deep breaths, and during nighttime sleep. Impaired sensitivity, tingling, and chills in the shoulder blades, shoulders, and arms.In the later stage, when the intervertebral disc becomes significantly thinner, loses fixation, and becomes hypermobile, the following symptoms may occur:

• Stiffness when turning the neck;
• severe pain in the spine;
• Headache with pressure and throbbing in the head, noise and ringing in the ears, hearing and visual disturbances;
• nausea;
• lack of coordination;
• Dizziness attacks.

Vegetative vascular symptoms are the result of vertebral artery syndrome, which is caused by spasm or compression of arteries involved in supplying blood to the brain.Acute pain, loss of skin sensitivity in the neck, stiffness of the vertebrae with rupture of the annulus fibrosus, formation of intervertebral hernias and osteophytes.

chest area

Thoracic osteochondrosis "imitates" heart pain and intercostal neuralgia. The pain often worsens at night. It can be mild and gradually increase, or it can occur suddenly and dramatically.For osteochondrosis in the chest area, doctors first rule out a cardiac nature of the pain. For this purpose, a differential diagnosis is made.The pain is concentrated in the area between the shoulder blades or ribs and worsens when raising the arm, bending, taking deep breaths or exhaling. They radiate to the areas of the heart, kidneys and stomach. In the chest area, patients may experience stiffness or pressure, numbness, "tingling" in the chest, and tingling in the neck, arms, and abdomen.

lumbosacral region

The pain of lumbosacral osteochondrosis is localized in the lower back and then radiates to the pelvic area, groin, and legs. It is accompanied by muscle tension, tingling, and numbness. Muscle spasms and damage to pelvic organs are possible.Referred lumbosacral pain syndrome can be caused by pathologies of the genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts. Clinical experts must take this fact into account when making a diagnosis.

reason

The most common causes of intervertebral cartilage injuries are excessive loading, including static loading, and spinal injuries caused by falls, blows, sudden movements, or jumping from heights.Increased stress can lead to degenerative changes including lifting heavy objects, uneven distribution of load on the back muscles, and staying in one position for long periods of time, which is particularly uncomfortable. The most sensitive to overload are the intervertebral cartilaginous discs, which perform shock-absorbing functions and provide spinal motion.The development of osteochondrosis is promoted by:

• being overweight;
• age-related changes;
• genetics;
• flatfoot;
• Cartilage inflammation or autoimmune damage;
• birth defects;
• spinal instability;
• bad posture;
• malnutrition;
• low temperature;
• A sedentary lifestyle can lead to muscle weakness and worsening of intervertebral joint nutrition and blood supply;
• Metabolic disorders;
• Lack of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D;
• Hormonal and endocrine disorders.

Under the influence of irritating factors, the metabolic processes, hydration and blood circulation of the intervertebral disc deteriorate. As a result, cracks develop in the annulus fibrosus. The height of the intervertebral discs is reduced, mobility of the spine is impaired, and reflex tension and spasm occur. Formation of protrusions and hernias. A herniated disc can irritate the root of the spine, causing pain and other discomfort.

Advantages of modern clinic treatment

Modern clinics for the treatment of osteochondrosis have many advantages:

1. Experienced specialists in the field of neurology regularly improve their skills.
2. New diagnostic equipment increases diagnostic accuracy of osteochondrosis to 100%.
3. Application of minimally invasive techniques in surgical treatment of osteochondrosis.
4. A 24-hour hospital where patients can stay after spinal surgery.
5. A personal rehabilitation program allows you to return to full athletic activity.
6. High level services and affordable prices for Osteochondrosis treatment in Moscow.
7. Apply proprietary methods that are proven to work. Focus on non-surgical treatment, taking into account the patient's age and the presence of concomitant diseases.
8. Qualified assistance for complications of osteochondrosis - herniation, nerve compression, disc herniation, osteophytes, limited movement of the vertebrae.

In modern clinics, patients have access to all advanced methods of treating osteochondrosis: medications, physiotherapy, manual therapy, osteopathy, reflexology, therapeutic blockade, surgical intervention.

diagnosis

There are many causes of back pain. To understand what is causing your pain, you need to consult a neurologist. At the initial appointment, the doctor will review the patient's complaints and medical history to identify risk factors, perform a neurological exam, and assess range of motion. When examining and palpating the spine, doctors can detect spinal curvatures, muscle spasms, trigger points, and other pathological changes.In addition, the doctor prescribes instrumental diagnostic methods: spinal radiography, CT or MRI. If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine worsens, Doppler imaging of the blood vessels of the head and neck, MRI of the head, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine - electrocardiogram or cardiac ultrasound, lumbar spine - ultrasound of the kidneys and pelvic organs may be needed. Additionally, blood and urine tests may be performed.To rule out spinal cord disease, including cancer, a myelogram is performed. This is a radiographic examination method that uses a contrast agent.Based on the results obtained during the diagnostic process, the neurologist develops an individualized treatment plan.

treat

Treatment for osteochondrosis depends on the part of the spine affected and the stage of the disease. In the initial stages, medication, physical therapy, lifestyle correction, weight and physical activity are sufficient. If the disc structure and joint mobility are significantly compromised, disc herniation, and other complications are present, additional physical therapy procedures may be required, including therapeutic massage, spinal traction, and manual therapy. In advanced cases, when osteochondrosis does not respond to conservative treatment, surgery is required.

conservative

Conservative treatment methods can halt the progression of osteochondrosis, help get rid of chronic back pain and other unpleasant symptoms, and improve spinal mobility. These include:

1. Medication. Prescription medication that reduces pain and inflammation, relaxes back muscles, and strengthens cartilage and bone tissue.
2. Physical therapy procedures. They improve blood circulation and nutrition to the spinal discs, promote tissue repair, and relax the muscles of the neck, lower back, and chest. For osteochondrosis, magnetic therapy, ultra-high frequency, shock wave, vacuum therapy, laser therapy, acupuncture, massage, electrical stimulation, etc. are all effective. Massage sessions consist of 10 to 15 sessions, depending on the severity of structural changes in the spine.
3. Manual therapy. The procedure is painless. Get rid of muscle tension and soreness and restore the mobility and anatomy of your vertebrae.
4. Therapeutic exercise. It is an important part of treatment. A physical therapy doctor selects a set of exercises that can strengthen the back corset, correct posture, improve circulation, eliminate pain, and improve mobility in other areas of the neck and spine.
5. Therapeutic blockade. Used when severe pain occurs that cannot be relieved by analgesics. The efficiency of this procedure is demonstrated by injecting the drug into tissue near the intervertebral nerve roots.
6. Spinal traction. Effective for osteochondrosis and radiculopathy associated with disc herniation and intervertebral hernia.

The best results are obtained with complex treatments - a combination of methods that enhance each other's effects.

surgical

The main purpose of surgery is to eliminate compression on nerve roots, spinal cord, arteries, etc. During surgery, the hernia, part or all of the disc may be removed. Surgical risks are minimal thanks to the use of minimally invasive techniques and modern visualization systems that allow the surgical field to be seen in high resolution in real time.

Stimulated light discectomy

This is a new microsurgical approach for the treatment of osteochondrosis, primarily cervical osteochondrosis. A laser is used to vaporize the affected disc. A light guide is inserted into the affected disc through a needle up to 1. 2 mm in diameter. Laser irradiation lasts 40-60 minutes. The pain syndrome disappears immediately after surgery.Transstimulated photodiscectomy is only used in the initial stages of osteochondrosis, in the absence of signs of vertebral instability.

prevention

Osteochondrosis in any part of the spine can be prevented if prevention recommendations are always followed. Moderate loading, correct posture, and therapeutic exercises for the back are required. You cannot lift heavy weights or sit or stand in one position for long periods of time.If you have back problems, you should see an orthopedic surgeon or neurologist regularly.

Rehabilitation

The duration of recovery of spinal function depends on the type and amount of intervention. Bed rest will be required for the first postoperative day, followed by moderate physical activity and a back orthotic device. Physical therapy exercises chosen by your doctor can gradually allow you to return to a normal lifestyle.