Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic change in the complex of the spine, intervertebral discs and joints. It develops as a result of metabolic disorders of the cartilage and bone tissues of the spine and discs. In simple words, in chondrosis and osteochondrosis, the discs and the surrounding bony structures wear out over time, which is replaced by the marginal growth of the replacement tissues and their compaction. In the case of chondrosis - only the disc cartilage itself, and in the case of osteochondrosis - the adjacent vertebral bodies. This is a very common disease. According to WHO statistics, up to 80% of the world's population suffers from it. Doctors note that most often this happens due to increased stress on the spine - excess weight and a tempting lifestyle.
Neurologist Igor Matsokin and exercise therapy specialist Oksana Ivanova tell us what to do with osteochondrosis and where to go if you suspect the disease.
classification
According to the ICD-10 classification, spinal osteochondrosis has the code M42. It includes:
- M42. 0 Juvenile osteochondrosis of the spine, Calve's disease, Schuermann's disease
Excludes: positional kyphosis (M40. 0)
- M42. 1 Osteochondrosis of the spine in adults
- M42. 9 Spinal osteochondrosis, unspecified
species
Depending on the location, there are several types:
cervix
The cervical spine experiences a large load and a rather difficult range of motion.
Symptoms:
Cramping and clicking sensation in neck when turning head from side to side, stiffness when moving. You may feel a headache (tension headache), a feeling of pain in the muscles of the shoulder girdle.
Constantly tense muscles can cause numbness and tingling in the hands.
The main focus of treatment is on recovery, relieving spasms and inflammation and restoring range of motion.
chest
The chest region is less mobile than the rest of the body, in which osteochondrosis develops. That's why it rarely appears.
Symptoms: pain in the chest muscles, often aggravated by static load.
Shoulder-like
Osteochondrosis of the shoulder joint occurs due to trauma, straining of tendons and muscles. It most often occurs during excessive loading of the shoulder in athletes and lifters. But it can also develop in the cervical osteochondrosis complex.
There is pain and limitations in joint movement.
Vertebrate
Intervertebral discs are destroyed by osteochondrosis of the spine. It happens that not one part of the spine is damaged, but two or more. For example, both in the waist and in the cervical region. This is called polysegmental or widespread osteochondrosis of the spine.
waist
Lumbar osteochondrosis is common. The spine experiences the greatest stress in the lumbar sacral region.
Symptoms:
- Pain in the lower back, legs
- Pain when bending, turning - stiffness in back movements
thigh
In the case of osteochondrosis of the hip joint, the pain is not severe, but it is important to consult a doctor immediately so that surgical intervention is not necessary.
Article
Knee joint disease. Cartilage, which ensures smooth sliding and movement of the joint, is destroyed and cannot be restored. Fibrocartilage forms, causing pain and stiffness in the foot. It is pain and limitation of movement that are the main reason for visiting a doctor and making a diagnosis in the knee area.
youthful
The disease appears in children, most often between the ages of 10 and 18. Degenerative changes occur in the spine, affecting ligaments, joints, intervertebral discs and bones. Juvenile osteochondrosis progresses rapidly, but it is difficult to detect at the initial stage, because there is no limitation of mobility. He feels discomfort only in the morning after sleep.
reasons
The disease occurs during metabolic disorders. As we age, cartilage wears out. Lack of water, trace elements and amino acids reduces the elasticity of the intervertebral discs. Salt deposits are the result of osteochondrosis. The cause of pain is often irritation (or irritation) of the nerve roots.
The disease affects athletes who put a lot of stress on the back, such as weightlifters. The risk increases after spinal cord injury. Osteochondrosis is often found in schoolchildren who sit for a long time bent over at desks and in drivers. Which factor will cause the disease depends on the lifestyle.
degrees
During osteochondrosis, there are 4 degrees (stages):
- 1 degree - chondrosis. The pain is already there
- 2nd degree - instability. The damaged vertebral disc is displaced in relation to the lower one, which causes severe pain.
- 3rd degree – formation of intervertebral hernias. They compress nerve fibers and blood vessels.
- 4th degree - intervertebral disc fibrosis. Osteophytes may appear. These are bone formations with which the body tries to restore the supporting function.
When should we do prevention?
Better late than never. If you are overweight and have a sedentary lifestyle, the sooner you start making changes, the more investment you will make in your health.
symptoms
How the disease can be detected in different departments:
- My back hurts
- Coldness and numbness of hands and feet
- headache
- restriction of movements
It is important not to confuse these signs with other diseases. Symptoms can be similar, for example, with osteochondrosis of the chest and diseases of the cardiovascular system. For an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment, a consultation with a neurologist or therapist is required to get a referral to a specialist.
pain
Pain is the main problem of osteochondrosis, which is difficult to get rid of. In addition, not only the disc or the joint of the spine hurts - the pain radiates throughout the body. And it happens that the pain of osteochondrosis of the chest radiates to the heart, so the sensations are easily confused with heart disease.
How to distinguish heart pain from osteochondrosis:
- With heart problems, there is a burning sensation in the chest that may spread to the arm or neck. Painful sensations appear suddenly and last no more than 30 minutes. The temperature rises, dizziness and chills appear. It is accompanied by a feeling of lack of air, shortness of breath.
- Pain in osteochondrosis can be different: pressing, shooting. As a rule, it is moderate in nature. It is not accompanied by shortness of breath and changes in blood pressure and pulse. It has the nature of a shark, it can last for a few days or it can disappear instantly.
headache
Whether a headache can occur or not depends on the source of the disease. Headache occurs as a result of overloading of the musculo-ligamentous apparatus of the neck, as a result of the impact of muscles on the passage channels of the painful skin branches of the trigeminal nerve, and as a result of the impact on the rods of the autonomic regulation of vascular tone.
Dizziness and noise in the head
The feeling of dizziness and noise during osteochondrosis manifests itself for the same reason as a headache: from muscle overload and irritation of certain areas of the autonomic nervous system, with a subsequent vascular reaction. It is important to remember that similar sensations in the ears can be signs of other diseases.
Tumor in the throat
Throat tumor is a common symptom of osteochondrosis of the neck spine. This is due to the fact that the inflamed tissue increases in volume. A person may feel a tingling sensation, throbbing in the neck, and even suffocation. It feels as if something is stuck in the throat, especially when swallowing. Such discomfort often prompts you to consult a doctor. But it is not always osteochondrosis, it is important to exclude other pathologies, for example, an enlarged thyroid gland, chronic pharyngitis. If you feel something similar, it is best to start with an otolaryngologist. He will determine the cause and refer you to another specialist.
shortness of breath
Shortness of breath occurs due to vascular congestion. It is manifested by osteochondrosis of the cervical or thoracic regions. Because of the pain, one cannot breathe deeply, breathe often and shallowly. As a result, respiratory functions are disturbed, headache and dizziness occur due to lack of oxygen in the brain. This can lead to serious consequences. If you notice such a symptom, consult a doctor.
Panic attacks
A neurosurgeon at a regional hospital says there is a direct link between panic attacks and osteochondrosis. One of the causes of panic attacks is a sign of impaired blood circulation in the brain. And this often happens precisely during osteochondrosis of the cervical spine due to compression of blood vessels and vertebral artery. Chest pain and shallow breathing can also cause panic due to this condition.
temperature
Whether or not the temperature during osteochondrosis depends on many reasons. It is important to exclude other factors such as acute respiratory infections.
pressure
The disease can affect blood pressure, it is important to avoid such pressure increase.
Clinical guidelines
Upon diagnosis, conservative therapy is recommended, followed by surgical intervention to eliminate the cause of pain. The following drugs are prescribed in clinical guidelines:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of suppositories, injections, ointments, gels.
- In acute pain of high intensity, therapeutic blockades are shown, the main drugs of which are local anesthetics and glucocorticoids.
- Manual therapy, osteopathy, massage.
Aggravation
The earlier treatment is started, the easier it is to prevent future exacerbations. A common cause is lifting heavy objects, especially with one hand. It is important to distribute the weight evenly and not to lift it suddenly. It is advisable not to lift heavy objects at all. If exacerbations occur, medications will come to the rescue.
treatment
Treatment is complex, using several methods at the same time. The main goal is to relieve pain and prevent further degeneration of the spine and cartilage.
Therapeutic exercise (physical therapy)
This is the main method of conservative treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Dosed loads for this
- Nerve root decompression
- Correction and strengthening of the muscular corset
- Maintaining correct posture and providing flexibility to the ligamentous-muscular system
- Prevention of complications
To achieve their goals, patients are advised to regularly exercise using rehabilitation equipment and perform joint exercises. These exercises improve blood circulation, normalize the metabolism and nutrition of the intervertebral discs, help to increase the intervertebral space, form a muscle corset and reduce the load on the spine.
However, the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system is not limited to exercise therapy. Physiotherapy using physical factors:
- low frequency currents
- magnetic fields
- Ultrasound and laser
Use of physiotherapy
It allows you to speed up the treatment of many diseases, increase the effectiveness of drug therapy and reduce its dosage, as well as avoid the side effects characteristic of drugs.
Massage
Effectively relieves muscle tension and pain, improves blood circulation and has a general strengthening effect.
manual therapy
A doctor's individual intervention on the musculoskeletal system to relieve acute and chronic pain in the spine and joints, as well as to increase range of motion and correct posture.
Reflexology
Various therapeutic techniques and methods of influencing the body's reflexogenic zones and acupuncture points. Using reflexology together with other treatment methods significantly increases their effectiveness.
drug therapy
It is indicated during the exacerbation of the disease and aims to relieve pain, eliminate the inflammatory process and strengthen metabolic processes. Medicines can be taken intramuscularly or intravenously.
It is important to note that although each of the listed methods is very effective, the greatest therapeutic effect can be achieved only when they are combined with exercises using rehabilitation equipment. This allows you to create a full-fledged muscle corset and ensure a long-lasting result of the treatment. How to treat each type of osteochondrosis depends on its location and the reasons for its appearance.
Treatment at home
At home, you can and should continue treatment in accordance with your doctor's recommendations. First of all, watch your diet and do exercises at home. If you want to add folk remedies or decoctions to your treatment, check with your doctor to see if they are safe to combine with medications.
drugs
Most of the remedies for osteochondrosis are aimed at relieving pain:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and nimesulide. And not only in the form of tablets, but also in the form of ointments and gels. It is important to take tablets in courses and not systematically because of their effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
- Opioid analgesics (glucocorticoids) are prescribed by the doctor for severe pain, if non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs do not help relieve the pain.
- Anticonvulsants or antidepressants are needed for neuropathic pain.
- Vasodilators to prevent oxygen starvation.
- Chondroprotectors for osteochondrosis - drugs to improve cartilage and joint functions.
- Muscle relaxants help relieve pain from excessive muscle tension.
Applicators
Osteochondrosis applicators are a popular addition to treatment. It affects nerve impulses and improves blood flow, helps with swelling. I mainly use two types of applicators:
- Kuznetsov applicator - a mat with a plastic tip
- Lyapko applicator - covered with needles of various metals and alloys.
They can be used only after the permission of the attending physician.
the collar
A neck collar (or bandage) helps to relax the muscles of the neck and reduce the load on it during cervical osteochondrosis. As a result, pain disappears and blood circulation in the brain improves. Bandages are of different sizes and hardness, so in case of neck pain, you should definitely consult a doctor and find out the cause. If it is osteochondrosis and you have no contraindications, the doctor will tell you which product is best for you.
Darsonwal
A darsonval is a medical device that produces a current in the form of a pulsed humidified discharge. It has a very wide spectrum of action, from dermatological problems to gastrointestinal disorders. Darsonval improves tissue permeability and improves local blood circulation. Due to this, the drug penetrates faster and deeper, muscles relax and spasms disappear.
drops
Osteochondrosis drops help to relieve pain quickly. They are prescribed in cases where other drugs are contraindicated. This happens, for example, in people with intolerance to the components of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets.
Corset
A corset is used to fix the spine during osteochondrosis. This helps to relieve tension and prevent the spine from moving. You can use it after consulting your doctor.
Plasters
Pain in the spine and joints can be alleviated with pain relievers. They are convenient to use when it is impossible to apply an ointment or cream because it stains clothes.
injections
Injections quickly relieve pain during exacerbations. It is effective and fast acting. It is important to continue to take care of your body and even if you improve, follow your doctor's recommendations and do exercises. Injections are also a quick and effective way to deliver nutrients to the intervertebral discs.
What should be done during osteochondrosis:
- Chondroprotectors
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Antispasmodics
- vitamins
The choice depends on the course of the disease, the presence of pain and the recommendations of the attending physician.
vitamins
- Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium, which is necessary for the restoration of bone structures of the spine.
- Vitamins A, E, C contribute to the production of collagen and other tissues necessary for joints.
- A medical journal talks about B vitamins (thiamine, pyridoxine and cyanocobalamin) that have an analgesic effect in cervical osteochondrosis. Thanks to this, you can reduce the intake of painkillers.
Orthopedic pillows
Orthopedic sleeping pillows will not replace treatment, but sleeping with them will be much more comfortable. Pillows come in a variety of shapes and materials. For example:
- A rectangular pillow or a padded pillow is well suited for people with any type of osteochondrosis.
- Crescent shape for neck and shoulder pain
- A pillow with a hollow in the middle or a hollow in the shoulder will help people with cervical osteochondrosis to maintain proper blood circulation in any position while sleeping. Optimal for the neck and its natural position.
It is also important to consider not only the form of osteochondrosis, but also the position in which a person prefers to sleep. A neurologist will tell you which pillow to choose correctly, after analyzing your sleep preferences and characteristics of the course of the disease.
Massage
Therapeutic massage can be done with osteochondrosis only in a state of remission. This will help to improve blood circulation, metabolic processes, spine and muscle flexibility. Proper massage slows or stops the spread of the disease. But it is not always possible to visit a massage specialist. Special devices such as electric back and neck massagers will come to the rescue. They are especially effective in the initial stages of cervical osteochondrosis. The main thing is to use it correctly and consult a doctor.
diet
There is no special diet for osteochondrosis. The main thing is to maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, you should discuss weight loss methods with your doctor and understand the reasons for your high weight.
What does a balanced diet mean?
- protein
- Healthy saturated fats
- complex carbohydrates
- fruits and vegetables
It is also important to monitor the amount of salt consumed. It helps to retain fluid in the body.
Exercises
There is a special stand with a therapeutic effect, for example, after an operation to remove a spinal hernia.
Moreover, these are quite simple exercises even for an untrained person. For example, "first aid" for relieving tension in the neck:
Exercises to improve chest mobility:
You can relieve discomfort in the cervical area and shoulders and improve them with a double massage roller:
army
Whether or not a person with osteochondrosis is accepted into the army depends on the degree of the disease and the exact diagnosis. All documents and certificates must be in order: at least a neurologist's report and an X-ray. Otherwise, after a medical examination, a decision on admission to military service is possible.
In which case they will not be accepted into the army:
- Three or more intervertebral disc injuries
- Anatomical changes are visible
- Pronounced pain syndrome, including after lifting weights
If there are symptoms and certificates, the young person can receive category B - services of limited suitability. This means that he will not be taken to the army, but in the case of military training, he may be drafted.
Category D - it is almost impossible to obtain a complete exemption from military service. It is possible, for example, with osteochondropathy, kyphosis - the last stage of osteochondrosis.
Question and answer
Acupuncture in osteochondrosis
Acupuncture or acupuncture is used in combination with other treatments. It is especially effective in moments of exacerbation of pain syndrome.
The procedure has several advantages:
- Low risk of allergic reactions
- Fast results
- Minimal risk of injury
It is important to understand that acupuncture helps to relieve pain, but does not cure the disease.
How to sleep properly during cervical osteochondrosis
There are two optimal positions: lying on the back and on the side.
Sleeping on your back is optimal for relaxing your body. For proper weight distribution, it is recommended to place a small pillow under the knees.
In the lateral position, the neck muscles relax, the load on the spine decreases, and blood circulation is not disturbed.
It is important to choose the right pillow according to the desired position.
Is it possible to take a steam bath during osteochondrosis?
Most often, the bathroom is not a contraindication. On the contrary, due to the high temperature, the blood circulation improves and the symptoms are relieved.
In case of exacerbation of osteochondrosis, the bath is contraindicated. If blood circulation increases at the site of inflammation, it will lead to complications.
Is it possible to play sports during osteochondrosis?
Moderate loads are not only permissible, but also necessary during osteochondrosis. But there are exceptions:
- Professional sports
- dangerous sport
- Sport with weight lifting
Is it possible to warm the neck with cervical osteochondrosis?
You should not warm the neck to relieve pain. In this way, the blood will begin to inflame and become stronger.
What not to do with osteochondrosis
- Lift weights, including in the gym
- Make sudden movements, such as when playing sports
- Sleep on a mattress that is too soft or a pillow that is too high
- Abuse of high-calorie food, coffee, alcohol
- Take a bent position for a very long time, for example, when cleaning or in the garden
- Wear high heels
Yoga for osteochondrosis
Yoga is an excellent option for physical activity during osteochondrosis. No sudden movements or heavy objects. Yoga not only relieves the symptoms but also fights the cause of the disease. In rare cases, yoga is contraindicated, so you should still discuss it with your doctor.
Osteochondrosis is a serious condition that can be prevented. For this, you need to monitor your diet and physical activity.