Hondrostrong Official site
Share this

Osteochondrosis

what is osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, which is manifested by the thinning of bones and joint cartilage. Often, patients are diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the spine, where there is destruction of the intervertebral discs in the cervical, lumbar or thoracic region. Intervertebral cartilage is needed to protect movement and reduce the load on bone tissue, so the destruction of the disc leads to gradual damage to the vertebrae and deformation of the spine. Osteochondrosis can be a complication of injuries, long-term postural violations, or other pathological conditions. Treatment of this disease involves manual therapy, physiotherapy and surgical intervention for significant spinal deformities.

Osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system in the elderly. In adolescents and young adults, pathology is diagnosed less often. Characteristic symptoms of the disease, doctors include severe pain in the affected joint area and impaired mobility. Without treatment, osteochondrosis can be complicated by compression of the spinal cord and dysfunction of internal organs.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

Manifestations of the disease depend on the area of destruction of the articular disc. The main symptom is pain or sharp pain, worse during movement. Because of this, the patient often takes a forced position. With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is difficult for the patient to look around, severe headaches occur. If the disease is complicated by compression of peripheral nerves and spinal cord, symptoms of movement disorders and internal organ dysfunction occur.

Other symptoms and signs:

  • Moderate dull pain during the day, worse during movement;
  • Spreading pain in the head, shoulders, pelvis and lower legs;
  • Constant tension of the muscles related to the affected intervertebral joints;
  • Decreased performance;
  • Sleep disturbances;
  • Postural changes and clumsy gait.

If you experience these symptoms, we recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor. Timely consultation will avoid negative consequences for your health.

This disease can develop over several years. The initial stage of cartilage damage does not show any symptoms, but gradually there is constant pain.

Causes of osteochondrosis

Normally, the intervertebral cartilage is continuously supplied with blood and receives a sufficient amount of nutrients from the blood to renew cells and maintain its own structure. As tissues age, degenerative changes can occur, characterized by insufficient cell renewal. Violation of blood flow occurs when the artery is compressed against the background of permanent curvature of the spine or injury. Also, osteochondrosis can be a result of excessive physical exertion.

Causes of disease:

  • The gradual destruction of intervertebral cartilage is caused by impaired posture, weight lifting and movement patterns. Because of the violation of the structure of the intervertebral disc can even wear shoes with flat soles for a long time;
  • Craniovertebral anomaly - a violation of the relative position of the cervical and cranial spine structures. In this case, squeezing of blood vessels and impaired blood supply to tissues often occurs.
  • Metabolic disorders, accompanied by insufficient formation of hydrophilic cartilage components;
  • Inflammatory or autoimmune damage to cartilage, where the body's defense system attacks healthy tissue;
  • A herniated disc is a disease characterized by displacement of the cartilage and protrusion of the disc into the spinal canal.

Clarifying the cause of osteochondrosis is important to choose the right treatment.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis

When symptoms of osteochondrosis appear, it is necessary to make an appointment with a neurologist. The clinic doctor asks the patient about complaints and examines the history to identify risk factors for the disease. Then a general examination is carried out to identify external signs of osteochondrosis and exclude symptoms of spinal cord dysfunction. To confirm the diagnosis, the neurologist prescribes a special examination.

Methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis:

  • Radiography of the spine. Neurologists appoint this study to get a picture of the affected spinal segment in two projections. Before the procedure, the patient is asked to undress to the waist and stand in front of the machine. The resulting images allow doctors to detect hernias or other pathologies, as well as determine the extent of damage to the vertebrae and intervertebral discs;
  • Magnetic resonance imaging is a more informative study that allows neurologists to study layered images of the spine in different projections. During the examination, the patient is asked to remove all metal jewelry and lie on the tomography table. Diagnostics takes from 15 minutes to an hour. This is a painless and reliable method for diagnosing osteochondrosis. MRI results make it possible to immediately exclude other diseases with similar symptoms, such as bone tuberculosis or malignant tumors. If MRI is contraindicated, myelography is indicated.
  • Examination of the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord (myelography). Neurologists prescribe this procedure to exclude syringomyelia, oncology and other pathological conditions of the meninges. The method of obtaining images does not differ from conventional radiography, however, before the study, the doctor injects a contrast agent into the subarachnoid space. Before the puncture, the doctor treats the skin with an antiseptic and anesthetizes the tissue. The needle is inserted into the intervertebral space of the lumbar spine.

In specialized clinics, safe and reliable diagnostic tests are carried out, allowing you to start treatment of osteochondrosis quickly.

Therapeutic treatment of osteochondrosis

Treatment is carried out after consultation with neurologists and orthopedic specialists. In case of instability of the affected cervical spine segment, Shants collar is used. A ready-made orthopedic collar is applied to the neck and reinforced with a bandage. Wearing a collar is necessary to relieve the burden on the affected spine and prevent the development of complications. In severe osteochondrosis of the lumbar or thoracic spine, the patient needs rest. The clinic doctor will also prescribe symptomatic therapy and physiotherapy to alleviate the patient's condition.

Methods of treatment for osteochondrosis:

  • Prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain relief. Neurologists prescribe nimesulide, celecoxib, or other agents. It is necessary to strictly control the dose of analgesics and monitor the state of the liver with prolonged use of painkillers.
  • Traction therapy is a method of stretching the spine to increase the intervertebral gap to eliminate squeezing of blood vessels and nerves. Before the procedure, a massage is done to relax the muscles. The attraction is done on a special table or in a bathtub. The device is attached to the patient's body in the desired position and gently stretches the spine. This is a very effective and safe procedure for the treatment of osteochondrosis.
  • The use of anticonvulsants for complications of osteochondrosis. The neurologist prescribes a short course of carbamazepine or other drugs to the patient.
  • Use of muscle relaxants. These drugs relax the muscles associated with the affected spinal area and relieve pain;
  • Use of corticosteroids for nerve compression. These drugs reduce the inflammatory process in the tissue, which includes therapeutic massage, special exercises and warming up.

Neurologists choose an individual treatment regimen for osteochondrosis, focusing on the patient's condition. Strict medical control of the course of treatment allows you to achieve the best prognosis.

Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis

If the diagnostic results reveal an intervertebral hernia or severe compression of the spinal canal, the patient is scheduled to consult a neurosurgeon. The doctor evaluates the severity of the identified pathology and, if necessary, performs surgical intervention.

Surgical treatment options:

  • Partial or complete removal of the intervertebral disc.The operation is performed under anesthesia. After applying anesthesia, the neurosurgeon treats the surgical area with an antiseptic and cuts the skin in the designated place. After pushing the muscle layer with a special tool, the doctor removes the affected intervertebral disc. If necessary, removal of the vertebral arch is also performed. Plastic surgery of spinal segments is performed with the transfer of artificial material. This effective operation is suitable for the treatment of intervertebral hernia and reduction of symptoms of osteochondrosis;
  • Surgery for narrowing of the spinal canal.This intervention relieves nerve and spinal cord compression. After applying anesthesia, the doctor treats the surgical field with an antiseptic and makes a wide skin incision. Pushing back the muscle layer, the neurosurgeon reaches the intervertebral joint and performs the manipulation. The intervention involves the removal of the vertebral arch or the entire joint. The use of X-rays and microsurgical control allows the operation to be performed with minimal risk.

The most complex surgical interventions are performed in the surgical department of modern clinics.