According to medical statistics, in four out of five cases, the cause of a person’s back pain is a “disease of civilization” - osteochondrosis. Moreover, every year people have to spend as much money on its treatment as it takes to eliminate cardiovascular pathologies or flu.
The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is attributed by doctors to the upright man. After standing on their feet, people significantly loaded the entire structure of the spine. A sedentary lifestyle aggravated the situation. That is why today it is difficult to find an adult who does not suffer from one form or another of this disease. That is why the question of whether osteochondrosis is treated is quite relevant.
Reasons for the appearance
Each person who has reached middle age, the formation of the vascular bed occurs in the intervertebral discs. It is through it that the nutrition of cartilage tissues is carried out based on the principle of diffusion. Such a process leads to difficulty in the regeneration of spinal discs after asymmetric or excessive loads, macro- and microtraumas.
The situation is aggravated by irrational or malnutrition of a person. As a result, the nutrients needed for it do not enter the intervertebral cartilage. This leads to their depletion, loss of elasticity and strength, as well as to the beginning of the deformation process.
The exact reasons due to which osteochondrosis appears are not yet established. In this regard, it is believed that certain risk factors influence the development of pathology, including:
- disruptions in the metabolic processes of the body;
- heredity;
- poor physical development, leading to disorders of the musculoskeletal system in the form of flat feet, curvature of the spine, etc .;
- intoxication and infectious diseases;
- microtrauma of the spine resulting from bumps, falls, excessive loads and sharp, as well as asymmetric movements of the same type;
- poor nutrition, overweight and a sedentary lifestyle, leading to a lack of trace elements, vitamins and fluids;
- spinal column macrotrauma resulting from bruises and fractures;
- smoking and stresses that contribute to the occurrence of spasms of blood vessels and provoke their narrowing;
- meteorological conditions characterized by high humidity and low temperature.
As we see, there are a lot of reasons for the development of osteochondrosis. However, all of them, to one degree or another, arise as a result of an incorrect lifestyle, which has already become a characteristic feature of modern society.
Types of Osteochondrosis
This disease of the spine can affect all its segments, manifesting itself with a wide variety of symptoms. Depending on the place of occurrence of the pathology, it is divided into three types. This is cervical, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis. We will analyze each of them in more detail.
Cervical osteochondrosis
This type of pathology is diagnosed in 25% of cases. Her first manifestation is sagging and pain in the muscles of the neck, as well as crunching when cornering. Such symptoms are well known to most office workers and those who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Osteochondrosis of the neck - the disease is far from harmless. Based on statistical data, this pathology, contributing to the emergence of neurological ailments, in the structure of disability is 17.1%.
With cervical osteochondrosis, an artery, which runs along the spinal column, is compressed. As a result, the nutrition of the brain is disturbed. Chronic ischemia, expressed in circulatory failure, leads to impaired thinking and memory. Gradually, other degenerative changes begin to develop. In acute ischemia, a person experiences sudden and severe headaches that cannot be removed with painkillers. Sometimes, in case of circulatory disturbances, fainting occurs, which requires treatment in a hospital.
Pinched nerve endings can lead to other complications. This is a violation of swallowing and speech, loss of sensitivity of certain parts of the neck and head, as well as numbness in the hands.
Another complication of cervical osteochondrosis is spinal cord compression. At the same time, a person experiences weakness in the legs and arms, loses pain sensitivity and suffers from weak muscle twitches.
It is necessary to start thinking about the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine with the symptoms and signs of pathology, which are already evident at its first stage. Among them are the following:
- Muscle tightness. At the same time, a person wants to quickly change his pose and begin to massage his neck.
- Pain in the morning. As a rule, such uncomfortable sensations in the neck begin to decrease after manifestations of physical activity.
- Crunch on the move. It can be of varying intensity. So, in the neck you can hear either a clear crunch, or a sound similar to the rustling of sand.
- Pain in the hands. They occur, usually during sleep. Sometimes in the hands there is a tingling sensation.
- Dizziness. It is manifested by nausea, vomiting, or shakiness when walking.
- Visual impairment. Sometimes “flies” sometimes appear before the eyes, and fog or darkening also appears.
- Fainting. Loss of consciousness sometimes lasts only a few seconds. After that, a person begins to feel weak.
- Anxiety, fatigue, irritability. Chronic circulatory disorders lead to sleep problems, reduce the emotional background and make the mood unstable.
Degrees of cervical osteochondrosis
In its development, pathology goes through several stages for which certain symptoms are characteristic:
- First, preclinical degree. At the initial stage of the pathology, patients experience minor pain, which is somewhat amplified by tilting and turning the head. In addition, a person begins to feel fast fatigue and muscle tension in the back and lower back. Is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine treated at this stage? Yes. You can eliminate it without taking medication. At the same time, it is enough for a person to change nutrition, begin to perform special exercises and apply other measures to prevent the disease.
- Second degree. At this stage, instability begins to arise between the vertebrae. More and more intense pain comes to the patient, periodically extending to the shoulders and arms. An increase in discomfort occurs when turning the head. Is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine treated at this stage? Yes. This becomes possible by eliminating factors contributing to the progression of the disease. Only a complete stop of degenerative-dystrophic changes occurring in the cartilage lining will stop the pathological process. In the second degree of osteochondrosis, a doctor may prescribe antihistamines, various ointments and calcium. Physiotherapeutic procedures designed to stretch the spine with subsequent fixation of the vertebrae will bring significant benefits to the patient. A massage is also prescribed.
- Third degree. At this stage, pain intensifies. The foci of its localization are, in addition to the neck, also in the shoulders. The pain is given to the hands, whose muscles become weak and often numb due to the onset of development of a hernia of the intervertebral discs. Is cervical osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree treated? Reviews of doctors claim that the elimination of pathology at this stage is the most difficult. The reason is the serious changes that occur in the intervertebral discs, causing the development of a hernia. Is osteochondrosis of the cervical region treated? Only surgery can help cope with the disease. However, before making a decision on the operation, the patient is prescribed the same treatment as in the second stage of the disease. An operation to remove a hernia is carried out only if the symptoms of the disease do not leave the patient after two weeks of therapy.
- Fourth degree. This is the final stage of the pathology, during which the intervertebral discs are destroyed. Is cervical osteochondrosis treated at this stage? With such a late visit to the doctor, getting rid of pain and other symptoms of the disease is extremely difficult. When asked whether cervical osteochondrosis is being treated , only a specialist can always give an answer. With the fourth degree of the disease, it is possible to get rid of it only with surgical intervention. During the operation, the doctor will remove the hernia and, if necessary, perform prosthetics on the damaged intervertebral discs.
It is worth noting that the stages of the disease with osteochondrosis of other parts of the spine are similar to those that occur with pathology that develops in the neck.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
This type of pathology is less common than all others. Based on the fact that the mobility of this part of the spine is limited, acute pain accompany the disease quite rarely.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is manifested by symptoms, often reminiscent of other diseases. Sometimes its symptoms are similar to the manifestations of angina pectoris. This happens with chest pain. Sometimes the symptoms of osteochondrosis can be confused with manifestations of gastritis or acute pancreatitis. This occurs with girdle pain that occurs in the upper abdomen. Often a sign of this type of pathology is intercostal pain. A similar manifestation of pathology resembles neuralgia.
The main signs of changes in the thoracic spine are shooting pains. Sometimes they lead to feelings of lack of air and impaired respiratory movements.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
This type of pathology is diagnosed in 50% of patients treated for back pain. Such a high degree of ailment is explained by the fact that it is the lumbar that accounts for the largest load.
At its initial stage of development, the symptoms of this type of osteochondrosis can be so slight that a person often does not pay attention to them. They are manifested by mild discomfort that occurs in the lower back after an exhausting run or walk, prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position or during torso bending.
But such phenomena pass very quickly. Nevertheless, the person’s condition gradually worsens, and the symptoms become more pronounced. At the same time, osteochondrosis can cause tension in the muscles of the buttocks and back, restricting movement so much that it becomes difficult for the patient to bend and turn. In advanced cases, a person suffers from weakness in the lower extremities, he has muscle atrophy, venous stasis appears, sexual function is disrupted, malfunctions of the pelvic organs occur.
Clinical picture
Is osteochondrosis treated? An answer to this question will help consideration of the clinical picture of pathology.
Let's start with the structure of the intervertebral disc. It consists of the pulpous nucleus, which is the internal soft part, as well as the fibrous capsule, or outer shell. The last element is necessary to give the disk a certain shape. Only in this case will the core be able to fulfill its intended amortization function.
The degenerative process that occurs in osteochondrosis primarily affects the fibrous capsule. In this case, the development of the disease goes through the following stages:
- the formation of a defect when exposed to damaging factors;
- the formation of protrusion, which is the penetration of the nucleus outward;
- prolapse of the inside with the formation of a herniated disc.
The surrounding tissues are involved in all these processes. First, inflammation occurs in them. After a pain syndrome of reflex type develops. Gradually, uncomfortable feelings develop into compression ones. This occurs due to compression of the hernia of the nerve endings.
Diagnosis of the disease
Is spinal osteochondrosis treated? Much will depend on the stage of the disease. Indeed, with serious changes in the cartilage structures of the disc, it is almost impossible to reverse the pathological process.
That is why even with the first symptoms of manifestation of osteochondrosis, you must consult a doctor. At the initial examination, a specialist will establish a preliminary diagnosis. It will be based on the patient’s story about the symptoms, as well as a visual examination of the spine in various positions - sitting, standing, lying, at rest and in motion. After that, the doctor will certainly send a person to hardware diagnostics. Its data will confirm, clarify or refute the primary conclusions.
Spinal examinations are performed using computed tomography, MRI, Doppler ultrasound of the main arteries suitable for the brain, and radiography.
The results of these procedures will help determine what pathology in the spine affected the department, and which method of treatment of osteochondrosis will be the most effective.
Sometimes a thorough examination allows you to identify concomitant diseases in the patient. Often this is kyphosis and radiculitis, protrusion of the spinal disc, hernia.
The answer to the question "Is osteochondrosis treated?" will largely depend on the quality of the diagnostic procedures performed. After all, a specialist needs to diagnose spinal disease, despite the coincidence of symptoms with other ailments, in which damage to the intervertebral disc and pinching of the spinal root can also be a source of discomfort.
In the presence of osteochondrosis, the patient should be under medical supervision of a doctor. If the treatment prescribed by the doctor does not bring the desired effect, then the use of the surgical method will be required. They resort to it in case of frequent disabling pains that cannot be removed with medication.
Types of treatment
After a correct diagnosis, the doctor prescribes the necessary course for his patient, aimed at eliminating the disease. Is osteochondrosis treated? It should be borne in mind that it is simply impossible to exclude the disease from the patient’s life today. Even when using the operational option, she will certainly leave reminders about herself in the form of certain restrictions. Nevertheless, doctors, answering the question “Is osteochondrosis cervical, lumbar, or thoracic?” Treated, they say that the patient can permanently get rid of the painful symptoms that torment him and stop the further development of the disease.
To date, in the treatment of this pathology, several treatment options are used:
- prescribing medications;
- use of orthopedic products;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- the appointment of physiotherapy, massage and manual therapy;
- performing operations on the spine;
- use of radiofrequency ablation.
Drug therapy
Is cervical osteochondrosis and other types of it treated with medications? It is worth noting that medications should be prescribed only by a doctor based on the diagnosis of the disease and its degree.
Most drugs in this case serve to eliminate the symptomatic manifestations of the disease. Among them:
- Non-steroid drugs. They contribute to the elimination of inflammatory processes.
- Muscle relaxants. These drugs are necessary to eliminate reflex muscle spasm.
- Analgesics of local action. Their reception allows you to remove the pain syndrome.
- Vascular agents. Similar drugs are prescribed for cervical osteochondrosis.
- Glucocorticosteroids. This group includes hormonal drugs that have anti-inflammatory effects.
The symptomatic effect when taking medication is a very important point in getting rid of osteochondrosis, as, indeed, from any other pathology. That is why drugs affecting the manifestation of the disease should be in the course of drug therapy. After all, alleviating the patient's condition is an important step on the path to his recovery.
Is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine and other parts of it treated with interruption of the pathological mechanism for the development of the negative process? Yes. There are several drugs that have a pathogenetic effect. These include, first of all, chondroprotectors. With their use, is osteochondrosis of the lumbar, cervical and thoracic treated? Yes. But it is only worth bearing in mind that the drugs of this group are used only in the first two stages of the disease, while a hernia of the disk has not yet formed.Chondroprotectors slow down the degeneration process, preventing the formation of protrusions. How long is osteochondrosis treated with these drugs? This process is quite lengthy. In addition, to obtain a significant therapeutic effect, the intake of these drugs should be constant.
In addition to the medications mentioned above, doctors prescribe to their patients vitamins included in group B. Are lumbar osteochondrosis, as well as a chest and cervical type of pathology treated with these agents? No.Vitamins do not affect the degeneration process itself. They support metabolic activity in nerve tissues, preventing their death. That is why the intake of such vitamins with reflex and compression syndrome is very important.
Thus, finding out whether osteochondrosis of the lumbar, thoracic and cervical is treated with medication, we can say with confidence that only drugs prescribed by the doctor from the group of chondroprotectors can deliver a person from the pathology. Other medicines are also necessary, as they contribute to the relief and maintenance of the patient.
Orthopedic remedies
This is the next most popular way that modern medicine uses to treat osteochondrosis. This type of therapy has its own characteristics. Among them are:
- The provision of orthopedic products with a compression effect. They produce a compressive effect on the necessary spine, preventing the development of profusion and hernia.
- When using orthopedic means, the vertebrae are divorced from each other in a vertical plane. This allows you to eliminate pressure on the nerve endings and the intervertebral discs themselves.
- In the presence of degenerative changes, an orthopedic product cannot get rid of them. However, with its regular use, the patient forgets about the symptoms of the disease.
To relieve tension in the muscles of the neck, doctors recommend wearing a special collar. This product allows you to release the vertebral artery from being squeezed.
Two types of collars are currently being produced. It is inflatable and tough. The last of them are called the "collar of Shants."
Inflatable products are a bit like those used for swimming. They are carefully put on the neck, and then put into working condition with the help of a manual pear. With prolonged wearing of such a product, the patient’s spine is extended.
A more sophisticated design is the Shants collar. It is a sturdy frame that is attached to the neck with fasteners. The head is located on the surface of the collar, transferring all its weight to it. As a result, the neck muscles relax. How long is cervical osteochondrosis treated with this product? The course of such therapy is only 4 weeks. At the same time, you need to wear a collar for only 2-3 hours during the day.
With osteochondrosis of other parts of the spine, special corsets are used. They allow you to remove the load on the intervertebral discs, while producing a supportive and warming effect, relieve numbness of the legs and arms, accelerate the recovery of the patient after the operation.
Is thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis treated with these products? Judging by the reviews of doctors, corsets significantly facilitate the patient’s condition, but at the same time they should be used in conjunction with drug therapy, exercise therapy and physiotherapy.
Special roller
Another product sold in pharmacies will help rid a person of unpleasant pain symptoms in osteochondrosis. This is a special roller, which is available from compression wool or foam. You can make it at home, using an ordinary waffle towel.
The roller is used during night sleep and supports the spine even when a person turns on his side. The thickness of this product with lumbar and cervical osteochondrosis is selected based on the distance between the mattress and the patient’s body.
Is osteochondrosis treated for a miracle roller? With pathology of the cervical spine, this product provides good sleep and comfortable rest, prevents headaches, prevents neck curvature, and stimulates cerebral circulation.
With osteochondrosis of the lumbar, the roller helps to relax the muscles, relieve their fatigue and eliminate obsessive discomfort and tension in the spine. In addition, thanks to the orthopedic product, blood circulation is normalized and vertebral mobility is ensured.
With thoracic, cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis, an orthopedic roller is also used when performing special exercises. Their goal is to eliminate the painful symptoms expressed by dizziness and numbness of the limbs. In addition, regular exercise with such an orthopedic product improves cerebral circulation. All this allows you to significantly alleviate the condition of the patient with osteochondrosis, but not to cure the pathology itself.