Polysegmented osteochondrosis is a fairly common and dangerous disease. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that pathological processes appear immediately in several segments of the spine, sometimes even in its different departments. In the absence of therapy, an ailment can lead to complications, and therefore it is extremely important to diagnose it in time and start treatment.
So what are the symptoms associated with polysegmental osteochondrosis and why does it develop? What treatment methods can a doctor offer? What is the danger of this disease? Answers to these questions will be useful to many.
What is the essence of the problem?
The human spine consists of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral parts. Each of them, in turn, includes a certain number of vertebrae, which are interspersed with intervertebral discs - connective tissue, elastic structures, which are a kind of shock absorbers. With age (or in the presence of other reasons), the structure of cartilage tissue changes and becomes thinner. So begins osteochondrosis.
The disease is very dangerous, because the pathological process in the intervertebral discs leads to subsidence of the vertebrae, which begin to pinch the blood vessels and nerve roots. Polysegmented osteochondrosis is a disease in which this process affects several vertebrae at once, often even in different parts of the spine.
The main causes of the development of the disease
Polysegmental osteochondrosis of the spine can develop under the influence of various factors. Here is a list of the most common possible causes:
- Of great importance in this case is age, since in the process of aging the structure of the cartilage tissue changes, which can lead to its subsequent degeneration.
- Risk factors include congenital malformations of the elements of the spine.
- Constant uneven loads on the spine can also contribute to the development of osteochondrosis (workers who are forced to spend a long time in a sitting or standing position are a risk group). This also includes the constant carrying of weights.
- Previously injured spinal column injuries can also contribute to the development of the disease.
- Various postural disorders, including scoliosis, are also risk factors.
- Constantly staying in an uncomfortable position can also lead to the appearance of a pathological process.
- Speaking of osteochondrosis, one cannot fail to mention the weakness of the muscle corset. If the back muscles are weakened, then the spine has to cope with a large number of loads.
- It is worth mentioning about nutrition, because for the normal development and functioning of the bone apparatus, the body needs to receive substances such as vitamin D, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. Mineral deficiency and vitamin deficiency can lead to a violation of the normal structure of connective tissues.
By the way, most often polysegmental osteochondrosis develops under the influence of several risk factors.
Types and forms of the disease
Symptoms and features of the disease largely depend on its form, namely on the location of the pathological process:
- Polysegmental osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is often accompanied by fairly characteristic symptoms. Patients complain of persistent headaches, weakness, and dizziness. About the same clinical picture develops with damage to the thoracic segments of the spine. Depending on which nerve roots were affected, the patient may experience pain in the heart.
- Polysegmental osteochondrosis of the lumbar often causes disorders in the functioning of the abdominal organs. Some patients complain of pain in the pelvis, which can be given to the thigh, buttocks, legs. Sometimes there is the development of intermittent claudication. The same clinical picture is observed with damage to the sacral region.
It is worth noting that the diagnostic process is difficult if the pathological process covers segments of the spine in different departments. Symptoms in this case become mixed.
What are the symptoms of osteochondrosis?
What signs are worth paying attention to? Polysegmented osteochondrosis has a rather characteristic clinical picture, which, however, depends on the degree of damage, as well as the location of the pathological process. The fact is that as a result of changes in the intervertebral discs, compression of the roots of the spinal nerves is observed. Each of them has its own important functions, as it provides sensitivity, transmission of nerve impulses and the work of various organs of the chest and abdominal cavity. Thus, polysegmented osteochondrosis affects not only the bone apparatus, it is also dangerous for other organ systems.
As for the symptoms, the earliest manifestations include:
- back pain, which can spread along the nerve endings;
- a change in skin sensitivity, a feeling of numbness (for example, at the tips of the fingers and toes);
- sensation of tingling, burning, goosebumps;
- various disorders in the functioning of internal organs, depending on which particular nerve endings were compressed;
- stiffness in movements, decreased muscle strength.
What diagnostic methods are used?
If you notice any symptoms or deterioration in well-being, you should consult a specialist. Quite often, the diagnostic process can be fraught with some difficulties. For example, if the nerves of the thoracic region are infringed, the patient can be sure of heart problems. But if the pathological process occurs in the sacral spine, occasionally patients have soreness in the groin, as a result of which they primarily turn to the urologist.
Patients with suspected osteochondrosis (including polysegmental) are required to undergo an examination by a neurologist-vertebrologist. Here they are prescribed some diagnostic procedures, including x-ray and ultrasound, tomography, etc. In addition, it is important to conduct a biochemical blood test in order to check the patient for a deficiency of minerals and vitamins.
Polysegmental osteochondrosis: drug treatment
After diagnosis, the doctor will draw up a suitable treatment regimen. Quite often, therapy includes taking various medications:
- In some cases, patients are prescribed vasodilators, which help relieve spasm from arteries and small vessels, normalize blood circulation and tissue nutrition. Such drugs are most often needed for cervical osteochondrosis (Papaverine, Eufillin).
- Since the ailment is often accompanied by soreness, the doctor may recommend an effective analgesic that helps relieve discomfort (Ketanov, Dikloran).
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are sometimes included in the course of therapy, which help not only slow down the development of the inflammatory process, but also eliminate pain and relieve fever (Diclofenac, Ibuprofen).
- If osteochondrosis is associated with a deficiency of vitamins and minerals, then patients are prescribed multivitamin complexes (Vitrum).
- An important part of treatment is the administration of chondroprotectors, which stimulate metabolic processes in the connective tissues and promote regeneration processes (Teraflex, Rumalon, Arthra).
- Sometimes constant pain and discomfort are reflected in the patient’s emotional state. In the most severe cases, patients are prescribed psychotropic and sedatives (Novo-Passit).
Other therapeutic methods
Medicines are just part of the treatment. In addition, other therapeutic measures are necessary. For example, methods such as phonophoresis and UHF are considered quite effective. These procedures help to quickly eliminate the inflammatory process.
After the exacerbation has been removed, doctors recommend some supportive procedures. For example, exercise therapy for polysegmental osteochondrosis and coxarthrosis can provide a good result. Naturally, physical exercise and the degree of exercise are determined individually by a physiotherapist. In addition, therapeutic massage will be useful. The purpose of these measures is to relieve muscle spasm and gradually strengthen them, thereby removing the load from the spine.
Polysegmented osteochondrosis: how dangerous can a disease be?
Of course, this ailment can be extremely dangerous. If untreated, unpleasant and dangerous complications may develop. In particular, the probability of a transition to spondylosis, which is accompanied by progressive degeneration of the bone tissue of the vertebrae, is not ruled out. Such a disease leads to the appearance of regular pain attacks, a decrease in overall activity, limitation of mobility, and sometimes to disability. In addition, the possibility of compression of blood vessels and nerve endings is not excluded, which is fraught with disruption of the work of various organ systems.