Osteochondrosis and regular back pain affect 60 to 80% of the population over 30 years old. Untreated osteochondrosis reduces quality of life and can lead to disability and handicap. It is therefore important to recognize it in the early stages of development and consult a doctor.
In the article, we will talk about osteochondrosis, its symptoms and diagnostic methods, as well as how to distinguish osteochondrosis from other diseases that manifest as back pain and what to do ifsigns of osteochondrosis of the spine appear.
What is spinal osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease in which the nucleus of the intervertebral disc is gradually destroyed. Over time, damage to the intervertebral disc involves other structures of the spine in the pathological process and leads to disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system. Osteochondrosis is also characterized by premature aging of the joint system or by pathology resulting from damage to the vertebrae, for example after injury.
The development of osteochondrosis is influenced by many factors, so researchers have systematized the reasons for the origin of the disease:
- involutive - inflammatory processes and other damage to the spine lead to premature aging of the cartilage, for example, due to a sedentary lifestyle;
- degenerative - disorders of the intervertebral discs occur as a result of metabolic failure, for example, as a result of unbalanced diet and alcohol abuse;
- dysmetabolic - osteochondrosis occurs as a result of malnutrition in the intervertebral cartilage due to the fact that with age the number of blood vessels that supply the blood with nutrients decreases.
The development of osteochondrosis is a cascade in which one pathological process triggers another. So, for example, due to age-related changes and a decrease in the number of vessels in the disc, nutrition is disturbed, which leads to a failure of biochemical processes and damage to the intervertebral disc.
As degenerative and dystrophic changes develop in the spine, muscle tone and the work of the nerve roots that exit the spinal cord through the natural openings of the vertebrae are disturbed. This has consequences for the nervous and musculoskeletal systems.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease with periodic exacerbations, which are provoked by injuries, a sedentary lifestyle, carrying heavy loads, hypothermia and psycho-emotional stress. The most common and characteristic symptom of dystrophic disorders in the nucleus of the intervertebral discs is regular aching back pain in different segments: in the neck, chest and lower back.
There are two types of osteochondrosis symptoms: reflex and compression. Reflex symptoms develop due to irritation of the roots of the spinal cord. They manifest themselves in the form of spasms or vasodilation, muscle contractions, weakened muscle strength. Compression symptoms develop as a result of compression (most commonly formed by a herniated spine) of the nerves and manifest as loss of sensation in the affected segment (in the neck, arms, or lower back).
In addition, osteochondrosis is characterized by the following symptoms:
- tension and pain in the muscles of the neck and back;
- curvature of the spine to the side, back or forward;
- violation of sensitivity and nerve regulation: there is a feeling of crawling on the skin, oscillations of heat and cold on the skin of the back and extremities, numbness of the arms or legs;
- weakening of the muscle strength of the limbs;
- frequent urination - up to 10-12 times a day.
Where can osteochondrosis give?
Pain in osteochondrosis is localized not only in the back. They extend to the upper and lower extremities. In feet on:
- buttocks;
- back and side of thighs;
- lower leg and inner part of the ankle;
- the back of the feet;
- toes;
- heels.
In addition, the pain can spread to the arms for:
- deltoid muscle;
- the outer edge of the hand, down to the fingers;
- the back of the hand;
- three major;
- ring finger and little finger (rare).
How is osteochondrosis diagnosed?
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is based on investigation, physical examination and methods of instrumental examination. The specific examination methods are determined during the consultation.
The doctor begins the diagnosis by taking the anamnesis: he identifies the probable causes of back pain, establishes the location of pain and its duration, identifies the presence of concomitant pathologies, for example, allergies, congenital diseases and drug intolerance. Then proceed to the inspection. The physical examination is done while standing or sitting. The doctor can detect the curvature of the spine, assess muscle strength and reflexes, and examine the color of the skin. To detail the picture of the disease, consultation with related specialists is necessary: a neurologist, a neurosurgeon, an oncologist, a rheumatologist and a phthisiatrist.
The neurologist diagnoses osteochondrosis if:
- regular back pain;
- increased pain when lifting weights, sneezing, coughing;
- numbness and joint pain;
- decreased range of motion in the joints;
- muscle spasms;
- damage to nerve roots;
- changes in the x-ray of the spine.
Do you need a spinal x-ray?
Spine x-ray or spondylography is one of the mandatory examinations for osteochondrosis, with the help of which it is possible to identify structural disorders of the spine. Spondylography allows you to find pathological changes, for example, thinning of the intervertebral disc. Usually, for the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine, x-rays are done in two (and sometimes three) projections for more detail.
Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can identify pathologies associated with osteochondrosis: herniated disc and decreased lumen of the spinal canal, protrusion of the intervertebral disc into the spinal canal and compression of the spinal cord.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
With cervical osteochondrosis of the spine, two main symptoms appear - cervicago and neck pain. Cervicago is an acute painful neck lumbago that occurs with movement of the head and due to muscle tension in the cervical spine. Neck pain is a painful and intense pain in the neck. Paresthesias are added to neck pain - a violation of sensitivity in the form of numbness and a feeling of crawling on the skin.
If the defeat of the nuclei of the intervertebral discs of the neck progresses, cervical radiculitis appears - painful sensations in the occiput. The pains are characterized by regularity, moreover, they intensify occasionally, especially when moving the head.
This triad - neck pain, cervical sciatica and cervicago - can be complicated by nocturnal hand dysesthesia syndrome, in which the sensitivity is perverted. For example, a hot object may feel cold with your fingers, but if you shake it with your hands, sensitivity is restored.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
For osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, painful lumbago in the chest (back pain) is most characteristic. Chest pain is worse when you move your arms, sneeze, cough, and lift weights. Most often, the pain is in the belt. In addition, paresthesias often occur in the chest. Sometimes damage to the nuclei of the intervertebral discs can be disguised as diseases of internal organs, for example, gastritis or angina, since the pain can be localized in the upper abdomen and in the heart.
How to say - heart pain or osteochondrosis?
Pectalgic syndrome is pain in the anterior chest wall that may resemble pain in the heart. Pectalgia can be a sign of both osteochondrosis and heart problems.
However, pain in angina and heart attack differs from pectalgic syndrome in osteochondrosis. The peculiarities of pain in angina and myocardial infarction are that they are compressive in nature and spread to the left scapula, arm and jaw.
Pectalgic syndrome in osteochondrosis does not extend beyond the boundaries of the anterior chest wall, extend to the arm and scapula, and is not accompanied by fear of death. However, these are only subjective feelings. Therefore, in order to exclude cardiac pathology, you need to consult a doctor and perform an electrocardiography, which will reveal a rhythm disturbance or signs of myocardial infarction.
If the pain begins to spread to the left scapula, arm, jaw, is accompanied by a feeling of fear, is not eliminated by taking nitroglycerin, and lasts for more than 10 to 15 minutes, youhave to call an ambulance.
Why is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine dangerous?
With osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, lumbago or lumbodynia most often occurs - regular lumbago and aching pain in the lumbar region. Due to the constant pain, movement is limited: a person cannot bend, exercise or lift a heavy object.
Lumbago can go away on its own. However, they are prone to exacerbations, and each exacerbation indicates further displacement of the intervertebral disc in the spinal canal. If the destruction of the intervertebral disc progresses, lumbosacral radiculitis is formed, accompanied by pain in the lower back, which radiates to the buttocks and thighs.
What is the difference between osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis?
Osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis (spondylogenous arthritis) belong to the class of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. However, there is one essential difference between them: with osteochondrosis the nucleus of the intervertebral disc is affected, and with osteoarthritis the intervertebral joints. It makes the difference in symptoms and treatment.
In osteochondrosis, back pain is regular and painful, manifests itself in calmness and increased movement, and in spondylarthrosis, the onset of pain is associated with extension and flexion of the spinevertebral. Usually the pain syndrome in osteoarthritis of the spine is one-sided and has a cramping character. Also, spondylogenic osteoarthritis is characterized by morning stiffness, which lasts 30 to 60 minutes.
What is the difference between osteochondrosis and radiculitis?
Radiculitis is an inflammation of the roots of the spinal cord, which is accompanied by pain along the affected nerves. In fact, they are two different diseases, but sciatica is a common complication of osteochondrosis, so it is often a symptom of osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of sciatica
With osteochondrosis, radiculitis most often occurs in the cervical and lumbar spine. Sciatica manifests as pain along the damaged nerve, sensory disturbances, and sometimes movement disturbances. Sciatica is characterized by the pain extending beyond the back and spreading to the hips, buttocks, lower leg, and foot.
VSD or cervical osteochondrosis?
Vegetovascular dystonia is a syndrome in which the autonomic nervous system is disturbed. VSD is a functional disorder in which there is no structural change either in the spine or in the nuclei of the intervertebral discs.
Vegetovascular dystonia has a mental origin - it is a neurosis associated with intrapersonal conflicts or childhood trauma. Externally, VSD and osteochondrosis can be similar: headache, dizziness, pain in the anterior wall of the chest.
To distinguish diseases, you need to conduct instrumental diagnostics - x-ray of the cervical spine and other parts, magnetic and calculated resonance imaging. As a result of the diagnosis with VSD, there will be no organic changes, unlike osteochondrosis.
Treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia
Vegetovascular dystonia is treated with medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle adjustments. Patients are prescribed symptomatic treatment: sedatives, anxiolytics, hypnotics, restorers, as well as vitamins. The task of psychotherapy with VSD is to teach the patient to regulate negative emotions and increase resistance to stress. The lifestyle is also adjusted: you need to balance the mode of work and rest, exercise and eat a balanced diet.
Is osteochondrosis treated or not?
Osteochondrosis can be cured. The goal of treatment is to eliminate back pain and stiffness, restore muscle tone, prevent or stop neurological complications, and improve a person's standard of living. If you follow the doctor's prescriptions, the disease can be cured.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home?
It is not recommended to treat osteochondrosis at home. There are several reasons for this:
- at home, it is impossible to accurately diagnose osteochondrosis, since back pain has different origins: neurogenic, vascular, viscerogenic (due to diseases of internal organs) and psychogenic. That is, a person treats osteochondrosis, but in fact back pain is due, for example, to kidney disease;
- it is impossible to objectively assess the effectiveness of a treatment without a control diagnosis;
- the patient cannot correctly choose a treatment for himself, and folk remedies do not have an evidence base, and therefore, most likely ineffective and can cause side effects.
At home, you can be treated in one case - only after consulting a doctor who will correctly diagnose, prescribe adequate treatment and periodically monitor the effectiveness of treatment with the help of X-rays, computed tomography or MRI.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine
The treatment of osteochondrosis is conservative and surgical. Which method will be the main one depends on the stage of the disease and neglect of the musculoskeletal system.
Conservative treatment includes medication, exercise therapy, and lifestyle adjustments. Among the drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants are mainly prescribed to relieve pain and normalize muscle tone. In physiotherapy exercises, one of the main conditions for recovery is early activation, that is, 1-3 days after the pain is eliminated, you need to walk, run, train in the poolor ride a bike. It is also important to change your lifestyle for an active one, since a sedentary lifestyle is one of the factors in the development of back pain and the destruction of the nuclei of the intervertebral discs.
Surgical treatment is used when conservative therapy is ineffective within 2-4 weeks and there are pronounced structural changes in the spine. The type of operation needed will be determined by the surgeon after consulting a neuropathologist and studying the research data. For example, in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, methods are used to relieve the spinal cord from lateral pressure of the vertebrae or hernia (discectomy and decompression).
If you experience back pain, accompanied by lumbago in the spine or neck, aching chest pain, weakened muscles in the arm or leg, unpleasant tactile sensations on the skin, and numbness, seea neurologist for advice.