Effective methods for the diagnosis and treatment of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis or chondrosis is a disease that reduces the elasticity of the cartilaginous tissue of the joints. The disease can manifest in any joint, and depending on the place has its own classification. Progression of the disease leads to impaired motor function of the joint, often leading to complete immobility.

The symptoms of osteochondrosis, its causes and methods of treatment of this disease are discussed in the above information.

How osteochondrosis manifests

Signs of osteochondrosis appear gradually, initially with a mild pain syndrome, which later becomes chronic and intense. Patients usually go to the doctor with complaints of severe pain and inability to perform certain movements.

For osteochondrosis treatment to be as successful as possible, the disease must be diagnosed at an early stage.

The following signs may indicate the development of osteochondrosis:

• Pain when moving;
• Crunching joints;
• Stiffness of movement;
• Muscle spasm;
• Headache, blood pressure spikes and dizziness (with cervical osteochondrosis);
• Chest and shoulder blade pain (thoracic osteochondrosis);
• Hip and buttock pain (lumbosacral osteochondrosis and hip joint);
• Numbness of limbs;
• Bone pain;
• Increase sensitivity to weather conditions;
• Decreased visual acuity.

Usually the first manifestations of the disease go unnoticed. Therefore, the initial stage of osteochondrosis is rarely diagnosed and, as a rule, completely accidental.

Causes of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis does not occur spontaneously. Degenerative processes in the joint lead to its development, namely: disruption of normal blood circulation and mineral metabolism, formation of ossified formations - osteophytes. All this leads to damage to the mobility of the joint, changes in its structure and the appearance of unpleasant sensations during movement and walking.

The main reasons for this are:

1. Lack of constant physical activity;
2. Injuries and joint injuries;
3. Deformation of the joint under excessive loads;
4. Eating and blood supply disorders of the joints;
5. Overweight problems;
6. Unbalanced diet;
7. Chronic stress;
8. Hereditary predisposition;
9. Endocrine pathologies;
10. Age changes;
11. Unfavorable working conditions (prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, hypothermia, lifting heavy loads).

The chances of developing the disease increase in patients who have flat feet, congenital or acquired developmental foot pathology. In such diseases, the load during walking is incorrectly distributed, which leads to a change in normal gait and, as a result, deformation of the spine, knee joints and hips.

The occurrence of osteochondrosis of the spine directly depends on already diagnosed diseases of the musculoskeletal system, for example, scoliosis.

In addition, chronic diseases of internal organs can act as a provoking factor. Infections and inflammation can affect nearby tissues, leading to the formation of pathology in the ankle joints.

Classification of osteochondrosis

You can often find the definition of "spinal chondrosis" in medical terminology. This means the initial stage of osteochondrosis, involving one of the departments (or several) of the spine. The pathology develops on the intervertebral disc and does not affect nearby tissues. This is a special insidiousness of chondrosis of the back, because the asymptomatic onset does not give a chance to start treatment on time and overcome the disease.

Usually chondrosis, whose symptoms have not yet appeared, is discovered quite by accident, during a comprehensive examination of the body.

In addition, depending on the localization of the pathology, we can talk about coxarthrosis - osteochondrosis of the hip joint. Pathology can also affect the shoulder or accumulated joint. Osteochondrosis of the back, in turn, is also classified according to the site of localization.

What are the types of osteochondrosis of the back:

• Cervical osteochondrosisis ​​manifested by pain and stiffness in the neck, occiput and between the shoulder blades. It is often considered an occupational disease for accountants, computer programmers, and other occupations that involve prolonged sitting.
• Thoracic osteochondrosisis ​​quite rare. Due to the relative immobility of this area, the symptoms are often confused with angina pectoris or intercostal neuralgia. In addition, the manifestations of osteochondrosis in the chest may resemble an attack of pancreatitis or gastritis.
• Lumbar or lumbosacral osteochondrosisis ​​the most common type of disease. This is due to the increased stress in this department, even when normal movements are performed. With increased load, lifting weights, playing sports, the pressure on the spine of the lumbar spine increases many times over, which can trigger the development of the disease. The manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis are extremely diverse. The main symptoms include not only pain when bending, turning and other movements, but also muscle atrophy, difficulty walking, reduced sexual function and diseases of the urinary system.
• Osteochondrosis of the occipital boneis ​​a rare disease that primarily affects women. This is directly related to the physiological characteristics of the pelvic structure. It is determined by the pain syndrome when sitting, walking and performing physical exercises. The attack is usually preceded by injuries and falls, as well as prolonged stay in an uncomfortable sitting position.

• Polysegmental osteochondrosisis ​​diagnosed when degenerative lesions of nearby joints are detected. They can be located in one or more parts of the spine.
• Widespread osteochondrosisis ​​manifested by lesions of two or more parts of the spine. It is a severe disease to treat with little chance of complete recovery.
• Diffuse osteochondrosisis ​​diagnosed if the pathology spreads to all segments of the spine.

Progressive disease is characterized not only by pain and discomfort during movement. Inflammation of the connective tissue of the joint develops, the intervertebral roots tighten and bone growths begin to form on the vertebrae - osteophytes.

Stages of osteochondrosis development

In order to determine the tactics of how to cure osteochondrosis, it is necessary not only to accurately diagnose, but also to determine the degree of involvement of the articular elements in the pathological process. For this it is common to use the classification according to degrees, as well as the place of localization of the pathology.

What are the types of osteochondrosis:

1. The initial stagedoes not manifest as a pain syndrome and does not require specific treatment. According to statistics, the first degree of osteochondrosis is present in more than 80% of the population older than 50 years. Recently, due to the spread of occupations that require a permanent stay in a sitting position, as well as a decrease in physical activity in children and adolescents, osteochondrosis is diagnosed in almost every other person under the age of 30.
2. The second stageosteochondrosis is diagnosed by X-ray examination. The picture shows the formation of multiple fractures of the intervertebral disc, but the fibrous ring remains intact. Manifestations of the disease are insignificant, there is usually discomfort during a long stay in a sitting or standing position, after a short rest the pain disappears on its own. Diagnosed second stage osteochondrosis can be treated with great success by conservative methods.

3. The third stageof osteochondrosis is characterized by multiple injuries of the intervertebral disc, as well as possible ruptures of annular fibrosis. The pain becomes long-lasting and constant, it can also appear at rest. Treatment of osteochondrosis in the third stage is carried out by conservative and surgical methods, the prognosis depends on the severity of the pathology and timely medical treatment.
4. The fourth stageosteochondrosis is the most severe. It is determined by severe lesions of the joint structure. The pathological process includes ligaments, veins, nerve endings and connective tissue of the joint. Conservative methods are usually ineffective. Surgery is used more often, but even surgery does not guarantee recovery, patients often lose joint mobility and remain disabled.

In order to prevent the transition of osteochondrosis to a critical phase, it is necessary to pay attention to the signals that the body gives us in time. There are cases when patients suffer from pain and discomfort for years, and they also adjust to the limitation of motor function, but do not seek help from a doctor.

It should be noted that osteochondrosis is not a disease that can be cured at home by folk methods or only painkillers.

A mandatory comprehensive approach is required, which is determined by the peculiarities of the development of the pathology, the causes of its occurrence, as well as the individual indicators of the patient.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis

In order to ensure the correct tactics for the treatment of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to undergo special studies. It will help identify the localization and causes that led to this disease. Only after removing all the negative factors that affect the progression of the disease, you can start the main treatment.

How to determine the degree and localization of the pathological process:

• X-ray examination.For reliable information it is necessary to paint in several projections. The localization and degree of joint damage, the presence of osteophytes and the condition of the bone canals are determined.
• Doppler ultrasound.Check for blood supply, vascular integrity, and blood flow disorders.
• Myelography.Special examination of the spine with a contrast agent. It allows you to recognize intervertebral hernias and their localization.
• Computed tomography. The condition of the intervertebral discs, possible deviations in the structure and deformations, constriction of the nerve roots and changes in the structure of individual vertebrae are checked.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.It usually provides a more detailed overview of the structure of the ankle joints. It is awarded, as a rule, when the content of information of other conducted inspections is low. The undoubted advantage is a more detailed study of the condition of soft tissues.

The patient's medical history is also studied without error. Possible injuries suffered long before going to the doctor, surgery and chronic diseases can also cause the development of pathological processes in the joint tissues.

In addition, a personal examination and examination of the patient is performed. Based on the received information, the diagnosis and the degree of joint damage are determined.

How to treat osteochondrosis

After diagnosing and identifying the cause of osteochondrosis, the specialist draws up an individual treatment plan. It necessarily takes into account the physical indicators of the patient, the peculiarities of the development of pathology and its localization.

An integrated approach is used for treatment.

The drugs themselves cannot be given up, because it is necessary to develop joint mobility at the same time, eliminate the possible inflammatory process in the surrounding tissues, and at the same time neutralize the negative factor that led to the development of the disease.

Therefore, it is better to entrust the treatment of chondrosis to a specialist who will select an individual set of exercises, and will take into account the dynamics of therapy.

Drug therapy for osteochondrosis

Prescribing drugs depends on the type of lesion and the associated pathological processes in the tissues. Patients, as a rule, try to treat osteochondrosis on their own with pharmaceutical and self-made ointments and compresses, as well as folk remedies.

Unfortunately, this brings only temporary relief and does not contribute to the complete elimination of the problem. The following groups of drugs are used to effectively treat osteochondrosis.

Drug therapy includes:

1. Systemic and local anesthetics.These include ointments and compresses, as well as pills and injections for severe pain syndrome. It is used to treat osteochondrosis during exacerbations.
2. NSAIL- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used not only to relieve pain and inflammation in the affected area, but also when the temperature is caused by the disease.
3. The action of muscle relaxantsis ​​aimed at relieving muscle tone. Drugs from this group are taken in courses of 30-45 days, and the dosage is prescribed strictly individually. They usually start taking with minimal doses (injections are prescribed for severe hypertension), which are gradually increased. In order not to withdraw the syndrome, the dose is gradually reduced.
4. Chondroprotectorshelp repair cartilage tissue by compensating for damaged areas. The effect of this group of drugs does not appear immediately, so a course of several months is prescribed. There are various forms of medication. In the period of worsening, it is used in the form of injections, and then the treatment is continued with tablets or capsules.
5. Angioprotectorsare used in case of identified blood supply pathologies. They help strengthen the walls of blood vessels, promote their relaxation and restore metabolism. The duration of admission is also several months.

6. Glucocorticosteroidsare prescribed to boost NSAID function and muscle relaxants. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and decongestant effect, they help against pain and cramps. The course of treatment is determined individually. In the first days of worsening of the disease, they are used in the form of injections, then in the form of tablets. The dosage is gradually reduced until the drug is completely discontinued.
7. Biogenic stimulants.They speed up the metabolism and promote the regeneration of joint tissues. Self-treatment of chondrosis at home with such drugs is impossible, but in complex therapy they have proven their effectiveness.
8. Complex vitamin preparations.Promote overall body strengthening and speed up metabolic reactions.

Is osteochondrosis treated only with drugs? Of course not. To completely get rid of the disease, other medical procedures need to be performed. Special attention should be paid to a special set of exercises. It is developed for each section of the spine or ankle joints.

Important note:classes are performed under the supervision of a specialist and only after the removal of inflammation in the affected area.

Rehabilitation gymnastics

What to do in case of osteochondrosis and which movements are better to refuse, a special trainer with appropriate qualifications will say. Initially, the exercises are performed under his control, and then the patient can continue to exercise independently.

Treatment of osteochondrosis at home includes regular exercise to restore joint mobility.

Massage and physiotherapy

Several methods of alternative medicine are also used in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine. These include mud wraps, acupuncture, magnetotherapy, manual therapy.

Among medical procedures, drug electrophoresis, laser therapy, thermotherapy are also often used. The important thing is sanitary treatment in specialized sanatoriums.

What is osteochondrosis? More and more patients learn about this disease in their youth. Sedentary lifestyle, reduced muscle tone and uneven loads on the joints - these negative weight factors lead to the development of degenerative processes in the structure of cartilage tissue.

Reduction of its elasticity, as well as violation of its integrity, is manifested by constant or periodic pain, stiffness, and even malfunction of internal systems.