Osteochondrosis of the spine: symptoms and treatment

There are several different views on this definition. Some experts believe it is more correct to use the generic name - back pain or non-specific back pain. Definitional difficulties are also due to the fact that many specialists study the disease—neurologists, orthopedists, neurosurgeons, and general practitioners. Sometimes people diagnosed with spinal osteochondrosis see a cardiologist because the symptoms of the disease are very similar to heart pain.The term "spinal osteochondrosis" was proposed by Hildebrandt in 1933. It is a degenerative disease of the spinal motion segments caused by multiple factors.Spinal osteochondrosis is a pathological process of the spine characterized by degenerative and destructive disease of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. The danger of this disease lies in the hidden nature of the process; after admission, the patient enters the complication stage and begins to experience severe pain.

Causes of osteochondrosis

The occurrence of spinal osteochondrosis is the result of the influence of human body triggering factors. The disease does not differ by gender. Causes of osteochondrosis:

• genetics;
• Back injuries;
• Congenital or acquired structural defects of the musculoskeletal system (flat feet, postural changes);
• Metabolic failure caused by diseases of endocrine organs;
• Malnutrition and excess weight;
• viral and bacterial infections;
• Lifestyle: Lifting and carrying heavy objects, working in air currents, constant vibration, lack of physical activity;
• persistent psycho-emotional overload;
• Bad Habits: Smoking, alcohol, opioids.

Spinal Osteochondrosis: Types

Spinal osteochondrosis is classified according to the degree of damage, and each type has its own unique characteristics and treatment characteristics.  

Lumbar osteochondrosis.  

The most common back disorder is lumbar osteochondrosis, which is associated with heavy loading on this specific area. Complications such as disc herniation and hernia are prone to occur, either single or multiple. If complications occur, they may be accompanied by pelvic organ dysfunction and lower limb muscle atrophy.  

cervical osteochondrosis

Second in the classification of back diseases. A sedentary lifestyle and increased load on the shoulder girdle can lead to the development of pathological processes. The muscles of the neck require special training, without which they simply cannot cope with the load due to underdevelopment.  

Thoracic osteochondrosis

The rarest lesions occur on the back due to the low mobility and most muscular development of this area. Diagnosis is difficult due to the long duration of asymptomatic disease and the similarity to other diseases (coronary artery disease, intercostal neuralgia, pulmonary disease).  

General process

The pathology covers several sectors simultaneously, occurs rarely and in the context of congenital diseases of the musculoskeletal system and is virtually incurable.

Stages of Osteochondrosis and Possible Complications

Osna proposed a four-stage description of spinal osteochondrosis in 1971. They are not used to formulate a diagnosis, but rather to give us an idea of how the disease is progressing.

1. The discs become less elastic. The disc may be slightly deformed; the inner nucleus pulposus is displaced within the disc. This stage either doesn't show up at all or there is mild pain.
2. In the second stage, the disc may crack and the surrounding ligaments weaken. The connections between the vertebrae become unstable. Acute pain occurs and results in impairment of work ability.
3. The third stage is characterized by complete disc damage. A herniated disc occurs when the nucleus pulposus extends beyond the disc. Spinal deformation or nerve root compression may occur.
4. In the fourth stage, surrounding tissues are affected - vertebrae, ligaments, spinal cord membranes. As a result, spinal segments may completely lose mobility.

Due to osteochondrosis of the spine, various complications can occur in some cases. Disc, herniation, and herniation problems can lead to spinal stenosis, spinal cord compression, and disability.Depending on the extent of the damage, various problems with nerve root involvement may occur. These are intercostal neuralgia, sensitivity and motor dysfunction of the upper and lower limbs, and dysfunction of internal organs. Inflammation of the sciatic nerve, or sciatica, not only causes severe pain but can also lead to pelvic disease and infertility.In addition to nerve roots, osteochondrosis can cause compression of the vertebral vessels. If blood flow to the vertebral arteries (which run in the neck area and supply blood to the brain) is disrupted, brain disease, problems with vision or hearing, breathing, or heart function may occur.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis

Within the framework of official medicine, the diagnosis of osteochondrosis includes examination by a neurologist to determine the extent of damage to the nerve roots, testing reflexes and sensitivity.The following instrument methods are available:

• Vascular ultrasound can reveal the extent of circulatory disorders, such as the vertebral arteries;
• X-ray of the spine;
• CT also uses X-ray methods, but allows you to build a three-dimensional image of the area under study and detect minute displacements of the vertebrae;
• MRI specializes in soft tissue and allows you to evaluate the condition of your spinal cord and visualize the internal structures of your spinal discs.

For differential diagnosis, laboratory tests, general blood and urine tests, and calcium metabolism tests may be used.Treatment of osteochondrosis is complex.

• The first and very important remedy for osteochondrosis is lifestyle. Normalization of working conditions, moderate and regular exercise, and healthy sleep significantly improved the patient's condition.
• For medical treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, a neurologist or general practitioner may prescribe medication. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are most commonly prescribed - this is the standard treatment for osteochondrosis of the spine. They can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Muscle relaxants help reduce muscle spasms. Vitamins and antioxidants protect nerve tissue from damage. However, any medication has side effects, such as NSAIDs, which can have a negative impact on the stomach.

• In addition to medication, physical therapy such as massage for osteochondrosis of the spine and manual therapy may be used. If severe complications of osteochondrosis develop, surgery may be necessary, but only if long-term conservative treatment has failed.