Most cases of unpleasant pain in the lumbar region and spine are related to a disease such as osteoarthritis.It affects about 40% of men and women aged 30-40 and about 90% of older adults.Therefore, the earlier the disease is diagnosed and the more thoroughly the patient is examined, the higher the likelihood of preventing the progression of osteoarthritis and maintaining activity in old age.
Definition of disease and causes of disease
So what is osteochondrosis, where does it develop, what structures are affected, and what are the treatment methods?This disease affects the spine and the tissues between the vertebrae and is manifested in a violation of their shape, density, elasticity and sometimes even integrity.As a result, the distance between the vertebrae is reduced, the spine gradually loses stability, nerves are compressed and hernias can form, accompanied by back pain and discomfort when moving.
To briefly describe the nature of osteoarthritis is the gradual wearing away of the tissues of the intervertebral disc (cartilage), leading to spinal instability.Without treatment, degeneration of ligaments and joints develops, bone spurs appear, posture is disturbed, and movements are accompanied by pain.
Causes of spondylosis:
- inactive lifestyle with lack of muscle loading;
- spinal injury;
- systemic load on the spine;
- hereditary;
- overweight;
- hypothermia;
- hormonal and autoimmune diseases;
- toxin poisoning;
- congenital connective tissue deficiency;
- psychological reasons (stress, depression, etc.).
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
The disease is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation with varying severity of symptoms.The main symptoms of spondylosis of the spine, characteristic of the main types of the disease, lumbar, cervical and thoracic:
- localized pain in a certain area of the spine;
- Referred pain syndrome involves damage to nearby musculoskeletal tissues;
- myelopathy and radiculopathy, which arise due to compression of the nerve endings of the spinal cord and blood vessels.
Depending on which part of the spine is affected by the disease, the list of symptoms of osteonecrosis may vary.Specifically: patients have symptoms of tingling in the muscles, numbness in the limbs, other sensory disorders, decreased strength in the arms and legs, headaches and heart attacks, and pain in the lumbar region.
Pathogenesis of osteoarthritis
Before the elastic fiber core of the intervertebral disc begins to lose elasticity and deform, several processes suggestive of osteoarthritis occur in the human body:
- spasms, dystonia, inflammation;
- decreased blood circulation;
- damage to nerve cell processes.
Next, cracks appear on the deformed annulus fibrosus, the disc protrudes and a hernia forms.Typically, risk factors for spinal disease develop in childhood or adolescence and are often the result of poor posture, scoliosis, sports injuries, infectious disease, or congenital vascular disease.
Stages of osteoarthritis
There are three stages of development of osteoarthritis of the spine:
- the first, in which the intervertebral disc begins to decrease in height, takes on a flattened shape, loses moisture, elasticity and can bulge;
- The second disease develops in the absence of treatment and is manifested by a violation of the structure of the fibrous annulus of the intervertebral disc, the appearance of cracks and the development of instability in a certain area of the spine;
- is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage between the vertebrae, the development of hernias and the formation of bone processes of osteoporosis.
Symptoms of developing spondylosis become more intense from the first to third stages.
Classification of osteoarthritis
The classification of osteoarthritis is based on several signs, of which the main sign is the localization.Have:
- lumbar osteoarthritis;
- cervical spine degeneration;
- Osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine.
Lumbar spondylosis is manifested by pain in the lumbar region, which intensifies when turning or lifting heavy objects.The pain can spread down the leg or both legs and is characterized by aching.In cases of severe syndrome, hernia is suspected.When there is osteoarthritis in the lumbar region, spasms in the leg muscles and skin peeling often occur.
With the development of osteonecrosis of the spine in the cervical region, vertebrae 1-7 are affected.The disease is accompanied by symptoms of headache at the back of the neck, pain in the neck, collarbone and shoulders.There may be a crunching sound when turning the head, numbness in the upper extremities, and a feeling of a lump in the throat.
When suffering from spondylosis in the thoracic region, the patient feels uncomfortable due to pain in the chest, shoulders, armpits and heart.There may be a feeling of shortness of breath and the development of intercostal neuralgia.
Cartilage degeneration in the lumbar spine is the most common, in the thoracic spine it is the rarest.
Complications of osteoarthritis
If the patient thinks about treating osteoarthritis too late, when the symptoms of the disease are already clear, the following complications may develop:
- intervertebral hernia;
- spinal cord stroke;
- kyphosis;
- protruding;
- radiculitis;
- lower limb paralysis.
In the absence of treatment, the patient begins to suffer from frequent exacerbations of the condition, which are characterized by increased pain, interference with movement and a serious deterioration in general health.The most terrible complication of spondylosis is disability.Therefore, to prevent such serious changes in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, high-quality and timely treatment of osteoarthritis is required.
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis
A disease such as osteonecrosis is mainly pain in the spine.But it's important to distinguish it from pain caused by problems unrelated to disc degeneration.To do this, doctors conduct a step-by-step diagnosis, including:
- Get history, which involves a conversation between the specialist and the patient to determine the exact location of the pain and the factors that cause its deterioration.It is important to know the patient's profession, when the spine problems began, when there were exacerbations, what type of pain in the lumbar region and other parts occurred, what treatment methods the patient used.
- Physiological examinationallows you to determine the proportions of the body, the quality of movements and actions performed, the condition of the skin and the degree of sensitivity to pain.The doctor uses palpation to determine the condition of muscle tissue, the presence of tumors, swelling, etc.
- X-ray of the spine in two planesto visually assess the condition.Allows you to determine the displacement of the vertebrae, the presence of bone spurs and salt deposition.
If the data collected to prescribe treatment are insufficient or serious pathology of the spine is suspected, the patient will be prescribed a CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging, thanks to which it will be possible to examine in detail the vertebrae, blood vessels, soft tissues, nerve processes and create a complete picture of the condition of the spine affected by osteoarthritis in order to determine treatment tactics.
Treatment of osteoarthritis
Like any disease, osteoarthritis requires determining the cause of its development.Reducing the severity of symptoms is not the main but important stage of treatment, its outcome depends on a number of factors.In some cases it is a complete cure, in others it is a way to prevent complications and disability.
In the treatment of osteoarthritis of the spine, a group of measures are used:
- change the patient's daily routine;
- prescribe medication to relieve symptoms;
- physiotherapeutic procedures (massage, acupuncture, electrophoresis, therapeutic exercise, etc.).
Daily routine changes in the treatment of spinal osteoarthritis include reducing the intensity of physical activity, resting in bed when experiencing severe pain, and avoiding sudden turns and bends.
Medicine to treat cervical spondylosis
They can be divided into several groups:
- muscle relaxants to relieve pain, including pills, anesthetic injections, and anti-inflammatory injections for osteoarthritis.Homeopathic medicine normalizes the function of the thyroid gland, improves lymphatic drainage and has anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and immunomodulatory effects.
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.When used in patients with osteoarthritis, reduces the progression of inflammatory and destructive changes in the joints, improves the integrity, thickness and other properties of cartilage and stimulates bone tissue repair.
- topical anti-inflammatory ointments and alternative transdermal patches.These drugs have analgesic, antipyretic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects.The mechanism of action is to reduce the production of inflammatory mediators, lower body temperature and relieve pain.
- chondroprotector;
- means for therapeutic analgesic blockade;
- Vitamin B.
Supportive treatment methods
Among the additional means that can be used to treat, alleviate the general condition and improve the function of the spine and intervertebral discs, the most effective are:
- acupuncture;
- magnetic therapy;
- professional massage and self-massage;
- physical education courses;
- manual therapy.
Forecasting and prevention
If the spinal disease is non-progressive and progresses without serious complications, then 1.5-2 months of appropriate treatment can significantly improve the condition and prevent the disease from becoming chronic.In difficult cases, doctors recommend surgical treatment.
Prevention of osteoarthritis of the spine includes:
- maintain proper daily routine, with changes in body position and moderate physical activity;
- visit the swimming pool regularly;
- control body weight;
- wear comfortable shoes;
- balanced diet;
- sleep on orthopedic pillows and mattresses;
- take deficient nutrients or preventative homeopathic medicines to increase immunity, improve overall health and eliminate dystonia.
It is necessary to have an annual physical examination and to consult a doctor for treatment immediately after the appearance of any pain in the spine.
It does not matter what type of osteoarthritis we are talking about - lumbar, cervical or thoracic, paying attention to one's own health must become a good habit, especially when it comes to the foundation of the entire musculoskeletal system - the spine.