Effective methods for diagnosing and treating osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis or chondrosis is a disease that reduces the elasticity of articular cartilage tissue. The disease can appear in any joint, and depending on the localization, it has its own classification. Progression of the disease leads to impairment of joint motor function, complete immobility often occurs.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis, its causes and methods of treatment of this disease are discussed in the information provided.

How osteochondrosis manifests

Signs of osteochondrosis appear gradually, initially with a mild pain syndrome, which later becomes chronic and intense. Usually, patients 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 during movement;
• Crunch of joints;
• Stiffness of motion;
• Muscle spasm;
• Headache, increased blood pressure and dizziness (with cervical osteochondrosis);
• Pain in the chest and between the shoulders (thoracic osteochondrosis);
• Pain in the groin and buttocks (lumbosacral osteochondrosis and hip joint);
• Numbness of the limbs;
• Bone pain;
• Increased weather sensitivity;
• Decreased visual acuity.

Usually the first manifestations of the disease go unnoticed. This is why the initial stage of osteochondrosis is rarely diagnosed and, as a rule, completely by accident.

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, the formation of ossified formations - osteophytes. All this leads to impaired joint movement, changes in its structure and the appearance of unpleasant sensations during movement and walking.

The main reasons for appearing are:

1. Lack of continuous physical activity;
2. Injuries and injuries to the wrist;
3. Deformation of the joints under excessive stress;
4. Disorders of joint nutrition and blood supply;
5. Problems with overweight;
6. Unbalanced diet;
7. Chronic stress;
8. Hereditary predisposition;
9. endocrine pathologies;
10. Age-related changes;
11. Unfavorable working conditions (prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, hypothermia, weight lifting).

The chances of developing the disease increase in patients who have flat feet, congenital or acquired pathologies of foot development. With such diseases, the load during walking is incorrectly distributed, which leads to a change in normal gait and, as a result, deformity of the back, knee joints and hip.

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

In addition, chronic diseases of the internal organs can also act as a provocative factor. Infections and inflammations can affect nearby tissues, leading to the formation of pathology in the joints of the article.

Classification of osteochondrosis

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

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

Furthermore, depending on the localization of the pathology, we can also talk about coxarthrosis - osteochondrosis of the hip joint. Pathology can also affect the accumulated shoulder or joint. Osteochondrosis of the spine, on the other hand, is also classified according to the site of localization.

What types of osteochondrosis of the spine are:

• Cervical osteochondrosismanifests as pain and stiffness in the neck, back of the head and between the edges of the shoulders. It is often considered an occupational disease for accountants, computer programmers, and other occupations involving prolonged reduction.
• Osteochondrosis of the thoracic regionis ​​quite rare. Due to the relative immobility of this area, symptoms are often confused with angina pectoris or intercostal neuralgia. In addition, the manifestations of breast osteochondrosis may resemble an attack of pancreatitis or gastritis.
• Lumbar or lumbosacral osteochondrosisis ​​the most common type of disease. This is due to the added stress in this department, even during normal movements. With increasing load, lifting weights, playing sports, the pressure on the lumbar vertebrae increases many times, which can cause the development of the disease. The manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis are extremely diverse. The main symptoms include not only pain during bending, turning and other movements, but also muscle atrophy, difficulty walking, decreased sexual function and diseases of the urinary system.
• Osteochondrosis of the Coccyxis ​​a rare disease that mainly affects women. This is directly related to the physiological features of the small pelvic structure. It is defined by pain syndrome when you sit, walk and exercise. The onset is usually preceded by injuries and falls, as well as prolonged standing in an uncomfortable sitting position.

• Polysgmental osteochondrosisis ​​diagnosed when degenerative lesions of nearby joints are detected. They can be placed on one or more parts of the spine.
• Widespread osteochondrosisis ​​manifested by lesions of two or more parts of the spine. It is a difficult disease to treat with low chances of complete cure.
• Diffuse osteochondrosisis ​​diagnosed if the pathology spreads to all segments of the spine.

A progressive disease is characterized not only by pain and discomfort during movement. Inflammation of the connective tissue of the joint develops, the intervertebral roots are compressed, and bone tissue growths - osteophytes - begin to form in the vertebrae.

Stages of development of osteochondrosis

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 articular elements in the pathological process. For this, it is customary to use a classification by degrees as well as a location of pathology localization.

What types of osteochondrosis are:

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 over 50 years old. Recently, due to the proliferation of occupations that require a permanent stay in a sitting position, as well as a decline in physical activity of children and adolescents, osteochondrosis is diagnosed in almost every second person under the age of 30 years.
2. Second stageosteochondrosis is diagnosed by X-ray examination. The image shows the formation of multiple intervertebral disc fractures, 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. The second diagnosed stage of osteochondrosis can be treated very successfully with conservative methods.

3. The third stageof osteochondrosis is characterized by multiple intervertebral disc damage as well as a possible rupture of the ring fibrosis. The pain becomes prolonged and persistent, and may even 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 treatment of medical assistance.
4. Stage IVosteochondrosis is more severe. It is defined by severe lesions of the joint structure. Ligaments, vessels, nerve endings and connective tissue of the ankle are involved in the pathological process. Conservative methods are usually ineffective. Surgery is used more often, but even surgery does not guarantee recovery, patients often lose joint movement and remain incapacitated.

To prevent osteochondrosis from progressing to a critical stage, it is important to pay close attention to the signals the body gives us. There are cases when patients endure pain and discomfort for years, as well as 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 on its own at home using popular methods or only pain relievers.

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

To ensure accurate tactics for treating osteochondrosis, it is necessary to undergo special studies. They will help to identify the localization and causes that led to this disease. Only after you have eliminated all the negative factors that affect the progression of the disease, you can start the main treatment.

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

• X-ray examination.For reliable information it is necessary to take pictures in several projections. The location and extent of joint damage, the presence of osteophytes, and the condition of the bone canals are determined.
• Doppler ultrasound.Check for concerns about blood supply, vascular integrity and blood flow velocity.
• Myelography.Special examination of the spine using a contrast agent. Allows you to identify intervertebral hernias and their localization.
• Computed tomography.The condition of the intervertebral discs, possible deviations in structure and deformation, tightening of nerve roots and changes in the structure of individual vertebrae are checked.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.Usually provides a more detailed examination of the structure of the articular joints. As a rule, it is assigned when the information content of other exams conducted is low. An undoubted advantage is a more detailed study of the soft tissue condition.

Patient history is also studied without any hindrance. Possible injuries suffered even long before you go to a doctor, surgeries 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 information received, the diagnosis and degree of joint damage is determined.

How to treat osteochondrosis

After diagnosing and identifying the causes of osteochondrosis, the specialist develops an individual treatment plan. It is necessary to take 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.

Medicines alone can not be distributed, because it is necessary to simultaneously develop joint mobility, eliminate a possible inflammatory process in the surrounding tissues and also to neutralize the negative factor that led to the development of the disease.

This is why it is best to entrust the treatment of chondrosis to a specialist who will choose an individual set of exercises and also take into account the dynamics of therapy.

Drug therapy for osteochondrosis

The definition of drugs depends on the type of lesion and the accompanying pathological processes in the tissues. As a rule, patients try to treat osteochondrosis on their own, with home-made pharmaceutical oils and compresses, as well as folk remedies.

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

Drug therapy includes:

1. Systemic and local pain medications.These include oils and compresses, as well as pills and injections for severe pain. Used to treat osteochondrosis during an exacerbation.
2. NSAIDs- non-steroidal 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 easing muscle tone. Drugs in this group are taken in courses of 30-45 days and the dose is determined strictly individually. Usually, they start taking minimal doses (with severe hypertension, injections are prescribed), which gradually increase. In order not to cause withdrawal syndrome, the dose is then gradually reduced.
4. Chondroprotectorshelp restore cartilage tissue, 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 different forms of medicine. During the period of deterioration, it is used in the form of injections, and then 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 improve the function of NSAIDs and muscle relaxants. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and decongestant effect, help against pain and spasm. The course of treatment is determined individually. In the first days of an exacerbation of the disease, they are used in an injection form, then in a tablet form. The dosage is gradually reduced until the drug is completely discontinued.
7. Biogenic stimulants.They speed up metabolism and promote the restoration of joint tissue. 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 with medication alone? Certainly not. To completely get rid of the disease, it is necessary to perform other medical procedures. Special attention should be paid to a particular set of exercises. It is developed for each section of the spine or articular joints of the limbs.

Important point:classes are conducted under the supervision of a specialist, and only after you have removed the inflammation in the affected area.

Healing gymnastics

What to do in case of osteochondrosis and which moves is better to refuse, will show a special trainer with the right qualifications. At first, the exercises are performed under his control, then the patient can continue to exercise on his own.

Treating osteochondrosis at home includes regular exercises to restore joint movement.

Massage and physiotherapy

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

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

What is osteochondrosis? More and more patients learn about this disease at a young age. A sedentary lifestyle, reduced muscle tone and uneven loads on the joints - the weight of these negative factors leads to the development of degenerative processes in the structure of cartilage tissue.

A decrease in its elasticity, as well as a violation of its integrity, is manifested by constant or periodic pain, stiffness and even dysfunction of internal systems.