Osteochondrosis and regular back pain affect 60-80% of the population over the age of 30. Untreated osteochondrosis reduces the quality of life and can lead to disability and disability, so it is important to recognize it in the early stages of development and seek medical help.
In this article, we will talk about osteochondrosis, its symptoms and diagnostic methods, as well as how to distinguish osteochondrosis from other diseases that are manifested by back pain and what to do if signs 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 in the musculoskeletal system and nervous system. Osteochondrosis is also characterized as premature aging of the articular apparatus or as a pathology as a result of vertebral damage, for example, after injury.
The development of osteochondrosis is influenced by many factors, so researchers have systematized the reasons that explain the origin of the disease:
- involutive - inflammatory processes and other spinal injuries lead to premature aging of cartilage, for example, as a result of 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 of 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 begins with another. Thus, for example, due to age changes and a decrease in the number of vessels on the disc, nutrition is disrupted, leading to failure in biochemical processes and damage to the intervertebral disc.
Because degenerative and dystrophic changes develop in the spine, disruption of muscle tone and nerve root function that exit the spinal cord through the natural openings in the vertebrae. This leads to consequences for the nervous and musculoskeletal system.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease with periodic exacerbations, caused by injuries, an inactive lifestyle, heavy lifting, hypothermia, and psycho-emotional stress. The most common and characteristic symptom of dystrophic disorders in the nucleus of intervertebral discs are regular painful back pain in various 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 spinal cord roots. They manifest themselves in the form of cramps or vasodilation, muscle twitching, weakening of muscle strength. Symptoms of compression develop due to compression (more often caused by a hernia of the spine) of the nerves and are manifested by a loss of sensation in the affected segment (neck, arms or lower back).
Also, 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, backwards or forwards;
- violation of sensitivity and nervous regulation: there is a feeling of crawling on the skin, fluctuations of heat and cold on the skin of the back and extremities, numbness of the hands or feet;
- weakening of limb muscle strength;
- 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 the feet of:
- buttocks;
- posterior and lateral thighs;
- lower leg and inner ankle;
- back of foot;
- toes;
- heels.
Also, the pain can spread to the hands to:
- deltoid muscle;
- outer edge of hand, to fingers;
- back of arm;
- three middle fingers;
- without finger and little finger (rare).
How is osteochondrosis diagnosed?
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is based on a survey, physical examination, and instrumental examination methods. Specific test methods are determined in consultations.
The doctor begins the diagnosis by taking a medical history: determines the probable causes of back pain, determines the localization of pain and their duration, determines the presence of accompanying pathologies, for example, allergies, congenital diseases and drug intolerance. He then continues the inspection. Physical examination is performed standing or sitting. The doctor can detect the curvature of the spine, assess muscle strength and reflexes, and look at skin color. In order to present a detailed picture of the disease, it is necessary to consult related experts: neurologists, neurosurgeons, oncologists, rheumatologists and phthisiologists.
A neurologist diagnoses osteochondrosis if:
- regular back pain;
- increased pain when lifting weights, sneezing, coughing;
- numbness and sore joints;
- reduced range of motion in the joints;
- muscle spasm;
- nerve root damage;
- changes on X-ray of the spine.
Do you need a spine x-ray?
X-ray of the spine or spondylography is one of the obligatory examinations of 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 taken in two (and sometimes three) projections for greater details.
Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging enable the recognition of pathologies associated with osteochondrosis: disc herniation and reduction of the 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
In cervical osteochondrosis of the spine, two main symptoms appear - cervicago and cervicalgia. Cervicago is an acute painful cervical lumbago that occurs when the head is moved and due to muscle tension in the cervical spine. Cervical pain is a painful and severe pain in the neck. Paresthesias are added to cervical pain - a violation of sensitivity in the form of numbness and a feeling of crawling on the skin.
If the defeat of the nucleus of the intervertebral discs of the neck progresses, cervical radiculitis appears - painful sensations in the back of the head. The pain is characterized by regularity, in addition, it occasionally intensifies, especially when moving the head.
This triad - cervicalgia, cervical sciatica and cervicago - can be complicated by nocturnal hand dysaesthesia syndrome, in which sensitivity is distorted. For example, a warm object may be cold with your fingers, but if you shake it with your hands, the sensitivity returns.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
For osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the most characteristic is painful lumbago in the chest (dorsalgia). Chest pain is worse when moving the arms, sneezing, coughing and lifting weights. Most often, the pain is dangerous. Also, paresthesias often occur in the chest. Sometimes damage to the nuclei of intervertebral discs can be masked in diseases of internal organs, for example, gastritis or angina pectoris, because the pain can be localized in the upper abdomen and in the heart.
How to recognize - heart pain or osteochondrosis?
Pectalgic syndrome is pain in the front wall of the chest that can resemble heart pain. Pectalgia can be a sign of both osteochondrosis and heart problems.
However, the pain of angina pectoris and heart attack differs from the pectalgic syndrome in osteochondrosis. The peculiarities of pain in angina pectoris and myocardial infarction are that they have a compressive character and spread to the left shoulder blade, arm and jaw.
The pectalgic syndrome in osteochondrosis does not exceed the boundaries of the anterior chest wall, does not extend into the arm and shoulder blade, and is not accompanied by fear of death. However, these are only subjective feelings. Therefore, to rule out cardiac pathology, you should consult a doctor and do an electrocardiography that will detect arrhythmia or signs of myocardial infarction.
If the pain begins to spread to the left shoulder blade, arm, jaw, is accompanied by a feeling of fear, is not removed by taking nitroglycerin and lasts more than 10-15 minutes, you need to call an ambulance.
Why is lumbar osteochondrosis dangerous?
In osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, lumbago or lumbodinia most often occurs - regular lumbago and painful pain in the lumbar region. Due to the constant pain, the movements are limited: the person cannot bend down, do exercises or lift a heavy object.
Lumbago can pass alone. However, they are prone to worsening, and any worsening indicates additional movement of the intervertebral disc into the spinal canal. If the destruction of the intervertebral disc progresses, lumbosacral radiculitis forms, followed by pain in the lower back, which radiates to the buttocks and thighs.
What is the difference between osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis?
Osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis (spondylogenic arthrosis) belong to the class of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. However, there is a key difference between them: in osteochondrosis, the nucleus of the intervertebral disc is affected, and in osteoarthritis, the intervertebral joints. This makes a difference in symptoms and treatment.
In osteochondrosis, back pain is regular and painful, manifested by calmness and intensified in movement, and in spondyloarthritis, the occurrence of pain is associated with stretching and bending of the spine. Usually, the pain syndrome in osteoarthritis of the spine is one-sided and has a convulsive character. Also, spondylogenic osteoarthritis is characterized by morning stiffness that lasts from 30 to 60 minutes.
What is the difference between osteochondrosis and radiculitis?
Radiculitis is an inflammation of the roots of the spinal cord that is accompanied by pain along the affected nerves. These are actually two different diseases, but sciatica is a common complication of osteochondrosis, so it is often one of the symptoms of osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of sciatica
In osteochondrosis, radiculitis most often occurs in the cervical and lumbar spine. Sciatica is manifested by pain along the damaged nerve, sensory disturbances and sometimes movement disorders. Sciatica is characterized by the fact that the pain crosses the back and spreads to the hips, buttocks, lower legs and feet.
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 are no structural changes in either the spinal column or the nucleus of the intervertebral discs.
Vegetovascular dystonia has a mental origin - it is a neurosis that is associated with intrapersonal conflicts or childhood traumas. Externally, VSD and osteochondrosis can be similar to each other: headaches, dizziness, pain in the front wall of the chest.
To differentiate diseases, you need to perform instrumental diagnostics - X-rays of the cervical spine and other parts, computer and magnetic 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, anti-anxiety, hypnotic, restorative agents, 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 way you work and rest, exercise and stick to a balanced diet.
Is osteochondrosis treatable 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 your doctor’s prescriptions, the disease can be cured.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home?
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home is not recommended. There are several reasons for this:
- at home it is impossible to accurately diagnose osteochondrosis, because back pain has a different origin: neurogenic, vascular, viscerogenic (due to disease of internal organs) and psychogenic. That is, the person is being treated for osteochondrosis, but in fact the back pain has occurred, for example, due to kidney disease;
- it is impossible to objectively assess the effectiveness of treatment without control diagnostics;
- the patient cannot adequately choose the treatment for himself, and folk remedies do not have a base of evidence, so they are most likely ineffective and can give side effects.
You can be treated at home in one case - only after consulting a doctor who will correctly diagnose, prescribe adequate treatment and periodically monitor the effectiveness of therapy using X-rays, CT or MRI.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine
Treatment of osteochondrosis is conservative and surgical. Which method will be the main one depends on the stage of the disease and the neglect of the musculoskeletal system.
Conservative treatment includes medication, exercise therapy, and lifestyle adjustments. Of 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, ie 1-3 days after the removal of pain you need to walk, run, exercise in the pool or ride a bike. It is also important to change your lifestyle to an active one, as sedentary is one of the factors in the development of back pain and destruction of the nuclei of the intervertebral discs.
Surgical treatment is used when conservative therapy was ineffective within 2-4 weeks, and in cases where there are pronounced structural changes in the spine. The surgeon will determine what kind of operation is needed after consulting a neuropathologist and studying the research data. For example, in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, methods are used that relieve the spinal cord from pressure from the vertebrae or hernia (discectomy and decompression).
If you experience back pain, accompanied by lumbago in the spine or neck, painful chest pain, weakened muscles in the arm or leg, unpleasant tactile sensations on the skin and numbness, consult a neurologist for advice.