An imbalance between physical and emotional stress, suffered trauma and complications, hypothermia and colds contribute to the development of osteochondrosis. Pathology is provoked by degenerative changes in segments of cartilage and bone tissue. The increased mobility of the intervertebral discs increases the likelihood of the process, which is determined by the statistics of the greatest distribution in the cervical and lumbar region. In addition to the spine, the joints of the upper and lower extremities are affected.
Types and causes of osteochondrosis
Excessive overload of vertebral segments or joints, depending on their location and degree, is the main cause of osteochondrosis, which is divided into the following types:
- Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is a pathological process of unknown etiology, but according to clinical studies it develops as a result of:
- hormonal disorders;
- wrong posture;
- structural anomalies and curvatures;
- injuries sustained;
- professional activity associated with stress or prolonged vibration of the stick;
- Flat feet;
- Restriction of physical activity or vice versa due to physical overload;
- Obesity.
- Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathology commonly referred to as "salt deposition". The main causes of cervical osteochondrosis lie in the increased activity of the neck and the tissue malnutrition caused by it against the background of:
- excessive load on the neck;
- Hypothermia and previous colds;
- uncontrolled sport without observing safety measures and security measures;
- unfavorable conditions for meteorological factors;
- stressful situations;
- prolonged sitting without changing posture;
- Exposure to chemicals.
- Osteochondrosis dissecans, or Koening's disease, is a degenerative-dystrophic process that begins with dystrophy, followed by additional inflammation of the knee, hip, elbow, and collarbone-shoulder joints. The causes of occurrence include:
- injuries sustained;
- hereditary predisposition;
- Violation of the patency of the branch of the adjacent artery.
Pathological abnormalities provoke disordered growth of bone tissue, dislocation of intervertebral discs and joints, as well as irritation of the nerve roots, which is accompanied by pain.
Symptoms of diseases
The clinical picture is different depending on the type of pathology. Difficulty breathing occurs particularly with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, caused by:
- Pain that increases with breathing and restricted mobility in the chest area;
- Intercostal neuralgia provoked by irritation or injury to the spinal roots;
- secondary deformities in the chest area against the background of kyphoscoliosis and a decrease in lung volume.
Due to the clinical picture, disguised as the symptomatology of other diseases, the pathological process is confused with angina, ischemia, pneumonia, gastroenterological diseases, which is why it is called "chameleon".
One of the most common symptoms is dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis, which occurs due to compression of the blood vessels and impaired blood flow to the brain, in which insufficient oxygen and nutrients get to the brain. The pathology is manifested by additional symptoms:
- Loss of orientation in space;
- the appearance of noises in the head and ears;
- Darkening in the eyes or flickering spots;
- throbbing headache;
- Nausea and vomiting.
If you experience restricted tongue movement and stuttering while walking, urgently seek medical attention and lie face down before the patient arrives.
Symptoms of Koening's disease are determined by the stage of the process and range from discomfort and rapid fatigue in the affected limb to pain that grows over time and a visually apparent increase in joint volume.
Therapeutic activities
Treatment of the disease requires an integrated approach broken down into time periods. In the acute stage, drug therapy is prescribed, in addition, physiotherapeutic methods and folk remedies are used. Rest is recommended at the resorts during remission, but it should be remembered that spa treatment for osteochondrosis during an exacerbation is not only not beneficial, but can also be harmful.
Medication
In the acute phases of osteochondrosis, drugs are prescribed orally:
- anti-inflammatory drugs to eliminate the inflammatory process;
- Analgesics for pain relief;
- Muscle relaxants for relieving muscle spasms;
- Anticonvulsants for relieving compression of nerve endings;
- Hondoprotectors for the regeneration of cartilage tissue;
- Tranquilizers to relieve stress and support the nervous system;
- Vitamin complexes to provide the body with the necessary nutrients and generally strengthen them.
For pain relief, therapeutic blockades are used by injecting directly into the affected area. The analgesic effect and the improvement of the local blood circulation are achieved by topically applied ointments and creams to the affected area.
Physiotherapy procedure
Physiotherapy is prescribed both in parallel with medication and during remission to maintain a stable position and prevent relapse. For medical purposes use:
- Traction therapy and reflexology;
- Acupuncture with electrical stimulation and exposure to cold;
- Cupping and acupressure massage;
- Therapy with ultrasound and electromagnetic vibrations.
The interventions carried out by a medical specialist improve blood circulation, restore the functionality of damaged segments and increase vitality. Self-medication can cause relapse, lead to deterioration and contribute to the development of pathology.