Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disorder in the articular cartilage tissues, which can be localized in any joint, as well as in the intervertebral discs.
The name of the disease comes from the Greek words meaning "bone" and "cartilage".Osteochondrosis develops due to physiological (that is, normal, natural) weakening of nutrition of the intervertebral discs.This leads to the fact that cartilage tissue is poorly regenerated even after minor injuries.In addition, most people, especially those who lead a sedentary lifestyle, unevenly load the back muscles due to staying in one position for a long time at the workplace, talking on the phone for a long time with the ear pressed to the shoulder, carrying bags on one shoulder, using too soft mattresses and pillows.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Almost all middle-aged and elderly people are at risk of developing osteochondrosis of the spine, because the processes that cause cartilage tissue degeneration are completely natural.Risk factors and causes of osteochondrosis in more pronounced forms are:
- flat feet;
- excess weight;
- heavy physical activity;
- physical inactivity;
- heredity;
- spinal injuries.
Previously, it was believed that osteochondrosis of the spine manifests itself mainly after the age of 35, but recently, patients aged 18-20 years complain of back pain caused by osteochondrosis.Probable reasons for the prevalence of osteochondrosis among young people are not only a sedentary lifestyle, but also frequent stress and poor posture.
Manifestations of osteochondrosis - pain and limited movement
There are osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine and osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.But regardless of the type of disease, a person always complains of pain.In which part of the back it manifests itself and whether it radiates to the limbs depends on the location, that is, on which part of the spine the degenerative processes occurred.Pain can be caused by various reasons, for example, pinched (compressed) nerve roots or herniated intervertebral discs.Disc herniation is the rupture of the fibrous ring and protrusion of the core of the disc, i.e. the cartilage tissue itself.In many cases, the herniation of the intervertebral discs occurs precisely on the background of osteochondrosis.
Men and overweight people have a herniated disc much more often than others
Pain in osteochondrosis can vary not only in intensity, but also in location.With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, pain occurs not only in the neck, but also in the shoulder, radiating to the arm.
Sometimes patients have headaches and dizziness.
Osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine sometimes "imitates" pain in the heart.It can be reinforced with various movements, be sharp or pulled.In osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, the pain can radiate to the leg.In the presence of herniated intervertebral discs, numbness of the extremities sometimes occurs, as if "wearing off".Pain in the lower back significantly limits the range of motion and can affect the functioning of internal organs.
Herniation of intervertebral discs occurs mainly in the cervical and lumbar spine, much less often in the thoracic spine.
Complications of osteochondrosis and its treatment
This disease of the spine is associated with pain, so the treatment of osteochondrosis is necessary in order to solve it or significantly reduce it, thereby increasing the quality of life.The question of how to cure osteochondrosis causes a lot of controversy.The process of treating osteochondrosis is very long;it is associated with the restoration of spinal structures and strengthening of the back muscles, and according to indications, with the surgical treatment of disc herniation.All this time, it is necessary to fight against the pain, because the cause of the disease - degenerative phenomena in the tissues of the articular cartilage - is irreversible, and it is possible to affect mainly the surrounding tissues.Improving circulation and strengthening the muscular corset comes through physiotherapy, massage and swimming.However, the pain, even with diligent and regular exercises and procedures, does not disappear immediately.
Complex treatment of osteochondrosis: additional possibilities
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for external and internal use are used to reduce pain in osteochondrosis (unfortunately, their long-term use in the form of tablets has significant side effects) and B vitamins. B vitamins are called neurotropic, because they help restore the functions of nerve fibers.The most important are vitamin B1 (benfotiamine) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine).pills.Benfotiamine normalizes metabolic processes in damaged nerve roots, and pyridoxine improves the passage of nerve impulses, while both vitamins help reduce pain.B vitamins for osteochondrosis are one of the elements of an integrated approach to therapy.